Wheres the money best spent - monitors or mics?

thehootman

Hi all,
I still havnet got around to purchasing the monitors i have been looking at for ages.....
I am also thinking of getting a stereo pair of condensors for drum o/heads, using a Sm58 on the snare, and a sennhieser vocal mic for the kick (but my buget is somewhat limited). Is it worth the extra for a large diapram dynamic for the kick? I also have a large diapram condensor - can that be used on the kick to get the ooomph?
Should i put the cash into better monitors or better mics?

Thanks

P.G.Shadow

Why not get both?
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/CAD-PRO7-7Piece-Drum-Microphone-Pack?sku=270749

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Behringer-TRUTH-B2031A-Active-Monitors-Pair?sku=600601

I don't know what that translates into Aussie cash, but it might be worth it.

thehootman

When you do a direct currency exchange, it isnt that bad, but when you look at the cost from local vendors, its much more expensive. I dont know why it is, but everything audio in Australia is way more than it should be eg the gnx4 being $1600 when it first came out.
It costs heaps to freight speakers too.

P.G.Shadow

I hear ya on the local vendor, I can make a phone call 800km. south of here and get it half price +shipping :?

ACWild

I wonder why it's so expensive. I've shipped items to Australia and the costs were reasonable.
Back to your original question, you should get what you need. Good monitors really bring the GNX to life and will be very useful for mixing and mastering. Getting good mics help, but if you can't mix/master properly, then you may be missing out on their advantage.

P.G.Shadow

Good point AC.If you can'y get both,put the horse before the cart.

philflood

I think monitor technology continues to get better and cheaper as time goes on. On the other hand, mics have been about the same for a long time. People still use Shure 57s and 58s. I just bought a 57 this week to use on drums. If you have a limited amount to spend, I think your money is better spent by getting the mics that you want now, and waiting for beter monitors, cause the price available for the quality will only come down.

thehootman

Thanks for the replies

\ACWild\ wrote:

I've shipped items to Australia and the costs were reasonable.
B

Behringer B2031A's weigh 15 kgs. Each.... around $200 - $300 Au.

Well i was thinking of getting both...but not super good mics - a pair of behringer c2's for o/head drums, using my old 58 for kick, and another vocal mic i have for snare. What i am wondering is whether the large diaphragm dynamic is really necessary for the kick?

ACWild

\thehootman\ wrote:

Thanks for the replies

\ACWild\ wrote:

I've shipped items to Australia and the costs were reasonable.
B

Behringer B2031A's weigh 15 kgs. Each.... around $200 - $300 Au.

:shock: Man, that's alot of cash!

jester700

\philflood\ wrote:

I think monitor technology continues to get better and cheaper as time goes on. On the other hand, mics have been about the same for a long time. People still use Shure 57s and 58s. I just bought a 57 this week to use on drums. If you have a limited amount to spend, I think your money is better spent by getting the mics that you want now, and waiting for beter monitors, cause the price available for the quality will only come down.

Actually, though IMO you're right if we're talking about dynamics, the advent of Chinese condensor mics has made decent sounding large and small diaphragm condensors a possibility for the home studio on a budget in the last several years. There are many usable choices now for $100 each (and up, of course).

So IMO it's a coin toss. Personally I'd go with the mics to start recording. But I'd probably want the monitors too before mixing anything for posterity.