Recommend a good microphone for recording?

[ItsaBass]

Re: Recommend a good microphone for recording?

1. SM-57, because it's affordable, it sounds fine, and it's all you need to get started.
2. Yes, the Beta is worth the extra dough IMO, simply because of the more directional pickup pattern.

[ginormous]

Re: Recommend a good microphone for recording?

The SM 57 is the "swiss army" mic. It does a lot, it's reasonably priced, and there's plenty of fakes out there (so go to this website for details on the real deal).

If you buy from a US retailer, until Dec 31, there's a rebate.

[NecroPolo]

Re: Recommend a good microphone for recording?

Having an SM57 never hurts. If you record a lot of acoustic guitars you may check the Rode M3 too. It is a small diaphragm condenser, much like a cheaper AKG C1000 that doesn't shine in any particular application really but does everything decent from field recording to instrument and vocal recording.

[Kais]

Re: Recommend a good microphone for recording?

thanks for the advice everyone, seems like shure sm57 is the pop vote. so i'll probably go with that, looks to be the cheapest also. i dont think condenser mics are a good option because i'm recording in my basement, background noise ect. if i'm feeling good i might opt for the beta57

[TwilightOdyssey]

Re: Recommend a good microphone for recording?

As electric guitar players, whether we know it or not, our ears are already 'tuned' to the SM57 due to it ubiquity.

It's a great place to start. Later you may want to think about augmenting the 57 with another dynamic, condenser, or ribbon mic, and blend the two together. Certainly not a necessity, but gives you more options.

[Kais]

Re: Recommend a good microphone for recording?

any thoughts on the mxl990/991 vs the shure 57/beta?

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/recording-microphone-packages/mxl-990-991-recording-microphone-package

pretty good deal there ^