Microphone recommendations

[Evan Kubota]

I want a good-quality mic, primarily for recording sound effects and Foley work. It doesn't have to have enormous frequency response - what I'm after is more of a warm tone (although I realize you can achieve this later also) that will work well with the images from 40-50 year old cameras. I have maybe $100 to spend. Used is no problem. Any recommendations?

[audadvnc]

The classic audio engineer's "Desert Island" microphone of choice is the Shure SM57. I own 3 of 'em. It's been in continuous production for 40 years and still shows up on almost every drum kit of every band in the world. "Woodstock" was recorded entirely with SM56's, a close relative of the SM57. It costs about $100 new, you can pound stage nails with it, and it sounds great. Studios with $5000 microphones keep SM57's and 58's around and use them regularly (SM58's are the "ball microphones" used by everybody since Janis Joplin - again, every sound company & studio in the world has some on hand). Ask Tabby Crabb, he'll probably agree.

It needs no battery. It is low impedance, so you'll need the appropriate microphone preamp to run it into yours system, but that's no big deal.

If you need a shotgun microphone, that's a different story. Look at the Audio Technica for OK medium priced shotgun mics. The best are by Sennheiser; I use an MKH60 short shotgun, but it's in the neighborhood of $1500 new. If you use shotgun mics outside, you'll also need a serious windscreen or blimp.

[Evan Kubota]

I've used SM57s quite a bit but I didn't really think of them in this context. I always thought of them as more a live performance/recording mic rather than a studio mic.

Most of my recording will be indoors, and sensitivity is important... will an SM57 work well for quiet rustling, etc.? I'd be using this with a GL2's audio in (I had planned to make a basic XLR to 1/8" adapter). Are there any economical preamps available?

[audadvnc]

You can get a Mackie or similar 4 - 6 channel microphone mixer for a couple hundred bucks. New cheap mixers have much better low noise performance than older ones. With dynamic microphones such as an SM57, mic preamp noise performance is the key.

If you need to record very quiet sounds - like your neighbor scratching his head next door - you will need a decent condensor microphone, starting around $300 for one that will do you much good. And you'll need to record in a very quiet place to avoid traffic and airplane noises.

[freddiesykes]

I want a battery powered mic preamp, but they are very expensive. It doesn't need to have phantom power. Any tips, Bob?

[Janne]

I want a good-quality mic, primarily for recording sound effects and Foley work. It doesn't have to have enormous frequency response - what I'm after is more of a warm tone (although I realize you can achieve this later also) that will work well with the images from 40-50 year old cameras. I have maybe $100 to spend. Used is no problem. Any recommendations?

Sennheiser MD 21 may be what you are looking for. I have one and love it. The original design is from the 1950's, but they are still manufactured! Too bad it is expensive. Try to find an old and used one. Mine is old too, it's from the 60's.

http://www.instrumentpro.com/blog/archi ... d21-is-50/

[mathis]

Have a look at AKG C1000s, a condenser that also works with a battery (best though with phantom power) and comes with e mechanical plug to change its characteristics from cardioid to hyper.
I was quite surprised by the sound quality of Oktava mics, but they only work with phantom power. The mics I use for 15 years now are Microtech Gefell large diaphragm mics with switchable characteristics. I did everything with it you can imagine and they always provided very good results.

[audadvnc]

AKG C1000 is a good all-purpose mic. It has internal battery, and enough gain to capture quiet events. It's multipattern, too: normally cardioid, you can slide a plastic device over the element and it becomes hypercardioid.

I've used a few Microtek Gefell mics also; generally good, but tend to be fragile. The UMT70 can do a very close imitation of the U47 "King Kondenser" sound, which it should, it uses the same element. The Oktava mics I've tried have been a mixed bag; sometimes you get a great one, other times they're flat. The audio equivalent of K3's, perhaps?

[Evan Kubota]

I went with the C1000S. Should have it by next week. Supposedly the inserts to change the pattern don't have much effect, but the sound is overall good.

[flatwood]

The C1000S really is a decent mic. I just sold a nice pair on ebay for around $200. (I have started selling off studio gear to move into my final stage of life) I think you'll be happy with the sound but need to be used relatively close or with louder source material. Cardiod pattern. Powered condenser; use phantom or battery. The inserts are ineffective, use it in the normal cardiod position.

The SM 57 is still a work horse mic in the recording industry. Great for miking up electric guitar amps and snare drums. THe SM58 is basically the same mic capsule with the addition of a ball, foam lined wind screen. Cardiod pattern. Dynamic.

The expensive condenser mics are all good basically but the deal if you can find one is the old EV shotgun mics which can be bought on ebay cheep and they sound great. Dynamic so they need no power and work surprisingly well off a boom pole.

[flatwood]

The Oktava mics I've tried have been a mixed bag; sometimes you get a great one, other times they're flat. The audio equivalent of K3's, perhaps?

One of the tricks Ive seen with the Oktava "electric razor" large diaphram condenser is to take a Dremel with a small cut off wheel and remove those metal bars in front of the grill. It makes a better looking mic and opens the diaphram up.

[mathis]

I've used a few Microtek Gefell mics also; generally good, but tend to be fragile. The UMT70 can do a very close imitation of the U47 "King Kondenser" sound, which it should, it uses the same element. The Oktava mics I've tried have been a mixed bag; sometimes you get a great one, other times they're flat. The audio equivalent of K3's, perhaps?

Yeah, the UMT70s, that´s mine. Great mics.
And the Oktavas I bought from "sound room", they check and match them in stereo pairs and you get reliable quality. Not the amazing price anymore, though.

[BigBeaner]

I've been thinking getting a shotgun mic and a boom but a good deal of those on Ebay use unbalanced mini plug connectors. Are xlr's really that much better or should I just get what I can for now and a field mixer or hold off for the best?

[flatwood]

Id go with the balanced mic as long as it matches up with the inputs on your sound recorder. A pawn shop might be a good place to check too.

[BigBeaner]

Ya I might be jumping the gun. My plan was get an XLR and buy a mini plug adapter that way if/when I upgrade, I still have a mic.