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I currently own a SM57 mic which i record my vocals with into Pro Tools...and I'm considering purchasing a AT 40/50 microphone...i dont have a booth..or padding...in fact the room i record in is about the size of an average bedroom but without a closet...with my SM57 it normally didnt pick up to much of the room and my vocals usually came out sounding decent...but I'm seeking the vocal transparency you can only get from a condenser mic...but I'm hearing from various sources that condensers are so sensitive that a booth or sound proofing of some sort is required. is this really case?...and if so do ya'll have any suggestions?...keep in mind I'm goin to be on a tight bugdet...and also...to those who have recorded thru or own one... what do ya'll think of the AT 40/50?...

Comments

moonbaby Tue, 01/10/2006 - 15:22

Timepiece:
Welcome to RO! The AT4050 is a GREAT mic...you'll love it. I have several ATs (4047, 4050,4041...). I personally like using the 4047 on my voice (VOs), but the 4050's extra versatility with selectable patterns is a nice plus. You WILL have to treat your recording space. So what? We ALL have had to do that! Better you start learning how now, rather than later on. If you go with the 4050, you do have the option of using the mic in "figure-8" pattern, and that may help you a bit. It MIGHT mean less treatment will be needed (just the "back" of the mic, as opposed to all-around it), but, still...
Check out the other sections of this site. There are plenty of tips on how to do a "budget" booth, etc. For example, go to "Voice-over" and check out what TeddyG has done-he is the MASTER of the cheap'n'dirty booth!
He has provided many with good, useable low-cost alternatives to get a good-sounding track cut.
BTW, don't forget about the preamp! If you go with a processor like the Safesound P1 or a dbx 286a, you will find that the downward expander section on them will help get rid of some of "the room"...LATER!

anonymous Tue, 01/10/2006 - 18:17

Thanx ya'll....i purchased the mic today and it will be arriving thursday so i look forward to gettin that...as for pre amps...i have a mackie 1402 VLZ and an MBox...should i run it thru the mackie to the mbox or strait to the MBox...would it make any sound quality difference? Tell me what you think....thanx...

moonbaby Wed, 01/11/2006 - 07:37

I have no experience with the M-Box, but I own a couple of the 1202VLZ's (plus several better mixers, including an old Neve Melbourne broadcast board). The 1202VLZ should do you fine. I would think that the pre is at least as good as the M, maybe better, but you'd just have to try them both and see what YOU think. In the end, that's all that matters, right?
If I may be so bold, I would suggest you try getting a "mic processor"/"channel strip"/"voice processor" (analog, not some digital toy!) to help you track. These boxes (like a dbx 286a, Toft, Safesound, etc) will afford you a decent mic pre, PLUS the necessary dynamics control to get your sound down without overloading, and the "downward expansion" most of them have will minimize "the room", in reference to your original question. You can find a 286a for less than $150.00 on e-Bay. Good luck!

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