Hi, I'm new around here and thought I should start off with a question :)

First off my setup:

Audio interface: U46DJ, 1/4'' balanced mic input and a instrument input (Hi-Z).
PC: DELL Inspiron 6400, 1.73 dual, 2GB RAM, 80GB 5400rpm.
Software: Sonar Producer 7

A while ago (a few months?) someone posted a link to an online calculator that would create contour plots on different microphone configurations.

You could input the type of pattern on the microphone, the angle, and the position. It would graph the power as a contour plot, as well as show the left to right balance and a number of other statistics.

XY pattern mics are usually shown at 90 degrees. Is there something inherently good or necessary about the precise value of 90 degrees?

Im trying to figure out what kind of mic to upgrade to but I'm having some trouble.
Im not sure whether i should spend a little more money getting a ribbon mic that seems really versatile or getting a much nicer condensor than the one I already have.

Hi Guys:

I have an Alesis 3630 compressor which -- based on how I am reading the documentation -- has two unbalanced channels which can be used separately or as the R-L sides of a stereo signal. I also have a PreSonus Firestudio Project.

Kick- AKG112D or Shure Beta52 ?
Snare- 2x Shure sm57
Toms- 3x Sennheiser MD 421
Overheads- sE electronic SE1A stereo pair

Thats it. Is there anything u suggest me to change? (sept sE mics coss i like tham).
+ I'm thinking to buy those sE reflection filters for drums... Does anyone have some experiance with tham?

So I am finally getting around to setting up a simple home recording area.
I have about a 700-900 dollar budget and have come up with a couple options but I need help with microphones. I am looking for a mic that works well with my voice (good low and mid range, nice and warm, not too tinny) and also can record acoustic guitar well.

Here a microphone shootout on a grand piano at home:

http://www.esnips.com/web/Microphonesshootout

Microphones in 20 cm AB, 1.25 m above the floor, 40 cm from the piano rI'm at the tail end, steered to the pianist. Chopin's nocturne. Fearn VT-2 and Fireface 400, MP3 320 kbit/s. Microphones list :

Is there a purpose for shotgun mics in an audio recording studio, and if so, what is it?

It is worth noting that I know what a shotgun mic is for. I am just curious if they have found niche roles in some studios.

Hi,
what you consider the sm57 of the condenser mics?
on a budget of course.