New to recording, mic questions.

68 lost souls

Hey,

Just really started doing some recordings. Im using an Edirl UA 4x soundcard into my PC with Sonar 6 LE. Mainly going to recording:

Electric guitars : through a 1 x 10" Marshall cab being driven by a 2W valve amp.

Bass : Orange crush 20 or Ashdown MAG 210 combo

Vocals : A little bit of my own vocals but not much.

Acoustic guitar: No pickup n it so will need to mic.

I am mainly recording guitars but may add a few bits of bass and vocals. Im looking for a mic that can do the guitars well for now and then possibly in the future Ill get another for vocals and then bass. Ideally I am looking for osmething that will suite all three but I know this isnt exactly ideal. I play a lot of different styles, nothing really tied down as to the sound Im going for on this project but its looking like mellow verses and high gain, heavy chorus sections.

Was going to just go for a 57 for now but can anyone recommend a decent mic under 150 that would suit what Im looking for?

Norris-wf

I would agree with you with a 57 for guitars. You can't go wrong with that mic and it's one I'm very happy with. I know many people that would swear buy them. There are a number of people that also like the i5 on guitars, but I've no experience with these ones. I'm sure more people will give more suggestions

68 lost souls

Do you reckon it would be worth getting a Beta 57? In your opinion what are they key benefits?

Bluebirdstudios

Hi ,
You should have a look at the Audix i5 good mic at a reasonable price for guitar cabs. There are many mics that may have a decent go at all 3 tasks vox , gtr cabs and bass amps. You might end up spending more cash on 3 individual mics for all 3 tasks with still no guarantee of total success. It might be worth spending more on a good all rounder mic now ?
Example something like neumann tlm 103 / AKG 414 or humdreds others in that sub €900- region ///
JUST A TAUGHT !!!

-Dec

Norris-wf

68 lost souls wrote: »

Do you reckon it would be worth getting a Beta 57? In your opinion what are they key benefits?

I actually bought a beta 57 too, and the only differences is that it is meant to be slightly hotter. I have access to an SM 57 too and I use them both on cabs. The general concesus seems to be though that the SM 57 is better for guitar cabs while the beta is better for snares due to the protective cap over the capsule. There are many people that have lost 57's to a drummer hitting the head of the mic. Between the two, I'd go for the 57. If you''ve ever heard of Andy Sneap, He swears by a single 57 on a cab, but then again there are other options to consider, it's up to you. Hope this helps.

68 lost souls

Yeah I had heard a few people say that they generally prefer the 57. I would have aways used 57s live just wasnt sure if they were a go to mic for recording as well. For 99 euro you cant seem to really go wrong with a 57.

Taking into consideration what Bluebird said as well, I appreciate I would probably be better off in the long run going with your suggestion but getting any mic at all at this stage is really pushing my budget since I spent a fortune on gear this year already. Was really hoping to get away with 1 mic for around 150 or cheaper that will do me for everything for the time being but mainly concentrate on guitar recording since that is what I will be using it for 90% of the time..

Norris-wf

ya, sub 150 a sm57 is good. If I had the funds I would love to try a royer 121. I've heard some lovely examples of that mic on guitars. There are so many options, money is always the constraint though

68 lost souls

Yeah if it wasnt for the restriction of money I would have a nice selection of Neumanns right now.

PaulBrewer

A 57 should be everyone's first mic. You'll still be using it in 10 years time.

i57dwun4yb1pt8

start with a 57 or a 58 -
or the i5

dont go nuts buying mics until you get familar with one of them .

you can do the lot with any of these for now , until you get better.

if you want to get one mic thats very good to do the lot ( including bass, vocals acostic ) - get a second hand shure sm7b

Norris-wf

DaDumTish wrote: »

start with a 57 or a 58 -
or the i5

dont go nuts buying mics until you get familar with one of them .

you can do the lot with any of these for now , until you get better.

if you want to get one mic thats very good to do the lot ( including bass, vocals acostic ) - get a second hand shure sm7b

Is the SM7 good on Bass too? What's it like?

i57dwun4yb1pt8

http://www.frontendaudio.com/Shure-SM7B-Dynamic-Microphone-p/9999-00200.htm


http://www.zzounds.com/productreview--SHUSM7B