low end studio mic choices

Chim Richalds · 27th January 2009, 09:26 PM

I just bought my macbook pro and soon I will also acquire a profire 2626 and PT8.0 m-powered. Im going to be recording my band with it with consists of the electrics guitars, bass, drums, and two vocalists (both male, similar tone & range).

below is my to buy list for mics. im definitely torn on a few of them so maybe you guys can help me out. I guess the genre could be thought of as experimental hard rock. I may as well supply an example

ARMS AGAINST A SEA on MySpace Music - Free Streaming MP3s, Pictures & Music Videos

this was recorded in a pretty decent studio some so I dont expect to completely replicate that but I would like to shoot for that sound

Audix d6 (kick)
audix d4 (floor tom, bass amp possibly but I'll probably go direct)
SM57 x2 (snare, rack tom, guitars)
Oktava mk012 2x (cymbals, vocals, acoustic gtr if needed)
CAD m179 (hi hat, floor tom if i end up getting 2x)

I think Im drawn to a more sibilant sound for OH, something that strays away from the gong sound of the cymbals yet doesnt sound too harsh. same with hi hat i guess... I also considered getting ATM450, AE5100, NT5 and some others but Ive heard alot of good from the ones Ive picked. any suggestions?

c.gymer · 27th January 2009, 09:53 PM

Watcha, Chim! Here are my suggestion:

I would sack off the D6 and get an RE20 instead. Way more versatile. Yes it costs more but your getting a mic that you'll be able to stick on a bass drum, bass amp, vocal and a handful of other things and get great results from. The D6 is good as a kick mic if you like a certain sound, but other than that I find it to be pretty limited.

A pair of CAD M179's would be a great investment. Good on toms, as overheads, good on acoustic guitar and you can stick them in front of a vocalist too! I would certainly go for a pair of these over the Audix D4 for the toms.

Oktava MK012a matched pair is a safe bet for overheads. Try and hunt down a deal on the set with the omni and hypercardoid capsules as well if you can for added versatility.

Personaly, I think 57's suck bums but a LOT of people disagree. I would get a couple of Beyer 201's instead, or check out the Audix i5. That's a good dynamic that seems to be giving the 57 a real run for it's money these days.

Those are my main thoughts, but it's your money. Spend it wisely on good microphones that do more than one job and you can't go too far wrong. I don't buy a microphone unless I can find at least 3 areas in which it makes an addition to my collection and that has served me well enough. Oh, and I wouldn't bother micing the hihat. I haven't for 5 years and not once have I felt the need to (I use the good ol' Glynn Johns set up for overheads).

Best of luck, matey.

tINY · 27th January 2009, 10:12 PM

In a studio, I'd shy away from the D6. The RE20 and PR40 are more versitle and can be used on other sources (I like the PR40 best).

You can use a M179 for kick too. They are my mic of choice on all toms (usually). Actually, with a bunch of M179's you could probably mic the whole kit....

For snare, the PR20 or PR30 are nice - and they are really good on other sources.

On a budget, think hard about the ATM450 for overhead. The 012 is probably a bit better of a choice for acoustic guitar.

Don't forget about the Kel HM1 if your room sounds decent. They work well for toms, room mics, acoustic guitar and small (15-30w) amps.

-tINY

imgoinmad · 27th January 2009, 11:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by c.gymer

Watcha, Chim! Here are my suggestion:

I would sack off the D6 and get an RE20 instead. Way more versatile.

The RE20 ROCKS! There's typically plenty to be found used on ebay, etc.

Mike Brown · 27th January 2009, 11:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tINY

In a studio, I'd shy away from the D6. The RE20 and PR40 are more versitle and can be used on other sources (I like the PR40 best).

Everytime I tell people who are just starting to build their mic lockers to go for a more versatile dynamic ala the RE20, PR30, PR40, SM7B instead of a highly scooped mic like a D6, Beta 52, D112 etc every amateur and their mom comes out and bitches....

I highly agree with what tINY says.

DeathMonkey · 28th January 2009, 03:57 AM

Check out Ribbon Microphones - Cascade FAT HEAD The Fathead IIs are great on guitars and as overheads. But they have a ton of cool and affordable stuff.

malaclypse · 28th January 2009, 04:22 AM

awesome name Chim!

oktava mc012's are great on vocals IME.

pvoc3000 · 28th January 2009, 06:59 AM

ATM25 is probably one of my most favorite mics. I'm not familiar with anything from Audix, but the ATM25 can replace both of the Audix mics you're thinking about.

