Topic: Mic recommendation

[StaticEck]

Hi

Im looking for some advive on mic's, primarily il be using them to record local rock bands.

Ive spent last few days looking to what would be best, reading reviews on soundprofessionals site hasnt been very usefull as anything reviews seems to have  very possitive feedback, which is a bit confusing on what to buy.

also should i be buying one of them SP preamps or Batteryboxs

Currently i have iriver and giant squid mics but looking to take step up,

Cheers

[Humbug]

Not to put you off or anything, but most of the answers are here:

http://taperssection.com/index.php?board=46.0

and here:

http://taperssection.com/index.php?board=14.0

particularly:

http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=15920.0

If you've got any questions (try to be more specific, ie I've got x budget, I record mostly in x type of venue, I like recordings I've heard using x mics, are these the best etc) once you've spent a few hours reading this site, please go ahead.

[StaticEck]

having read  through posts on the forum(i know i should have done that in the first place) i think i have an understanding of what i require now.

Current setup as said is very basic Iriver h140 and Giant Squid Mics

I think im right in saying a preamp is essential and the soundprofessional SP-PREAMP which also has a 9v plug in power would be ideal.
Im still unsure about mics though the SP-CMC-8 at moment are my prefered option.

Having read through the forum ive now became concerned about my recording device being problem, i know the JB3 is now discontinued and that the Microtracker is still has issues. would you recommend sticking with current device i have and go with my original plan of getting new mics etc or should i be looking to move onto something else.




 

[Humbug]

I'm actually not sure why you'd need a preamp, a battery box (eg SPSPSB1) will power the mics and provides a loud enough signal for the recorder.

I'm sure someone more technical than I am will chime in here.

By the way there are two versions of the CMC8s - the older one used larger AT853 caps, the current one has ES943s. Both can overload (brickwall) at high volumes, and the answer is to phantom power, or use / build a 3-wire battery box..when is someone going to put this into production

Are you happy with the iRiver or does it drop samples? If its reliable, stick with it.

[rdvdijk]

By the way there are two versions of the CMC8s - the older one used larger AT853 caps, the current one has ES943s.

I was wondering, how comparable are the AT853 and ES943? I was considering buying CMC8s, because I like the AT853 sound, is the ES943 is same ballpark?

Thanks,

Roel

[StaticEck]

currently im happy with my iriver but from what ive been reading it does drop samples, i havent picked this up yet but my concern is with better mics etc its gonna be noticable.

as for the battery box, to be honest i was thinking that myself but was informed that a pre amp would allow a more crisp sound.

my intention is to record local heavy rock bands in small to medium size venues, afrom what your saying cmc8s overload would you recommend the the phantom power option or is there another model of mic better suited to what im looking to do.

[sml42]

is there another model of mic better suited to what im looking to do.

How much are you looking to spend?

[Humbug]

as for the battery box, to be honest i was thinking that myself but was informed that a pre amp would allow a more crisp sound.

Please someone comment on this!

my intention is to record local heavy rock bands in small to medium size venues, afrom what your saying cmc8s overload would you recommend the the phantom power option or is there another model of mic better suited to what im looking to do.

Here's a couple of threads that discuss phantom powering (or otherwise) these mics:

http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=49909.0

http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=18846.0

Some people will argue DPA4061s are better for this of course, my recommendation is to download / trade for some shows recorded with both types of mics.

In case you're wondering why I'm not fluffing my mics below, I'm perfectly happy with them (link to samples below), but I'm at present in the middle of an upgrade to AT933s (old CMC8) with the three wire bb. CMC2s work very nicely for heavy rock, and are a good budget option.

http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=41069.0

[zowie]

I think im right in saying a preamp is essential and the soundprofessional SP-PREAMP which also has a 9v plug in power would be ideal.
 

If that's what you decide to go with I have one that I could part with.

[George]

currently im happy with my iriver but from what ive been reading it does drop samples, i havent picked this up yet but my concern is with better mics etc its gonna be noticable.

as for the battery box, to be honest i was thinking that myself but was informed that a pre amp would allow a more crisp sound.

my intention is to record local heavy rock bands in small to medium size venues, afrom what your saying cmc8s overload would you recommend the the phantom power option or is there another model of mic better suited to what im looking to do.

Back in Jan 2004 i taped a Blue Oyster Cult show with my at853 cards>sp battery module>M1.  It sounded pretty damn good...or so i thought.  The following January BOC played at the same venue and this time i brought my at943 hypers>mv100>M1, the mics were phantom powered.  The difference was night and day.  Even though the mics were hypers (tend to be bright), it was like a veil was lifted compared to the recording i made a year ago.  I plan on taping boc again this upcoming January with my at853's (it's a toss up between cards and omni's, i might try cards just to see how different they sound in the same venue phantom powered).  I definitely believe phantom power makes a big difference, besides the bass distortion (clipping) issue is resolved, the mics take on a new life that makes them sound crisper and more lively.  I taped a holly palmer and mmw show at the hilton ballroom this past spring with my at943's and it sounded stellar, totally shocked by how well they picked up the ambience of the room since i was sitting about the 12th row, iirc.  Probably the two best recordings i've pulled so far with the at943's mated with the mv100 and M1 (i'm sure it helped that it was open taping and the pa/acoustics were great).

[Humbug]

I taped a holly palmer and mmw show at the hilton ballroom this past spring with my at943's and it sounded stellar, totally shocked by how well they picked up the ambience of the room since i was sitting about the 12th row, iirc.  Probably the two best recordings i've pulled so far with the at943's mated with the mv100 and M1 (i'm sure it helped that it was open taping and the pa/acoustics were great).

I still have your Holly Palmer show on DaD, although it'll probably drop off soon. Great recording and very interesting show to listen to:

http://www.dimeadozen.org/torrents-details.php?id=56353

I'll reseed it if I see anyone on as a leech over the next day or two.

[Evil Taper]

if you're just taping local bands that you don't need to stealth you may as well pick up a pair of Studio Projects c4 and a pre/adc unit and a stand.  Might cost a bit more than the AT853>phantom power rig but it'll sound better.  I had trouble with my AT853>battbox rig (bass distortion and overloading) so watch out.  The SP-PREAMP is not going to help you with that rig since those mics already run hot enough.  Unless you're doing a 48v phantom style power a pre-amp is just going to cause massive distortion.  Good luck.