New Mic for recording?

[beggar_guitar]

A friend is looking for a good all around mic to record everything from Vocals to Guitar, and maybe a little Piano.

Dropping a little coin isn't a problem, but don't go recommending a high end BLUE mic because that is way out of range.

Let's keep it under $500.

Thanks
Al

 

[wahwah]

Re: New Mic for recording?

I would recommend the Rode NT2-A http://www.rodemic.com/?pagename=Products&product=NT2-A




Cheers..........................wahwah

 

[RushOfBlood]

Re: New Mic for recording?

Sennheiser MD-421

 

[St_Genesius]

Re: New Mic for recording?

I've used just about every cheap (usually Chinese) large diaphram condenser sold in the U.S. in the last 10 years. Most of them are reasonably passable, honestly. Only a few are truly nasty junk. But my favorite? This one: http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/C1Mic

The B1 isn't bad, either.

It's at its best on vocals, but I've used it to record acoustic guitar (which normally I'd use a small diapram conndenser for) and had good results, as well as dulcimer, cello, viola, foley, electric guitar cabinet (careful with the levels there), bass, harmonica...

Never any piano, though. I'm sure it could handle it fine.

 

[J Moose]

Re: New Mic for recording?

421's are great... AT4050... I like some of the new Rode mics... Shure KSM32 is a hell of a sleeper...

For $500-600 you could score a used AKG 414 as well...

 

[innerdreamrecords.co]

Re: New Mic for recording?

+1 At4050.

 

[TheArchitect]

Re: New Mic for recording?

AT 4050 for Voice
Rode NT5 or Kel HM-1 for Acoustic Gtr / Drum OH / Piano
Shure 57 / Audix I5 for guitar cabs/snares/toms. The kels can work well for cabs too
Shure Beta 52 / AKG d112 for kick drums

 

[Virtual Kevorkian]

Re: New Mic for recording?

AT4050/4040 would be solid choices.

I'm fond of the SE M1C as a cheap Neumann clone, as well.

I'd personally have a really tough time choosing one mic for those three sources... I generally like a dynamic (57/MD421) on guitars, a condenser on vocals, and a pair of pencil condies on piano.

I'd snag a used AT4040 or 4050 and a 57 or two; that'd come it at under $500 and give you a bit more flexibility.

 

[ratherdashing]

Re: New Mic for recording?

Are we talking acoustic or electric guitar?

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: New Mic for recording?

I'll sell him my B.L.U.E. Baby Bottle for $400 shipped. It's mint and in a deluxe cherrywood box.
Anyone? I'm trying to recoup money from my Gibson 335 purchase a few weeks ago.

 

[J Moose]

Re: New Mic for recording?

Hey Jonesy... whuz the serial number on that Baby Bottle?

I have a pair... really early double digits that I bought directly from Skipper... #44 or something... love 'em.

Not great on everything. Dark horse... but $^@%@ amazing when they work!!!