Mic advice please!

cornbb

Hi guys. I'm finally taking the plunge and starting my condenser mic collection. At the moment the only project planned is a couple of recordings I want to make of a female singer/acoustic guitarist. I'd love to get my hands on a stereo pair of small diaphragm condensers, like Rode NT5s which I used to make some really nice stereo guitar recordings in college.

Trouble is, I need to do a good job of recording vocals too and I'm wondering if a small diaphragm condenser would be up to the job. My budget is very small so I can't afford a large diaphragm mic AND a small stereo pair. I was hoping to spend less than €200 including lead(s), stand(s) and a popshield so I have my eyes on Thomann's t.bone mics: http://www.thomann.de/ie/the_tbone.html

I know they're pure bargain basement stuff but my needs are humble and I've heard they're amazing value for money. So has anyone got advice on what I can get away with buying?

TelePaul

cornbb wrote:

Hi guys. I'm finally taking the plunge and starting my condenser mic collection. At the moment the only project planned is a couple of recordings I want to make of a female singer/acoustic guitarist. I'd love to get my hands on a stereo pair of small diaphragm condensers, like Rode NT5s which I used to make some really nice stereo guitar recordings in college.

Trouble is, I need to do a good job of recording vocals too and I'm wondering if a small diaphragm condenser would be up to the job. My budget is very small so I can't afford a large diaphragm mic AND a small stereo pair. I was hoping to spend less than €200 including lead(s), stand(s) and a popshield so I have my eyes on Thomann's t.bone mics: http://www.thomann.de/ie/the_tbone.html

I know they're pure bargain basement stuff but my needs are humble and I've heard they're amazing value for money. So has anyone got advice on what I can get away with buying?

I would try a matched pair of MS 2s from www.naiant.com
A matched pair with the collars will cost you €60 including shipping to Ireland. That gives you €140 to spend on a LDC. Are you sure you need a condensor for vocals? It does depend on the vocalist, but some people are more comfortable with a good dynamic. It really is down to the singer but depending on your environment and the singers ability, dynamics are sometimes a better bet. Although, give the TB1 a look:

http://www.thomann.de/ie/prod_cbundle_219.html?gk=migr&cbcid=1302&art=65316

Think you can bundle the mic and stand too.

The thing that's gonna hurt in this is the cables and mic stands. If you're going dynamic, this is a good bet:

http://www.thomann.de/ie/sennheiser_e835_s_bundle.htm

TelePaul

Oh and if you were thinking of using a Small Diaphragm Condensor for vocals, I wouldn't it's a bit of a no-no.

cornbb

TelePaul wrote:

Oh and if you were thinking of using a Small Diaphragm Condensor for vocals, I wouldn't it's a bit of a no-no.

Mm, thats what I was thinking. I had my heart set on a stereo pair but I think it might make more sense to get a LDC for maybe €150 or so and live with a mono acoustic guitar recording.

TelePaul

cornbb wrote:

Mm, thats what I was thinking. I had my heart set on a stereo pair but I think it might make more sense to get a LDC for maybe €150 or so and live with a mono acoustic guitar recording.

Go stereo naiants and a dynamic. If you get the sm58 or similiar, it'll be there long after those Joe Meeks have up and died.

Niall - Dahlia

I've a pair of NT5s and they're very harsh on vocals, as most SDC are. Before I got an NT2A for vocals I used an SM57/58 over an NT5.

But if you already have a dynamic that does an acceptable job on vocals I'd get the best SDC stereo pair you can, especially if you're recording solo acoustic guitar. Having a stereo pair is always useful and will serve you well.

cornbb

Yeah, I think I'll go for the stereo pair, they'll be more practical in the long run and it looks like I'll be able to borrow a large diaphragm AudioTechnica to take care of the vocals. Now its just a matter of making an economical decision and getting a pair of t.bones or the splash-out decision to get a pair of NT5s... watch this space!

cornbb

Right, I've ordered a set of these...

http://www.thomann.de/ie/the_tbone_sc140_stereoset.htm

...because they look cool and I'm a cheaparse. they're supposedly pretty good for the price, I'll post a review here once I get em.