Tips For Your Studio

Putting together your first home recording studio? The possible array of brands and types of microphones can be daunting. There are a couple of things to take into account when making a choice. Fundamentally there are two types - dynamic and condenser. One big mistake that people make is in expecting that the condenser mics are superior to the dynamic ones or that condenser microphones are used only for vocals and dynamics for instrumentalists. Anybody who gives you such guidance can't know what they're yammering about; you should stop right there and run away. :=)

Let's take a look at vocal mics for a second Some people would tell you that you need a condenser for vocals. Think again! Here's a sampling of the many artists that don't follow that rule: Red Hot Chili Peppers, U2, Bonnie Raitt, Metallica, Incubus, Bjork among others. Obviously they can choose whatever they would like to, but they've chosen a dynamic microphone for their vocal recordings.

In terms of power and quality there are some amazing dynamic mics and some highly disappointing dynamic ones. By the same token there are superb condenser mics and horrendously bad ones. It's so important to evaluate each mic on its own benefits.

So far as plugging a dynamic mic, there is one that stands out from all others. That's the Shure SM57. In the testimonials of countless artists, it's one of the best pieces of recording equipment ever designed and built. If you've ever listened to a CD there's a really good chance that you've heard an SM57 on the recordings. You could almost put money on it. It's one of the most popular mics and can be used for snare drums, electric guitars, violins, percussion etc, but it's also widely used for vocals. (I've sometimes said that I'd like to make an entire recording using only the 57 and the listener would be none the wiser). New they're very inexpensive. If you're still recording in 20 years, you'll probably still be reaching for this mic.

If you're going toward getting a condenser mic, one of the main reasons for doing so is that they pick up more detail on the low end and a bit more detail on the highs. As stated before, there are still superb sounding condensers and terrible sounding ones.

If you are interested in a condenser, I advise you to get a decent one rather than the first inexpensive one that you come across. For the most-part these cheap microphones are that they sound really awfu; that's because they often have a harsh and biting sound. It might sound really good at first as listeners are drawn to brighter sounds, but If you're recording several tracks and you try to compress them, that harshness will come full forward and punch you in a less than pleasant way. A build up of tracks recorded with a good condenser mic are truly going to sound beautiful and very pleasing.

Here's one more I would endorse. A good and affordable condenser microphone is the MXL-V67. With a good mic preamplifier, this mic will prevail over many condensers that are much more costly.

In summary, if you don't have a lot of money to spend, these 2 microphones are good bets for a first time buyer however, the most important thing is to do more investigating; talk with engineers that make a living by recording and find out what they might recommend to you.

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