The One Dynamic Mic Challenge!

[RiF]

Very cool idea!
I am in as soon as I found a way around my inability to sing properly :-),

[SirEarl]

Up until a month ago, I only owned one mic...

[legato]

Are ribbons included?




Henk

[Svenarne]

Can you use softsynths if you record your monitors with your mic?

[RawDepth]

Originally Posted by legato

Are ribbons included?




Henk

Yes, ribbons are in the dynamic category.

I am not sure I get what the "challenge" is...to see who's will sound the best or who can be the most creative? Does it have to be a full band?

[cyjanopan]

whole album on single sm57 Persephone – Coldair – S?uchaj i odkrywaj muzyk? w Last.fm , and second album only sm57 as well : http://coldair.bandcamp.com/

[legato]

Yes, ribbons are dynamic.

I know, but only few seem to use the term "moving coil" when they mean moving coil only. Most say "dynamic" instead. Hence my question; to avoid confusion.





Henk

[mikeyzpencer]

Originally Posted by legato

Are ribbons included?

Of course! Except it might not be too hard with a 121

[mikeyzpencer]

Originally Posted by RawDepth

I am not sure I get what the "challenge" is...to see who's will sound the best or who can be the most creative? Does it have to be a full band?

Doesn't have to be a full band if you don't want it to be. However, that would be more "challenging". It's a "self-challenge" and share your fun/struggles. No "winner" so to speak

[hymenoptera]

i bet there's quite a few 4-track demos out there floating around that were recorded in this fashion.

Originally Posted by RawDepth

...I am not sure I get what the "challenge" is...to see who's will sound the best or who can be the most creative? ...

i gathered it was more of a personal challenge that anyone interested can join in on. i find my best work emerges when i limit myself in some way. i think we've all spent unmentionable hours tweaking mic placement, synth patches, mix levels, reverb levels, compressor settings, etc. sometimes i just want to lock myself in the bathroom with my guitar, a djembe, a mic, 4-track, and a box of pop-tarts. in fact, i might go do that now....

[K.Lastima]

Really great idea. Limitations are great for exploration and inspiration. Subscribed.

[gravyface]

I think this sounds like a great idea. We're wrapping up a new song (with my power trio; acid-laced stoner riff rock) and I have a 635a that'll be all over this.

[Labs]

Originally Posted by RawDepth

Does it have to be a full band?

And more importantly, does it have to be a full beard?

Gustav
______
Build your own gear

[j2dafo]

awesome, I knew that Antares mic modeler would come in handy some day....

[mikeyzpencer]

Originally Posted by j2dafo

awesome, I knew that Antares mic modeler would come in handy some day....

[j2dafo]

Originally Posted by mikeyzpencer

there really should be a sarcasm smilie....

[mikeyzpencer]

Originally Posted by j2dafo

there really should be a sarcasm smilie....

I definitely caught the sarcasm. That was sarcastic facepalm in return. Hehe

[Kevin_B]

Is overdubbing allowed as long as you use only 1 mic? Or does it have to be a live recording with all instruments on 1 mic simultaneously?

Also, are direct ins allowed (without a mic)?

[alexvdbroek]

Originally Posted by Kevin_B

Is overdubbing allowed as long as you use only 1 mic? Or does it have to be a live recording with all instruments on 1 mic simultaneously?

Also, are direct ins allowed (without a mic)?

+1 on the are DI's allowed? And what about beats that have been made on the computer? If so - here is one of mine.



A.

[RawDepth]

What about if I use dynamic mics as drum sticks? Would that count?

[RiF]

Originally Posted by RawDepth

What about if I use dynamic mics as drum sticks? Would that count?

If you connect this same mic to your preamp and hit record, then: Yes ;-).

In-Stick Close-Micing (tm)...

[hymenoptera]

Originally Posted by RawDepth

What about if I use dynamic mics as drum sticks? Would that count?

My very first music recording (when I was 15!!) I had a single dynamic mic, guitar, bass, and a karaoke box with 1/4" ins and two cassette decks in it. I just used two tapes and repeatedly playbacked and overdubbed layers, but when I got to the drums... I had no drums so I simply tapped on the mic's windscreen THUMP THUMP THUMP

Oh my.

[gannonsamuel]

https://soundcloud.com/gannonsamuel/water

Okay i cheated a bit... the Synth bass is DI'd, but other then that everything is recorded using an sE x1R, The synthy sounds at the end are actually done using an ebow on the acoustic guitar (another new toy, i had to work it into something)

in a terrible room but i think it does alright

conversion to mp3 adds a ****tonne of noise to the quiet bits, if anyone's super interested i could upload a wav

[chk23]

Originally Posted by RawDepth

What about if I use dynamic mics as drum sticks? Would that count?

Yes, but for the volcal tracks you have to hit the singer with it.

[Mertmo]

I've done this very thing before on a whole EP for a friend of mine.
He had been doing his own recordings for years on a cassette 4 track with a single Shure mic used for everything.

When he decided to have me do his EP, we both wanted to "recreate" the 4 track experience at my place to some degree.
I decided the key to that was to simply use one 57 for literally everything, like he did at home.
I think I cheated and used a 58 for the vocal...

It sounded great, in fact it was still too hi fi for him!

The best part was how fast I was able to work. Moving from one overdub to another was just too fast and easy.
Amazing how much time it shaved off to never have to deal with a different mic / clip / stand etc... or phantom power.
Just moved the 57 to another source and kept working.

Great experience, it stuck with me in terms of setting things up so that I can move forward as quickly as possible during a session.

This is a great way to get an old school sound. Not old school as in limited frequency response, although you're gonna get that with a 57...
But old school as in everything is glued together sonically, sounds like it lives in the same universe, etc.
Partially because with one mic / one overdub at a time, you can use the same preamp on everything too.

I've been thinking for years it would be cool to do this with a workhorse condenser too, like a 414.

[bogeyeater]

Originally Posted by chk23

Yes, but for the volcal tracks you have to hit the singer with it.

i have a friend called Mike and he's a fun, energetic, dynamic kind of guy.

If he recorded us would that count?

[vizcities]

Is this still a thing? Because I'm definitely game...

[pinkheadedbug]

Yeah, I'm in too. Probly a ribbon.

[rainsinvelvet]

I did this a while back but used 4 sm57s on drums ( oh L / R , kick, snare). All the other instruments and Vox were sm57 as well.

For rock n roll stuff it turned out surprisingly good!
I'll gave to find the recording of that on my HD..