Howdy

What are you going to sample? The mic selection process is the same as for recording music (or anything) in that one choses a mic that captures the source sound in an acceptable manner.

I think stereo sampling is not necessary for musical instruments but that's just my opinion. What is your application?

Your mics should probably be the same if you're doing stereo but even that isn't a rule.

Let us know what you're trying to sample.

Hi Nate,

I want to sample a variety of things.
Now, I guess I'll have to get several mics.

I want to sample outdoors stuff like traffic, the sounds in the woods, ambient noise. I would also like to sample machinery in my factory, cylinders, sewing machines, presses and the like.

Last music and voice.

I have presently 1- SM57, 1-SM58, 1-Behringer B-2 and a Mercades Lavalier condenser which I use for inserting in acoustic instruments.

I was looking at a SM81 which seemed to have good range, flat response and handles a decent spl.

If I need to be versitile what would you recommend? In each of the specific cases above what would you recommend?

Thanks in advance,

Mike :c:

Howdy

OK, that answers a lot of questions but raises a few more, mainly, what is it you don't like about what you're getting out of your current set of mics?

If you're doing "FX" type stuff then maybe some sort of single point stereo mic would be good. From the sort of prosumer AT 822 to the Shure VP88. Studio Projects has a pretty beefy looking stereo mic (LSD-2 I think) but that might not be the best for outdoor recording. I think they also have a small diaphram mike which might a little better suited for this kind of thing.

You might want to invest in some sort of windscreen, otherwise you'll pick up a lot of wind.

For voice, its hard to go wrong with any of the following, most of which you can find in the sub $500 range

EV RE20
Shure SM7
Sennheiser 421
Sennheiser 441 (my favorite)

For music, well, what kind? I record gigs for reference all the time but I'm constantly amazed at what two well placed 57s will pickup.

Nate,

Thanks for geting back to me. I am in the process of going mobile with my new laptop.

This is an investigation into sampling live stuff and I am just trying to get a handle on my needs.

I like the mics I have and agree with you on the 57's I have used them for years with live stuff from my past bands.

I guess what I'll do for now is pick up the SM81 to add to the little mic collection in general and once the Fire wire unit from ESI is available later this summer I will try all of the mics and decide what works for me.

Thanks again for getting back to me so quickly.

Mike :p: