Topic: Need a tip on what mic to get...

[digifish_music]

Ideally, what you want is a set of mics that captures most, if not all of the 20Hz-20kHz range, and can handle the high SPLs present at a rock concert.

20 Hz - 20 kHz is indeed nice, as it is usually correleted with quality mic design, but a 40 Hz - 16 kHz recording is going to sound just as sweet all else being equal. The EQ curve between those two frequencies, and the gear you listen on, makes far more difference than what happens outside them.

digifish. 

[attheshow]

So if the mic has a maximum SPL level of 110 dB SPL does that mean that if I applied power to it, I couldnt extend the SPL to say 115? Instead, applying more power to it would only increase the ability of the mic to handle the 110 db SPL?  Then it would follow that I need to get something that can handle 120 dB SPL then because it will always distort above 110 dB.

Usually electret condenser mics (the sort of plug in power mics we're talking about) will have 2 or more specs for Max SPL. The lowest will correspond to the max spl using plug in power (3v) and the highest when powered by an external battery box or preamp (9-12v). If there's only one spec listed, it refers to the 9-12v situation.

If the mics are self-powered, there might be a third (usually lowest) spec for battery operation (1.5v). It would be listed as (1.5v)/(3v)/(9-12v).

[duckman]

I'm pulling this back up.

Have been in a slightly tense economic situation, but now I've stacked up the cash to get new mics and an Edirol R09HR.

I've decided on these mics:
http://www.soundprofessionals.com/cgi-bin/gold/item/ISI-HMA-1

BUT - there are so many options... and quite frankly I'm not that good on the technicalaties of the microphone-world.

What kinds of mics should I get ?

I tape mostly stealth - the venues taking from 50-1500 people - with most venues at about 2-400.

Shows range from totally acoustic to electric - with the majority being electric - not too loud (loudest this year; Pretenders and Ray Davies(!!) )

Tape some outdoor-show too but that is about 1-2 each year...

Grateful if anyone have any tips....

Also - I presume those mics need a pre-amp of some kind to work with the Edirol?