Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1   Report Post  
Fred
 
Posts: n/a
Default 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   Report Post  
Scott Dorsey
 
Posts: n/a
Default

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   Report Post  
Aaron Smith
 
Posts: n/a
Default

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   Report Post  
Paul Stamler
 
Posts: n/a
Default


"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   Report Post  
Scott Dorsey
 
Posts: n/a
Default

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   Report Post  
Guitarman
 
Posts: n/a
Default

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   Report Post  
Lorin David Schultz
 
Posts: n/a
Default

"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   Report Post  
Hal Laurent
 
Posts: n/a
Default


"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   Report Post  
Anahata
 
Posts: n/a
Default

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   Report Post  
Roger W. Norman
 
Posts: n/a
Default

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!



Reply
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules

Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
on topic: we need a rec.audio.pro.ot newsgroup! Peter Larsen Pro Audio 125 July 9th 08 06:16 PM
OT Political Blind Joni Pro Audio 337 September 25th 04 03:34 AM


All times are GMT +1. The time now is 01:16 PM.

Powered by: vBulletin
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Copyright ©2004-2024 AudioBanter.com.
The comments are property of their posters.
 

About Us

"It's about Audio and hi-fi"