Topic: Newbie.. Looking for mic recommendations

[Panthro10]

I am looking to tape my friends' bands at local clubs and possibly other shows that I attend where there may not be many other tapers, but taping is still allowed. So, I am not looking for anything stealth. I have browsed the boards, but haven't seemed to be able to search... So I am sold on the Edirol r-09hr, but now I need some mics to go with it, and I guess possibly a preamp (?). I am looking to get a matched pair of cardioid mics, for less than $500.. most recording I have listened too and like seem to be made with mics more in the $1000 per pair range, which I am not ready to drop on a new hobby... People seem to recommend the church mics, but they seem, to me at least, built for stealth.. Any help?

[notlance]

Get yourself a Busman Audio BSC1 Small Diameter (SD) condenser mic stereo set.  It comes with 2 mics with 4 capsules for each mic so you have a range of patterns to play with.  It also comes with shockmounts and a stereo bar.  Lots of options to play with in this kit; it's a mic education course in a box.  The whole kit is $450.00 as of now. 

http://www.busmanaudio.com/bsc1.html 

And no, I don't work for him.

[setboy]

Get yourself a Busman Audio BSC1 Small Diameter (SD) condenser mic stereo set.  It comes with 2 mics with 4 capsules for each mic so you have a range of patterns to play with.  It also comes with shockmounts and a stereo bar.  Lots of options to play with in this kit; it's a mic education course in a box.  The whole kit is $450.00 as of now. 

http://www.busmanaudio.com/bsc1.html 

And no, I don't work for him.

Do this.  You will need a preamp and phantom power for them if you do go this way.

[Panthro10]

I looked up the kit.. it does seem like it allows for a lot of options for the price. And I listened to a few recordings on archive.org made with them that sound great. I think I may go with this.. any preamp recommendations?

[Church-Audio]

I looked up the kit.. it does seem like it allows for a lot of options for the price. And I listened to a few recordings on archive.org made with them that sound great. I think I may go with this.. any preamp recommendations?

If you must go with an xlr mic the Busman mics are a great value for the money and after hearing some of the samples I recommend them to all of my customers that need an XLR based mic. For a preamp an edirol UA-5 is a good start.

Chris

[setboy]

I looked up the kit.. it does seem like it allows for a lot of options for the price. And I listened to a few recordings on archive.org made with them that sound great. I think I may go with this.. any preamp recommendations?

 ua-5 is a nice starting point that can be had few very little money now a days. But does the Edirol r-09hr digi in? I would think you would want to have a recorder that could take a digital signal from the UA-5. 

[notlance]

I looked up the kit.. it does seem like it allows for a lot of options for the price. And I listened to a few recordings on archive.org made with them that sound great. I think I may go with this.. any preamp recommendations?

If you must go with an xlr mic the Busman mics are a great value for the money and after hearing some of the samples I recommend them to all of my customers that need an XLR based mic. For a preamp an edirol UA-5 is a good start.

Chris

Chris: it’s impressive that you would recommend a competitor’s product.  I realize the Busman mics aren’t in direct competition to what you sell, but still, good on ya.

Panthro10: You said you are “sold” on the Edirol r-09hr, but does that mean you have already bought one?  If you are going the open rig XLR mic route, you could consider the Fostex FR-2LE recorder since it has XLR in and phantom power.  I’m not saying it is better than the Edirol + pre-amp route, but it is perhaps simpler.

[setboy]

I looked up the kit.. it does seem like it allows for a lot of options for the price. And I listened to a few recordings on archive.org made with them that sound great. I think I may go with this.. any preamp recommendations?

If you must go with an xlr mic the Busman mics are a great value for the money and after hearing some of the samples I recommend them to all of my customers that need an XLR based mic. For a preamp an edirol UA-5 is a good start.

Chris

Chris: it’s impressive that you would recommend a competitor’s product.  I realize the Busman mics aren’t in direct competition to what you sell, but still, good on ya.

