rcrees


I now want to do more vocal and acoustic guitar recording.

So I'm hoping you guys might have some recommendations for the best mic for vocals & guitar based on your own use with SONAR. Of course, I'd love to get the most "Bang for the buck", but I do understand that quality means money.

If it's within your budget, I would highly recommend checking out the Mojave MA-200.

djtrailmixxx


Best bang for that kind of buck is this: http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/AT2035/
I'm in love with this Mic

Mystic38


interesting thread... I am also looking for input..

I know almost nought about mics, synths yes :) ..lol and currently have only a budget samson R11 mic and so am looking for a vocal mic for recording.. kinda $100-150 tops... i guess by default i would have gone sm58?...

my upcoming projects have female vocalist... with power in her voice...

thx

thanks dj..took a look and it is hard to find a bad or even an average review for the AT2035... wondering if any other members use this mic?..
 
@konrad, my highest quality input is likely to be the TC Helicon Voiceworks... other options I have are the Komplete Audio 6 or the Fantom G.. a dedicated pre-amp is out of the question for me at this time..  i will however take a look at the impedance specs
 
thx

well for acoustic guitar I use an AKG c 1000s. great mic for acoustic guitars. It does ok for background vocals and choir. This mic will not break the bank. Some of the best mics for acoustic guitar seem to be AKG 414, Neumann U87, Newmann KM 84 and KM184, AKGc3000 and AKGc1000

For electric guitar the trusty sure sm57 is a standard mic, Sennheiser md-421 also works good. I used my AKGc1000 on guitar cabs and good results as well

For bass I just use a direct box

For snare drums the sm57 does a good job, AKG 414, Neumann U87, Newmann KM 84 and KM184, AKGc3000 and AKGc1000 all work good too.

My favorite mics for the bass drum are AKG D-12 and D112, and the Sennheiser 421

When I record Acoustic guitar I run the mic through a preamp. These can be inexpensive and they add a great deal to the sound quality.

Actually the TC mp-75 is a nice sounding mic for under $75
Here http://www.ebay.com/itm/TC-Helicon-MP75-Modern-Performance-Mic-MP-75-Dynamic-vocal-effects-Microphone-/290790235158?forcev4exp=true&forceRpt=true

Hey, Mystic.  I am quite familiar with the TC unit: I have a TC Helicon VoiceWorks Plus in my rack.

Although I do not routinely use that as a pre—more of a doubler and effects unit for me—it should be fine.  It is a good quality piece of gear.  I sometimes have trouble getting the input level just right using its LED meters, but once that is set, it sounds good.
 
By the way, for anyone using the VoiceWorks as an effects unit, I have a post out here somewhere about setting it up as an outboard effects unit using digital in/out from the V-Studio.

As always... GREAT info here.  Lots to see, lots to research.

Thanks everybody!

Rob

ps. I took my first visit to the Coffee House... a little scary... I think I'll have to visit again when I've actually had a couple of strong coffees...

In the @$100 range you have lots of choices with not a lot to choose between them.  Most are chinese made, where the capsules have a high-end rise.  Most of the mics are either re-branded mics (one factory cranks out mics and the distributor puts on their own badge) or made from the same components.  Unless you have time and the place to go check out a bunch of cheap mics like Guitar Center on your voice you can be pretty sure any of the mics will sound about the same.  That is a good thing - choice and price.  If you stick w/ recording acoustics then you can save and get something more expensive.

Cheap ribbons don't have the high-end rise but give a full low end.  There are problems in the low end ribbons (esp. tension of the ribbon element itself), but I just picked up a sub $100 ribbon.  Sounds deep on my voice - I'm waiting on hearing electric guitar and other things through it.  The mxl r-40 (mine) might do the trick if you are going for a more "vintage" sound.

Micheal Joly modded my old Oktava 319 but those are out of your stated price range.  You will find a lot of cheaper chinese mics he works on.  If they are anywhere near as improved as the 319 you could get that done when you have the extra cash.  The 319 is a different beast to start with, but his mod made it much better.  If you listen to The sadness of the beauty queen on my soundcloud site (Rm101) you can hear the 319 through a Warm preamp.

Your best bet may be a dynamic mic.  Heil springs to mind - I think they have some cheap ones.  Or the Rode.  They were doing the chinese mic thing first and should have better quality control than some factory model.

@

konradh


Hey, Mystic.  I am quite familiar with the TC unit: I have a TC Helicon VoiceWorks Plus in my rack.

Although I do not routinely use that as a pre—more of a doubler and effects unit for me—it should be fine.  It is a good quality piece of gear.  I sometimes have trouble getting the input level just right using its LED meters, but once that is set, it sounds good.
 
By the way, for anyone using the VoiceWorks as an effects unit, I have a post out here somewhere about setting it up as an outboard effects unit using digital in/out from the V-Studio.

well tahts good to hear thx.. have been very happy with this unit so far and the one time i used the voiceworks *in anger* was as an insert effect.. it did take a while to get the spdif's sync'd in both directions but did sound very good.. i think i need to d/l the vst for it soon...

Marcus Curtis


well for acoustic guitar I use an AKG c 1000s. great mic for acoustic guitars. It does ok for background vocals and choir. This mic will not break the bank. Some of the best mics for acoustic guitar seem to be AKG 414, Neumann U87, Newmann KM 84 and KM184, AKGc3000 and AKGc1000

For electric guitar the trusty sure sm57 is a standard mic, Sennheiser md-421 also works good. I used my AKGc1000 on guitar cabs and good results as well

For bass I just use a direct box

For snare drums the sm57 does a good job, AKG 414, Neumann U87, Newmann KM 84 and KM184, AKGc3000 and AKGc1000 all work good too.

My favorite mics for the bass drum are AKG D-12 and D112, and the Sennheiser 421

When I record Acoustic guitar I run the mic through a preamp. These can be inexpensive and they add a great deal to the sound quality.

+1...some good suggestions here, though I'm not really sure what is meant by "run the mic through a preamp". Not running the mic through a pre isn't going to get you very far 
To the OP: I love my 414's on acoustic guitar...in fact, my favorite method of micing an acoustic right now is a M/S pair with a 414 on the mid and an R84 ribbon for the sides. That said, if I was only picking up one mic I would probably not go with either of those...they're a bit too specialized if that's your only option. I like my 87 on acoustic guitar, but unless you want to spend a bunch of money on a pair it's going to be in mono (which is often fine). I'd probably stay away from SDC's and ribbons until you have a "workhorse" type LDC, but that's just my opinion. I have 3 or 4 Senn 421's lying around and they are great on e. guitar and they're really outstanding on toms as well, but also wouldn't be my first choice for a workhorse mic.


Dean

AT



Micheal Joly modded my old Oktava 319 but those are out of your stated price range.  You will find a lit of cheaper chinese mics he works on.  If they are anywhere near as improved as the 319 you could get that done when you have the extra cash.  The 319 is a different beast to start with, but his mod made it much better.  If you listen to The sadness of the beauty queen on my soundcloud site (Rm101) you can hear the 319 through a Warm preamp.


@

+1. Oktavamod has an LDC right now for sub $400...I know I like my Oktavamod a whole lot more than I like my any of my Rode mics...


Dean