Question: Inexpensive mics for live recording

[[email protected]]

I'm looking for an inexpensive setup for live recording.
I plan to record at both indoor (small clubs) or outdoor (festival) venues.
I'll use a stereo pair on a mic stand near the back the above venues.
I plan to record either to laptop (Edirol UA5) or to minidisc.

Does anyone have opinions on the following mics:
- Audio technica AT853 (cardoid capsules, phantom powering)
- MXL 603S, Behringer B5
- Studio Projects C4, Rode NT5

Specific questions:
- Does the AT853 (electret) offer as good quality as the others?
I know the self noise is a bit higher, but I am not concerned about that,
as long as the quality is good.

- How do the cheapies (MXL, Behringer) compare to the midrange (SP, Rode)?
I prefer the Behringer, but only because I can get them a bit cheaper
(in Canada). Is that a good mic?

- I know I could get more expensive gear, but I'm mainly looking for
a starter setup.

By the way, these recordings will be made with artists' permission.
I won't put them on P2P networks either...

Thanks,
Richard

[Mike Tulley]

On 31 May 2004 16:59:25 -0400, wrote:

>
>I'm looking for an inexpensive setup for live recording.
>I plan to record at both indoor (small clubs) or outdoor (festival) venues.
>I'll use a stereo pair on a mic stand near the back the above venues.
>I plan to record either to laptop (Edirol UA5) or to minidisc.
>
>Does anyone have opinions on the following mics:
>- Audio technica AT853 (cardoid capsules, phantom powering)
>- MXL 603S, Behringer B5
>- Studio Projects C4, Rode NT5
>
>Specific questions:
>- Does the AT853 (electret) offer as good quality as the others?
> I know the self noise is a bit higher, but I am not concerned about that,
> as long as the quality is good.
>
>- How do the cheapies (MXL, Behringer) compare to the midrange (SP, Rode)?
> I prefer the Behringer, but only because I can get them a bit cheaper
> (in Canada). Is that a good mic?
>
>- I know I could get more expensive gear, but I'm mainly looking for
> a starter setup.

I have used both the MXL603s and the NT5. I like both, but I like the
NT5 better. The pair I have are quieter, and they have less boost in
the highs. The MXL603s have a high boost that reminds me of a KM184:
OK for some things, too much for others.
Mike T.

[Mike Tulley]

On 31 May 2004 16:59:25 -0400, wrote:

>
>I'm looking for an inexpensive setup for live recording.
>I plan to record at both indoor (small clubs) or outdoor (festival) venues.
>I'll use a stereo pair on a mic stand near the back the above venues.
>I plan to record either to laptop (Edirol UA5) or to minidisc.
>
>Does anyone have opinions on the following mics:
>- Audio technica AT853 (cardoid capsules, phantom powering)
>- MXL 603S, Behringer B5
>- Studio Projects C4, Rode NT5
>
>Specific questions:
>- Does the AT853 (electret) offer as good quality as the others?
> I know the self noise is a bit higher, but I am not concerned about that,
> as long as the quality is good.
>
>- How do the cheapies (MXL, Behringer) compare to the midrange (SP, Rode)?
> I prefer the Behringer, but only because I can get them a bit cheaper
> (in Canada). Is that a good mic?
>
>- I know I could get more expensive gear, but I'm mainly looking for
> a starter setup.

I have used both the MXL603s and the NT5. I like both, but I like the
NT5 better. The pair I have are quieter, and they have less boost in
the highs. The MXL603s have a high boost that reminds me of a KM184:
OK for some things, too much for others.
Mike T.

[Leoaw3]

I've got both the 603s and the SP C4s. I prefer the C4s for live recording -
they just seem more "true" to the original somehow -- hard to describe.

That being said, be aware that if you record at the back of the room, you're
going to be capturing a LOT of room as well as the musicians -- it will have
lots of echoes, just like if you put the whole performance through a reverb
turned up way too high.

Better by far is a split feed from the mixing desk (if everything has
microphones) -- next best is placing your live microphones up front where they
won't get as much room noise.

-lee-

-lee-

[Leoaw3]

I've got both the 603s and the SP C4s. I prefer the C4s for live recording -
they just seem more "true" to the original somehow -- hard to describe.

That being said, be aware that if you record at the back of the room, you're
going to be capturing a LOT of room as well as the musicians -- it will have
lots of echoes, just like if you put the whole performance through a reverb
turned up way too high.

Better by far is a split feed from the mixing desk (if everything has
microphones) -- next best is placing your live microphones up front where they
won't get as much room noise.

-lee-

-lee-

[[email protected]]

(Leoaw3) writes:

> I've got both the 603s and the SP C4s. I prefer the C4s for live recording -
> they just seem more "true" to the original somehow -- hard to describe.
>
> That being said, be aware that if you record at the back of the room, you're
> going to be capturing a LOT of room as well as the musicians -- it will have
> lots of echoes, just like if you put the whole performance through a reverb
> turned up way too high.
>
> Better by far is a split feed from the mixing desk (if everything has
> microphones) -- next best is placing your live microphones up front where they
> won't get as much room noise.
>
> -lee-
>
> -lee-

Dear Lee,

Thanks for the tips. Actually, I'll probably be near the sound board (space
permitting).

Richard

[[email protected]]

(Leoaw3) writes:

> I've got both the 603s and the SP C4s. I prefer the C4s for live recording -
> they just seem more "true" to the original somehow -- hard to describe.
>
> That being said, be aware that if you record at the back of the room, you're
> going to be capturing a LOT of room as well as the musicians -- it will have
> lots of echoes, just like if you put the whole performance through a reverb
> turned up way too high.
>
> Better by far is a split feed from the mixing desk (if everything has
> microphones) -- next best is placing your live microphones up front where they
> won't get as much room noise.
>
> -lee-
>
> -lee-

Dear Lee,

Thanks for the tips. Actually, I'll probably be near the sound board (space
permitting).

Richard

[Len Moskowitz]

Richard > wrote:

>I'm looking for an inexpensive setup for live recording.
>I plan to record at both indoor (small clubs) or outdoor (festival) venues.
>I'll use a stereo pair on a mic stand near the back the above venues.
>I plan to record either to laptop (Edirol UA5) or to minidisc.

You might consider a set of our Binaural mics. They'd work fine with
the UA-5 and MD recorders. Literally thousands are in use in the field
for live recording in the situations you described.

They're rugged, very compact and sound fine.

Please see our Web site for details.

--
Len Moskowitz PDAudio, Binaural Mics, Cables, DPA, M-Audio
Core Sound http://www.stealthmicrophones.com
Teaneck, New Jersey USA http://www.core-sound.com
Tel: 201-801-0812, FAX: 201-801-0912

[Len Moskowitz]

Richard > wrote:

>I'm looking for an inexpensive setup for live recording.
>I plan to record at both indoor (small clubs) or outdoor (festival) venues.
>I'll use a stereo pair on a mic stand near the back the above venues.
>I plan to record either to laptop (Edirol UA5) or to minidisc.

You might consider a set of our Binaural mics. They'd work fine with
the UA-5 and MD recorders. Literally thousands are in use in the field
for live recording in the situations you described.

They're rugged, very compact and sound fine.

Please see our Web site for details.

--
Len Moskowitz PDAudio, Binaural Mics, Cables, DPA, M-Audio
Core Sound http://www.stealthmicrophones.com
Teaneck, New Jersey USA http://www.core-sound.com
Tel: 201-801-0812, FAX: 201-801-0912