Topic: Newbie putting together a setup

[TaperWill]

I've spent awhile googling and searching the forums here, and this is what I've come up with that fits my budget. I figured I should toss this out and see if anyone wants to try to convince me to get something else. For instance, is it worth more money to get better shock mounts? Would I be better off with one mic as opposed to the two condensers?

My immediate need is recording a friend's band in a small venue where no soundboard recording is possible (not all instruments will run through a board), but I also want something I could use at a festival without getting completely crap audio. Yes, I know I'm going to want to upgrade mics eventually, but currently my budget is not huge.

Audio recorder: I've already got a tascam dp-008 that's been laying around, at some point I'll upgrade to a 24 bit, and something that's a bit quicker to get off the recorder, but that point is not today.

Mics: 2 Studio Project c4's: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/673282-REG/Studio_Projects_C4_C4_Small_Diaphragm_Condenser.html

With these cheap Auray windscreens: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/850366-REG/auray_whf_2040_hh_foam_20mm_1_dia_40mm_1_6.html

And Auray shock mounts: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1075738-REG/auray_shm_sd2_shock_mount_for_tubular.html

10' air-cushioned light stand: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/89688-REG/General_Brand_LS_10AB_10_AC_Light_Stand.html

Sabra-Som ST-2 t stand: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/272480-REG/Sabra_Som_ST2_ST_2_Double_Microphone.html

[buckster]

Hello and welcome!  I came aboard here over a year ago for help in assembling a budget rig and I ended up going with a pair of the SP-C4's and I've been very happy with them.  You may know this already but I just wanted to mention the C4's come with mounts, stereo bar and windscreens; as shown here:

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/C4mic?adpos=1o1&creative=105593158081&device=c&matchtype=&network=g&gclid=CO76uJCu5ssCFUokhgodS3ICPA

 

[chinariderstl]

I would steer clear of the Studio Projects C4 mics.  I bought those as my first pair of mics and was never quite satisfied with them.  You'd be better off checking the Yard Sale for a used pair of AKG's or Busman mics.  The Busman BSC1's would be perfect, as would a pair of AKG SE300B/CK91's.  Both of those should be in your budget.

Another good option, at your price point, are the Berliner CM33 mics.  Those are not bad mics.

http://www.amazon.com/Berliner-Diaphragm-Condenser-Microphones-Overheads/dp/B006JPA9C4

If you're considering one mic, you might look into the various Audio-Technica stereo mics on the market.  The AT822, AT8022, and the BP4025 are all solid mics.

A used AT822 would be well-within your budget as should the AT8022; the BP4025 is a little pricey and might be above your price point.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/602080-REG/Audio_Technica_AT8022_AT8022_X_Y_Stereo_Phantom.html

[voltronic]

Not just for newbies at all, but Naiant products are top notch.  Send Jon an email and he will set you up with exactly what you need.

[F.O.Bean]

And if recording outdoors, you'll most likely need better screens than those Auray screens Here are some cheap alternatives to the big boy Rycote with about the same construction! Movo makes some decent screens we've been trying out the last year or so, and so far they've performed great, at only $15-$18/per mic

Movo WST50 "Rycote Super Softie" clone

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Movo-WST50-Ballistic-Acoustic-Nylon-Microphone-Windscreen-for-3cm-Shotgun-Mics-/381293477529?hash=item58c6dcbe99:g:EaMAAOSw~OdVe0t6

Or the fur covered Movo 6cm WS80's[or the 3cm version of the WS80, the WS50] "Rycote Classic Softie" clone

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Movo-WS80-Pro-Windscreen-w-Acoustic-Foam-for-Shotgun-Microphones-up-to-6cm-Long-/381145937711?hash=item58be11772f:g:0tIAAOSw2s1U0VBA

Movo 3cm WS50

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Movo-WS50-Pro-Windscreen-w-Acoustic-Foam-for-Shotgun-Microphones-up-to-3cm-Long-/381145939113?hash=item58be117ca9:g:XWkAAOSwqu9U0VEx

[F.O.Bean]

