[mcnews]

Neumann TLM 103 or AKG 414?
i do home recording on a yamaha AW16G (for now). i want i decent mic
mostly for vox, but also acoustic instruments. each of these is in my
budget. i've read the specs, but can someone who knows these mics
make a recommendation (without jumping off into over-my-headsville).
i've been recording for several years, but still have much to learn.
my best (most expensive mics) are EV RE20 and AKG C3000 (the older
black one). i like the AKG for acoustic guitar and upright bass, but
some folks have commented that it gives a harsh tone. i have a rode
NT1-A that i like pretty well. i have several different stereo
preamps, but all in the $200-300 range (presonus, beringer, ART).
i appreciate the input.

[Don Pearce[_3_]]

On Thu, 16 Sep 2010 11:55:04 -0700 (PDT), mcnews
wrote:

Neumann TLM 103 or AKG 414?
i do home recording on a yamaha AW16G (for now). i want i decent mic
mostly for vox, but also acoustic instruments. each of these is in my
budget. i've read the specs, but can someone who knows these mics
make a recommendation (without jumping off into over-my-headsville).
i've been recording for several years, but still have much to learn.
my best (most expensive mics) are EV RE20 and AKG C3000 (the older
black one). i like the AKG for acoustic guitar and upright bass, but
some folks have commented that it gives a harsh tone. i have a rode
NT1-A that i like pretty well. i have several different stereo
preamps, but all in the $200-300 range (presonus, beringer, ART).
i appreciate the input.

For most home situations I would say forget the mic. Whatever you are
using right now are either good or can be corrected once recorded.
Spend your money on acoustic treatment for the room. The rewards will
be tenfold greater.

d

[PStamler]

On Sep 16, 2:08*pm, (Don Pearce) wrote:

For most home situations I would say forget the mic. Whatever you are
using right now are either good or can be corrected once recorded.
Spend your money on acoustic treatment for the room. The rewards will
be tenfold greater.

I partly agree with Don. Budget for a TLM 103 or a 414. Then go buy a
Neumann TLM 102 (which I like better than either the 103 or 414) and
use the money you save for room treatment. And, eventually, a better
preamp, at least at the Real Nice Preamp level.

Peace,
Paul

[hank alrich]

mcnews wrote:

Neumann TLM 103 or AKG 414?
i do home recording on a yamaha AW16G (for now). i want i decent mic
mostly for vox, but also acoustic instruments. each of these is in my
budget. i've read the specs, but can someone who knows these mics
make a recommendation (without jumping off into over-my-headsville).
i've been recording for several years, but still have much to learn.
my best (most expensive mics) are EV RE20 and AKG C3000 (the older
black one). i like the AKG for acoustic guitar and upright bass, but
some folks have commented that it gives a harsh tone. i have a rode
NT1-A that i like pretty well. i have several different stereo
preamps, but all in the $200-300 range (presonus, beringer, ART).
i appreciate the input.

Those are two very different mics, one multi-pattern generally intended
for studio use, and the other single pattern intended for stage vocals.

Given that and no other considerations I'd say get the AKG.

However...

Note that the RE20 is quite an excellent vocal mic. I'd say sell the
C3000 and buy a Josephson C42 for instruments. Spend the difference on a
better preamp, specifically the FMR RNP, which is two channels for under
$500.

Work with the RE20 and the C42 and the RNP until you know you're getting
the most from them and then add to yoru kit if you feel the need.

--
shut up and play your guitar * http://hankalrich.com/
http://armadillomusicproductions.com/who'slistening.html
http://www.sonicbids.com/HankandShai...withDougHarman

[Scott Dorsey]

mcnews wrote:
Neumann TLM 103 or AKG 414?

They are both good mikes but they sound different.

i do home recording on a yamaha AW16G (for now). i want i decent mic
mostly for vox, but also acoustic instruments. each of these is in my
budget. i've read the specs, but can someone who knows these mics
make a recommendation (without jumping off into over-my-headsville).
i've been recording for several years, but still have much to learn.
my best (most expensive mics) are EV RE20 and AKG C3000 (the older
black one). i like the AKG for acoustic guitar and upright bass, but
some folks have commented that it gives a harsh tone. i have a rode
NT1-A that i like pretty well. i have several different stereo
preamps, but all in the $200-300 range (presonus, beringer, ART).
i appreciate the input.

Go find a legitimate dealer that will let you audition the mikes on your
own voice so you can make a decision. Also, be aware that the various
mikes in the AKG 414 series sound totally different... I never liked the
common B/ULS, but the original 414TL is much more to my taste. Then again,
the TL II is a third mike entirely (which I like less than any of the
others).

I don't think you'll go wrong with any of them, and I think you can find
a good deal on any of them used also. But I think you need to give a
listen to them.

I'll say that it's hard to beat the RE-20 that you already have for
versatility... the RE-20 works pretty well on any vocal. It's seldom
the best mike on a given voice for a given style, but it's never a
bad one.

The older C3000 is not as harsh as the C3000B, but it's still harsher than
I like. If you like it, you might find the 414 B/ULS is like a cleaner
version of that kind of sound.
--scott



--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."

[mcnewsxp]

"PStamler" wrote in message
...
On Sep 16, 2:08 pm, (Don Pearce) wrote:

For most home situations I would say forget the mic. Whatever you are
using right now are either good or can be corrected once recorded.
Spend your money on acoustic treatment for the room. The rewards will
be tenfold greater.

