Topic: Brand New and in need of Help

[Jonner12]

I have been reading around on the forums looking at various mics to start up with.  Though I havent been researching very in depth I did come across a few recordings done with the Superlux CM-H8K/U cardoids which sound pretty good.  Upon further research I came upon this site which has a matched pair for $159.http://www.superlux.us/smalldiaphragm.html its down near the bottom.  Can someone let me know if this is something I should look into more or what.  Any other help would be greatly appreciated as well.

[Jonner12]

Also checked out Avantone CK-1's.  These don't come in a pair but they sound very nice and the price is right.  What else would I ned if I chose to go this route?

[paulbaptiste]

I've been running a pair of avantone ck-1's (although modded by busman) and they are great mics, you can also get subcards from busman audio that will work with the avantones.  You'll need a preamp and a recording device, or a recorder that provides 48v phantom power.  Alot of options to choose from there.  I run a modded marantz pmd 660 with my avantones and couldn't be happier.  Mics>Cables>660>done.  Although i'm about to put my rig up in the yardsale, i have been very happy with the avantones. 

[acidjack]

I would look at the used AT 3031s in the Yard Sale first.  Under $200 and better mics than the Avantones or Superlux.  Either of those are OK starter mics for the price; also look for used Studio Projects C4s, which I know many like.

You'd also need the following:

Preamp.  The absolute cheapest way to power these mics is with a basic phantom power box like a Denecke PS/2, but almost everyone will tell you to just buy a Naiant littlebox, which is a preamp made by a member here.  It provides both power and gain, is highly customizable, and is widely used by tapers on this board. About $200.

Recorder.  In inexpensive small recorders the only really smart pick is the Sony PCM-M10.  About $200.

Cables.  XLR cables.  Probably 15 feet should do it for now.  You can buy cheap on Amazon or have a member here make you a nice set designed for taping, for around $55.  See tgakidis' posts in "Retail Space" on the board.

Mounts, stand, etc.  The mics may come with clips and maybe a t-bar, but if not you need to buy those to mount them to a stand.  Then you also need a mic stand (cheap Impact Light Stands can be had from B&H Photo & Video for about $25) and depending what you are doing some clamps (another $25). 

B&H Photo & Video is a good start for all of this stuff www.bhphotovideo.com - but really, you should try to buy as much as you can used.  Members here are pretty reliable and the used market saves you a lot of money. 

[SmokinJoe]

They are decent.  For the same money, also consider AT3031's in the yard sale, or SP C4's that frequently turn up. 

The best advice I can give you is this.... When it comes to sound, it's hard to describe flavor, but there are definitely different flavors, and different people like different flavors.  Spend a LOT of time listening to shows on the archive, and decide if YOU like a particular gear's flavor before you lay your money down.  It's the next best thing to taking gear for a test drive.

[Brian Skalinder]

You'd also need the following: < snip >

You might also consider an all-in-one preamp / recorder, like the Fostex FR-2LE or one of the Marantz units.  Sorry, I'm not up to speed on the current Marantz offerings, but they're worth considering.

[Jonner12]

Thanks for the quick help I really appreciate it.  I mostly go to shows on the jam circuit (Furthur, Phish, Umphreys, DSO, etc.) so I am not worried about being stealthy or anything.  That being said I am also a college student and dont have tons of cash to spend on this but I was looking at spending around $800-$1000 though for the whole rig. Any other suggestions in that price range?

[Walstib62]

If you get a good deck like one of the Marantz units that has phantom power, you will not need a preamp. The Avantones are great for the price. I have them, so I can speak for those. The others I am not so familiar with. As Joe said, listen to samples on the LMA. Anything with a German brand will probably be out of your budget. And ask more questions here before you buy. Lots of hard lessons learned by folks here. 

[F.O.Bean]

AT3031>LittleBox>Sony M10 or At3031>660/661[modded or stock]

[paulbaptiste]

It depends on how much gear you want in your chain, or if thats even a concern to you...I'm very happy i made the switch to an all-in-one box; only have one piece of gear to power up, one display to monitor, one set of cables - makes it that much easier.  I have no experience with the stock avantones, but i did own a pair of SP C4's, and the modded avantones sound much better IMO.  although i'm not sure if busman still mods them or how many pairs exist.   That said, within your price range you have quite a few options. 

[ashevillain]

AT3031>LittleBox>Sony M10 or At3031>660/661[modded or stock]

These are definitely incredible options to have. Both would make killer rigs....AND you'll come in way under budget. I'd personally go for the 3031's and the Busman modded 660 for $535 combined. But you could also do the 3031's, Busman UA-5 or Littlebox and a new M10 and still come in under $600.

These are crazy times we are in. My first recorder was an Oade modded D8 which cost about $800....nowadays you can get an entire (killer) rig for much less.

[F.O.Bean]

AT3031>LittleBox>Sony M10 or At3031>660/661[modded or stock]

These are definitely incredible options to have. Both would make killer rigs....AND you'll come in way under budget. I'd personally go for the 3031's and the Busman modded 660 for $535 combined. But you could also do the 3031's, Busman UA-5 or Littlebox and a new M10 and still come in under $600.

These are crazy times we are in. My first recorder was an Oade modded D8 which cost about $800....nowadays you can get an entire (killer) rig for much less.

I know, right? I got my first D* in '97, and I paid almost $800.00 from Terrapin Tapes. Now the Sony M10 is under $250.00 Great times for beginners. They can have a KILLER RIG for under 1k these days

[ashevillain]

They can have a KILLER RIG for under 1k these days

AND not having to worry about purchasing tapes too!!

My other suggestion to the OP...don't max out your budget just on the stuff that will get you a recording (mics, pre, recorder). Save some $ for accessories to make your life easier (gear bag, nice stand, windscreens, clamps, umbrella, etc). And MOST IMPORTANTLY, spend some of that saved money on 2 backup hard drives! Get at least one external drive and make sure to keep redundant copies of everything you record.

[F.O.Bean]

They can have a KILLER RIG for under 1k these days

AND not having to worry about purchasing tapes too!!

My other suggestion to the OP...don't max out your budget just on the stuff that will get you a recording (mics, pre, recorder). Save some $ for accessories to make your life easier (gear bag, nice stand, windscreens, clamps, umbrella, etc). And MOST IMPORTANTLY, spend some of that saved money on 2 backup hard drives! Get at least one external drive and make sure to keep redundant copies of everything you record.

What he said