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#1
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Equipment for vocal studio
My wife used to teach at a high school that used an inexpensive
Audio-Technica mic (ATR-30) and a JVC CD-R deck (XL-R5020BK) to create practice CDs for voice students. The total price was under $500. Now that she's in private practice, she'd like to get some similar equipment -- but within the same budget, though I'm willing to spend a bit more if the results will be clearly noticeable. I've observed that musicians tend to pay more attention to the music than to the quality of the reproduction. Some of her students would be happy to get MP3s for their iPods -- which gives you an idea what level of fidelity is required. Her voice students range from wispy-voiced girls to full-throated dramatic sopranos and Ethel-Merman-class belters. (The men are neither as rangy nor as loud.) In another thread, Amy Krueger recommended SM-57s and -58s for a choir; would those work for this application? Should I get a CD-R deck, or are there RAM-based options now? One great advantage of the JVC was that it had a mic jack; that level of simplicity was nice, since she knows nothing -- and I know precious little -- about audio engineering. Thanks for your help! |
#2
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Fred wrote:
My wife used to teach at a high school that used an inexpensive Audio-Technica mic (ATR-30) and a JVC CD-R deck (XL-R5020BK) to create practice CDs for voice students. The total price was under $500. Now that she's in private practice, she'd like to get some similar equipment -- but within the same budget, though I'm willing to spend a bit more if the results will be clearly noticeable. I've observed that musicians tend to pay more attention to the music than to the quality of the reproduction. Some of her students would be happy to get MP3s for their iPods -- which gives you an idea what level of fidelity is required. I would consider a similar sort of configuration, although I would suggest the newer Marantz portable CD-R deck. It will cost more, but the preamps in it are more apt to be decent and the portability can be a handy thing. In another thread, Amy Krueger recommended SM-57s and -58s for a choir; would those work for this application? I think they are a terrible choice either for a choir or for a solo classical singer, because they are intended to be used up close. I think you would indeed be better off with an inexpensive stereo mike like one of the A-Ts. Should I get a CD-R deck, or are there RAM-based options now? There are RAM-based options, but with them, you have to worry about getting the file off the machine. The beauty of the CD-R is that you have something physical that you can hand right off to a student. On the other hand, the CD-R is not the most reliable thing around. But if she has been happy with it in the past, she will probably be happier in the future as long as she keeps using blanks intended for low-speed operation. One great advantage of the JVC was that it had a mic jack; that level of simplicity was nice, since she knows nothing -- and I know precious little -- about audio engineering. Same with the Marantz, although the Marantz has a conventional XLR connector that you can plug higher grade microphones into. --scott -- "C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis." |
#3
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get a studio projects vtb-1 pre amp and and maybe AKG 1000c
great results or maybe a little sprit or behringer min desk "Fred" wrote in message oups.com... My wife used to teach at a high school that used an inexpensive Audio-Technica mic (ATR-30) and a JVC CD-R deck (XL-R5020BK) to create practice CDs for voice students. The total price was under $500. Now that she's in private practice, she'd like to get some similar equipment -- but within the same budget, though I'm willing to spend a bit more if the results will be clearly noticeable. I've observed that musicians tend to pay more attention to the music than to the quality of the reproduction. Some of her students would be happy to get MP3s for their iPods -- which gives you an idea what level of fidelity is required. Her voice students range from wispy-voiced girls to full-throated dramatic sopranos and Ethel-Merman-class belters. (The men are neither as rangy nor as loud.) In another thread, Amy Krueger recommended SM-57s and -58s for a choir; would those work for this application? Should I get a CD-R deck, or are there RAM-based options now? One great advantage of the JVC was that it had a mic jack; that level of simplicity was nice, since she knows nothing -- and I know precious little -- about audio engineering. Thanks for your help! |
#4
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"Aaron Smith" wrote in message ... get a studio projects vtb-1 pre amp and and maybe AKG 1000c great results or maybe a little sprit or behringer min desk I suggest that a microphone with less coloration than the AKG 1000 would be appropriate for students learning to listen to the tones of their voices. Look for an Electro-Voice RE16, or go on e-bay and look for an RE15. Perhaps an Edirol R-1 for recording? It can generate mp3 files directly, but it can also do .wav files. Peace, Paul |
#5
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Paul Stamler wrote:
