Microphones Large Condenser Studio Mic or Ribbon mic,what you using ???

[daveysaxboy]

What large studio condenser mic or ribbon mic are you using to record at home and any thoughts.Not a USB mic.

 

[aldevis]

If you check the links I posted yesterday, I did that recording with a dynamic: EV RE20
It is quite common in live settings and can stand your kind of big sound pressure (I listened to your clips yesterday) better than a ribbon.

I am playing soft on the clips, but you can have an idea (try the wav files better)

mp3 files:
http://www.aldevis.com/sequoia/isfahan.mp3
http://www.aldevis.com/sequoia/pentuptake1.mp3

Same tunes, full wav quality. Quite heavy to download
http://www.aldevis.com/sequoia/isfahan.wav
http://www.aldevis.com/sequoia/pentuptake1.wav

 

[daveysaxboy]

If you check the links I posted yesterday, I did that recording with a dynamic: EV RE20
It is quite common in live settings and can stand your kind of big sound pressure (I listened to your clips yesterday) better than a ribbon.

I am playing soft on the clips, but you can have an idea (try the wav files better)

mp3 files:
http://www.aldevis.com/sequoia/isfahan.mp3
http://www.aldevis.com/sequoia/pentuptake1.mp3

Same tunes, full wav quality. Quite heavy to download
http://www.aldevis.com/sequoia/isfahan.wav
http://www.aldevis.com/sequoia/pentuptake1.wav

My few main bands use EV rigs now.There fantastic.Clips sound very nice.£500 for a mic is out the park for me at the mo but it does sound great.

 

[altissimo]

I use an Oktava MK 219, which isn't the most accurate condenser mic, but does a reasonable job. I've also had good results from an Audio Technica AT 3031 small diaphragm condenser and the built in mics on my Zoom H2.
I've used a variety of different mics recording bands over the years and I've found that experimenting with mic position can make a huge difference - just pointing the mic down the bell of a sax is rarely the best approach for recording, unless you want a very bright sound.
Careful use of EQ and compression can also do wonders, I've cleaned up a number of ropey recordings for clients using EQ and compression plugins in Cubase, but that's another story..

 

[daveysaxboy]

I use an Oktava MK 219, which isn't the most accurate condenser mic, but does a reasonable job. I've also had good results from an Audio Technica AT 3031 small diaphragm condenser and the built in mics on my Zoom H2.
I've used a variety of different mics recording bands over the years and I've found that experimenting with mic position can make a huge difference - just pointing the mic down the bell of a sax is rarely the best approach for recording, unless you want a very bright sound.
Careful use of EQ and compression can also do wonders, I've cleaned up a number of ropey recordings for clients using EQ and compression plugins in Cubase, but that's another story..

Cheers will check them out.Got the Zoom H2n but still want a true large condenser mic.Slowly building up my home recording gear.

 

[Saxlicker]

I just use an SM58.
I have a Rode NT1 which has a large condenser but its so sensitive.
I prefer to be fairly close to the mic like in a live gig situation and the 58 does about all I can warrant.

 

[daveysaxboy]

I just use an SM58.
I have a Rode NT1 which has a large condenser but its so sensitive.
I prefer to be fairly close to the mic like in a live gig situation and the 58 does about all I can warrant.

As you say this my SM58 is for sale on ebay.Used them or SM57's for many many years but prefer my new Samson CS twin head mic so letting the shure go,it served me very well.I use a wireless Samson mic also which i love.I may end up getting a large condenser Samson also.I like there mic's alot.
The Rodes are very good.Been looking at the SE and MXL also.Saying that i fancy a ribbon mic also.Choice is good.

 

[altissimo]

Large Diaphragm Condensers you might consider -
Audio Technica AT 2020, AT 2035, AT 4047
Rode NT1A, NT2A
AKG C2000
Sennheiser MK4
Avantone CK6
Blue Spark
AKG C414
SE Electronics 2200A mkII

Dynamic Mics
Electrovoice RE 320
Sennheiser MD421
Beyer Dynamic M201, M69, M88
Heil PR35

Ribbon Mics -
Golden Age R1 mkII
ART M Five
Shiny Box 46MX
SE Electronics X1R

it's a good idea to use a shock mount with condensers and ribbons so you don't pick up any thumps and bumps transmitted through the mic stand.

 

[Juju]

We have a good selection of mics at our little studio, so I have quite a variety for direct comparison. My personal favourite is an RCA 77dx, it has got a beautiful fat midrange and doesn't exaggerate the high frequencies which is quite annoying with most condenser mics unless you deliberately want that extra edge at the top. Having said that, a Neumann U87 or something similar sounds good on Baritone. AKG C 12 and Neumann U47 are very nice too (and Telefunken ELA M250/251 (it has the c12 capsule), if you win the lottery...), however if you are not into vintage gear there are some good clones available, for example by Advanced Audio.
The problem with the ribbon mics is that you will need a very good pre amp, otherwise you might have to EQ some top in, and generally you will need a lot of gain with a ribbon.
For a more "modern" and less coloured sound I like the Royer 121 best. Other nice ribbons are Coles 4038, AEA R84 and RCA 44bx (the latter is still on my wish list )
My sax sounds like a kazoo recorded with an SM 58, and that's definitely not what I sound like in the room!
Juju

 

[daveysaxboy]

