Which mic should I get?
- Thread starter prislsl
- Start date
yongsheng11
New member
Not to be biased or anything but i feel that the Samson G- Track condenser USB Mic is probably the cheapest option that gives good quality recordings. Im selling one.
http://www.soft.com.sg/classified/s...&title=samson-g-track-usb-condenser-mic&cat=9
It is a usb condenser mic with a built in audio interface, which allows a instrumental line in that connects straight into the microphone. It gives clear and crisp recordings. There is also a headphone jack that allows you to listen while recording. You might say ' why cant i connect my headphones to my computer while recording' , because it has delay. Many usb mics have delay compared to a mic plugged into an audio interface, which can be VERY annoying while you are podcasting or recording your vocals.
You should not need to worry about room noises while recording as there are MANY software that can filter it out after the recordings are done (takes like 30 secs max to filter them out).
http://www.soft.com.sg/classified/s...&title=samson-g-track-usb-condenser-mic&cat=9
It is a usb condenser mic with a built in audio interface, which allows a instrumental line in that connects straight into the microphone. It gives clear and crisp recordings. There is also a headphone jack that allows you to listen while recording. You might say ' why cant i connect my headphones to my computer while recording' , because it has delay. Many usb mics have delay compared to a mic plugged into an audio interface, which can be VERY annoying while you are podcasting or recording your vocals.
You should not need to worry about room noises while recording as there are MANY software that can filter it out after the recordings are done (takes like 30 secs max to filter them out).
blueprintstudios
New member
few friends of mine really love their boundary mics
audio technica makes great headphones as well!
audio technica makes great headphones as well!
studio2105
New member
AT design philosophy is geared towards manufacturing mics with "neutral" characteristics. Most of their well-known mics e.g. AT4050, AT 4033 even the AT2020 captures what it "hears" and doesn't seek to hype up the source. Of course, the more expensive models do a better job than the budget ones, but generally they are in the same ball park.
There are two advantages in this approach :
1) Ability to use on a wide range of sources. They generally sound good across a broad spectrum of sounds for example vocalists (male or female; bright or dull). Electric and acoustic guitars. Drums and percussion etc. A mic which is "hyped" sounding (like most budget mics) will sound good on some voices, but end up too harsh on loud, present singers and acoustic guitars.
2) A good, neutral mic with smooth frequency response will "react" to EQ a lot better in the mix. A mic with hyped "scratchy" treble response will sound harsh if you try to boost highs with EQ.
blueprintstudios
New member
Personally I feel AT2020 sounds clear but it's hard to gauge on my end as my other large diaphragm mic I swear by is the rode ntk and it's alot more warm (tube) and full bodied. But I can use at2020 for almost everythin for the price of around $160. So I'm more on about the cost efficiency
Thanks, studio2105, for the insight.
Since blueprint talked about large diaphragm microphones, how does the size of the diaphragm affect the microphone's response? And is there a rule to what's a small diaphragm and what's a large one? Are the large diaphragm microphones generally condensors?
Since blueprint talked about large diaphragm microphones, how does the size of the diaphragm affect the microphone's response? And is there a rule to what's a small diaphragm and what's a large one? Are the large diaphragm microphones generally condensors?
blueprintstudios
New member
http://www.prosoundweb.com/article/tech_tip_of_the_day_microphone_diaphragm_classification/ sorry lazy to explain, but this should say it all
blueprintstudios
New member
in general for my use, there's 2 types, pencil condensers / those mics for hihat/cymbals/acoustic guitar fretboard etc. and the large one for vocals / guitar cab / acoustic guitar body etc. for that fuller sound
I recorded vocals with a Neuman U87 today (if I'm not mistaken). Any experience with that microphone? Pity we ran out of time to record with another Neuman microphone and my Heil PR 22. I'm not sure if the U87 had its bass rolled off but although it really captured the details and was really clear, my voice sounded lacking in low-mid and bass.
blueprintstudios
New member
if the roll off was "on" , then it would explain the lacking in low-mid/bass. you should try ask the recording engineer / studio which you recorded on to be sure.
it is one of the many industry standards for most vocals recording, the last I ever came close to one was at former Myx Studios paired off with their drawmer tube 69 micpre. can't go wrong that lol. If you're questioning the mic, either your vocals is really meant for another microphone or it's faulty or it's the engineer's problem.
it is one of the many industry standards for most vocals recording, the last I ever came close to one was at former Myx Studios paired off with their drawmer tube 69 micpre. can't go wrong that lol. If you're questioning the mic, either your vocals is really meant for another microphone or it's faulty or it's the engineer's problem.
Haha, I like how you said "..either your vocals is really meant for another microphone..". It reaffirms the notion that every microphone, even the same make and model, is different and every voice is different. Hence, it's a matter getting the microphone that fits the voice best. I'm not too sure about the techy details about the recording; maybe I'll check with the engineer. The U87 has a large diaphragm that's associated with giving voices a bigger sound, hasn't it?
blueprintstudios
New member
really donno much about the U87 leh can only afford a Rode NTK hehehe. the other thing is, have you tried taking the raw track, and puting it together with the music? even if no low-mids/lows, it might sit in the mix PERFECT ?
Well we did have all the instrumental tracks laid so we heard the song as a whole and it wasn't perfect or very good but I think it sat in there fine. Of course, the sound engineer hasn't done any mixing yet so we're waiting for that. Hope it'll turn out great. Thanks sharing man. I've read about Rode but haven't tried their stuffs, how is the NTK?
blueprintstudios
New member
PRR : I have 2xRode NT3 since 2002 and Rode NTK since late 2003. it has served me very very well for reliability and results.
NTK one word - warmthhhh heheh. but a heavy mic to deal with if your mic stand is not sturdy.
you can check out my works, anything with the vocals sounding skinnier than it should , the band borrowed my AT2020 to record. any vocals that sounds warm and clear = NTK , any vocals that sounds muffled in the background etc is not my recording but my mixing or mastering.
NTK one word - warmthhhh heheh. but a heavy mic to deal with if your mic stand is not sturdy.
you can check out my works, anything with the vocals sounding skinnier than it should , the band borrowed my AT2020 to record. any vocals that sounds warm and clear = NTK , any vocals that sounds muffled in the background etc is not my recording but my mixing or mastering.
studio2105
New member
And irreversibly damage the audio forever??? Such drastic measures should be left as a last resort/act of desperation measures. Fix the room first instead of taking the shortcut.
studio2105
New member
studio2105
New member
+1 on the NTK. That and the Classic were perhaps the only decent mics ever made by Rode.
