great river /TLM 49 owners..or anyone else - need your help

[thedommer]

Im lending my Great River and minime to a friend to do some female vocals (and a bit of acoustic guitar with his TLM 49 and 002.

Since I cant actually try it out I was wondering what kind of setting you guys find works best with this mic as the great river does have a lot of options. Id like to be able to recommend a few to him so that he can just dial them in (he's not an engineer).

He's using this instead of his LA-610 straight into 002. From what i've heard the greatriver is a better choice. He still wants to use the compressor from the 610 though. is this a good idea? I say no. I was going to suggest recording in 24 bit so that he isn't worrying about slamming to tape and that way leaving the compression up to the professional studio (a pretty high end one I think). Plus I've heard the 610 compressor isn't anything to write home about.

I know there are better mics out there then the TLM 49 but its decent and the only thing I have to offer him is a royer 121 and audiotechnica 4050 which I doubt would do for female vocals (although I have heard it one one of the girls and loved it. never had a chance to compare it to the tlm 49 though). The 121 might work with acoustic guitar though...

I could be wrong though. thoughts? Its very important to me that these recordings turn out stellar. while I am unable to be there for that I want to help from a distance as much as I can.

EDIT: he also has a 414 - pretty sure its one of the very very old ones.

ANOTHER EDIT: one of the girls has a very dark wonderful low range and the other has a very high range airy voice.

[DesertDawg]

Well, geez, can't you just lend him the -49, the Royer, AND the 4050 along with the preamp? I mean, if he's tracking two different girls with totally different voices, it'd be nice for him to be able to try 'em all out & pick & choose for each voice. Especially since you say you have some vested interest in these recordings turning out "stellar".

[thedommer]

Originally Posted by DesertDawg

Well, geez, can't you just lend him the -49, the Royer, AND the 4050 along with the preamp? I mean, if he's tracking two different girls with totally different voices, it'd be nice for him to be able to try 'em all out & pick & choose for each voice. Especially since you say you have some vested interest in these recordings turning out "stellar".

you make a good point. the circumstances make this a bit of a strange case. Ill probably give him the 4050 too. I really dont see the royer as an option though. not really a vocal mic. (tlm 49 is his). Id prefer to keep the options to a minimal though..in this case. thats why I think the great river is an awesome option becasue generally it works on everything.

[AllBread]

Just tell him that if it's really crunchy and distorted to turn it down a bit. He'll be fine.

[FutureLegends]

I see no reason he shouldn't try the LA-610 either... And there's nothing wrong with the compressor if used with moderation...

[Ol' Betsey]

Originally Posted by AllBread

Just tell him that if it's really crunchy and distorted to turn it down a bit. He'll be fine.

R.

[thedommer]

Originally Posted by FutureLegends

I see no reason he shouldn't try the LA-610 either... And there's nothing wrong with the compressor if used with moderation...

I more so want him to not use the compressor because that is something that could be done in the professional environment that it will be mixed it. Better that then him adding to much compression. I think Id rather have the signal clean other then a bit of preamp coloration.