Help choosing microphone for beginner

Posted: Thu Jul 09, 2009 5:36 pm

http://www.dpamicrophones.com/en/Microphone-University.aspx

Posted: Thu Jul 09, 2009 7:20 pm

Other resources for you involve checking out the "Books to Read" link on every post. My personal favorite is from Yamaha, The Sound Reinforcement Handbook by Gary Davis.

Ultimately you will spend oodles and oodles of time playing with mic positions. Just when you think you have it perfect you'll move something an inch and get a completely different sound.

As your experience grows the time spent deciding how to mic a particular instrument for a particular style of music will decrease significantly but you will always keep experimenting if you are hungry for the "perfect" sound.

Posted: Thu Jul 09, 2009 7:25 pm

TheJackAttack wrote:

Other resources for you involve checking out the "Books to Read" link on every post. My personal favorite is from Yamaha, The Sound Reinforcement Handbook by Gary Davis.

Ultimately you will spend oodles and oodles of time playing with mic positions. Just when you think you have it perfect you'll move something an inch and get a completely different sound.

As your experience grows the time spent deciding how to mic a particular instrument for a particular style of music will decrease significantly but you will always keep experimenting if you are hungry for the "perfect" sound.

I understand the attraction now, there are so many variables all of which can be equated and accounted for, I imagine doing a class in sound physics could help too Razz

Thanks for the resources, I will read a few tonight in bed, then tomorrow I will start the hunt!

Posted: Wed Jul 15, 2009 9:54 pm

I looked up some info and found this article to be useful when deciding what type of mic to select:

http://www.tweakheadz.com/microphones_for_the_home_studio.htm

Let me know if it helps!!!

Posted: Thu Jul 16, 2009 1:41 am

Mic choice/placement is everything.

I have many "safe bets" that I use.

Still, if the band will let me play a little, I play.
Every player and every instrument is as different as every mic and placement.
57 or 421 on toms? Both are "safe bets", but I'd rather get the one that fits that kit and player best. Ditto for placement.

Like Jack said, the more you play, the more you know. How about a 2020 on toms (thanks Dave!)? Not always right, but I try it if I have the leisure.

As a rule (esp. w/ condensers) I've found:
Below and pointed at the chin registers more of the chest and throat sound.
Above and pointed at the mouth registers more of the sinus cavity resonances.
I sometimes like to use a dynamic straight on w/ a condenser above. Works for me, may not work at all for you. I am just pointing out some of the things I experiment with to give you some launching points.

As they say, Your Methods May Vary. If you don't vary, you don't have a method.

And don't forget about the proximity effect!

Posted: Fri Jul 17, 2009 2:33 pm

BradSamson wrote:

I looked up some info and found this article to be useful when deciding what type of mic to select:

http://www.tweakheadz.com/microphones_for_the_home_studio.htm

Let me know if it helps!!!

Yes very good. I liked the breakdown of microphone positioning.

Thanks for the help.

Posted: Sat Jul 18, 2009 8:55 pm

davidpower wrote:

I think I know how to record a flute now, I'm struggling with the Sax and the clarinet now, the sax is very hard to record.

Davidpower, this is an interesting topic, why not start a topic in the microphones category about your troubles. I'm sure you will get more responses if you specify what you are looking to solve in your topic headline.

By the way, Its good to hear your having fun with your new interface. Smile

This topic sponsored by: