Topic: what mic's and pre should i start w/

[jcaledun]

ssia

[jlykos]

That depends.  What do you want to do?  What bands will you tape?  What venues will you tape in?  How much money do you have to spend?  Some direction in your request for information would infinitely help.

Also, search the archives on the Oade board.  There is a lot of information there, particularly for people just starting out.  Some search terms may include "newbie," "starting out," or a particular type of equipment in which you are interested.

[Brian Skalinder]

In order to provide some useful input, we'll need to know a little more information:

[1]  what's your budget?
[2]  open taping or stealth?
[3]  what kind of bands and venues?
[4]  what is your storage device - DAT, MD, JB3, etc.?

 

[Brian Skalinder]

Dang, Jamie, you beat me to it.  

[jcaledun]

thanks....  the money part don't really matter you gotta pay to play. as far as bands go i go see anything.  i usually go to smaller venus sometimes big shows like phish bust mostly smaller stuff like YMSB. open taping mostly but stelth when needed.  right now i have a MD but looking for a M1.

[jlykos]

If money is no issue then, get on Further and download as many shows as you can with bands that you like recorded through equipment in which you may be interested.  Some stealthable preamps that may interest you are the Sound Devices MP-2, Sonosax SX-M2, and the Aeta PSP-2 and PSP-3.  Also look at the Sony SBM-1.  Some popular high-end microphones that you can also stealth with are ones from Scheops, dpa, MBHO, and the Neumann km100 series.

Listen to as much as you can and then decide what you like best.

[scervin]

That stinks, I thought our Gefells were high end  

Thats cool keeping the MG's on the DL  

[Wiggler]

Microtech gefells would be a great choice MG200/210.
As for the Pre I would go with a Apogee Mini me if you like big bottom end and some warm color to the sound or a Grace Design V3 if you prefer a tighter more detailed sound.

[wrangler_n_space]

I am a newbie also.
I have my d-8 for a few months and did some patching and decided to get some mics here is what i am going to start out with

Sony d-8 w/7-pin & 6.4battery 325$
AKG c1000s  225$
Denecke ad-20 225$
AD-20 External Power Supply 50$

SSM-1 Sabra Shock Mount
ST2 SABRA T bar
Manfrotto 3078 stand    225$

cables about 150$

So for around 1200$ i am set to go with a nice little rig.

[zhianosatch]

That looks to me like the open taper's ideal starter rig. Nice.

[F.O.Bean]

Good luck on your new rig!!!!!!! .....may you have as many killer years and killer tapes as i have.......

enjoy,
 bean

[Brian Skalinder]

Good luck on your new rig!!!!!!! .....may you have as many killer years and killer tapes as i have.......

And may you not screw up as many tapes as I have!  

[jcaledun]

so this is what i was thinking...... akg c1000s>mp-2>adc 20>m1


sound good for starters?

[Mic D]

so this is what i was thinking...... akg c1000s>mp-2>adc 20>m1

If I were you, I would'nt even bother w/ the adc 20. The m1's A/D stage is'nt all that bad. I would take the adc $$ and put it into better mics (say maybe C3000's).  This would be a nice lil' begining rig. You could add on the A/D later. Of course, this is just MY opinion so take it how ever you'd like. Just remember, your mics make the most difference.

Kevin

[wrangler_n_space]

DO you really need the mp-2 with the 1000s?

[jpschust]

I liek the idea of using the mp2 with the 1000's as the 1000s are a good pair of newbie mics.  the mp2 is solid enough that one can upgrade the mics and still have a decent pre behind em.

Jonny

[Brian Skalinder]

so this is what i was thinking...... akg c1000s>mp-2>adc 20>m1

sound good for starters?

Sounds good.  But, IMO, you're better off putting the MP-2 and ADC-20 money into the mics.  The M1 has a pretty good ADC in it - in fact, I personally like it better than the ADC-20.  And you can get clean, cheap gain with a pair of line transformers.  Just rough guesses here, but used cost for the gear listed is roughly:

$250  |  AKG C1000S
$500  |  MP-2
$300  |  ADC-20

I'd take the $1050 listed and run:

$710  |  Upgraded mics (lots of options in this price range)  >
$100  |  PS-2  (used)  >
$ 40   |  Line Transformers  (new)  >
          |  M1

$200  |  Miscellaneous - shockmounts, stand, cables

I think this option will provide better overall recordings from the get-go.  It also allows you to get a feel for the mics you choose and then pick up a pre and/or ADC that will compliment your mics.  (Not all pre/ADCs sound good with all mics.)

[carlbeck]

For that same money I'd pick up a pair of 390's>PS2>M1. I made a bunch of solid recordings when I was starting out with 391>PS2>Zefiro In Box>M1. The 391's are very solid but I would try to find the hypers for them if at all possible. IMO the hypers work in more places than the cards unless you do a LOT of outdoor taping. This rig will pull really nice tapes & make you proud. Play with your mic set-up, try different configs. Alot of times it is the difference between pulling a smoker or not

[F.O.Bean]

go for the team akg sound, bro....... ....you wont be disappointed......

bean

[jessedscott]

I'll second that emotion! Any new guys looking to tape! I have produced some great tapes with these mic's at a close range.  As have Bri and Matt, I think. Bri's web site has given me some great sounding show's, PERIOD! I myself have now started to tell the difference between what certain rigs will sound like.  Not a master yet by any means, but I am earfully listening. While I still do not fully understand the FOB craze, but I think I do, somewhat:). In my last 4-5 shows w/ these mic's I have found myself to be infront of the SB in a round about way(small venuses). I am very happy with the quality of the Accoustic's, and the Vocals , allbeit(is that the right spelling?)  a lack of Bass I would like to hear in my "Sound".. . But can they be made to sound better by a PRE/AD( you pick your own) than a AD20,  I think yes. Again, if I'm off base please say so anyone.

Now, I went to Vegas and taped the 1st night.  I do believe I ran DIN. Maybe not the best choice in the config,I'm not the expert, but "I", think my tapes came out pretty dam good. I'm not bitchin'.

So, what I'm really saying is these are really worth every penny ! Great starter mic for any taper, and a STEAL at this price......


I still have these mic's FS $250 for the pair, shipped to your door!!

Peace, Jesse

[jessedscott]

That is a copy and paste from a post a little while back.....

[creekfreak]

if money is not a big proble like you stated why start with the beginner stuff....get something you will like because if you start small you will just want to upgrade, and in the end that just costs you more money.

[John R]

i agree with creek here.  if you've got the dough, go with higher end gear from the start, AFTER you do your research.  put real money into mics, commit to a format, and boogie.  don't buy cheap cables.   Learn your rig at home, in the dark.  have fun, trade often.

jr

[nickgregory]

if money is not a big proble like you stated why start with the beginner stuff....get something you will like because if you start small you will just want to upgrade, and in the end that just costs you more money.

While I agree with Creek here, the only line I will draw is that if you unsure if taping is your thing, you may want not want to go full $'s into it.  I have seen some folks put many many $'s into their rigs, taped for a while, realized that they don't enjoy it...which a limited few of us actually like getting to clubs HOURS before the show, and leaving after everyone else.

But with that being said, the good news is that with most equipment, you can usually recoup a fair amount of your investment after the fact.

Just my .02.

Nick

[jcaledun]

thank you all for your replys first i'm going to pick up a m1

[creekfreak]

Well, thats why I tell people to patch if they are unsure if taping is not their thing. Patch around, check out different gear then decide if you are going to want a full rig, but if you are going to committ to a full rig and have the money for good gear, why waste time and money, either way you are doing to lose some money, if you buy expensive and decide you don't want it you might lose a few hunderd bucks. If you buy cheaper stuff and then upgrade you are going to lose a few hundred bucks..

[F.O.Bean]

well put creekfreak.......+T to ya...

bean