Learning resourses on Microphones?

IMENATOR

IMENATOR

Well-known member
I am really wanting to take a step forward on home recording and star using microphones for home recoding, not just direct recording bass and guitar or drum programming. Autodidact is my second name, I enjoy technical and deep dive readings so if you could suggest web articles, ebooks, vendor manuals or anything regarding the following topics I would really appreciate it, also I think this thread would be a nice place to look for other in the future looking for references to articles, books, etc.

Thanks in advance to all.
 
Re: Learning resourses on Microphones?

I think I should add some extra comments. I am looking to know read (videos are welcomed too) about what the different types of microphones are, patterns and their implications, the different applications different microphones types, which characteristics make a mic good for some applications (vocals) and not so good for others.
 
Re: Learning resourses on Microphones?

"The Sound Reinforcement Handbook" is a great place to start. Not a recording tome but it covers just about any other aspect of sound and electronic manipulation of it. About 20 bucks.

The Electro-Voice web site has lots in the downloads section about various products. Might check other brand sites as well...Shure, Rode, AT etc.
 
Re: Learning resourses on Microphones?

I'm in the same boat man. Have used Google–try to get several opinions because so many contradict eachother but you can find some common info. I'm at the point where I've read up a ton but need to actually experiment for myself.
 
Re: Learning resourses on Microphones?

I like this site.

http://recordinghacks.com/microphones/

A good start to cut through the confusion is realizing how many actual capsules (or ribbons) are out there, and how many more microphone models are made out of them (casing, transformers, preamps etc).
 
Re: Learning resourses on Microphones?

The best two pieces of advice have already been given:

1. Yamaha's Sound Reinforcement Handbook. Run, don't walk, to your nearest bookstore and buy it. Read it, memorize it, and cherish it. It is a must-have resource if you are doing ANYTHING in audio or acoustics.

2. Experiment. Do watch and read comparison videos/articles, but better yet -- save up $500 and buy a $100 mic of each type:
Dynamic
Large diaphragm condenser
Small diaphragm condenser
Back electret
Ribbon
Omni condenser

Mic everything and anything. Compare. Contrast.
 
Re: Learning resourses on Microphones?

That's six mics.
 
Re: Learning resourses on Microphones?

I agree, take action now and then get motivated to learn stuff

paralysis by analysis, avoid that

before posting any further questions, post some clips so we can get an idea of your weak points, so that we can point you in the right direction

if you will not post any clips, the best advice I can give you is to use the tools you have to make clips and go from there, before posting further questions to yourself and/or others

knowledge is power, learn by doing :beerchug:
 
Re: Learning resourses on Microphones?

TwilightOdyssey said:
1. Yamaha's Sound Reinforcement Handbook. Run, don't walk, to your nearest bookstore and buy it. Read it, memorize it, and cherish it. It is a must-have resource if you are doing ANYTHING in audio or acoustics.
.
Click to expand...

Yes, I think this is exactly the kind of thing OP is looking for.
 
Re: Learning resourses on Microphones?

Well, that was a long reading this weekend. As I want to try voice recording (already guitar and amp are direct, drums in software) then phase 1 of my evil plan is to get me a large condenser mic, this along with some suggestions on another thread about how to reduce room reflections without spending too much money (blankets, DIY foam panels, etc). I also found some affordable ART tube preamps could be interesting to add flavor to the recording but that would be phase 2.

I found an old edition of the yamaha handbook, it is a great book, I found the chapter about cables very interesting too. I also liked the straight forward approach of some Shure handbooks.
 
Re: Learning resourses on Microphones?

everdrone said:
paralysis by analysis, avoid that
Click to expand...

Thanks, I like taking my time researching as here it is harder and more expensive to buy recording gear than it is in the USA. If I get to a point that I cannot clearly make a decision it means it is time to bite the bullet and buy something to really get things into practice.
 
Re: Learning resourses on Microphones?

IMENATOR said:
I also found some affordable ART tube preamps could be interesting to add flavor to the recording but that would be phase 2.
Click to expand...

IME inexpensive tube preamps don't live up to the hype. At lower gain settings they don't sound all that different from the preamps in a decent audio interface. Running the gain higher is often problematic as the increased harmonics usually comes with a total loss of clarity. You'd probably get more mileage out of a larger microphone collection rather than different preamps.
 
Re: Learning resourses on Microphones?

dystrust said:
IME inexpensive tube preamps don't live up to the hype. At lower gain settings they don't sound all that different from the preamps in a decent audio interface. Running the gain higher is often problematic as the increased harmonics usually comes with a total loss of clarity. You'd probably get more mileage out of a larger microphone collection rather than different preamps.
Click to expand...
I absolutely agree this this line of reasoning.

Interface preamps are worlds better than inexpensive outboard preamps by a country mile.

An SM57 is capable of getting incredible sounds when paired with a great microphone preamp. I use SSL, but there are so many that would work, and are not necessarily high end: Golden Age, Black Lion, and Solo immediately come to mind. Above that tier, would be Grace, Daking, api. Above that, Neve, SSL, Shadow Hills, etc. I am talking merely PRICE here, not necessarily in terms of quality.

A Golden Age or Black Lion preamp will yield terrific results. If you need multiple channels, the Focusrite OctoPre is nearly impossible to beat.

TL;DR. Just use the microphone preamps in your interface. Use outboard only if you have +$500 to invest.
 
Re: Learning resourses on Microphones?

Agreed on the above. ^^

If you want a preamp that adds 'colour', don't get a tube preamp...you want something with some serious iron in there that can saturate. My CAPI VP26's are perfect for this and I can't wait to build some 28's to add even more gooey-ness.
 
Re: Learning resourses on Microphones?

everdrone said:
cool man good luck

I look forward to hearing a recording of yours
Click to expand...

It is just a small clip that I created to practice mixing today, a few songs I have made lately tend to be in this kind of direction. I am using Ardour with Claf plugins and some other goodies included in Ubuntu Studio. Guitar tone comes from my Charvel SoCal thru my AMT SS-20.

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B7u69gQYRLdDQ281dE1yVUJuUkU


Edit: I liked how it sounded on my earphones and desktop speakers but it sounds awful in the living room stereo, need to practice more.
 
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