mic/preamp combo for particular quality.

[PJD3]

Hi Folks, thank you for reading. I'm gearing up for a project and I'd be really interested in your suggestions and opinions about a mic and preamp combo that could be suitable for the requiremients of this project. My wife and I teach a course that include deep relaxation as the key element toward our students goals. My initiative is to create a soundtrack or audio background that will act as a sonic enhancement to inspire deeper relaxation in the individuals during their relaxation practice. This will include a combination of acoustic and electric instruments with a variety of nature sounds mixed in. While I realize that there is a vast selection of material available similar to what I am describing, I will be custom tailoring this recording project for specific purposes surrounding our classes. I'm attempting to arrive at a mic/ preamp combo that will track instruments and natural sources in a natural and organic kind of way that could even impart its own sense of warmth and smoothness to the sound. I need to avoid highlighting harshness. From reports I have collected, material with even a small amount of uppermidrange transients can call attention to itself and be irritating to those who are trying to achieve a certain level of relaxation. (although a fair amount of 12 kH and above (air?) is a part of the audio spectrum that can be conducive to relaxation sonically). I've been specifically told that transients in the say, 2 kH - 5 kH range can be extremely distracting and produce tension in a laboring woman! My electronic skills are fairly sharp so I plan on builing a pre amp kit from Seventh Circle audio. They offer a Neve type (N72) pre, and API type (A12), and a twin servo (j99) type preamp. So far my gut(gut is not experience!) tells me that if I built the J99 twin servo and coupled that with a ribbon mic like the Beyer M160, I might be at least heading toward the sonic place I need to be for this particular project. What do you think? My budjet for a mic is around $500 and the pre will cost me around $700. (the rest will go to my childrens dance and kung foo classes!!). So, in a nutshell, I'm hoping to find a mic/pre combo that will help impart a warm , smooth organic glow kind of thing to the sources that I will be tracking. I ask myself dumb questions like,"If I were a scared, cranky infant, what would the sonic quality of the things I'm hearing need to be to best get me relaxed enough to fall asleep?". Thank you for your time and I do look forward to your responses and suggestions.

kind regards,
Phil

[tINY]

You won't find a lot of mics that de-emphasisze the 2-5kHz region. They tend to be flat, or emphasized in this region. So, you probably want to look at flat mic responses and manipulate the spectrum electronically.

Stereo is prbably better as it is more "natural" than monoral. So, a pair is probably better than a single mic.

The dynamic mics that can capture the 12kHz region tend to be expensive (like the RE20). Also, they don't tend to work as well for far-field recordings.

The large diaphragm candenser mics tend to add a bit of "charater" which can be a good or bad thing depending on the source. Most of them are also a bit hyped in the upper-midrange (except for some of the more expensive ones).

You'd be well served with a pair of small diaphragm condensers. The AT3031 fits in your budget for around $500 per pair.

For a "mellow" sound, transformers are probably more important than tubes, but you can get what you want (for relaxation) with a clean pre-amp and a parametric EQ. I think Joemeek has a unit like this for around $700-800. Or, you can get a two channel mic pre and a pair of 3-5 band parametric equalizers.



-tINY

[TyRip]

I know you didn't ask specifically, but if you are looking for that quality in a mic as well, I recommend the AT4047.

It's a relatively inexpensive mic that is very smooth and sensitive.

I am always happy about how smooth it sounds, if you get good positioning I think it is always pleasing, maybe too smooth and warm for a dense mix, but maybe perfect for your uses.

[PJD3]

Thank you Tyrip and tiNY for chiming in on that. I actually did have my ear on the at4047 if I went condenser, although I had thought that going stereo would bring a sense of realism and naturalness to the sound. I do like the tracks that I have heard recorded with a 4047. Definately a smoother thing going on. (thelisteningsessions). Don't ribbons have a reputation for smoothing out any harshness that may be in a source? I know they are fast mics because of the low mass element. I really thought one of them could have been a contender for a smooth natural sound. Of course, in the end I'm sure Ill find a way to auditon these mics and hear for myself but it sure is interesting how people find different ways to arrive at a particular effect. I'm pretty settled on the Seventh Circle kits. I really like the high ratings they have got from people that own and use other high end pre's. Because I can build them myself makes the cost really feasible. Thank you for your good information and helping me on my way to a good mic/pre combo. I'm very exited about this project and want to make good informed decisions along the way. Thanks!

Kind regards,

Phil