Panthro10: You said you are “sold” on the Edirol r-09hr, but does that mean you have already bought one?  If you are going the open rig XLR mic route, you could consider the Fostex FR-2LE recorder since it has XLR in and phantom power.  I’m not saying it is better than the Edirol + pre-amp route, but it is perhaps simpler.

I have made some good tapes with my busman's and my fr2le

[Scooter123]

The Edirol Recorder is built for stealth. I would recommend any larger format recorder with AC and phantom power.  

As much as I like my Edirol, I think you might need to rethink the equipment a tad.

[Panthro10]

I have not purchased the r-09 yet. I will take a look at the fr-2le. Just from the research I have done the edirol seemed like a good buy, but I am new to all this.. and I really appreciate the help.

[Scooter123]

There are some nice second hand machines in the Yard Sale and I'd start with a review of them first. 

[dorrcoq]

I'm buying the Busman mic package tomorrow, to go with my new R4.  Hard to beat the price when it includes 4 different caps, shock mounts, and a mounting bar.

[Belexes]

I have made some good tapes with my busman's and my fr2le

Same.  It's a great combo for the price with impressive results.

There's a "make an offer" seller on Ebay for the FR2LE and I think the box can be had for around $425.

[Panthro10]

I have another "dumb" question... What is the importance of digi in? What does it allow you to do?

[JasonSobel]

I have another "dumb" question... What is the importance of digi in? What does it allow you to do?

digi-in will allow you to use an external A/D (analog to digital) converter, and send the digital signal to the deck to record.  Generally speaking, external A/D's are higher quality than internal A/D's.

And, as an alternate suggestion.  In addition to the Fostex FR-2LE, check out the Marantz PMD-661.  Both the FR-2lE and the PMD-661 are small recorders, and they both provide XLR inputs with phantom power.  If digi-in is important to you (which it doesn't seem like it is now, but having the option is nice in case you decide to upgrade to different equipment later on), the PMD-661 has a digital input, while the FR-2LE does not.

[Panthro10]

I have checked out the pmd661.. And I saw the thread comparing it with the fr2le.. Both list for $599, but a quick google search brings up fr2le's in the $430 range... So it seems like a better buy to me for what I need... So I'm thinking the busman kit > fr2le.. Should be under $1k.. Any other setup suggestions in this price range?

[Panthro10]

Ordered the busmans today

[sunjan]

I have checked out the pmd661.. And I saw the thread comparing it with the fr2le.. Both list for $599, but a quick google search brings up fr2le's in the $430 range... So it seems like a better buy to me for what I need... So I'm thinking the busman kit > fr2le.. Should be under $1k.. Any other setup suggestions in this price range?

Excellent choice. If you have money to spend, look at the Oade/Busman modded FR2-LE. And remember you'll need a mic stand too.

[setboy]

I have checked out the pmd661.. And I saw the thread comparing it with the fr2le.. Both list for $599, but a quick google search brings up fr2le's in the $430 range... So it seems like a better buy to me for what I need... So I'm thinking the busman kit > fr2le.. Should be under $1k.. Any other setup suggestions in this price range?

Excellent choice. If you have money to spend, look at the Oade/Busman modded FR2-LE. And remember you'll need a mic stand too.

and cables and a bag

[Panthro10]

Do they mods make a huge difference? I will have to check out some samples...

[twatts (pants are so over-rated...)]

Welcome to Taperssection... 

http://www.cheezey.org/thundercats/gallery/panthrogallery.html

Terry

[Will_S]

Do they mods make a huge difference? I will have to check out some samples...

I think you'll get a range of answers to that question.  I'd suggest listening for yourself if you can still download the files in these threads:

http://taperssection.com/index.php/topic,111772.0/all.html
http://taperssection.com/index.php/topic,113128.0.html


Edit:  For the second thread, the first link to get the files is dead but you can still grab them here:
http://homepage.mac.com/satterwill/FR2LEcompTNJedd.zip

[rastasean]

Do they mods make a huge difference? I will have to check out some samples...

