So you got a world-class mic and pre chain ...now what??

[rezloh]

Hi guys,

Been a lurker for awhile, now posting!

So I'm settling on my mic choices that I want and the pre's that will do it for my home setup. Getting a stereo pair of Oktava Mod'd 012's, and deciding between staying low-end with a modd'd 219 (both from Michael Joly) or shelling out for a U87 or M149 for my LDC vocal mic. On the pre side, I am deciding between API 512c or A-Design P-1 500 series pres, or simply a Pacifica or 3124. Should be off to a great start with this to record my Steinway B, Martin guitars and my vocals along with the musicians I play and record with often.

My question is what then? What is the best way to get it in the (MAC) computer? My current audio interface/control surface is a Yamaha 01x - will this suffice on the A/D? Do I need yet another box so as not to compromise the chain, or will this pass the beautious sounds faithfully? Do I need a heavier hitting A/D D/A unit?

I appreciate your thoughts.

Best,
~r

MySpace.com - Rob Holzer - NEW YORK, New York - Rock / Alternative / Indie - www.myspace.com/robholzer
Rob Holzer

[miqer]

get logic with the apogee stereo thing!

or get a fireface 400 if you need more tracks


m.

[soupking]

Friendly FYI - Not to hijack, but on't forget about your room. It's the biggest instrument in the mix.

[Tone Laborer]

Welcome. Nice myspace site.

I'd say you got the piano part of the equation covered nicely.

Yeah, converters-clock could be your next addition.

A better set of stereo mics for the Steinway might be bueno. Take with a grain of salt though, I don't know the modded oktavas. A set of Gefells maybe, M300(?)

[Fletcher]

Originally Posted by miqer

get logic with the apogee stereo thing!

[rezloh]

Thanks for the replies guys!

- miger - I don't really need more in's to the computer as the 01x has lots of in's and outs. I just wondering if the conversion will compromise the great signal chain. I imagine that what I'm needing is very transparent inputs that do great A/D. I think in this capacity, I might be in fine shape with the 01x? This is from Yamaha's propaganda:

"Flexible Analog Inputs, World class Mic Preamps and 24/96 A/D conversion The 8 analog inputs are converted to digital signals using the highest quality 128 times over-sampled analog to digital convertors (found in Yamaha’s flagship DM2000, 02R96 and 01V96 professional digital mixers).
The 01x supports various sampling rates from 16 bit/44.1kHZ up to 24 bit/96 kHZ A/D conversion."

I normally record in 24/44.1 ...thoughts? Do I need the Apogee unit?

- Soupking - thanks for the room note - I hear ya loud and clear - my Steinway sounds glorious in my place so all I want to do is capture it in the room - the room is 10 1/2' ceilings in an 1860's brownstone with hard wood floors roughly 23' x 35'. My studio room is upstairs (small 10'x12') and I'm going to be working on the recording space to make it a better acoustically. My idea is to mic the piano in the living room whenever the mood strikes with the good signal chain going into the 01x and then my macbook pro lappy, then track other stuff (my wurly 200a, synths, vox, guitars, etc.) in the studio room.

- Tone Laborer - I feel like the mod'd Oktava's might be my best 'bang for the buck' way to go for the piano (and acoustic guitar) but I don't want to compromise and heard good things about these being comparable to more pricey mics. I thought very hard Dabout the M300's but that's a different price range fo sho'...anyone have experience with the Oktava 012 mod'd AND the M300's for comparison? Worth the difference in price? ...I'm almost feeling the answers already...

...this forum is gonna cost me! ;)

Best,
~r

[lowfreq33]

Originally Posted by miqer

get logic with the apogee stereo thing!

or get a fireface 400 if you need more tracks


m.

Now wait a minute. You're recommending something that you don't even know the name of? Clearly you've never used it, so how can you say that someone else should buy it? This is the problem around here, too many people just repeating what they've heard others say.

[rezloh]

Thanks guys ...that's my real question - do I really need another box (AD DA converter) or am I fine with what I got? Will a different converter really improve the final result of the signal chain?

~r

[stephent28]

I have lots of nice mics in the locker and the Oktava Mod'd 012's are the ones that sit on the stand when it comes to acoustic guitar. I have the kit with the interchangeable heads. Great sounding mics for the money.

I agree that next step should be AD/DA but only after you have recorded a bit with what you have and see the need for improvement.

[rezloh]

Stephent - thanks for the feedback and the comments on the modded 012's - looking forward to them - I've heard great things about - and from - them.

Best,
~r

[rattledaddy]

Check out the API A2D.... 2 312 Pre amps and great A/D convertors.

S

[rezloh]

Thanks rattledaddy - been eyeing that one as well!

~r

[laurentboutonnat]

The modded Oktava 319's are nice, but when compared to an AKG C4141 B-XLII they lack clarity and time domain response. They sound quite disorted. Also the handling noise and mechanical noises are quite a problem when compared to the internally shockmounted BXL's.

Don't underestimate the knowledge of the AKG engineers. They are doing much more research in the field of microphone technology than Sennheiser (Neumann). Just search for some scientific publications. The AKG engineers even simulated the movement of different microphone capsules including the M7. The B-XLII is one of the best microphones avaible at the moment and is about the same price as a modded Oktava.

[Meriphew]

An API A2D, or Neve 1073 DPD might be a good option for you. Personally, I'd pass on the Neumann M149/U87. I'd try out some Brauner/Bock/Gefell mics, and go with the one that best suited me.

[Barron43]

Conversion, conversion, conversion. Listen pure analog while tracking -then listen to the recording. That should answer the question for you right there.