Let's talk MICS!

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I've got a MXL V63M and have not had near the luck, even though it costs a few more bucks. The V63M mic is really dark sounding and I haven't been able to find anywhere where it has worked well.

The 990 has done the job with a bit of everything and seems to be a pretty bright sounding microphone. I have had really good luck putting it on a kick drum, guitar cab, toms and acoustic guitar.

I'll look into that 603. It looks pretty cool, I need a smaller condenser to be able to get closer to a snare. The SM57 is very functional, but as much as people seem to love those that mic, they seem to me kind of dead sounding on amps and snares.

I don't have too many really good mics, just a pair of AKG C1000s which I use for about everything.

Is there a good shop on Denmark St or whatever in London for mics?

I've been using the one my mum used to use for karaoke but it got broken. the singstar ones can't really take too much input, it seems (which is strange considering how one usually plays singstar i.e. scream down the frigging thing).

I agree BIG time about some of the MXLs, 603's in particular. not so much the 990.

an expanded closet is nice... but if you don't know where to point the mic, it's like wearing your $300 jeans inside out, or as a scarf. Unless you want to sound like a lot of good engineers look, I'd suggest forcing yourself to mike up a TON of shit with cheap (57 style) mics.

CAD does do some really cool stuff to, but they're kinda flavorfull for an entry mic.

another side point is that I believe there's a HUGE gain in moving into the $300 range of mics. Studio projects have a lot in this range that are fantastic, and I've never, NEVER had better service (from someone who wasn't actually servicing me.)

......I feel obliged to say you didn't say a THING about the rest of your chain or what you want to record. normally I would fly off the wall about this, because it's so rediculous to say ask that question. that's like walking into a music store and asking for something to make good music, and then saying you also don't want to pay much for it. have some sense dude. (trust me that's keeping it pretty calm)

plus! it has some kind of insane 10 year warranty going on supposedly. can't wait to take it home :))))

(actually i took it home last night but i only had a cable that is dud, but i have one that works now :D)

Is the best way to use a closet as a vocal booth just to stuff pillows and blankets in and on every potentially reflective surface and crevice?

also: cheap bright will KILL you in the end.

Not great ones, because good ones sound so damned good no one would hear the money I spent.
Hell I could just like, hold the difference while I sang and the rustling would be picked up beautifully.
Greated the good ones are already pretty pricey.

what to do, what to do

go gearslut!

*jealous*

it just sounds great. because it sounds like my amp.

hey guys, so i've been recording drums & percussion in my apartment all weekend w/just a 57 and getting pretty decent results (been doing just the hi-hat track, then just the snare, then bells & shakers & stuff, etc.).

however, i want to get a little more room sound too and be able to play snare + cymbals live, so i want to add some condenser mics. do i absolutely need a pair of stereo condensers (any recommendations for cheap + good?)? a friend has a good condenser mic (that he uses for guitar stuff) that i can borrow, can't remember what kind it is. maybe this will be fine for an overhead mic?

what's his mic?

i like stereo condensers for overheads (the aforementioned m300s), but that's not to say you couldn't get a nice sound with a mono overhead.

i will ask. yeah, maybe mono will be fine since it's not like i need to capture the spread of a full kit, it'll be mostly just hi-hat & snare.

it's a rode n2, think it'll work?

sorry NT2

i don't mind the NT2. i think it will be fine, as long as you're not bashing the hats too hard

nah, i keep a pretty light touch and sloshy open hi-hats are my least favorite drum sound. thx.

the NT2 has been working out okay but i think i'm just going to buy my own condensor that's more suited for drums. any recommendations for the ~$200 range?

at that price point, the only brands i'd recommend are audio technica and kel

maybe check out the samson C02 stereo pair, which is stupid cheap (like $120 street? i think?)

it's funny but i kinda like the sound of a hi-hat mic'ed with just a 57, it's dark and a little electronic sounding. you don't have to worry about it being too trebly and tinny, that's for sure.

kel hm-1 looks pretty intriguing

57's are great for hi-hat as long as you are not WILDMANG DRUMMER and thus don't destroy them by knocking off the headcap.

altho some time try the audix i5 if you get a chance.

always wanted to try an audix. not like they're expensive so maybe time to 'stimulate the economy'

we were the first national tour company to use audix, and i will always have a special place for them in my heart (lol old). the i5 is basically a clean flatter version of the 57, but nearly indestructible.

what you want is an audio technica 5100, it's a cardoid instrument mic that's extremely versatile. it's about 50 bucks above your price point.

Anyone familiar with Warm Audio’s 87 condenser mic? Had my eye on it for awhile and now it’s $150 off

Need a little help here. I was just sent a list of used mics for sale locally and could use some advice. Looking for a good vocal mic, one that hopefully adds something to my otherwise dull voice. Here's what they have:

AT 4050/CM5
Neumann km 84
Sterling ST170
Shure SM-7B
Beyer MC 834
Rode NT4
AEA R-84

leaning km84

the Rode NT4, at least used to be when I had it, is a x/y stereo mic, has it's uses but I don't think you'd want it as a consult vocal mic. I used it to record a small bluegrass band in their living room, I think it's intended for that kind of stuff.

my main vocals, really do it all mic, is the Shure KSM32, retails for 600 but easy to find used for half that. friend of mine who is a producer recommended it.

he also said it's worth trying the ol Shure 57 or 58, it suits some perks
people's voices

i think i'm committed to the KM84. i currently have a Shure SM27, 57 and 58. i don't really know what i'm doing but i'm pretty sure i'm getting a really good deal.

A neighbor (4 time Grammy winner!) who passed away two years ago worked as an engineer at Smithsonian's folkways label and had his own home studio. I ran into his wife last weekend and she mentioned that she was offloading his gear. she's super sweet and, though i told her 700 was my max, she sent me that list of mics. so i hope, despite that it may not best suited for vocals, i'm getting the best mic from the lot. kind of building a little home studio and this would be a huge upgrade.

if you can get a deal on the km84 yeah, probably that. wouldn't mind having that AEA though, for vocal color if you like a vintage sound.

Got a factory refurb AT2020 for super cheap from Audio Technica, should be an improvement on the Rhode NT5s I've been using for overheads forever, lol. I love my 2035, and I think I get a sick pleasure out of getting good results from cheap mics.