Idiot proof tracking channel - hard to make sound bad

[dorisinger]

Looking for a mic/pre/comp path that's hard to get a bad sound (obviously, this is assuming the performance is up to par). Same consideration for EQ and converters would be nice, too.

This thread probably exists, but I can't find it. I'm interested in tracking vocals and acoustic guitar (singer-songwriter stuff). One or two channels.

I'm a high handicap golfer - I've got clubs that are easier to hit a decent shot. A pro could get better shots from different clubs, but they're much more difficult to hit consistently so they'd do me no good most of the time. I'm sure there's audio gear like this. A superb, experiened engineer could tweak a very tempermental high end piece of gear and get an exceptional sound, whereas a hack like my self couldn't get anything close to usable from the same source.

I need something that's hard to screw up.

For example, from what i've used or read about:

mic
SM 57
any suggestions for LDC?

pre
I've read that some people say the wunder PEQ-1 and the Daking are hard to make sound bad. Maybe not always the best choice, but hard to make sound bad. Agree? Others?

comp
1176/M77
Others?

channel strip (if an all in one would be more forgiving):
Langevin dual vocal combo
Others?

converters and eq???

Let's pretend budget isn't an issue (in actuality, it would have to be less that 10K for mic and 2 channels).

Thanks for your thoughts.

[FS0420]

Originally Posted by dorisinger

Looking for a mic/pre/comp path that's hard to get a bad sound (obviously, this is assuming the performance is up to par). Same consideration for EQ and converters would be nice, too.

This thread probably exists, but I can't find it. I'm interested in tracking vocals and acoustic guitar (singer-songwriter stuff). One or two channels.

I'm a high handicap golfer - I've got clubs that are easier to hit a decent shot. A pro could get better shots from different clubs, but they're much more difficult to hit consistently so they'd do me no good most of the time. I'm sure there's audio gear like this. A superb, experiened engineer could tweak a very tempermental high end piece of gear and get an exceptional sound, whereas a hack like my self couldn't get anything close to usable from the same source.

I need something that's hard to screw up.

For example, from what i've used or read about:

mic
SM 57
any suggestions for LDC?

pre
I've read that some people say the wunder PEQ-1 and the Daking are hard to make sound bad. Maybe not always the best choice, but hard to make sound bad. Agree? Others?

comp
1176/M77
Others?

channel strip (if an all in one would be more forgiving):
Langevin dual vocal combo
Others?

converters and eq???

Let's pretend budget isn't an issue (in actuality, it would have to be less that 10K for mic and 2 channels).

Thanks for your thoughts.

Everyone should agree with me on this one....
mic, yes
pre amp, yes
compressor, no
eq, no
converter, yes
Its easier 2 mess up with an eq and compressor than just moving the mic around until it sounds good and recording that. Then you can process it later. It will actually sound better if you focus on getting the source and mic placement right.
If your just starting out, or havent already done so, treat your room before you buy a compressor and squash the hell out of a bad room sound.

[nukmusic]

"Historian Setup"

U87, C414, SM57 (Can't-go-wrong combo)

Neve 1073, Avalon VT-737sp (Colored-Clean combo)

DBX 160x,xt,a (fast choice)

[jebjerome]

I have trouble making an MC77 sound bad.

[edvdr76]

Focusrite red 6 if you can find one. Avalon 737 is also a good choice. I almost always record flat with those 2. The advantage on the Avalon is that it has a compressor in it. But the red 6 eq is AMAZING!!

[Reptil]

IMO it depends on:
how does the singer sound?
what sound would you want (from his voice through the chain, with this mic)?
Do you want a generally good setup, or an excellent specialist one?
(machines have character or not, or are "flexible" or one trick ponies.)
how much $$$ do you have?

yes, preamp converter. and try other mics before buying.