I partly agree with Don. Budget for a TLM 103 or a 414. Then go buy a
Neumann TLM 102 (which I like better than either the 103 or 414) and
use the money you save for room treatment. And, eventually, a better
preamp, at least at the Real Nice Preamp level.

i like this advice. my recording environment is a low ceiling cinder block
on two sides basement with hanging airducts and lead water pipes. tips?

[Don Pearce[_3_]]

On Fri, 17 Sep 2010 08:29:28 -0400, "mcnewsxp"
wrote:


"PStamler" wrote in message
...
On Sep 16, 2:08 pm, (Don Pearce) wrote:

For most home situations I would say forget the mic. Whatever you are
using right now are either good or can be corrected once recorded.
Spend your money on acoustic treatment for the room. The rewards will
be tenfold greater.

I partly agree with Don. Budget for a TLM 103 or a 414. Then go buy a
Neumann TLM 102 (which I like better than either the 103 or 414) and
use the money you save for room treatment. And, eventually, a better
preamp, at least at the Real Nice Preamp level.

i like this advice. my recording environment is a low ceiling cinder block
on two sides basement with hanging airducts and lead water pipes. tips?


Don't lick the water pipes. Visit Ethan's site on
http://www.realtraps.com/ for some really good info on treating rooms.
Even if you don't buy what he sells, you will find out how to do it
for yourself.

d

[Ty Ford]

On Thu, 16 Sep 2010 14:55:04 -0400, mcnews wrote
(in article
):

Neumann TLM 103 or AKG 414?
i do home recording on a yamaha AW16G (for now). i want i decent mic
mostly for vox, but also acoustic instruments. each of these is in my
budget. i've read the specs, but can someone who knows these mics
make a recommendation (without jumping off into over-my-headsville).
i've been recording for several years, but still have much to learn.
my best (most expensive mics) are EV RE20 and AKG C3000 (the older
black one). i like the AKG for acoustic guitar and upright bass, but
some folks have commented that it gives a harsh tone. i have a rode
NT1-A that i like pretty well. i have several different stereo
preamps, but all in the $200-300 range (presonus, beringer, ART).
i appreciate the input.

Both the 103 and whichever version of the 414 are finicky about what preamp
they like. The 414 is multi-pattern, the 103 is cardioid only. Other patterns
are handy.

Both like a good room.

I DO like the TLM 102. It's a very good mic and very neutral, as in not as
bright as the other two, and less expensive. Cardioid only.

If you like the NT1-a you may also like the Marshall MCA SP-1. You simply
can't go wrong for $50.

http://www.pssl.com/MXL-SP1-Condense...hone-With-Clip

Really.

Regards,

Ty Ford


--Audio Equipment Reviews Audio Production Services
Acting and Voiceover Demos http://www.tyford.com
Guitar player?:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yWaPRHMGhGA

[PStamler]

On Sep 17, 7:29*am, "mcnewsxp" wrote:
"PStamler" wrote in message

...
On Sep 16, 2:08 pm, (Don Pearce) wrote:

For most home situations I would say forget the mic. Whatever you are
using right now are either good or can be corrected once recorded.
Spend your money on acoustic treatment for the room. The rewards will
be tenfold greater.

I partly agree with Don. Budget for a TLM 103 or a 414. Then go buy a
Neumann TLM 102 (which I like better than either the 103 or 414) and
use the money you save for room treatment. And, eventually, a better
preamp, at least at the Real Nice Preamp level.

i like this advice. *my recording environment is a low ceiling cinder block
on two sides basement with hanging airducts and lead water pipes. *tips?

Go to a public library and check out one of F. Alton Everest's books
on the design of small studios. Don't go for the Master Handbook of
Acoustics; it's too big a mouthful to start with. Instead, get one of
the smaller introductory ones. If your library doesn't have his books,
they can get them via interlibrary loan.

Peace,
Paul

[mcnewsxp]

"PStamler" wrote in message
...
On Sep 17, 7:29 am, "mcnewsxp" wrote:
"PStamler" wrote in message

...
On Sep 16, 2:08 pm, (Don Pearce) wrote:

For most home situations I would say forget the mic. Whatever you are
using right now are either good or can be corrected once recorded.
Spend your money on acoustic treatment for the room. The rewards will
be tenfold greater.

I partly agree with Don. Budget for a TLM 103 or a 414. Then go buy a
Neumann TLM 102 (which I like better than either the 103 or 414) and
use the money you save for room treatment. And, eventually, a better
preamp, at least at the Real Nice Preamp level.

i like this advice. my recording environment is a low ceiling cinder block
on two sides basement with hanging airducts and lead water pipes. tips?

Go to a public library and check out one of F. Alton Everest's books
on the design of small studios. Don't go for the Master Handbook of
Acoustics; it's too big a mouthful to start with. Instead, get one of
the smaller introductory ones. If your library doesn't have his books,
they can get them via interlibrary loan.

this?
http://www.amazon.com/Sound-Studio-C...4817609&sr=8-2

[hank alrich]

Ty Ford wrote:

If you like the NT1-a you may also like the Marshall MCA SP-1. You simply
can't go wrong for $50.

What Ty said. Leaves plenty money for an RNP. Make all your mics sound
better.

--
shut up and play your guitar * http://hankalrich.com/
http://armadillomusicproductions.com/who'slistening.html
http://www.sonicbids.com/HankandShai...withDougHarman