Topic: Microphone Recommendations for Concert Recording: First Time Buyer

[borimon]

Hi,

I have a new Sound Devices MixPre-6 II and looking to buy mics for concert recordings. Any recommendations for a $1500 budget?

[goodcooker]

There's a lot you can do with $1500 for mics

Are you recording out in the open all the time?
What kind of music? Rock, jambands, classical, jazz, whatever else?
What kind of venues? Big sheds outdoors in the summer? Intimate jazz clubs? String quartets in reverb heavy churches?
Do you want new or open to the idea of buying used?

My go to when people ask this question is the Neumann KM184. Cardioids are the most versatile IMO and the KM184 is a tried and true performer.

[checht]

Many great options at this price point, it's gonna come down to what sound you like the most.

You have a great opportunity to test drive various mics. Phish shows stand out as an easy a/b comparison. You can also search by mic to listen to lots of options.

My recommendation based on personal taste and type of recording is more expensive:
Schoeps mk5 omni/cardioid capsules along with active cables and appropriate powering solution. Definitely exceeds the $1500, but also sets you up to record anything/everything. Taping section, FOB, stealth, enormodome, small clun - all go amazing with that setup.

Buy that system and never have to make a change, it'll just work.

Have fun!

[HealthCov Chris]

You may want to check out the new DPA 2012 as well. 

[jbell]

I would call a few vendors and you could get some money off the price!  Here is a good starter set.

https://www.fullcompass.com/prod/618591-dpa-st2012-2012-stereo-pair-pencil-mics-with-holders-and-windscreens

[voltronic]

We definitely need a little more info from the OP, but...

With $1500 you could buy two pairs of Line Audio mics (CM4 and OM1), and still have almost $1000 left over. They are the very definition of punching above their weight, and don't embarrass themselves when used alongside Schoeps or DPA. They are gaining a following for pro orchestral recording as spot mics, among other things. Even though I now tend to reach for my DPAs first as a main pair, I still use my Line Audio mics quite often. Check out the many samples and testimonials here:
https://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=172445.0


Switching my team affiliations back to DPA:

The 4060/4061 omni lavs are probably better performers and more revealing than anything else at their price point (currently $1275 for the stereo kit). I have used mine as a main pair for choral / instrumental concerts for several years now. You have to be in a situation where omnis are the right choice, and where you don't need the lowest self-noise.

I am very interested in the 2012 and 2015. So far I have only heard just a couple AUD recordings of amplified shows made with them, and I couldn't fairly judge their quality.

[Crown2752]

I highly recommend you calling a company in New Jersey called Sound Professionals. They have a website and an even better phone or virtual setup to ask questions about microphones.
The owner of the company is Chris Carfagno. 800-213-3021. soundprofessionals.com. I have a pair of mics that I bought 15 years ago and are still in perfect condition. Their customer service is excellent.

[grawk]

Ted Gakidis is selling his telefunkens m60s with card caps for $1000. that's a hard setup to beat at that price.

[rocksuitcase]

Ted Gakidis is selling his telefunkens m60s with card caps for $1000. that's a hard setup to beat at that price.

seconded. Can't go wrong at that price, may need good shock mounts.

[Nick's Picks]

yea, it comes down to "flavor you prefer" at this price point.   
the Neumann km184 recommendation is very, very hard to beat.   And if you look around w/some patience, you can find a pair of them for a grand or less.   As mentioned, tried and true mics.  Esp. if you like the "neumann color".

The Line Audio rec is interesting.  I have also been reading about them a lot recently and I'm a big fan of cheaper mics that work harder than their price point.

[robeti]

I'd either go for at853 cards or go all the way and buy schoeps mk41 if I were you.

Skip the mid level mics.

[checht]

I'd either go for at853 cards or go all the way and buy schoeps mk41 if I were you.

Skip the mid level mics.

^ this
Pair of mk41s for $1000 in the yard sale

[C.Clark]

I would echo this, the SKM184 matched pair are a great/versatile stereo recording pair for the money, love mine!

There's a lot you can do with $1500 for mics

Are you recording out in the open all the time?
What kind of music? Rock, jambands, classical, jazz, whatever else?
What kind of venues? Big sheds outdoors in the summer? Intimate jazz clubs? String quartets in reverb heavy churches?
Do you want new or open to the idea of buying used?

My go to when people ask this question is the Neumann KM184. Cardioids are the most versatile IMO and the KM184 is a tried and true performer.

[voltronic]

Still waiting to hear from OP about what their recording situations are, because that should influence recommendations we offer.

A couple points in response to others' suggestions:

1. OP might not have considered the cost of a stand, mic bar, shock mounts, etc and how those items will eat into their $1500 "mics" budget. So offering recommendations that are right at $1500 for a pair of mics may not actually be doable.

2. I wouldn't characterize Line Audio mics as "mid level" given their performance. They are not at the elite level of my DPA 4000 series mics, but the quality drop off is not as enormous as one would expect, and I still use my LA mics heavily.

3. The mics I would actually skip at this budget level are AT853 and those from Sound Professionals. Not because of the quality, which is quite good, but because of the need for voltage adapters going into a MixPre. It's just one more thing to worry about, and you might as well get "real" pencil mics if your budget allows. That type of thing also needs specialized mounting solutions which cannot be reused for standard mics.

4. If you're going $1000+ a pair, definitely go modular. That's one reason I would stay away from the DPA 2015. (The other being it's relatively unproven as a main pair pickup.) Those MK 41s in the YS are a great deal, but supercards may or may not be the best choice based on what is being recorded. For example, for the things I record, that pattern would get almost no use other than vocal or instrumental spot mics. If a pair of MK 4 with CMC 1 or CMC 6 were being sold for $1000, I would jump on them because cardioid is much more versatile as goodcooker says.