"Aaron Smith" wrote in message get a studio projects vtb-1 pre amp and and maybe AKG 1000c great results or maybe a little sprit or behringer min desk I suggest that a microphone with less coloration than the AKG 1000 would be appropriate for students learning to listen to the tones of their voices. Look for an Electro-Voice RE16, or go on e-bay and look for an RE15. Perhaps an Edirol R-1 for recording? It can generate mp3 files directly, but it can also do .wav files. I am not even sure why AKG still makes the horrible C1000. AKG also sells the C535, which is a great-sounding little mike, and which is pretty much the same price as the C1000. But they sure sell a lot more C1000s. --scott -- "C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis." |
#6
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Fred,
You wrote: In another thread, Amy Krueger recommended SM-57s and -58s for a choir; would those work for this application? My recommendations is get yourself informed about the difference between a dynamic mic, small diaphragm mic and large diaphragm mic. And in which situation they are used. (1) For peformance by a solo singer on a stage get a Shure SM 58. It´s a mic that can be hold in the hand while singing and handles high sound pressure levels SPL's well. And it's robust. The SM57 is not really for vocals, but more for use with a guitaramp and snare-drum. (2) For a choir get a stereo pair of small diaphragm overhead mics that fits within your budget. Read some reviews on the internet. (3)For recording a solo vocal track get a large diaphragm microphone. These mics are kinda expensive though. (4) Use diaphragm mics always with a stand (tripod). These mics are not suitable for holding in the hands while singing. And I am not talking about grip here. It's for avoiding damage to the mics in the first place... besides that they are so sensitive that you will hear every 'twist' that is made back on the recording if they are kept in the hand while singing. And schockmount are not invented for nothing. (5) Also get a pop screen when you work with a large diaphragam mic. Good place to start: http://www.music123.com/Microphones-d175.music Goodluck... Best regards, Michiel |
#7
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"Guitarman" wrote:
(3)For recording a solo vocal track get a large diaphragm microphone. Okay, why? -- "It CAN'T be too loud... some of the red lights aren't even on yet!" - Lorin David Schultz in the control room making even bad news sound good (Remove spamblock to reply) |
#8
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"Guitarman" wrote in message .. . My recommendations is get yourself informed about the difference between a dynamic mic, small diaphragm mic and large diaphragm mic. My recommendation is that if you're going to give recommendations you should get your own terminology straight. Dynamic mics come in various diaphragm sizes just like condenser mics. (4) Use diaphragm mics always with a stand (tripod). And what, pray tell, is a "diaphragm mic"? Hal Laurent Baltimore |
#9
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Guitarman wrote:
(5) Also get a pop screen when you work with a large diaphragam mic. Apart from the other responses (what's a "diaphragm mic" ? etc.): Use a pop screen for a vocalist, whatever sort of mic you use. And not usually for any other sound source. Anahata |
#10
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My wife has been studying with both a jazz vocal teacher and a vocal coach
for 10 years now. The tapes she gets (yes, cassette tapes) are godawful but she doesn't care. She dumps them to her computer and practices with them anyway. It's her voice she's working with, not the sound quality of the recording. The point is, if your wife is familiar with the earlier setup and students aren't coming back on her about the sound quality then duplicating the system should be just fine. Just as there's always a faster gun, there's always better equipment, but what serves the purpose is just the right equipment. -- Roger W. Norman SirMusic Studio "Fred" wrote in message oups.com... My wife used to teach at a high school that used an inexpensive Audio-Technica mic (ATR-30) and a JVC CD-R deck (XL-R5020BK) to create practice CDs for voice students. The total price was under $500. Now that she's in private practice, she'd like to get some similar equipment -- but within the same budget, though I'm willing to spend a bit more if the results will be clearly noticeable. I've observed that musicians tend to pay more attention to the music than to the quality of the reproduction. Some of her students would be happy to get MP3s for their iPods -- which gives you an idea what level of fidelity is required. Her voice students range from wispy-voiced girls to full-throated dramatic sopranos and Ethel-Merman-class belters. (The men are neither as rangy nor as loud.) In another thread, Amy Krueger recommended SM-57s and -58s for a choir; would those work for this application? Should I get a CD-R deck, or are there RAM-based options now? One great advantage of the JVC was that it had a mic jack; that level of simplicity was nice, since she knows nothing -- and I know precious little -- about audio engineering. Thanks for your help! |
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