Condenser Mics

hardsparrow · Posted: Wed, 3rd Feb, 11:09am Post subject: Condenser Mics

Hello.

So, I have convinced myself that buying a condenser mic will magically transform my recordings to a more acceptable sound quality (I normally record everything with my (t)rusty SM57, instruments, vocals, everything).

Please don't question this here, as it's taken me a while to hoodwink myself.

However, any advice on condenser mics would be much appreciated. I've done some research online, so have a vague idea of which brands/models might be suitable. I don't currently have any money that I can really justify spending on music stuff, so I'd be interested to hear recommendations in any price range (if I do buy one, it's likely to be a second-hand Ebay jobbie!)

Cheers!

OTF · beef lord Joined: 18 Jul 2005 Posts: 3067

you get what you pay for.
we used one of these at the weekend (on a loaner):
http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/apr09/articles/se4400a.htm
what is it you're recording to?

these may be worth a look (for the price):
http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/apr09/articles/at20352050.htm

hardsparrow · Posted: Wed, 3rd Feb, 11:43am Post subject:

Thanks for that Gav. I just record into Pro Tools via an MBox innit.

I'm basically just looking at ways I can potentially improve the general quality of my recordings.. so, I figured a better mic might help. But perhaps there's something else major I'm overlooking!

It just seems to me that whenever I hear anything that anyone around these parts has recorded (including yer more casual Beefer home recorders), it sounds a million times better than my stuff ever does (in spite of years of trying!).

hardsparrow · Posted: Wed, 3rd Feb, 11:44am Post subject:

Hmmm.. maybe I need a preamp?

Big Fez · Posted: Wed, 3rd Feb, 12:12pm Post subject: Re: Condenser Mics

hardsparrow · Posted: Wed, 3rd Feb, 12:15pm Post subject:

Stop snickering Big Jobs!

OTF · beef lord Joined: 18 Jul 2005 Posts: 3067

a good pre-amp & a good mic will improve your sound especially over the SM57)
obviously they come at a cost.
I'd say a good mic will help you more at this point.
also the room you record in will play a part alright.

money is always an issue when deciding on what gear to go for.
good music equipment is expensive for a good reason. the behringers, staggs, and other budget companies of the gear world just don't cut it (IMO) so are often more a waste of money. Be wary of buying 2nd-hand mics off eBay. Personally I'd buy a decent vocal mic new, with warranty. You never know how many times an eBay mic has been dropped, and they've probably been slavered over by god knows who.

hardsparrow · Posted: Wed, 3rd Feb, 1:34pm Post subject:

Yeah, you're probably right. I should probably look into borrowing one off someone for now, then buy a decent one when I'm back in employment. Cheers!

bhoywonder · Posted: Wed, 3rd Feb, 1:36pm Post subject:

I use one of these – http://www.roland.co.uk/products/productdetails.aspx?p=740&c=106 – but I'll grant you it's not cheap. I can't remember how I afforded it, in fact. I really rate it though.

jwc · superuser Joined: 25 Jul 2005 Posts: 2526 Location: Alive

I have a sE3300 now but still quite regularly use the tbone sc300 I bought off eBay back in 2003 for peanuts.

I used that for years. It was the first condenser mic I'd had and it made such a difference.

Imagine how good it'll be if you save a bit and get a decent one as your first.

spin

Gav is that 4400 the one I was ready about with an open shockmount at the front?

jwc · superuser Joined: 25 Jul 2005 Posts: 2526 Location: Alive

OTF · beef lord Joined: 18 Jul 2005 Posts: 3067

hardsparrow · Posted: Wed, 3rd Feb, 2:12pm Post subject:

Imagining.. saving..
I'm shutting my eyes as tight as I can..

Nope. No beans.

The world of saving is a fantastical land I'd very much like to visit (my little sister lives there) but I can never remember the magic words and, before you know it, bish, I've spent all my wages on CDs, beer and exotic cooking ingredients.

jwc · superuser Joined: 25 Jul 2005 Posts: 2526 Location: Alive

What's the name of your band?

The Kinky Wizards. What's the name of your label?

De-fence Records.

LadyMissK · Posted: Thu, 4th Feb, 3:03pm Post subject:

Depending on what you're recording would it work out cheaper in the short-term to book a couple of hours' studio time at a studio where you know the set-up is decent/what you want? A friend of mine spent a while going round various studios until he found one he really liked, then recorded everything at home except vocals, which he booked a graveyard slot in the studio for. Through that he got to know the people who ran the studio quite well and ended up getting really reasonable rates which meant he could do more recording in the studio.

Just a thought smile