Avid Pro Audio Community

Avid Pro Audio Community

How to Join & Post  •  Community Terms of Use  •  Help Us Help You

Knowledge Base Search  •  Community Search  •  Learn & Support


Avid Home Page

Go Back   Avid Pro Audio Community > Legacy Products > Pro Tools 10

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
  #11  
Old 12-29-2012, 12:46 PM
CME CME is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Ardmore OK
Posts: 3,207
Default

I agree with the 57 comments. It's not the perfect mic, but you should have one. Use it to learn about mic placement. Once you can get a killer tone with it you can make almost any other mic work also.

My next thought was an inexpensive ribbon. I have a cheap nady they works well. But you will need a pretty good pre. I had a grace 101 that worked well. Now have a summit 2ba-221 that is also great along with the pres in my ULN-2. Both have plenty of gain and sound great.

Lastly if you want more of a van Halen tone, a LDC is called for. I have some cad m179's that are great. They're essentially a poor man's c414. In fact after you get an sm57, the m179 is my next suggestion (and get at least 2). They sound good and are super versatile (they are awesome on toms, engage the pad and put them in super cardioid mode). Are they as good as a 414? Not quite but I bought 3 for less than $400. For that price they can't be beat.
__________________
Dell T5810. Harrison Mixbus 32C. Haven't used PT since 2015 and never been happier.
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 12-29-2012, 03:56 PM
chrisdee's Avatar
chrisdee chrisdee is offline
Moderator
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Trondheim, Norway
Posts: 3,163
Default Re: Microphone suggestions?

Quote:
Originally Posted by jasonthurley View Post
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
+1 for the 906. Warm and natural sounding to my ears.
Preferred it over the more agressive md421.
__________________
Christian D Hagen | I7 Builds | PT/OS Compability Chart
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 12-29-2012, 04:13 PM
Darryl Ramm Darryl Ramm is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: USA
Posts: 19,488
Default Re: Microphone suggestions?

Quote:
Originally Posted by albee1952 View Post
My favorite guitar cab mic is the Royer 121, but its rather pricey. 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), but my testing put it in last place(a matter of taste, for sure).
I'm curious if anybody has tried the R-121 and more affordable R-101 and how much they differ in practice? (and I know about the comparisons on the Royer website, sounds pretty close to me).

Darryl
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 12-29-2012, 04:39 PM
1redvettefor2 1redvettefor2 is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Troy MO
Posts: 20
Default Re: Microphone suggestions?

Hey guys I have been looking into everything you are suggesting and its hard to decide with out hearing i know for sure.

I was wondering about opinions on the cascade victor mic?

I would go for the shure sm57 all day long but I'm afraid it wont have much character.

I also realize that set up has a lot to do with things also but just trying to get something that will be maybe a little more than ordinary.

The descriptions say that the cascade is good for recording a guitar cabinet.

I love a very warm tone but also love dripping wet high range....if that makes sence?.....So just wondering if you guys have any experience with ribbon type mics? the victor in particular?
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 12-29-2012, 06:37 PM
Bill Denton Bill Denton is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Pittsburgh PA
Posts: 2,644
Default Re: Microphone suggestions?

I would go for the shure sm57 all day long but I'm afraid it wont have much character.

Given that this is your first mic, you really don't want a "character" mic.

A mic that adds "character" on one source may well just add garbage when you try to use it on a different source.

Not necessarily hard numbers, but for your first 3 to 5 mics (depending upon what you are recording), you should purchase mics that do nothing more than provide an exact representation of what they're pointed at.

Once you've acquired between 3 and 5 "character-less" mics (or even more if you're recording drums), then you can consider buying mics that add specific "character" to your own voice or instrument(s).

And I would give a +1 to the Shure SM57 as a good "first" mic...
__________________
X
Note that all opinions, observations, whatever, in this post are mine, unless I'm being mean or am wrong, in which case it's somebody else's fault. I do not work for Avid (their loss)...my only relationship with Avid is that of a customer (when I'm not too poor to buy stuff, like now)...and that hot administrative assistant...that's more of a "thing" than a "relationship" (that should keep them guessing for a while...)

Just rockin'...what more is there?

Bill in Pittsburgh
Reply With Quote
  #16  
Old 12-29-2012, 06:54 PM
1redvettefor2 1redvettefor2 is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Troy MO
Posts: 20
Default Re: Microphone suggestions?

For what I can buy a m57 for I'd be willing to buy it and the cascade victor.

I was wondering about opinions on the victor if any of have one?

I just dont want to spend $500 right out of the gate and i totally agree in time i will figure out where im going.

Thanks
Rob
Reply With Quote
  #17  
Old 12-29-2012, 07:53 PM
CME CME is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Ardmore OK
Posts: 3,207
Default

I've not used the victor, but bet it's a pretty good mic. Really it's more about mic types than variations. What I mean by that is this.

There are essentially 3 main kinds (well 4 as one has 2 types) of mics. Dynamic, ribbon, and condenser. Condensers are often broken into small and large diaphragm sub groups. They all have different characteristics that are somewhat common to each type.

Dynamics are something like the sm57. Overall they tend to be super durable with a fairly flat response. Not the most detailed high end but adequate. Some, like the 57, can have an upper mid boost. Which is what makes them great for guitar.

Ribbons are one of the oldest mic designs. The Royer 121 is probably the de facto standard for this mic on a guitar cab. They exhibit the a proximity effect (bass gets bigger as it gets closer) with a high end roll off. At least on traditional versions. There are some active versions with more high end. However the roll off is what gives them their smooth creamy sound on distorted guitars. Most are fairly fragile and a blast of air can kill the ribbon. And most will need either a fairly loud source or a fairly high gain (60+ clean db) pre amp.