27th January 2009, 09:26 PM	#1
Chim Richalds Gear Head Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 68	low end studio mic choices I just bought my macbook pro and soon I will also acquire a profire 2626 and PT8.0 m-powered. Im going to be recording my band with it with consists of the electrics guitars, bass, drums, and two vocalists (both male, similar tone & range). below is my to buy list for mics. im definitely torn on a few of them so maybe you guys can help me out. I guess the genre could be thought of as experimental hard rock. I may as well supply an example ARMS AGAINST A SEA on MySpace Music - Free Streaming MP3s, Pictures & Music Videos this was recorded in a pretty decent studio some so I dont expect to completely replicate that but I would like to shoot for that sound Audix d6 (kick) audix d4 (floor tom, bass amp possibly but I'll probably go direct) SM57 x2 (snare, rack tom, guitars) Oktava mk012 2x (cymbals, vocals, acoustic gtr if needed) CAD m179 (hi hat, floor tom if i end up getting 2x) I think Im drawn to a more sibilant sound for OH, something that strays away from the gong sound of the cymbals yet doesnt sound too harsh. same with hi hat i guess... I also considered getting ATM450, AE5100, NT5 and some others but Ive heard alot of good from the ones Ive picked. any suggestions?

27th January 2009, 09:53 PM	#2
c.gymer Gear maniac Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Kent, UK Posts: 213	Watcha, Chim! Here are my suggestion: I would sack off the D6 and get an RE20 instead. Way more versatile. Yes it costs more but your getting a mic that you'll be able to stick on a bass drum, bass amp, vocal and a handful of other things and get great results from. The D6 is good as a kick mic if you like a certain sound, but other than that I find it to be pretty limited. A pair of CAD M179's would be a great investment. Good on toms, as overheads, good on acoustic guitar and you can stick them in front of a vocalist too! I would certainly go for a pair of these over the Audix D4 for the toms. Oktava MK012a matched pair is a safe bet for overheads. Try and hunt down a deal on the set with the omni and hypercardoid capsules as well if you can for added versatility. Personaly, I think 57's suck bums but a LOT of people disagree. I would get a couple of Beyer 201's instead, or check out the Audix i5. That's a good dynamic that seems to be giving the 57 a real run for it's money these days. Those are my main thoughts, but it's your money. Spend it wisely on good microphones that do more than one job and you can't go too far wrong. I don't buy a microphone unless I can find at least 3 areas in which it makes an addition to my collection and that has served me well enough. Oh, and I wouldn't bother micing the hihat. I haven't for 5 years and not once have I felt the need to (I use the good ol' Glynn Johns set up for overheads). Best of luck, matey. __________________ Christopher J Gymer http://www.myspace.com/thefieldrecordingcompany

28th January 2009, 03:57 AM	#6
DeathMonkey Lives for gear Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 828	Check out Ribbon Microphones - Cascade FAT HEAD The Fathead IIs are great on guitars and as overheads. But they have a ton of cool and affordable stuff. __________________ Screaming Monkey Studio - Seattle, WA teebes on Soundclick www.MySpace.com/djteebalicious www.MySpace.com/thissoilisdiseased

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27th January 2009, 10:12 PM	#3
tINY Lives for gear Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Orygun Posts: 8,859	In a studio, I'd shy away from the D6. The RE20 and PR40 are more versitle and can be used on other sources (I like the PR40 best). You can use a M179 for kick too. They are my mic of choice on all toms (usually). Actually, with a bunch of M179's you could probably mic the whole kit.... For snare, the PR20 or PR30 are nice - and they are really good on other sources. On a budget, think hard about the ATM450 for overhead. The 012 is probably a bit better of a choice for acoustic guitar. Don't forget about the Kel HM1 if your room sounds decent. They work well for toms, room mics, acoustic guitar and small (15-30w) amps. -tINY

28th January 2009, 04:22 AM	#7
malaclypse Gear addict Join Date: May 2006 Location: Austin Posts: 439	awesome name Chim! oktava mc012's are great on vocals IME.

28th January 2009, 06:59 AM	#8
pvoc3000 Gear nut Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 114	ATM25 is probably one of my most favorite mics. I'm not familiar with anything from Audix, but the ATM25 can replace both of the Audix mics you're thinking about.