suggestions for a good starter mic for versatile recordi

[Matan]

I'd appreciate advice on mics that would be good for area micing and won't send me to the cleaners price wise.

[Henry Robinett]

Well, what do you want to record??

[JackMaverik]

The first mic anyone should get is an SM57.

It does everything.

Then an SM58.

After that? It's anyone's guess.

[Jim]

I agree with the above sentiment, but for area miking, the 57 is probably not the best choice because of it's cardiod polar pattern. It is a remarkably versatile mic, however, and useful for just about everything.

If you want to record a large area look into PZM or boundary mics, which are omni and designed to pick up all sound in large spaces (as opposed to proximity mics (cardiods), which are designed to be aimed at a source, and reject extraneous sounds.

Check out this month's (Sept 05) issue of EQ. It's all about microphones. Interesting reading.

[Henry Robinett]

Yes, but we need to know what his needs are. It's like shooting in the dark. If he only wants to record vocals a SM57 probably wont be the best choice. If he wants to record acoustic guitar or electric or stand up bass or drums or percussion, trumpet, sax or wants a one trick poney or a catch all do everything kind of well not necessarily great.

There are a lot of mics and types of mics.

[logo80]

uh, I can't simply live without my couple of C1000S akg... I do everything (except for vocals even if in live situation I've seen some singer with those mic... ) with them.
regards, Lorenzo

[Matan]

Mostly I would use the mics for live stage situations, trying to grab the whole stage. Does this help? I'm not sure I can be more specific than this...

[jon]

I like the C3000B for stage stuff. A pair of C3000B for octets or chorus. Nice!

[Henry Robinett]

When you say stage stuff . . .trying to grab the whole stage. I take it you're not talking close mic'ing but rather a couple of mics to get the entire sound on stage?? Small pencil condensors it sounds like to me. For this I'd suggest the Peluso CEM6. About $300 each. You'd need a pair. Great, great mics that aren't too much explioted because not too many people know about them yet. Then there's the Oktava MK012s.Or are you planning to put a mic on the guitar cabinet and another for the vocalist and 4 mics on the drums another on the bass? Are you saying you want the rugged and that can withstand high volume? What type of music is this? You see details can get useful answers.

[reekguitar]

Well Matan,

If I get you right, you need something to start in oder to make recordings.
A fairly cheap solution would be the SM57 for instruments (or some rock vocals as well) and a Rode NT-1 or some similar condenser for vocals and/or acoustic guitars etc...
The SM57 you will keep forever and the return on investemnt is pretty quick.
The Rhode might turn into a Neuman one day...
I do not own a Rode but have heard it in action in a studio and must admit it's great value for the money.
As Henry asked, depends on what you need to record.

[jon]

When you say stage stuff . . .trying to grab the whole stage. I take it you're not talking close mic'ing but rather a couple of mics to get the entire sound on stage?? Small pencil condensors it sounds like to me. For this I'd suggest the Peluso CEM6. About $300 each. You'd need a pair. Great, great mics that aren't too much explioted because not too many people know about them yet. Then there's the Oktava MK012s.Or are you planning to put a mic on the guitar cabinet and another for the vocalist and 4 mics on the drums another on the bass? Are you saying you want the rugged and that can withstand high volume? What type of music is this? You see details can get useful answers.

Sorry I guess I did not clarify myself well and to the original post but these are scenarios in which we speak of right? Stage stuff meaning performance octets or vocal ensembles that also need to be piped through a mixer and heard by an audience. When you have people moving about and singing at the same time all close microphones are not an option. Now when you have a stand in your place choral group or ensembles who do not dance and hop as much and are not piped through a PA then you want to capture with the best possible and as close as possible.

[zemlin]

You haven't given any guidelines on cost either - if you really want to aim low, a pair of Behringer ECM8000s will run you under $80, and they do OK.

This was recorded in a small church with said mics spaced about 27" apart in the middle of the room.

http://www.cheap-tracks.com/mp3/cheap-t ... shalom.mp3

[builder]

Avenson Audio makes an Earthworks kind of matched pair omni condensers for 500$. They are ruler flat and are great for general stereo recording

www.avensonaudio.com

[JackMaverik]

I guess I looked at the topic and thought "Good starter mic for versitile recording"

To me, that is an SM57. It's a great starter mic. To me, it's the first mic anyone should buy. It's a great microphone, that is extremely versitile.

Kick Drum? Check
Tom? Check
Snare? Check
Hihat? Check
Guitar Cab? Check
Vocals? Check
Keyboard Amp? Check
Horns? Check.
on and on and on.

And you can get used ones for like 50 bucks most of the time? It's not even a contest. There are better mics for everything than SM57. But very few come as close as the sheer versitility of the good ole 57.

Plus, you can use it as a hammer if you need to.

[Henry Robinett]

SM57 is a great starter mic, but if he wants to record a band from a distance, as it sounds like he MIGHT want to do, that is a terrible mic. A dynamic won't do that job well at all. That's why it all depends on what he wants to do with said mic. BBut he's not around.