Live and studio mics

[eatthemeek]

hi everyone, ive decided to start building a mic kit up but at the moment most of my work is doing live stuff (studio stuff is just a hobby at the moment). So what im looking at is a kit that can translate from studio to stage. I've got a bit of a lowend wishlist and I'd really like it if people could put their 2¢ in on what I'm considering:

Kick- D6, M88 or Beta 52
Snare- SM57, i5 or M201
Toms- e604, opus 66
OH- NT5s
Bass- I've used BSS's DI a few times and really like them. Not sure if they would suit studio though, so any thoughts on a mic would be great
Guitar- e609

So thats what I'm thinking in the ballpark of atm. Im not looking to spend more than $400 per mic either. Any mics that aren't on here that anyone would recommend looking into would be great.

[Bodoc]

Kel Audio and Studio Projects mics -- they are wonderful (and not just "for the money").
I am also fond of my modded Oktava MK-319. Works nicely on my fiddle.

Heck, I've done some nice vocal recording with an SM-58!

[aussie_techie]

my all round kit has
D6
Beta 52a
4x Beta57a
3x SM57
3x SM58
Klark Teknik DN100

not meant to be a total kit but covers everything i need with live shows and just at home in the studio.

You don't need OH for small to mid sized shows.

No LDC is a general live kit thanks, so no SP mics.

As to your other choices
Kick - Beta52 always work, M88 are fantastic when they work but when they dont you better have a back up. I like the D6 sound in general but again results can very but that tailored sound can be much better than you may think (a D6 isnt restricted to rock/metal either).
Snare / Toms - think about what your putting there if you dont know the drummer as mics do get broken. I like having Betas because of the hardened grills. For snare i often run an SM58 with a Beta grill. I'm always happy with 604 but they seem a bit fragile for a rough gig.
Guitars - i like to stick with SM57s or Beta57s (or both when double micing) i have just never liked e609s on guitars but its a personal thing. if you know you like then dont let anyone hold you back but if you dont know what you like then borrow one to try first.
OH - not usually needed but you may want hats and having a pair even if you only need 1 can be of great benefit. With our dollar at the moment the NT5 are the best price/performance for this kind of work.
Get any good DI you can find at a reasonable price. If a bass player has a good head i usully take that (pre eq). I have a DI800 when i need lots of channels or i just use whatever else is available.

its good to carry a new condition 58 for tuning, then use it for TTS of course.

[AnthonySpinali]

My singer has an SM 87 condenser for vocals ($250?). It's quite awesome. We've been using it in the studio with great success. It's beat out all of our more expensive cardiod and super-cardiod condensers in blind tests. If you want a nice sounding condenser for live vocals I highly recommend it. I also dig the dynamic Audix OM series for vocals. I cannot remember which number OM5 or OM7?

Of course theres really no reason not to have 3 SM 58s and 3 SM 57s (at least) at all times.

Just my opinion. Hope this helps!

[rackdude]

The SM7 is one of the best vocal mics for the studio and it will have some of the best off-axis rejection for live use.

[Joe Gilder]

I know your question is about microphones, but you mentioned using DI on bass. I've been really impressed with the Sans Amp VT Bass pedal. It's a part of their character series. Sounds great, and will run you around $150. It's not a DI, but it's still worth taking a look at if you want to go direct. It's surprisingly good.

[ScumAndVillany]

My $.02, this is what I use live

Kick- AKG D112
Snare- SM57 and/or i5
Toms- e604
OH- Samson Co2 (if you need live oh mics)
Bass- DI or D112
Guitar-SM57 and/or i5

All well under 400 per mic. Most $100 or less. All usable for recording.