We have a good selection of mics at our little studio, so I have quite a variety for direct comparison. My personal favourite is an RCA 77dx, it has got a beautiful fat midrange and doesn't exaggerate the high frequencies which is quite annoying with most condenser mics unless you deliberately want that extra edge at the top. Having said that, a Neumann U87 or something similar sounds good on Baritone. AKG C 12 and Neumann U47 are very nice too (and Telefunken ELA M250/251 (it has the c12 capsule), if you win the lottery...), however if you are not into vintage gear there are some good clones available, for example by Advanced Audio.
The problem with the ribbon mics is that you will need a very good pre amp, otherwise you might have to EQ some top in, and generally you will need a lot of gain with a ribbon.
For a more "modern" and less coloured sound I like the Royer 121 best. Other nice ribbons are Coles 4038, AEA R84 and RCA 44bx (the latter is still on my wish list )
My sax sounds like a kazoo recorded with an SM 58, and that's definitely not what I sound like in the room!
Juju

Loads of nice choice there.May end up on the Rode NT1A as they get a good write up and price is right.

 

[aldevis]

Electrovoice RE 320

Have you compared with the re20 (is the one I use in the clips on post#2)?

 

[jazzdude]

I've been using an SM57 and beta 57 for recording in my home studio. As Juju says they can sound like a kazoo if you point it straight down the bell but I get a satisfactory sound with careful placement. But the main problem I have is that they are very directional and I tend to move around when I play which results in a fluctuating level and tone. I have just borrowed a Rode NT1-A to try out but I was wondering what the AKGC1000S is like with regards to directionness (made up word) and distance. I would expect to use both these condenser mics at a distance of at least 1m. My budget is around £100 so I'm looking at things like AT2020, SE2200A and X1 etc on eBay. Any comments?

Andy

 

[AndyWhiteford]

Anything similar to these available in the "sub-lo-budget" range i.e. up to say £85 ???
[i couldn't justify any more than that for messing around at home ,& I currently use SM58 and/or an AudioTechnica gooseneck]

 

[aldevis]

EV PL80 was my second microphone for soprano. It is a largish diaphragm dynamic kazoo-free.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vintage-U...ew-one-Sounds-great-Need-Bottom-/190717537550

Is the first one that I found on ebay. I am not sure about the vintage BS

 

[Juju]

I've been using an SM57 and beta 57 for recording in my home studio. As Juju says they can sound like a kazoo if you point it straight down the bell but I get a satisfactory sound with careful placement.

http://soundcloud.com/jujuoh/daverca77

DeadAudiolink Removed

DeadAudiolink Removed

DeadAudiolink Removed

DeadAudiolink Removed

I never point it straight down the bell. Here are some clips- Hubby playing different mics - Check them out on proper speakers and you will hear the differences. The only one that sounds like a nasty little bee is the SM 57...
Juju

 

[Fraser Jarvis]

http://soundcloud.com/jujuoh/daverca77

DeadAudiolink Removed

DeadAudiolink Removed

DeadAudiolink Removed

DeadAudiolink Removed

I never point it straight down the bell. Here are some clips- Hubby playing different mics - Check them out on proper speakers and you will hear the differences. The only one that sounds like a nasty little bee is the SM 57...
Juju

The u87 and rca77 were quite different to the others, the u87 would be my choice out of all of them...dident like the sm57 tho.

 

[Saxlicker]

Liking the RCA77 best (computer speakers only)

 

[Fraser Jarvis]

Just checked prices on the rca and u87....no wonder they sound better than the others:shocked:

 

[altissimo]

The AKG C1000s tends to be a bit disappointing, I don't know anyone who likes them. The Rode NT3 is similar and also not one of my favourites.
of the sub £100 mics available, I'd be most likely to buy the Audio Technica AT2020 - been outbid on ebay too often to have got one yet, but I've used other Audio Technica condensers that were good clean neutral mics and not too bright.
All modern condensers tend to be brighter than Juju's enviable collection of vintage gear, but you can always tone down the top end a bit by using the EQ found in most recording software. In my part time role as amateur mastering engineer, I've successfully made modern digital recordings sound like vintage vinyl with the careful use of EQ and compression in Cubase.

My usual mic position for alto is about 18 inches - 2 feet to the right, about waist height, angled up about 15 degrees - gives me room to move about a bit and avoids the harsh top end from the bell

I've yet to venture into the world of ribbon mics, I used to know someone who got good results recording his band with a pair of Beyer M160's plugged into a DAT recorder. Of course the M160 has a higher output than most ribbon mics and is also a hypercardioid pattern rather than the usual fig 8 found on most ribbon mics, so not a typical example of the breed.
These reviews of ribbon mics might be useful -
http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/nov07/articles/ribbonmics1.htm
http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/dec07/articles/ribbonmicspt2.htm
http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/dec07/articles/ribbonmicsaudio.htm

annoyingly, most mic reviews seem to focus on recording vocals, drums and guitars and never mention saxophones, here's an exception -
http://www.tapeop.com/reviews/71/m-five-ribbon-microphone/

 

[daveysaxboy]

http://soundcloud.com/jujuoh/daverca77

DeadAudiolink Removed

DeadAudiolink Removed

DeadAudiolink Removed

DeadAudiolink Removed

I never point it straight down the bell. Here are some clips- Hubby playing different mics - Check them out on proper speakers and you will hear the differences. The only one that sounds like a nasty little bee is the SM 57...
Juju

Dave sounds awesome on that RCA77 ribbon and i like the Nuemann U87.The SM57 sounds more thin than all the rest.Very nice test there.