What to remember when shopping for a microphone

[rhynoclemmis]

Dear Dames and Sirs,

Incredible how much you learn when you start recording. I only recently discovered that there are different types of microphones around for studio use and for live playing. What sounds like the most obvious statement came as a surprise to me, simply because I never thought I'd buy a microphone.

Well, whatever. We started recording with our singer's normal "live" microphone, a Sennheiser of about € 90 (that's $ 135). The voice sound as if he's singing while cupping his hand in front of his mouth. It's not too bad, but there's still lots of room for improvement. Now I'm looking around for a good but "price-efficient" microphone for voice-recording at home. What type of mic should I get? I really have never delved into this, so I'm pretty stranded. Is a condensator mic what I'm looking for? At what price level do acceptable mics begin? The music shop I normally go to has a price range of $250 to unlimited.

I want to recorded voice to be as clean as possible, so I can meddle with effects and whatever later.

Please help!
Cheers!

[andrik]

Hi,

Buying a good microphone is a very personal matter. There's a mic for everyone's voice, so to speak.

Condensator mics are usually al lot more expensive, although MXL audio produces a couple of decent low-budget ones.
Keep in mind that most condensator mics need phantom power to operate, furtermore making the most of a condensator mic means buying a good and usually expensive pre-amp. Also condensator mics are very sensitive, they'll pick up everything, so make sure your computer is very silent.

Cheap brands are, Samson and MXL audio. They're fine and don't cost a fortune.
I, myself prefer a standard shure "live" mic, and tend to use a condensator mic when recording acoustic guitar.
You really should get some professional advice. I think everybody on this forum will give you a different piece of advice, so best to go to a professional store.

Just remember when recording vocals:
- Do use a compressor to limit the dynamics of a voice (compressor is used to produce a constant volume), it's harder to remedy afterwards, so best to do it while recording.
- use a pop-filter when recording, to supress the 'Puhh' in p-words and the 'SSS' in s-words , etc.


good luck!

Andrik

[Wedgebill]

Good advice here from Andrik, I use a Shure SM58 Mic and a Samson C01 Studio Condenser Mic (extremely good quality for the price), both through a Line6 Toneport UX2 which supplies phantom power to the Samson. A lot of personal preferences may come on board in this thread

[Charvelguy]

I'm a fan of AKG for the money. I also like MXL lineup. Shure is a obvious popular choice. Audio Technica & Rode also. Behringer Peavey and EV also have some great affiordable mics.

Guitars-electric cab mics: AT 4047, SM57, ADK 51S , Sennheiser MD421
Vocals: Rode, Shure Sm7/SM7b, KSM27

The best places I found to research this was... Harmony Central and a couple other various forums. Best to do a few google searches.

I did stumble across this thread somewhat recently and found it very informative:
http://acapella.harmony-central.com/forums/showthread.php?t=227171

[gatorjj]

Rhynoclemmis, what kind of interface are you using for RiffWorks?

[rhynoclemmis]

Interface?
I don't exactly know what you mean. I use the Toneport UX2 and it's Gearbox, is that what you mean? It's got a phantom power switch, so I won't need a pre-amp. Or should I still use one?

@andrik: Thank you very much. Do you really already use the compressor during recording, not afterwards? That's contrary to all I've been told here, i.e. that you should apply effects only later on a as-dry-as-possible signal.

@Wedgebill: And thanks to you too!

[andrik]

Hi,

You should indeed apply effects afterwards, but a compressor is not really an effect, it's more a necessity .

If you don't use a compressor during recording, you'll notice that some parts of the recording wil clip (goes in the red zone, which results in digital distortion), and other parts will be too soft. The parts which are too soft, you can repair afterward. Parts which clip, you can't, as you record the distortion with the vocals. So use a compressor while recording to boost the soft parts, and to soften the parts which are too loud and which you can't repair afterwards.
Just use a compressor plugin in your sequencer of choice; every sequencer has one, Riffworks including I believe, or use a compressor from Gearbox. Just don't over do it. You don't want to compress to much, try until you find a natural balance.

and yes, you're right when you say you don't need a pre-amp when you use a Toneport Ux-2. The gearbox settings for recording vocals are a great starting point.

good luck!

[gatorjj]

Rhynoclemmis, the Toneport UX2 is your interface (and also your mic preamp ).

You will get acceptable results out of any condenser mic on the market today, though quality generally improves as you go up the price scale. As mentioned here, MXL, Sampson (and Nady) make up the low end of the spectrum but will do a fine job with a good singer. There are much better mics out there but they won't make the singer any better!

I don't agree on the need to always compress on while recording, though it helps to "control" a singer who doesn't have good volume control themselves. As long as the input signal doesn't clip, compression will have the same effect after it's recorded and you'll have more control over how much you actually need.

[rhynoclemmis]

Ok, I bought an AKG Perception 100 for $150 now. The guy at the music store told me that although it's so cheap it sounds like a higher-quality mic because it's produced in SE Asia and not in Austria (where AKG's from). I told him I was willing to spend more, but if he sticks to his opinion I guess (or hope) he's right.

As I'm not the one to sing (but the one trying to set up a minimal home-recording set) it's hard for me to judge the compression settings now, but I'll just give it a try and as soon as we've done anything apart from recording drums and bass (this is how far we are now) I'll upload a song for you to critique.

Not for gatorjj, because I don't want him to make me cry.
But I've read your advice on recording, mixing and mastering and let's just see how far I get.

[blue4u]

I have that mic and think you'll be happy with it. It's very bright so you may want to use EQ and turn down the treble or, high frequencies a bit. Otherwise, it's clear and capable of giving you a nice, big sound.

Best,
Rich

[gatorjj]

I promise not to make you cry

Now let's hear some tunes!!!!!

[Charvelguy]

The Perception200 was being clearenced at MF for 159.00. I was going to get the 100 package deal but the 200 was just slightly more with some rolloff features.. and MF has been running alot of coupon offers as well (usually with limitations)
I just picked up a combo of the perception 150 for overheads for less than 75 per mic.

I meant to post about this several times before but it didn't take due to the filter. (plus I was pressed for time)

I prefer MXL, AKG,EV, CAD, Peavey, Rode, Audio Tech for more budget oriented mics. There are a definitely a few more companies out there yet too. (like BLue, Sennheiser, Behringer,Audix..etc..)

Here's a good link from the Giff@ HC. Very reliable source of info he complied.

http://acapella.harmony-central.com/forums/showthread.php?t=227171