Budget Mics

[richardpyra]

So, I've opted to buy a Firepod (at a steal of $280, minus the drivers/software, but hey, it's new, and I should download the newest drivers anyway).

So now I'm mic shopping. so far I'm just going to invest in somehting that I can record vocals and acoustic/electric guitar with on the cheap (cheap, but hopefully decent sounding).

A rep at a local store was recommending a set of Behringer C2 pencil mics ($65) for my guitar (supposedly those things are made from the same schematics as some other really nice sounding pro mics, the name of which I completely forgot), and an Apex vocal mic for my vocals.. (not sure if Apex is available in the US, but here's the URL: Apex Electronics: Quality Above All)

I figure that it would be wise to get some advice on the boards instead of blindly trusting a sales rep :P

[chris319]

I don't know what your idea of "cheap" is, but there's the Sennheiser e835. It has a hotter output than the Shure SM57/58, which you will need as your Firepod is spec'd at only 54 dB of gain.

[richardpyra]

Ahh, I understand what you mean.

Not knowing how to interpret the specs, I was hoping if someone could let me know if these would sound decent running off a Firepod.

MICROPHONES / HEADPHONES / WIRELESS SYSTEMS - CONDENSER MICROPHONES - STUDIO CONDENSER MICROPHONES C-2 : 2 Matched Studio Condenser Microphones

I hope this won't a case of "yeah, I got a good deal on this Firepod, but it doesnt have enough juice, so I need to buy preamps... now I'm in the hole for as much as a Firestudio Project would have cost me"...

That would seriously suck! haha
Anyway, any input would be awesome, as I want to resolve this asap so I can stop polluting the board with my nonsense!

[jwl]

Hi Richard, my short and smarmy answer is to just make a decision, forget about it, and make some music. :-)

That said, I'd consider a setup that is as versatile as possible. You can always upgrade as you go. I started off this way and now have about 25 mics.

The first mic I'd get is a large diaphragm condenser. That will be your most versatile type, and you can likely get it to sound good on almost anything. (I also already had a couple SM57s lying around from live sound stuff.... these are great too).

After a LD condenser, I got a pair of small diaphragm condensers. With these 3 mics, you can do a lot.

Then, I'd probably get a ribbon, and/or a set of drum mics (I really like the CAD TSM411 mics in their various drum mic kits).

Once you do that, you'll have at least one of all the different mic types (LD condenser, SD condenser, LD dynamic, SD dynamic, ribbon). Then you can just upgrade, giving yourself more choices.

[Herman Munster]

Richard,
I started with a Firepod a year ago along with an Audio-Technica 3035 ($199). I recorded a whole record with just that (samples at MySpace.com - Bailey Easterwood - CULLMAN (Holly Pond), US - Christian / Soul / Pop - www.myspace.com/baileyeasterwoodband ). It was a great was to start. I then bought a couple of Oktava MK-012's and SM57's and then a Beta91 and that's about all I've needed so far. The great thing about what you're doing is that you're not spending so much that you're hosed if you decide not to get really deep into this recording thing. And if you do get into it - it's easy to upgrade later.

At any rate, I'd recommend the AT 3035. It's fine on acoustic guitar and vocals and would be a great starter mic. The CAD179 would be great as well. Lots of options.

[richardpyra]

^
Last 2 posts = very helpful Thanks!

Nice tunes too. Nice and clean recordings!

[sexxy]

adk project g mics
or
mxl v mics

ADK Condenser Microphones, Class A Condenser Studio Mic, Live and Broadcast, Retro-Sonic Mics, Project Studio Microphone

MXL Audio Main page

or shure k
or aphex

they all are verry low $$$
but them all, make A/B test and sell the others

[dcpianoman]

I'd heartily recommend a MXL V67G. It's a cheap chinese mic, but my (admittedly non-professional) opinion is that large diaphragm mics make things a lot easier for a "what-you-hear-is-what-you-get" effect. If I stick a ribbon, a dynamic, and my V67G in front of a sound source - voice, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, kick, snare, overs, toms, percussion, bass amp; I've used my V67G on all of them - it's going to give me something closer to what my ears hear.

Small diaphragm condensors can also get you this, but I don't like using them on voice nearly as much. Two reasons: less proximity effect, which can help add that "larger than life" thing, and singing full-on into a little pencil mic just doesn't do anything for vibe.

/sweeping generalizations

Anyways...out of all the cheap condensors I've used, I like the V67G best.

Dave

[Audio Hombre]

get the apex sp1 mic pkg for $150. 2 decent sdc's and one decent medium sized diaphragm mic. excellent starter kit and 54db of gain will be more than adequate. i already recommended this combo to a friend that wants to start recording and he's getting good results. cubase le came bundled with his firepod.

[SixAndChange]

HEIL is makign some Ammmmmmmmmmmmmmmazing dynamic mics that bridge the gap to condensers. You can use them in all the ways you'd use a condenser mic, but they are not as brittle and they dont pick up all the crap a capacitor normally would.

And, they are all under 350.

[mixerguy]

mxl v67G

[big country]

Condenser Microphones
some funny shit
The MXL Mic Mate™ Preamp & A/D Converter