Microphone.

[LelandCrooks]

Any advice on a middle ground vocal/instrument recording mic, somwhere between 200-400$? Hip hop act that uses acoustic instruments fairly often.

[netwerks]

Any advice on a middle ground vocal/instrument recording mic, somewhere between 200-400$? Hip hop act that uses acoustic instruments fairly often.

For vocals a Shure sm7b. Will take a high gain preamp though you'll need @ +56db gain minimum. I believe almost all of the vocals on Thriller were recorded using it. It is a dynamic cardioid so you have to be right up on it, almost eating the mic. I have one, love it.

An EV-RE20 is also highly popular. It will take a minimum of +60db gain. This one may be a little more universal for recording purposes.

Also the Heil PR30 & PR40 are highly regarded in that price range.

I only chose the Shure because it has a unique, in your face sound that reproduces about any voice well and is almost dummy proof to use. The EV is supposedly even a little better in the dummy proof/placement department. I typically only record my own voiceovers so this was not an issue to me.

Both the Shure & EV are built like tanks. I run mine with a Sound Devices USB Pre 2. http://www.sounddevices.com/products/usbpre2/

I would give all three a try in the order I just listed. I get raving reviews from clients about the quality.

[LelandCrooks]

Thanks!

[lancemhorsley]

One of my favorites in that price range is the rode NT2A its an all around great mic works great on vocals and acoustic guitars even on electric cabs, I have never used it on drums or bass. Check this video out on youtube with a good set of headphones http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4lfE1tZBfO4.

[LelandCrooks]

Thanks! I've heard good things about Rode, but never used nor had one.

[Doug Hart]

Leland,
Steve (guy who works for me) uses the Rode NT5's for just about everything.
He has a large assortment of mics, but almost always comes back to the Rode.

[Charles Jenkinson]

I can't speak with authority or much experience here, but ive looked into budget condensers before, and the Oktava MK 012 with modified (Michal Joly) components are highly rated. The basic Mic is a competitor to the NT5, and the mod kits are only $25. I would like a pair of these.

The experience I do have is that i recorded strings (tracked up violin parts) on a mates album with a rode NT2A and have never been really satisfied with the result, though the album went to print and I enjoy listening to it all the same.

[LelandCrooks]

I don't have a supplier for the Oktava. So it looks like the Rode will get the nod.

BTW, he asked about pre amps...?

[Charles Jenkinson]

I dont have any experience with those either, other than basic tube pre's or whats on my mixer as it comes. The rode and oktava are about the same money to joe public here.

[Rockboy]

For pre amps you need to have an idea of the end use.
Example ~ singing / drum overhead / final mixdown
also if you want some coloration (tube) or clear (IC chip)
from the unit. If you are looking for a general all around
use, there are pleanty of $200 - $400 units in stereo.

RR

[netwerks]

I don't have a supplier for the Oktava. So it looks like the Rode will get the nod.

BTW, he asked about pre amps...?

Look for one that gives you a good load of gain more than 60db ...even 80db would be good with good gain staging.

[lancemhorsley]

A good preamp makes a big difference. What is your price range? If you only need one channel the focusrite ISA one or the RNP preamp are to of my favorites around 500. If it were me and I was going to be using this pre on every track in the mix I would steer away from tubes and get a solid state. I don't personally like adding the same "color" to every track it seems to get muddy/mushy, at least with a UA solo 610 it did. It's just my preference, but I use my focusrite on most everything and get awesome results! Much better than the pres in a firepod or studio live mixer, there is a noticeable difference. Hope this helps!

[LelandCrooks]

I have sent your replies to him. See if we can nail it down a bit more. Complete unknown to me, at least for recording.

[netwerks]

To give you an idea, here's an example of the sm7b with the usbpre 2 for a recent voiceover I did.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQg4N01nITc