Topic: $1500 for complete rig. What would u buy?

[bagtagsell]

I'm thinking of getting back in the game.  I've owned every piece of gear conciveable at one time.  But since I stopped in 2005 so much has changed. I'm looking for something that resembles schoeps>v3 or 483>v3 (or something a touch warmer).  Ideas welcomed.   

[thegreatgumbino]

16bit or 24bit? 

Beyerdynamic MC930 > Oade R44 would be pretty sweet.  Might be a touch over $1,500 though.

[sygdwm]

do you no longer have the mg>148>v3 rig?

id go beyer 930/akg 46x>mod fostex fr2le

[run_run_run]

Pelusos > R44

[danlynch]

KM 184s (pair used ~ 1200) > MiniMe (used ~ 450) > MT (bit bucket) (used ~ 200)

Its a little more than 1500, but that's my rec.

[J.T.L]

Pelusos > R44

X2

[Krispy D]

my 660...  Oh wait was that a shameless plug?  oops.

[ianstone]

i think you should put most of the money into mics, and then get a recorder.
you can always add a pre or upgrade the recorder. Mics are the MOST important part IMHO...

get crap in, you're gonna get crap out no matter what is behind it.

akg's, neumann  will fall into your price range.

[stirinthesauce]

beryerdynamic mc930>r-44

or my preference

beyer mc930>MME (they just match perfectly)>bit bucket (mtII)

1500 and is not a problem with the above rig

930's ~$750 new
minime ~$525 used
mtII ~$200 used

your in budget

beyers>mme
http://www.archive.org/details/moe2008-04-11..flac
http://www.archive.org/details/moe2007-03-07..flac

[salmonite]

I would buy Scooters R-4:

http://taperssection.com/index.php/topic,109377.0.html

Then, I would Have Busman do a warm mod on two of the channels, and then run some MC930's up in that piece

[jerryfreak]

what ian said. if your patient you can find a used cmc54 or 64 set for $2200, and there are a lot of good pres in the $500-$800 range to upgrade to  (5fish, naiant,used v2,v3,mp2, etc)

if i was really budget limited, and wanted a good expandable setup i would get the following:

pair of schoeps cmr ($1000)
used mk4 ($1100)
used denecke AD20 or GP adc20 ($150)
used bit bucket ($200)

not $1500, but sub $2500 and pretty HQ complete setup

[bagtagsell]

Might as well go for 24 bit.    I really only need 2 channels for now.
I've been checking out the archive and the acm 660 sounds awesome.  Too bad it isn't 24 bit.  I'm seriously looking at the fr2-le

[jlykos]

Used AKG 48x > modFR2-LE

[TNJazz]

Lots of votes for the beyer MC930 here, so I suppose I'll add mine.

Personally, I'd grab them over ANY of the other mics mentioned in that general price range (460/480, KM184, Peluso)

[bagtagsell]

Lots of votes for the beyer MC930 here, so I suppose I'll add mine.

Personally, I'd grab them over ANY of the other mics mentioned in that general price range (460/480, KM184, Peluso)

Is the FR2-LE a good mate for the beyers?

[OFOTD]

Used AKG 48x > modFR2-LE

or also

AKG 48x > ACM671

[run_run_run]

I think allot of this comes down to you sitting down, listening to some tapes and figuring out what you like.  You have allot of good options at 1.5k

[popskull]

KM 184s (pair used ~ 1200) > MiniMe (used ~ 450) > MT (bit bucket) (used ~ 200)

Its a little more than 1500, but that's my rec.

x2

Go modular and upgrade when the mood (and wallet) allow

[illconditioned]

Lots of votes for the beyer MC930 here, so I suppose I'll add mine.

Personally, I'd grab them over ANY of the other mics mentioned in that general price range (460/480, KM184, Peluso)

Is the FR2-LE a good mate for the beyers?

I think it is.  I use a self-modded FR2-LE with my Beyers, and just about anything else.

I would start with the stock box and then go from there.  Having an all-in-one is really nice.

By the way, remember to buy the FR2-LE at a discount.  It should be something like $400-$450.  Maybe not in the stores, but from a (recommended) Ebay seller maybe.

  Richard

[setboy]

Used AKG 48x > modFR2-LE

 

[china_rider]

Used AKG 48x > modFR2-LE

 

I think Jake is using stock 46x -> FR2LE and his shows come out great.  I always download his and comp them to mine. :-}  RC batteries on the FR2 also give you great run time.

[Will_S]

The FR2LE has awesome all-in-one ergonomics and internal battery life.  I also think it sounds just fine stock, and would suggest putting the ~$200 you save (don't forget shipping etc for the mods) into better mics, and don't forget to budget for a stand, clamp, cables, and gear bag.

