Looking for new mic DB/Piano/Vocals (Sound clip included)

[gtodd876]

I've been using an AT4040 and ultralite for the past 3 years and I'm finally about to upgrade to something better. The main thing I record piano, double bass, and vocals. I do pluck the bass some but in this project I bow much more and it's usually in higher registers of the double bass. Here's a snippet of some scratch tracks:

files.me.com/gtodd876/cbd6pr.mp3


So after doing some research I think I'm going to go with a Duet because I won't ever record more than two channels and it gives me the option to use higher quality external pre's when I can afford it.

I'm not sure what to use as the best mic? Any advice after listening to the clip?

I guess the Duet will cost me about 500 bones which leaves me about a grand to buy a mic/s?

Any help is greatly appreciated!!


Todd

[gtodd876]

After reading the archives till my eyes started to bleed last night it seems like the Bock 195 or MA-200 would be a good combo with the Duet on the singer's voice, the double bass bowed and piano (recording in first post)

[gtodd876]

I tried out an Apogee One today. I thought if it's priced low just because it's only one channel then I could spend some more on something like a ribbon mic. It is definitely a step down from my MOTU ultralite. Very noisy mic pre and instrument input. First I tried going from my Headway EDB-1 acoustic pre (it's blends my full circle bass pickup and a small ATM350 mic) into the instrument in and it sounded much worse and much more noisy than going into the 1/4 inch input on the ultralite. Then I tried I the mic pre with my AT4040 and realized that added a fair amount of noise to the mic so then I tried the mic pre without a mic pluged in and realised it is noisy/hissy even without anything plugged in.
This device is much smaller than I thought it was going to be so it could be extremely convenient to travel with but it's not the solution for me. At least for my needs (acoustic bass, piano, vocals)
I thought I'd share my experiences as I go along in case it helps someone else recording acoustic music and trying to figure this all out. I guess I'll return the One tomorrow and try out the Duet instead. If that doesn't work I think I try using an Echo audiofire for conversion into the computer and save up for a nice one channel mic pre.

FYI Computer wise I'm using an early 2009 Macbook white.

Todd


Still love to hear anybodies advice if you care to share.