One mic or two?

shakestheclown · Post by **shakestheclown** » Sat Jul 16, 2011 11:52 am

I'm at a crossroads here, and I'm unable to answer my own questions.

I've got a budget of about $2500 and I'm trying to decide between one great mic, or a pair of good mics.

Discuss...

Also, any ideas about what these mics could be might be fun as well...

drumsound · Post by **drumsound** » Sat Jul 16, 2011 11:57 am

What are you recording, where, with how many people? What mics do you have?

shakestheclown · Post by **shakestheclown** » Sat Jul 16, 2011 12:14 pm

I record all things that come through the door, from drums to melodica glockenspiel to chainsaws, whatever...

I've done everything from one instrument at a time with a metronome, to a full rock band plus organ and three horns all live at once with vocals.

Mics I have...
Rode NT-5 pair
Audio Technica 4033
Audio Technica 4040
Heil-PR30
Audio Technica 3035
Shure SM7
Shure Beta 87
2 modified MXL 604
1 modified MXL 603
Oktava MK-319
Modified SM57
4 Behringher ECM-8000
2 Cascade FAT HEAD
3 Nady RSM-4
Sennheiser E-602
2 Rode NT-1A
2 Shure SM58
Shure Beta 52
2 modified Realistic(Crown) PZM

You know, stuff!

I'm thinking one vintage u87 or a pair of UM70's... but there are obviously other options.

dsw · Post by **dsw** » Sat Jul 16, 2011 12:52 pm

I typically mic chainsaw with two Shure Beta 181's in XY config. I have the chainsaw player point the chainsaw at a 45 degree downward angle as this most accurately mimics the typical use of a chainsaw in the wild as it were. Often I find it helps to distribute a bucket or two of pine cones on the floor to help diffuse the signal and also for the helpful ambiance they provide.

Shure Beta 181's have a nice flat even response which works well with chainsaw and most importantly they handle an incredible 150 db of spl which as we all know with chainsaw is hugely important. They are also very rugged and stout so in case of slippage and accidental bar placement, the mic will survive. Shure is well known for building tough mics which, when it comes to chainsaws, is paramount.

trodden · Post by **trodden** » Sat Jul 16, 2011 1:47 pm

If you don't know, you may not need. Save the money.

I unfortunately have a list of things I could spend 2500 on. Bench/tech/repair costs being part of it sadly.

Save another 500 and buy me a pair of 4038's and all will be lovely.

jhharvest · Post by **jhharvest** » Sat Jul 16, 2011 2:51 pm

U87 is good for the badge. Might help business even if it isn't necessarily the mic you end up tracking with.

Personally I'd pick up a Coles 4038, older AKG C414 and a Beyer M160. Or if it was actually for our mic locker I'd pick up a pair of Josephson e22S.

shakestheclown · Post by **shakestheclown** » Sat Jul 16, 2011 4:09 pm

I feel like I should stress that I am looking for advice on purchasing one great mic, or a pair of good mics for use on most overdubs including my go-to vocal mic.

I'm not sure ribbons have a place in this thread.

blungo2 · Post by **blungo2** » Sat Jul 16, 2011 5:41 pm

Bees Neez Arabella? You might be able to score a used one for $2500.
I'm saving my pennies for one.

Or a bunch of Stellar CM-6s? With a lot of money left over for n.o.s. tubes...

Mudcloth · Post by **Mudcloth** » Sat Jul 16, 2011 6:58 pm

I like to buy mics in pairs when I can, but with the mics you have and what you record maybe you should buy one great mic.
I noticed the only omni mics on your list were the ECM-8000's.
A multi-pattern tube mic might be the ticket.

jhharvest · Post by **jhharvest** » Sat Jul 16, 2011 8:40 pm

shakestheclown wrote:I feel like I should stress that I am looking for advice on purchasing one great mic, or a pair of good mics for use on most overdubs including my go-to vocal mic.

I'm not sure ribbons have a place in this thread.

Sorry mate, didn't really catch that from your initial post of "I record all things that come through the door, from drums to melodica glockenspiel to chainsaws, whatever".

Thus I recommended getting three different mics with different characters. Ribbons can work for vocals. If you can borrow them for a demo try the Coles (the 4040 has more top end so maybe that one) or the AEA R44.

SafeandSoundMastering · Post by **SafeandSoundMastering** » Sun Jul 17, 2011 4:23 am

I guess you could always hire a U87.

Give me the 4033 any day over that.

A fun but tricky situation.

I would not rush into it, consider what you record the most of, would a flexible preamp give better mileage (maybe something with adjustable impedance) from your existing mics?

It's fun but a tricky choice, dwell on it I love that dwelling stage when I have money burning a hole in my pocket, lol.

cheers

kslight · Post by **kslight** » Sun Jul 17, 2011 7:29 am

Well it doesn't say Neumann on it but in a head 2 head test on vocals I have consistently preferred the Shure KSM44 over a U87, and I also love a spaced pair on drums if you like LDCs on drums.

Honestly looking at your selection I might take a different path and replace the weak points with more solid and versatile choices. For example the NT1a I never touch after I got a KSM44..and you already have LDCs so they might be redundant. And maybe the NT5s replace with Shure KSM141s...

And then maybe get yourself a good vocal chain if you don't have one already.

ofajen · Post by **ofajen** » Sun Jul 17, 2011 9:16 pm

shakestheclown wrote:I feel like I should stress that I am looking for advice on purchasing one great mic, or a pair of good mics for use on most overdubs including my go-to vocal mic.

I'm not sure ribbons have a place in this thread.

Ribbons are relevant, IMO. If I had $2500 to spend, I'd be looking at the R44CE, no doubt. Gotta be OK with working a bit further out, though.

Cheers,

Otto

gabewax · Post by **gabewax** » Wed Jul 20, 2011 8:32 pm

get a pair of coles and call it a day.

Mixwell · Post by **Mixwell** » Mon Aug 01, 2011 7:37 pm

AEA 44CNE is a sick value for what it is...an authentic sounding 44, and a Toasty Brick in the Fire. You really can't beat a pair of Coles 4038's.....or one 4038. A most interesting, but beautiful animal. You might also check out the Coles 4040, which has an immeasurably cool top end clarity with all the cozy invites you might expect of a traditional ribbon.

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