Must have microphones?

[John Willett]

Beyerdynamic M160 x2: just got them 2 weeks ago and I haven't tried them yet, but don't think there's nothing new I can add about them.
Beyerdynamic M201: I use it on snare tops mainly.
Beyerdynamic M88: I didnt like it too much in bass drums, but I love it for guitar cabs!

Now these are three superb mics

The 160 is one I could easily add to my own kit, the 201 is one of those mics (along with the MD 421) that really everyone should have and the M88 is a superb vocal mic.

[Aled Hughes]

SE R1 x2 for drums OH mainly. agreed with above: they're not too easy to use. when they're good, they're good but they are a bit tricky. Also use them blended with other mics for guitar cabs.

Thanks for reminding me - I'd forgotten how much I like the R1 on guitar cabs, especially clean and backed off a bit. Maybe not quite as much as I like an U87 in that role, but not far off.

Also +1 for the Beyer M160 - forgot to mention them. One of my favorites as drum overheads.

[ore_terra]

yeah... next tracking session with drums I have is in 2 weeks and I'm so looking forward to use the M160's and the ATM 250 DE.

truth is I've not used most of mi mics too much... ever since I moved here I've only done 2 sessions and luckily it seems that, slowly, but I'm getting into Seville's music scene. however as we're saying mics are "forever", therefore every interesting mic I see at good price I try to buy it if I can afford it. for the future

[andyv]

Hi all,

I am pleasantly surprised by everyone's feedback, this will get me a long way!

Thanks to all of you, I really appreciate this.

Cheers,

Andy

[ConcertinaChap]

Just wanted to add a note about how I acquired my mics, which might be relevant to the OP. With a few exceptions (notably the Gemini) all my mics are either second hand or B stock. In my experience this is actually pretty safe - I think most people know to look after mics and do do so. By buying second hand I can try a mic out over a period and if I don't like it or have no major use for it I can sell it again for about what I paid. In this way over years I have built up my current collection which I feel comfortable with and which is not likely to change much now. I'd recommend this as an approach.

CC

[jaminem]

Ok, i'll have a go:

Shure SM7b - Vocals, bass cabs, sometimes guitar cabs
SM57 - Guitar Cabs
Granelli G5790 (right angled SM57) - Snare
Rode NT55 - Hats, Acoustic Guitar (with Omni Cap)
Oktava MK012 - Overheads, or any stereo miking (pref Omni caps again)
Blue Kiwi - Vocals and Mid Side stuff and rooms
Sennheiser MD421 - Guitar Cabs, Toms
Beyer Soundstar X1 - not tried yet, impulse purchase
Audix D6- Toms
Beyer M201 - snare, guitar cabs
Advanced Audio U47 fet clone - Vocals, Bass cabs, Kick outside
Beyer M88 - Kick inside, bass cabs
Sontronics DM1-b - Kick, bass cabs
Sontronics Sigma - Guitar cabs
AT4033 - vocals, guitar cabs/utility stuff
Telefunken D-11B - when I want something to sound crap on purpose

[jaminem]

Just wanted to add a note about how I acquired my mics, which might be relevant to the OP. With a few exceptions (notably the Gemini) all my mics are either second hand or B stock. In my experience this is actually pretty safe - I think most people know to look after mics and do do so. By buying second hand I can try a mic out over a period and if I don't like it or have no major use for it I can sell it again for about what I paid. In this way over years I have built up my current collection which I feel comfortable with and which is not likely to change much now. I'd recommend this as an approach.

CC

What he said - lots of mics purchased used from auctions, ebay etc...
Dynamics especially are bomb proof...

[ConcertinaChap]

Dynamics especially are bomb proof...

One caveat. There's an awful lot of fake SM58's out there.

CC

[blinddrew]

I was just going to add that!

Just for fun, here's how the other half live:
In decreasing order of purchase price
Shure Beta 87A - my main live mic. Doesn't seem to get much love round here but I like how it works with my voice. Think it was the princely sum of about £200 when I bought it.
Sub Zero valve mic - my go to vocal recording mic.
Xaudia ribbon mic - from the same people behind the Extinct Audio ribbons reviewed a couple of months ago. Really nice on guitar cabs and pretty good for female vocals too.
Gear4Music 7 piece drum mic set - kick mic, 4 other dynamics and two SDCs. Doesn't get much more cheap and cheerful.
sE2200 - my first proper mic (cheap second hand)
Studiospares S1200 (x2) - cheap SDC with omni, cardiod and hypercardiod capsules.
Kustom dynamic mics (x2) - came with a PA, keep them as back ups for live really.
AKG D5 - got it free in a songwriting competition Whisper it, but I prefer it to an SM58.
Realistik (Tandy) pzm plate microphone (x2) - given by a band mate years ago. Keep meaning to get around to adapting them for phantom power but I'll need to get them back from that piano player first. Ok, these were cheaper and cheefuller.

Funnily enough, the top three get the most usage.

[Wonks]

Dynamics especially are bomb proof...

One caveat. There's an awful lot of fake SM58's out there.

CC

And fake SM57s,

[John Willett]

Dynamics especially are bomb proof...

One caveat. There's an awful lot of fake SM58's out there.

CC

And fake SM57s,

And fake Sennheiser evolution series ... and both Shure and Sennheiser radiomics.

I have even seen people faking an old Gefell M692/UM70 mic.

[Bob Bickerton]

I'm resisting the temptation to put up a long list of microphones....

This may have been covered, but just to pull back and talk about what 'sort' go mics you'd need might be useful.

A range of vocal mics is useful because it's important, in my opinion, to match the mic to the voice, so the sort of range I'd look for is:

Something with 'air' - my pick Beyerdynamic MC740

Something with 'cut' - my pick Neumann U87

Something 'neutral' - my pick Neumann TLM193

Something that can be 'abused' - my pick Shure SM7b

Then I'd need a small diaphragm condenser stereo pair, either cardioid, or multi pattern:

Budget end Rode NT55 - my pick MKH 8040/8050/8020

I'd then want something for mono miking individual acoustic instruments, for which I'd use the TLM193 or MKH range.

I'd look to having at least one good dynamic, which for me would be the Beyer M201 over the SM57, which also doubles up as a reasonable voiceover mic.

If you're recording drums, you may wish to a range of tom mics to add to the above - I use Audix D2/D4, and then a kick mic, Sennehiser e602 or e902.

Maybe then a nice ribbon. I have a Naked Eye, but if buying today would go for an AEA Nuvo N8.

Of course, these mics are only worth considering once you've sorted out your room acoustics.

Bob