Recording the Vox!

[Minishadow]

Hello chaps and chapettes!

As you may know, I recently bought an AC30 for my 16th birthday. I'm wondering what is the BEST but AFFORDABLE microphone on the market for the amplifier. I've looked at Shure SM57's but they seem to be a bit pricey for what they actually are! If you could let me know your recommendations, that would be appreciated!

Thanks,
Robson

[dave robinson]

Hello chaps and chapettes!

As you may know, I recently bought an AC30 for my 16th birthday. I'm wondering what is the BEST but AFFORDABLE microphone on the market for the amplifier. I've looked at Shure SM57's but they seem to be a bit pricey for what they actually are! If you could let me know your recommendations, that would be appreciated!

Thanks,
Robson

I don't get the 'for what they actually are' comment Robson. The SM57 is pricey because it's good - you get what you pay for, as with any related equipment.

[Minishadow]

Hello chaps and chapettes!

As you may know, I recently bought an AC30 for my 16th birthday. I'm wondering what is the BEST but AFFORDABLE microphone on the market for the amplifier. I've looked at Shure SM57's but they seem to be a bit pricey for what they actually are! If you could let me know your recommendations, that would be appreciated!

Thanks,
Robson

I don't get the 'for what they actually are' comment Robson. The SM57 is pricey because it's good - you get what you pay for, as with any related equipment.

Seem to be paying for the 'Shure' name in the UK! Looked up the specs of a cheaper 'Chord' version of the SM57 and they more or less matched.

[dave robinson]

Carry on then.

[JimN]

Robson,

The Shure SM57/58 series (the latest descendants of the venerable Shure Unidyne III and Unisphere II models which were in production fifty years ago) are optimised as reasonable quality and relatively cheap vocal microphones, mainly for live performance.

£100 or so? Yes, it looks like a lot of money, but it really isn't; not for a professional item that will last a whole career if looked after. It's actually a budget mike.

Your main problem is that (as I say above) they are not really recording mikes. The sheer large number of people doing home recording nowadays - all requiring microphones at prices that don't cause wallet hernia - means that many do use a Shure or similar live performance mike. After all, if you need a microphone for live performance anyway (and most players do), it makes sense.

But are they the best type of microphone for recording? You'd never see one in use for recording at the BBC or Abbey Road. In professional studios, the descendants of the Neumann condenser mikes rule the roost. Those German microphones were the sensation of the late 1940s, and the item which, along with the Ampex tape-recorder (itself another German invention), ushered in the modern recording age. There are other brands, but Neumann was always the brand leader.

Around ten years ago, I bought my son a Russian-made Oktava condenser mike (around £140, if I recall correctly). This was a Neumann-alike and my interest in the Oktavas had been caused by the announcement that Hank was using one to record his guitar amp in his Perth studio.

The Oktava (which like all those high quality studio mikes, needs phantom power off the mixer) was SENSATIONAL. Forget all about Shure / Beyer / Sennheiser vocal mikes for recording - this Russian beauty was so sensitive that you could record the conversations of your next door neighbours if you wanted to.

I checked out the current prices of the Oktava range, but there seems to be nothing under about £250. But all is not lost. Counting the Oktava as a copy of a Neumann (which it arguably is), there are now copies of the Oktava.

Consider the Behringer C-1 for about £30.

Yes... £30 (plus the cost of a cable - £6-ish).

As long as you have a mixer (for the phantom power and EQ), this'll be better than any live-performance mike pressed into service as a studio mike. And did I mention the £30 + £6 price?

Heck, you could buy a small mixer (with phantom power) for another £30 or so and still have £35 change out of the price of a new SM57...

http://www.gear4music.com/PA-DJ-and-Lighting/Behringer-C-1-Condenser-Microphone/1OT

[Mike Honey]

I have 5 Behringer C1's in my studio. not the best mic but perfectly adequate for the job; I bought 12V-48V phantom power units from e bay at 19 quid each. Job done!

mike

[Minishadow]

I have a Behringer C1 which I recorded my version of FBI with. Sounded good, but not quite good for live performances.

I have purchased a Sennheiser E609 for live performances. I recall using one a while back whilst on stage at the Whitby Pavillion and it sounded great! Best sound I had ever managed to achieve. Nice price too at £70 (with free P&P) so I've bought one.

Robson

[JimN]

I have a Behringer C1 which I recorded my version of FBI with. Sounded good, but not quite good for live performances.
Robson

They aren't meant for live performance (except maybe reading the weather in an online local radio station or something).

[Minishadow]

I have a Behringer C1 which I recorded my version of FBI with. Sounded good, but not quite good for live performances.
Robson

They aren't meant for live performance (except maybe reading the weather in an online local radio station or something).

Yeah, but its what I had been using for temporary purposes.

[Didier]

Hello chaps and chapettes!

As you may know, I recently bought an AC30 for my 16th birthday. I'm wondering what is the BEST but AFFORDABLE microphone on the market for the amplifier. I've looked at Shure SM57's but they seem to be a bit pricey for what they actually are! If you could let me know your recommendations, that would be appreciated!

Thanks,
Robson

For live use, many guitarists use the Sennheiser e609 which gives excellent results.

Didier