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Mic recommendation

I only have $ to buy one mic right now. Can anyone recommend one that would work well for both vocal and instrument?
Thanks!

Comments

  • \iliace\ wrote:
    :-D What's your price range? What kind of music? Which instruments?

    Thanks for the quick reply iliace! 8)

    I was hoping to stay $100 or less and the Shure is right there. For vocals it would be for backup (can't really sing lead to save my life) on rock/hard rock cover tunes. For instruments, I'd like to use it for acoustic guitar, acoustic piano, percussion instruments etc for home studio recording. :D
  • if instruments are your primary focus, then you may want to consider the Shure SM57 as well. IIRC the 57 and 58 are around the same price. You can use a 57 for vox as well, just has to be a bit closer to your mouth.
  • Shure SM-57 has been the Guitarist's choice for miking guitar speaker cabinets since the 60's. It's tonal range will best capture the frequencies emitted by guitar speaker cabinets.
    Run this mic right up tight to the speaker, without touching the cloth, to about a foot away. Some guys point it straight at the speaker, others like to run it perpendicular...so as to not get the pop effect off the moving speaker. The lower you run it on the speaker, the more bass sound you'll get.
    When you can later afford it...get a second mic, and run it with this mic, only set 3-4 feet back, to capture the room sound, and mix these together. The room mic will present more reverb and delay sound. The close mic gives the punch.

    For miking acoustics, point the mic at the guitar about a foot away, behind and below the bridge pointing slightly upward toward the bridge. The sound from an acoustic actually comes from the vibrating wooden top of the guitar...not the sound hole. The bridge is about the center of the sound. Stay away from the sound hole...you'll pick up too much fret noise.
  • Thanks a bunch guys!! 8) 8) 8)
  • \Manitou\ wrote:
    Shure SM-57 has been the Guitarist's choice for miking guitar speaker cabinets since the 60's. It's tonal range will best capture the frequencies emitted by guitar speaker cabinets.
    Run this mic right up tight to the speaker, without touching the cloth, to about a foot away. Some guys point it straight at the speaker, others like to run it perpendicular...so as to not get the pop effect off the moving speaker. The lower you run it on the speaker, the more bass sound you'll get.
    When you can later afford it...get a second mic, and run it with this mic, only set 3-4 feet back, to capture the room sound, and mix these together. The room mic will present more reverb and delay sound. The close mic gives the punch.

    For miking acoustics, point the mic at the guitar about a foot away, behind and below the bridge pointing slightly upward toward the bridge. The sound from an acoustic actually comes from the vibrating wooden top of the guitar...not the sound hole. The bridge is about the center of the sound. Stay away from the sound hole...you'll pick up too much fret noise.

    Interesting post.
  • SM57 and 58 are both great for mic'ing amps. For recording an acoustic, you might consider a condenser mic instead, but SM58 will work decently well too. SM58 is better for vocals because it has a larger diaphragm and pickup pattern.

    Take a look at this - I'm not pushing Shure mics or anything - but this is a useful guide:
    http://www.shure.com/stellent/groups/public/@gms_gmi_web_us_pro/documents/web_resource/us_pro_micsmusicstudio_ea.pdf

    It explains different characteristics of microphones, so you'll know what to look for.
  • Man, that article was exactly what I was looking for. Thanks!!
  • Superlux is a knockoff spec for spec of a Beta 57. A respected eng friend of mine was using these and I like them a lot. About $80 incl shipping

    http://www.superlux.us/reinforcement.html

    Scroll to PRO-248
  • Just rescently,Samson has realeased the CO1U,which is a USB mic,if your into USB recording.I was considering the regular CO1(which I beleive is still around the $100 mark,with shock mount)
    Any thoughts on samson mic's...anyone :?
  • I wouldn't really use a condensor to record guitar or amps. At least not for close micing
  • spend a little over 100 and get a nady scm1000. they run about 120 and you will need a shock mount, but you will be very happy. i use one for vox and acoustic recording, and it sounds great.

    does require phantom power though.
  • Excellent suggestions guys. I appreciate it! 8)
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