I would run SP C4>XLR>Tascam 70D and be done with it! IMO the C4's are great beginner mics! Ive heard way more good C4 tapes than the AKG Blueline 390's, but as always, YMMV And you can get a Tascam 70D NEW for only $260 at B+H, or used here on ts.com for around $150-$175 IMO the preamps are great too! On par with my VMS in most cases That's why I just sold my last Sony M10 and got another Tascam 70D

[H₂O]

Save up and buy a pair of schoeps mk4's. > kcy > PFA > dr-70d - if you are smart and patient you can get this $1600-1900 - it may seem like a lot but well worth it in the long run


Make it a long term goal

[MakersMarc]

^ this. You know it will sound great and all components show up here from time to time. Or save some money and go with AKG ckxx caps, nbobs and a PFA, I think that comes in at more like 1100-1300. And will sound great.

[F.O.Bean]

^^^ Both are great suggestions, depending on your budget of course

[willndmb]

Welcome
Personally I would take the advice and save up for some better mice like the BM or AKG 391 too
I would also get way better windscreens if you are taping outside, DPA makes the common ones used http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/282432-REG/DPA_Microphones_UA0896_UA0896_Windscreen_for_0_75.html
I would also get a different tbar. I like this one because it is flexible and gives you lots of options http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/286149-REG/AKG_KM235_1_KM235_1_Stereo_Microphone_Bar.html
as for shocks, Im not a fan of the rubber band ones like you linked although they are fine for most people. I always used these cheap ones and they worked great for me http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/298919-REG/WindTech_SP_20_SP_20_Microhone_Shockmount.html I used it on 22mm mice just fine too
I would recommend trying to find a 12' stand. I have a 12 and there have been lots of times I wished it was higher. The difference in cost and size is minimal to when you could have used the extra height.
If you go with a d70 recorder make sure you read up on the cards to use. I have a d60 and love it though.
you can get cheaper cables all over the place but it is worth checking into darktrain or teds customs imo

[TaperWill]

Thanks for all the suggestions! I'm in no rush, so I've still got some time to check out yard sale options and whatnot.

[2manyrocks]

^ It is cheaper in the long run to be very judicious about what you buy to start with instead of buying this and that, selling and trading up several times. 

On the other hand, it's hard to pick stuff without having actually having used it.  you are wise to ask questions before spending your money.

One thing I appreciate about TS is the ingenuity of the members in finding various combinations of gear to record with in compact packages. 

[chinariderstl]

^ This; I couldn't have said it any better.

[acidjack]

^ It is cheaper in the long run to be very judicious about what you buy to start with instead of buying this and that, selling and trading up several times. 

On the other hand, it's hard to pick stuff without having actually having used it.  you are wise to ask questions before spending your money.

One thing I appreciate about TS is the ingenuity of the members in finding various combinations of gear to record with in compact packages.

This.

For that reason, though, I'd say -- get an inexpensive deck like the Tascam DR-60D (4 channels, funny looking, but works and cheap and has phantom power). Go with those C4s -- they're not bad, they're cheap, and the resale is OK.

That way, if you want to upgrade, the rest of your rig (including the cables, mounts, etc.) is solid, so you're only taking a loss on the mics. I normally say "buy nice or buy twice" but in this case, I don't think I'd tell someone who has never taped at all to just run out and buy Schoeps. I'd say, roughly, buy this rig, and if you like taping after a year or two, then buy Schoeps 

[voltronic]

OK, here I go again everyone.  I just looked at the price of those SP C4s.  If you're in that price range, I strongly urge you to go with Line Audio CM3.  They are much higher quality mics than the SP mics, and you really would need to move up to Schoeps, DPA, Gefell, etc. for a more refined sound.  Under $300 shipped from NoHypeAudio in Belgium (no, you can't purchase in the US but the transaction with this dealer is flawless as many can attest). 

Follow the Team Line Audio link in my signature for full info, many samples, and ordering info.  If anyone thinks I'm just being a fanboy or exaggerating their quality, check out the first link there for a shootout with the Schoeps equivalent, the MK21.