Condensers. They probably the "flattest" most accurate of them all. With the small diaphragm versions being the most accurate. However large diaphragm is what we're talking about here. They can give you a really accurate picture of the source. But most have extended frequency responses that can pick up lots of "presence" and sound "harsh". Some less expensive versions can even have a boosted high end. (Not the M-179 though). Most are fairly durable, but some don't like super loud signals. And moving them back a bit will allow some room sound to get through. Provided you're in a good room and want that.

So all mics have a place and purpose. You can even use more than one. But start with one first. Multi mic'ing adds a whole new can of worms. Which one you start with is up to you. But I think the sm57 is the best one to start with. A close second, and I didn't think to mention earlier, is a Heil pr22ut. It is like a 57 but without the mid bump and a high end that's more like a condenser but still smooth. So lots of choices but no really wrong answer.
__________________
Dell T5810. Harrison Mixbus 32C. Haven't used PT since 2015 and never been happier.
Reply With Quote
  #18  
Old 12-29-2012, 09:34 PM
1redvettefor2 1redvettefor2 is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Troy MO
Posts: 20
Default Re: Microphone suggestions?

Quote:
Originally Posted by CME View Post
I agree with the 57 comments. It's not the perfect mic, but you should have one. Use it to learn about mic placement. Once you can get a killer tone with it you can make almost any other mic work also.

My next thought was an inexpensive ribbon. I have a cheap nady they works well. But you will need a pretty good pre. I had a grace 101 that worked well. Now have a summit 2ba-221 that is also great along with the pres in my ULN-2. Both have plenty of gain and sound great.

Lastly if you want more of a van Halen tone, a LDC is called for. I have some cad m179's that are great. They're essentially a poor man's c414. In fact after you get an sm57, the m179 is my next suggestion (and get at least 2). They sound good and are super versatile (they are awesome on toms, engage the pad and put them in super cardioid mode). Are they as good as a 414? Not quite but I bought 3 for less than $400. For that price they can't be beat.
So even tho the mbox has 75db of gain I will still need a pre amp for a ribbon mic??
Reply With Quote
  #19  
Old 12-29-2012, 09:51 PM
Darryl Ramm Darryl Ramm is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: USA
Posts: 19,488
Default Re: Microphone suggestions?

Quote:
Originally Posted by 1redvettefor2 View Post
So even tho the mbox has 75db of gain I will still need a pre amp for a ribbon mic??
Nope, its not an issue because you need to go buy an SM57 and plug that into your Mbox Mini and work out that recording a good tone is most all about playing and recoding skill and not wasting time here going on about microphones when you have not done anything yet. And once you've recorded many sessions and worked with some guitarists you'll realize if its better spending any additional money on new guitar strings, guitars, pedals/rack fx, amps, cabs, speakers, attenuators, iso boxes, room treatments, microphones, pre amps, compressors, channel strips etc. Get yourself an industry standard SM57 and just start recording.

BTW running two mics of any sort into an Mbox Mini (only two inputs) means you can't track the dry guitar. That would make it a one mic interface for my use.

You have budgeted purchasing a reamp and DI/Splitter box right?

Darryl
Reply With Quote
  #20  
Old 12-30-2012, 02:23 AM
panamajack's Avatar
panamajack panamajack is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Miniappleapolis
Posts: 713
Default Re: Microphone suggestions?

Quote:
Originally Posted by 1redvettefor2 View Post
So even tho the mbox has 75db of gain I will still need a pre amp for a ribbon mic??
Is this the spec you are talking about?

Gain Range: 54dB (74 dB with Pad)
__________________
PT10.3.10HD(Tyan s2932 [8core Shanghai 2.7GHZ] 32GB,Win7 SP1); PT10HD(Tyan s2892 w/10GB, Win7 SP1);PT8HD(Dell 690 quad Xeon 3.0, 8GB, Win7,192 I/O, 96 I/O);MacBook Pro: 11R, Apogee Element 46, Focusrite 8PreX PT HD 11.3.2; Mac Pro 3.47 Hex 32GB, OSX 10.12.6/L10.4.2;L9.1.8, 2.64TB; G5 D2.3 4GB, 10.4.11/L8; 12c MP 2.66/32GB PT12.4; Structure, GigaGS3, Kontakt 5, Garratin, Sibelius 8.7+, Finale26,EMU,Vegas Pro 16-10/; RME HDSP9652,MOTU 2408 MKIII/1224/308, FX,Kurz,L5s,Strat,ASAT,JB,Zon
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Microphone Suggestions for Film? spicyitaliano Post - Surround - Video 14 09-23-2010 04:45 AM
mic pre VS microphone Help happasito 003, Mbox 2, Digi 002, original Mbox, Digi 001 (Mac) 4 03-01-2005 10:53 AM
Choir Microphone suggestions jiagap 003, Mbox 2, Digi 002, original Mbox, Digi 001 (Mac) 2 10-16-2002 06:51 AM
microphone suggestions.... pk_hat 003, Mbox 2, Digi 002, original Mbox, Digi 001 (Win) 47 02-06-2002 06:36 PM
microphone suggestions? Ssaidvox1 003, Mbox 2, Digi 002, original Mbox, Digi 001 (Win) 7 09-24-2001 05:23 PM


All times are GMT -7. The time now is 09:19 PM.


Powered by: vBulletin, Copyright ©2000 - 2008, Jelsoft Enterprises Limited. Forum Hosted By: URLJet.com