Topic: instrument micing on a budget?

[caymanreview]

not sure of an exact budget, as it will be beetween all the guys in the band, so it might end up being bigger than i expect. im thinking like 2-300 for each mic for bass/guitar,a dn maybe 300 on a drum mic's setupe also. maybe another 2-300 on a vocal mic, maybe a bit more

but i need some decent but fairly cheap options for micing guitar/bass,a nd a decent setup to mic a drum set

ive kind of fallen into helping out a local jamband that ive been taping since thier origin (they alone brought me into the taping world)

they just bought a fairly large behringer mixer (like 18 or 20 channels) and a nice behringer EQ and a power amp and PA system that is very decent looking at what they were running

also would love some recs on vocal mics, and it can be a little higher priced, as we would only need 2 max, possibly just one for now

im sure they would love to pick everything up used if possible, to save some cash untill they start playing some paying gigs (first real paying gig is oct 30th)

[caymanreview]

i would also be looking to make some decent tapes, wether it be all aud, or from the mix

but i allready have TL's and a V3 to throw into the mix, if they would be needed, or would be good for anything specific

[heath]

Here are some suggestions for budget mic selection... as far as electric guitar cabinet goes, nothing beats a standard old Shure SM57.  They have been getting kickass guitar tones for years, and can be had for around 60 bucks.  For kick or bass, I usually go with an old standby like an AKG D112.  Vocals are something particular to the singer for me usually, but if I needed a generic mic that will work and sound decent, I go with a SM58.   For drum micing, there are some great budget drum mic packages put out but AT and Sennehiser.  Look into those. 

There are tons of other options you can go with, but by choosing real budget mics like a 57 for guitar cabinets will open up other areas for you to spend a little more $. 

H

[jpschust]

for a vocal mic, nothing beats the shure sm7b for me.  i love that mic, and used its within your price range.  keep your eye on www.tapeop.com for budget used mics.

[heath]

for a vocal mic, nothing beats the shure sm7b for me.  i love that mic, and used its within your price range.  keep your eye on www.tapeop.com for budget used mics.

GREAT microphone.

[Brian]

actually i really like the Sennheiser E609 for guitar cabs MUCH better than the good ol shure 57.  99 bucks new, got mine for 60 used. a bit more than the 57 new but much more wirth it IMO.

i really like the neuman kms vocal mikes but they are pretty expensive new. not sure if you can find em used.  the 58 works every time as a generic.  sennheiser's vocal mikes are very nice as well.

use the TL's for drum overheads if you aren't using them for ambient crowd microphones.  i've used them in the studio for drum overheads a lot and really have liked the results. 

for the bass a lot fo people just DI it to the board. i'm of the belief that if the bassist has a good cab then  mike that sumbitch   try the AKG D112 on the bass cab.  you'll be amazed!  i know my band was when we tried it for the first time.

as for drums i like the nice sennheiser kit but i am also a huge fan of the Audix D series.  great drum mikes! however i like to use a 57 on the snare and a d112 on the kick.  if you really need to mike the toms then look into the drum mike packages by shure, sennheise, or Audix.  if not necessary thrown the TL's up as overheads.

hope that helps

[Chuck]

If you have the $$. Get some Sennheiser 421's.
Back in the 1980's Dan Healy used them on almost everything fro the Grateful Dead, including vocals.
They work great on drums, guitar cabinets etc...
I have photos where he used them on snare, kick drum, all the toms, vocals and Jerrry's speaker cabinet.

[heath]

i've run 421's on guitar cabs with GREAT results, fwiw.


H

[Brian]

good eye calico!!! we used some 421s on guitar cabs the other day for a session and dam did it sound great indeed.

as for drums, they sound really good on toms.

[caymanreview]

thanks for all the suggestions guys

looks about perfect for thier budget with all the recs

[caymanreview]

so the consensus is:

guitar: Sennheiser E609 (within my budget, new or used!)

bass: akg d112

what specific mic setups for drums? he runs a pretty basic kit, with several toms and such. i know nothing about drums, but i can find out some specifics if need be

[caymanreview]

bump for more ?'s

[pfife]

Here's what I have used, and I am totally on a budget:

Guitars: Shure SM57 - point it toward the cone on the amps; not the center!

Bass: Shure Beta 52 and/or SM57 (I have seen SM57's used on bass guitars in multiple studios I have recorded at too)

Snare: Shure SM57
Toms:  Although they were not intended for it, I have Sennheiser E835's - they are vocal mics, but they sound good on the toms

Kick: Shure Beta 52 (similar to the AKG112, but a bit cheaper- sounds good though!)

Vocals:  I don't have much experience with vocals (my band was instrumental) - but when I've recorded my friends band, I used the TL's.  Turned out okay, just need pop filters

The SM57 is a classic mic.  Use it and love it.

HTH

[caymanreview]

thanks for that info! i havent talked yet with the guys, but im thinking thier budget might be a tad lower than i was expecting

so your suggestions would work perfectly

[pfife]

are you doing a live, simultaneous recording, or track by track deal?