You will get a wide range of responses from that question. If you can hear the difference, then you may want to get a mod but if you can't, spend the money on bags, cables, media, cases, etc.

[Panthro10]

I didn't really hear much difference through my computer.. so I think I'll hold off on mods for now.. see what kind of recordings I can get with just stock. So... next question.... what about cables? any recommendations there?

[setboy]

I didn't really hear much difference through my computer.. so I think I'll hold off on mods for now.. see what kind of recordings I can get with just stock. So... next question.... what about cables? any recommendations there?

http://www.kindkables.com/ makes good stuff. How much do you want to spend on cables? you can spend a lot (100-200) or you can spend a little (40-100)

[Panthro10]

probably a little.... I don't think the cables will be the limiting factor of how my recordings will sound.. at least for the first 50 shows I tape.. give or take.. I imagine mic setup and level adjustments, etc will have a bigger impact, so I'd rather learn that stuff and maybe eventually upgrade cables.

[setboy]

probably a little.... I don't think the cables will be the limiting factor of how my recordings will sound.. at least for the first 50 shows I tape.. give or take.. I imagine mic setup and level adjustments, etc will have a bigger impact, so I'd rather learn that stuff and maybe eventually upgrade cables.

I would check out the yard sale. Post that you are looking for a good set of starter cables. or I would check out kind cables.
We do have some people around these parts that makes cables, but i do not recall who they are any more. Maybe someone else can point you to them.

[rastasean]

probably a little.... I don't think the cables will be the limiting factor of how my recordings will sound.. at least for the first 50 shows I tape.. give or take.. I imagine mic setup and level adjustments, etc will have a bigger impact, so I'd rather learn that stuff and maybe eventually upgrade cables.

I would check out the yard sale. Post that you are looking for a good set of starter cables. or I would check out kind cables.
We do have some people around these parts that makes cables, but i do not recall who they are any more. Maybe someone else can point you to them.

One way of doing things is to throw as much money into the hobby as you want that way you have the supreme of the supreme (of at least what you can afford). Many people recommend this.

another way is to start small and if you like the hobby, upgrade cables, pre-amps, recorders, etc. I prefer this way.

user Darktrain (his name is Robb) makes cables and I have bought two kinds from him, just a 1/8" to 1/8" one foot cable and just an extension cable, six feet long. I would contact him for your cable needs as well as searching the yard sale section.


From Chris Church:

Spend money on good cables but you dont have to spend alot of money. Get good quality mogami or starquad and you will be fine.


Chris

[rjp]

another way is to start small and if you like the hobby, upgrade cables, pre-amps, recorders, etc. I prefer this way.

It's good advice. Learn to make good recordings on modest equipment, and then you can use that knowledge to make great recordings with upgraded gear. Yes, the best mics cost a fortune, but, IMO, you could get 85% of the performance for 10% of the price. Look for bang-for-the-buck rather than ultimate performance, and you can do quite well.

Though I don't own a set myself, the Busman mics would be a good start - I've grabbed a few shows off the LMA that were made with them, and they sound nice. AKG Perception 170s (which I have) are also a good starter mic, but not quite as versatile since they don't have interchangeable capsules for different patterns.

The most important part of the recording chain is the nut behind the controls.

[su6oxone]

probably a little.... I don't think the cables will be the limiting factor of how my recordings will sound.. at least for the first 50 shows I tape.. give or take.. I imagine mic setup and level adjustments, etc will have a bigger impact, so I'd rather learn that stuff and maybe eventually upgrade cables.

Get them at monoprice then (http://www.monoprice.com/products/subdepartment.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10244), that's one of the most popular places to buy AV cables from (most posters on avsforum swear by them) and their XLR cables are cheap and good quality (although slightly tight connectors). 

rjp:
+T for the Zork reference...