Microphone suggestions?
 

Just wondering if you guys have an opinion on a nice warm sounding mic to record my guitar tracks with. I play a lot of styles so I know I'm asking a fairly general question but I'm new to the whole recording thing. Using a peavey vyper tube amp and an MBox mini. I like Eddie VanHalen and Dime Bag Darrel's tones or somewhere inbetween. I'd like to spend around $150 on a decent mic. Suggestions?
Thanks!!!
Rob

Re: Microphone suggestions?
 

For that price, I'd say buy a trusty old not-so-hifi Shure SM57 and first learn to actually use the mic. Proper placement does miracles and if you don't have a thousand dollar preamp you most likely end up spending lots of money for different mics which all sound "veiled". Sure, you don't get exactly those million dollar results but whatever you learn by playing around with a 57 is priceless.

Yep SM57, the benchmark cabinet mic, everything else you try will be relative to what you learn with that mic, and you may not get excited by any mic that is within $1k of the $100 you will spend on the SM57. Get a nice mic stand to make positioning the mic easy. That will take care of your $150.

Darryl

Re: Microphone suggestions?
 

There are many mp3 and video samples of the microphones distributed by cascademicrophones.com. For close mic applications, their Fathead has some possibilities. Seems to me there are some shootouts between the 57 and the Fathead. The Fathead has a thicker ribbon than the other styles they distribute, so is more rugged. For a first mic, the 57 is a good choice. You might be able to find a used 57 and Fathead (that is, one of each) for under $200. Then you could experiment with mid-side techniques.

Re: Microphone suggestions?
 

You might check Craig's List in your area.

Re: Microphone suggestions?
 

My favorite guitar cab mic is the Royer 121, but its rather pricey:eek:. My favorite sub on a budget is the Cascade DR-2(tough to find, but really nice). I also own a pair of Fat Head II's and they are very close. Next in line(for me anyway) is the Shure SM-7. By all means, try an SM57(no mic locker should be without:D), but my testing put it in last place(a matter of taste, for sure).

When I bought the DR-2, I did a shootout on a 2x12 cab, using the DR-2, SM-7, SM-57 and MXL 2001(all placed at the dustcap/cone line). All went thru focusrite ISA preamps and matched in level. Recorded a minute of raunch(Boogie Rectifier) and a minute of clean(JC-120) and had a listen. The SM-57 had way too much bite for me(but it might be what you want). Cascade has a BE version of the Fat Head(Bare Essentials) for about $150 that's worth a look. As with all ribbons, never blow into it and always keep it standing up(so the ribbon doesn't sag). Miktek is coming out with a new active/passive ribbon, but its not ready for production yet:(

Re: Microphone suggestions?
 

Thanks for the in- depth responses! Much appreciated!

Re: Microphone suggestions?
 

just want to add the Senn MD421 in to the mix
new more than your budget but you might find a deal on a used one

Re: Microphone suggestions?
 

Hearing about the DR-2 jogged my memory. I have an SM Pro Audio MC04 derivative. As I recall, it was a group buy thing, so lacks the retail label, and was screened for a tight ribbon and build quality. The inexpensive ribbon mics sometimes are inconsistent in build quality.

Also, the 57 would work better with inexpensive mic pre-amps, as it requires less gain. I bought a Focusrite ISA One specifically for ribbon mics because it has 80 db of gain. The 57 probably needs only 60db of gain.

In addition to storing ribbon mics upright to prevent ribbon sag, some are prone to damage if they receive phantom power in error. Dynamic mics (like the SM57 or Sennheiser 421) are probably a safer bet if you have a limted budget.

I have a Telefunken MD421/5 which I bought about 30 years ago for under $100. It looks just like a Sennheiser, but has a Tuchel connector and a smaller mic stand mount.

Re: Microphone suggestions?
 

You can pick up a 906 for under $200

http://www.jr.com/sennheiser/pe/SEN_E906/

It is not as warm and doesnt have the same high end as the 409 (If you can get one of those grab it now! lol) but is a solid microphone for Electric guitar cabinet mic'ing