[willndmb]

i say go with a fr-2le too
the busman mics seem to be great for the price too

[Krispy D]

http://taperssection.com/index.php/topic,112256.0.html

http://taperssection.com/index.php/topic,110354.0.html

[Brian Skalinder]

It took 10 posts of recommendations to blow the $1,500 budget by ~$1k.  I'm disappointed in TS...it usually only takes 5 posts. 

I've been thinking about scaling back, and the Beyer 930s and FR2LE are in my sights, too.   

[rowjimmytour]

I'm looking for something that resembles schoeps>v3 or 483>v3 (or something a touch warmer).  Ideas welcomed.  

I would go for the 930's but he did say he wanted some thing warmer then shoeps and the akg's which they aren't IMO at all. Check my sig for samples and stringthesauce has some great samples that helped me make my decision to buy 930's.

[illconditioned]

I'm looking for something that resembles schoeps>v3 or 483>v3 (or something a touch warmer).  Ideas welcomed.  

I would go for the 930's but he did say he wanted some thing warmer then shoeps and the akg's which they aren't IMO at all. Check my sig for samples and stringthesauce has some great samples that helped me make my decision to buy 930's.

Listen to some MC930 samples on my webpage, http://Soundmann.com if you're not convinced yet.

Also, Aberg has a pair for sale right now.  Get them before he moves them off the board  .

  Richard

[willndmb]

keith also has some akg481/3 for sale

[nic]

I think allot of this comes down to you sitting down, listening to some tapes and figuring out what you like.

I understand that this is a common statement for such requests, there are some issues with this:
> finding a single show (ideally of a music style that you will be recording the most) that has multiple recordings but only 1 piece of equipment changes from the other sources is next to impossible to find.
> if you can find the above, are all of the sources in the same config (x/y, ortf, din, etc) AND in the same location (vertical/horizontal plane)?

other than knowing various people that have all of the various pieces of equipment that you are looking at and can set up a true a/b test in a controlled environment, there is still WAY TOO much guesswork involved and it is a VERY subjective experiment.

[illconditioned]

I think allot of this comes down to you sitting down, listening to some tapes and figuring out what you like.

I understand that this is a common statement for such requests, there are some issues with this:
> finding a single show (ideally of a music style that you will be recording the most) that has multiple recordings but only 1 piece of equipment changes from the other sources is next to impossible to find.
> if you can find the above, are all of the sources in the same config (x/y, ortf, din, etc) AND in the same location (vertical/horizontal plane)?

other than knowing various people that have all of the various pieces of equipment that you are looking at and can set up a true a/b test in a controlled environment, there is still WAY TOO much guesswork involved and it is a VERY subjective experiment.

I agree it is hard to judge this, especially when comparing different shows/venues/placement.  But it is still worthwhile to listen to different recordings.  Sometimes you'll hear a show that really stands out.  Then you know that particular mic is *capable* of getting a great recording, if used correctly.  Basically, you're looking for the case when the limiting factor is the mic, and then you can see how good a particular mic can sound.

I don't have controlled tests, but I do have lots of samples from the same venues at my website, http://Soundmann.com.  Take a listen there if you wish...

  Richard

[notsofast]

I love my FR2LE and have the t-mod and pair it with Peluso's CEMC6 and the sub cards deliver the warmer sound I was looking for. I do like the Beyers also but I like being able to swap caps.

Here are some samples:
Outside
http://www.archive.org/details/HBR2008-09-07.CEMC6-CK21

Inside
http://www.archive.org/details/wh2008-08-08.CEMC6-CK21

I agree with the thoughts around listening as much as possible and let your ears decide. My whole rig was within the price range you are looking at and I get better pulls as I learn more.

Good luck and have fun,

Tim

[mpmks]

well 30 days out
did you buy something??

[momule]

Peluso CK21's > R4

I can tell ya I'm really happy with this combo.  I loved the warm mids i had in the akg 451's but I ended up selling my mint 451's 3 weeks after I got the Subcards for the Peluso and haven't looked back since.  One of these days I will have to try the dark side and there subcard

[deadheadcorey]

if i had any extra money i would love to buy a 722, great all in one box

[F.O.Bean]

if i had any extra money i would love to buy a 722, great all in one box

AGREED! I HEART my 722 I woudl rather use the 722 as the BASE OF MY RIG, and switch out mics until I found just the right ones

Hmmmm, $1,500.00, lets see. Probably either some AKG 460's/480's w/ ck63 caps, and a WMOD FR2LE And some Silver-Clad cables

[BJ]

beryerdynamic mc930>r-44

or my preference

beyer mc930>MME (they just match perfectly)>bit bucket (mtII)

1500 and is not a problem with the above rig

930's ~$750 new
minime ~$525 used
mtII ~$200 used

your in budget

beyers>mme
http://www.archive.org/details/moe2008-04-11..flac
http://www.archive.org/details/moe2007-03-07..flac

I second this.  loving my 930's.