microphones for home studio recordings?

Posted: Tue Feb 28, 2006 1:27 am

just looking for suggestions for a good quality and good sounding mic for all around home studio recording. Have been checking out large diaphragm condensers/ some tubes. Vocals is my number 1 priority. Also some acoustic guitar. Style of music is hip hop/rnb (not sure if that'll make a difference). Any tips would be greatly appreciated.

Posted: Tue Feb 28, 2006 10:45 am

Rode do good all round ones eg NT2A cardioid. for circa £200

SE electronics are great value for money, esp the 2200a, which has a high pass switch, and three patterns (figure of eight, cardioid, omni). Bit more expensive than Rode tho. Probably £300?

The bees knees tho for vocals are much more expensive e.g. Neumann mics... from £700 upwards....

Cool

Posted: Tue Feb 28, 2006 11:48 am

I think a Rode mic would be fine or perhaps an AT

Posted: Tue Feb 28, 2006 12:38 pm

I have recommended the Studio Projects B1 as a starter mic to several persons who all has reported their happiness. It is about as low in price as you can get, but still gives decent results.

Gunnar

Posted: Tue Feb 28, 2006 4:59 pm

I still love the SM 58 and Beta 58 by Shure. One of the most versatile, economical and well-built microphones ever. So affordable you can buy them by the bag! Other than that I have enjoyed the sound of many of the Rode microphones sounds and think they are much more of a quality oriented product than some of the Chinese stuff.

One SM 58 from column a
One SM 58 from column b
Ms. Remy Ann David

Do I get in an egg role with that also?

Posted: Tue Feb 28, 2006 6:12 pm

thanx, i've been checking the Rode NT1-A and CAD M9. Any one familiar with either one and might be able to give some insight?

Posted: Tue Feb 28, 2006 7:03 pm

I really like the NT1a and haven't played with those other guys you CAD!

Prissy missy
Ms. Remy Ann David

Posted: Tue Feb 28, 2006 7:52 pm

hey labrat,

I'd agree with RemyRAD. The Rode NT1 and NT1A are great, very usable microphones. Particularly with vocals and acoustic guitar, I think you'll find that they will give you a sound you'll like.

You mention hiphop and R&B - you may find the NT1 sound particularly suited for that application, actually. The NT1 has a somewhat hyped top end. That can drive some people nuts (particularly people who use Neumann mic's consistently). However, one man's annoyance is another man's killer sound. Hiphop and R&B tend to do well with a lot of sparkle.

Now, if you decide that's not what you want, you can also go in the exact opposite direction and consider one of the Kel Audio HM1's. Highly respected mic with a smoother top.

Best,
Jed

Posted: Tue Feb 28, 2006 10:07 pm

Thanx for the insight. Will the fact that i am recording in a 5 by 8 ft. room effect my sound negatively? And what could i use to deaden sound in the room?

Posted: Tue Feb 28, 2006 10:38 pm

Yes, a small room like that will make things like vocals sound a little more peculiar with a fine condenser microphone as opposed to the venerable SM 58 which I really think is less affected by crappy acoustics.

What can you do to improve the acoustics in that little room LabRat??
Try lots of cheese? Or maybe some acoustic foam disguised as cheese? Just make sure you don't cut the cheese in that little room!

Cheese the Queen
Ms. Remy Ann David

Posted: Wed Mar 01, 2006 4:27 am

The classic low cost option is to get a couple of clothes rails/poles and hang duvets over them.

Posted: Wed Mar 01, 2006 5:39 pm

LabRat wrote:

just looking for suggestions for a good quality and good sounding mic for all around home studio recording. Vocals is my number 1 priority. Also some acoustic guitar.

Try the KEL HM-1's out. They are only $99. Also try a Rode K2. A bit more $$$. But it would be nice as well. Or a Shure KSM44. Not too much cash.
Finally, how about a AT4033 or something close to that. AT makes very good mic's.
Shure SM57's should not be overlooked either. Again only $99.
I know you said mic's but...
I use my Avalon U5 on acoustic guitar, as a DI. It's the same one Eric Clapton uses on his acoustic guitar. It has lots of favors for acoustic guitar.
Just a few suggestions.

Posted: Wed Mar 01, 2006 6:35 pm

I'd say go with a AT3035, I've had nothing but good results with this mic!

Theron D
Baltimore MD

Posted: Thu Mar 02, 2006 8:48 am

RemyRAD wrote:

I still love the SM 58 and Beta 58 by Shure. One of the most versatile, economical and well-built microphones ever. So affordable you can buy them by the bag! Other than that I have enjoyed the sound of many of the Rode microphones sounds and think they are much more of a quality oriented product than some of the Chinese stuff.

I also think the Shure SM7B falls into the category of being built like a brick shit house, and very flexible. I brought one home from work to try out, and I've now used it on kick, snare, and vox with awesome results. It has that something.

My opinion of course.

Posted: Thu Mar 02, 2006 12:54 pm

Well yeah, but the SM7b is really nothing more than a glorified SM 57 with a couple of extra switches to tailor the presence peak and rolloff the proximity effect. Other than that, if you open that microphone up and look at the capsule, it looks like your looking at an imprisoned SM 57 that may have been " chosen" by the folks at Shure if it had better response than a 57 and then voila a microphone you can sell for more money?

If it's good enough for Michael Jackson in lieu of children it's good enough for me
Ms. Remy Ann David

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