modest home studio and mics

[bdogg]

I'm putting together a modest home "studio" for recording primarily voice and acoustic guitar. I'm thinking I'll get a Korg D1200 PDS. I'm considering two from the following: Rode NT1, Audio Technica 3031, 3035 (are any good for either purpose? am I wasting money by not getting something better?). Before reading some of the monitor discussion here I was planning to get either the Behringer Truths or Alesis M1 actives, but it sounds like I'd be wasting my money. I looked at Kurt Foster's list and thought maybe I could swing the KRK V4s, but I wonder if it makes sense at my recording skill level. I hope to learn more about recording, but songwriting and playing music will remain my emphasis. Any thoughts or other suggestions? Thanks alot for your help.

 

[Alécio Costa - Brazil]

Stay away from Roland Ds, Behringer LIES ( not truth- lol). Monitor ones sound funny but translate well. In a few weeks you get accustomed to them.
Look at ebay for an At4033/At4050
Digi 001

 

[Rambo66]

I have a Rode NT-1 and I think it sounds very brittle and shrill. Not into it. Some of the recommendations I've gotten on mics in the under $200 range are:

Sennheiser 421
Audio Technica 4033
Studio Projects C1

Do you have a SM57? You may want to stat there.

Good Luck!

 

[Kurt Foster]

bdogg & Rambo66,
Those are all good mics for different applications, including the NT1.. what you are hearing as brittle and shrill may have something to do with the mic pre you use.

The KRKs are a good choice and I need to update "the list" with the Yamaha MSP 5s also. I haven't tried these yet but they get a good rap from RecorderMan.. If they are good enough for him, then I say, try 'em, you may like 'em. You can never have too good a speaker at any level of recording. Mics, speakers (transducers) and mic pres are always the most critical elements in a recording rig. Go for the best you can swing... Kurt

 

[Bowisc]

I have a low-mid range recording set-up and have found good results with the lower-cost microphones available.

Here are a few I'd recommend:


MXL V67G - Very colorful mic, low-mid presence, very "vintage" flavor to it.

MXL V93M - Poor man's TLM-103; fairly neutral, great on acoustic guitar

Studio Projects B1 - Great utility LD condenser; excellent on acoustic sources, female vox

Studio Projects C3 - Love this mic over the C1. Multi-pattern mic, not as aggressive in the high-end as the C1, and to me, sounds more pleasant than C1.

Shure SM-57 - Needs no explanation. Sounds wonderful through an RNP and GR NV.

Behringer ECM8000 - Very good value at about $40; omni-direction SD "linear" mic, high output, a tad noisy but may not be an issue depending on your mixing

MXL 603s - At $80 each, these SD mics perform well. I hear Marshall is raising prices on these in the not-so-distant future. Grab a pair if you can. Good on high-hat, overheads, acoustic guitars, hand percussion, even vocals at times.

Audio-Technica AT3035 - Very nice on acoustic guitars.

Rode NT5 - Used these a few times with good results. Work well as over-heads, hi-hat, acoustic guitar. Darker-sounding than Neumann KM-184's.

Studio Projects C4 - Still new; haven't heard them. But wait and see what feedback you can find. Seems like a good deal for the price; you get omni/cardioid caps, high-pass/pad, shocks, case, and great service (as usual) from SP folks.


Good luck finding what best suites your needs.

Bowisc

 

[Bowisc]

Just to add...

If you're looking at getting one pair of fairly decent SD mics for acoustic guitar... I highly suggest checking out mics. I will be getting a pair in the next few weeks. Used them on a few pro sessions and was very, very impressed.

Bowisc

 

[Bowisc]

Originally posted by Alécio Costa - Brazil:
...Monitor ones sound funny but translate well... .

It is strange to me why so many people bash the MK-II's. Sure, they sound a bit tubby and all... but I agree... they are somewhat effective at translating mixes across the board.

Bowisc

 

[Catoogie]

Hey Bowisc

I really liked your recommendations and explanations on the mics. What pres do you like?

 

[Bowisc]

Originally posted by Catoogie:
Hey Bowisc

I really liked your recommendations and explanations on the mics. What pres do you like?

Thanks, but take it all with a grain of salt. They are just my opinions. I'm peanuts compared to the heavy-weights that post here.

What pres?
I don't have an overall favorite from the few pieces I own, but I have to say that the Great River (MP-2NV) is my "go to first" pre-amp. But then again, it all depends on the sound I'm after. It may not be the best for every source being recorded.

So, really, my best and favorite pre is the one that will get me the best results for a specific tracking session.

Bowisc

 

[Sanity Inn]

Hi ,

I saw the mic post , so thought this would be best place to ask..


I was checkin my local buy N sell paper, and someone is selling a brand new AKG C3000B for basically 195.oo cash US..

Any coments on the mic and the cost as a mic to add to a collection

Thanks

Mike

" Logic rules, emotion wins!!!"