Comments on: Very Inexpensive Microphones http://www.homebrewedmusic.com/2007/04/05/very-inexpensive-microphones/ home recording and acoustic guitars Sat, 04 Feb 2012 22:37:06 +0000 hourly 1 By: Fran Guidry http://www.homebrewedmusic.com/2007/04/05/very-inexpensive-microphones/comment-page-1/#comment-3943 Fran Guidry Wed, 18 Jan 2012 23:12:08 +0000 http://www.homebrewedmusic.com/?p=32#comment-3943 Thanks a lot for visiting and commenting. I used omnis with a Jecklin disk for some of my favorite tracks on my first CD, but these days I've been having more success with a mid-side rig. I've been looking for AT3032s though (grin). Fran Thanks a lot for visiting and commenting.

I used omnis with a Jecklin disk for some of my favorite tracks on my first CD, but these days I’ve been having more success with a mid-side rig. I’ve been looking for AT3032s though (grin).

Fran

]]> By: Igor http://www.homebrewedmusic.com/2007/04/05/very-inexpensive-microphones/comment-page-1/#comment-3941 Igor Wed, 18 Jan 2012 19:55:26 +0000 http://www.homebrewedmusic.com/?p=32#comment-3941 <blockquote>"It’s certainly true that the DPA can be used in more applications, because it’s very small and unobtrusive, and the two different mics are not equivalent, but just on the basis of sound quality, I think they’re amazingly close."</blockquote> More than close, I'd say; I actually preferred the MSH-1. The DPA has a slight harshness that the other mic doesn't. The MSH-1 emphasizes a range of frequencies that is more flattering to the source. In the second test, I preferred the Schoeps, but the Naiant was no slouch and is obviously capable of achieving good results. It would be silly to deny that there are sonic differences between microphones. The real question is whether these (usually subtle) differences are critical, and if they are, whether they can't simply be EQ'd out. To me, if a recording is in the ballpark and there is no gross distortion, I'm going to focus on the performance, not on the properties of the mic used to capture it. BTW, I'm an omni fan as well and have also been frustrated at how few there are on the market (and at how many hoops you have to jump through sometimes to find the ones that are out there). Beyerdynamic had an omni dynamic mic I was interested in (I believe the model was M101) which no one ever seemed to have in stock and which I can only assume has been discontinued. A few years ago, I wanted to pick up a pair of AT3032s, only to find that they, too, had been discontinued (Audio-Technica's 303x series offered a lot of bang for the buck, IMO). These almost never come up on eBay. A couple of years ago, I picked up an AT4049 omni on blowout for about $400. It's wonderful. All of those 404x series SDC mics with the interchangeable capsules sound nice. I also have a pair of factory-matched omni capsules for the Oktava MK-012 SDC which came as part of a kit, but haven't had an opportunity to try them.

“It’s certainly true that the DPA can be used in more applications, because it’s very small and unobtrusive, and the two different mics are not equivalent, but just on the basis of sound quality, I think they’re amazingly close.”

More than close, I’d say; I actually preferred the MSH-1. The DPA has a slight harshness that the other mic doesn’t. The MSH-1 emphasizes a range of frequencies that is more flattering to the source.

In the second test, I preferred the Schoeps, but the Naiant was no slouch and is obviously capable of achieving good results.

It would be silly to deny that there are sonic differences between microphones. The real question is whether these (usually subtle) differences are critical, and if they are, whether they can’t simply be EQ’d out. To me, if a recording is in the ballpark and there is no gross distortion, I’m going to focus on the performance, not on the properties of the mic used to capture it.

BTW, I’m an omni fan as well and have also been frustrated at how few there are on the market (and at how many hoops you have to jump through sometimes to find the ones that are out there). Beyerdynamic had an omni dynamic mic I was interested in (I believe the model was M101) which no one ever seemed to have in stock and which I can only assume has been discontinued. A few years ago, I wanted to pick up a pair of AT3032s, only to find that they, too, had been discontinued (Audio-Technica’s 303x series offered a lot of bang for the buck, IMO). These almost never come up on eBay.

A couple of years ago, I picked up an AT4049 omni on blowout for about $400. It’s wonderful. All of those 404x series SDC mics with the interchangeable capsules sound nice. I also have a pair of factory-matched omni capsules for the Oktava MK-012 SDC which came as part of a kit, but haven’t had an opportunity to try them.

]]> By: Michael Springer http://www.homebrewedmusic.com/2007/04/05/very-inexpensive-microphones/comment-page-1/#comment-3789 Michael Springer Sat, 08 Oct 2011 08:00:17 +0000 http://www.homebrewedmusic.com/?p=32#comment-3789 I have a couple of Naiant X-Q mics. Jon tweaks his designs pretty often, so the MSH-2 is long since obsolete, and my X-Q is already obsolete. I bought the X-Q because I had asked Jon which of his then current series was best for recording fiddle. Anyway, I've found two cheap interfaces- USB is the way to go, but they can be expensive... or if they are cheap, really not very good. One problem is that even fairly pricey USB interfaces often have really crummy mic preamps. One USB interface I've used recently with the Naiant X-Q mics is the ART USB Dual Pre. It's a fairly rugged and versatile little guy that retails for only about $85 bucks. I recently used it to get some of my best fiddle recordings yet. Another performer at a low price that I have even higher hopes for is the Peavey PV6 USB 6 channel mixer. They came out about 2010, and apparently they used good preamps... I get an even better live sound out of the Peavey than out of the ART USB Dual Pre (I was using it as a mixer for a while before I got the Peavey) because the preamps sound very crisp and clean. I have also gotten good recordings with the Peavey and other mics (Heil PR30 and PR35) on voice and guitar, so I know it records well- and I'm looking forward to using it with the Naiant X-Qs as well. Oh yeah, the PV6 USB goes for about $130... be sure the model says USB after it, because they also make a nearly identical PV6 *without* USB. I have a couple of Naiant X-Q mics. Jon tweaks his designs pretty often, so the MSH-2 is long since obsolete, and my X-Q is already obsolete. I bought the X-Q because I had asked Jon which of his then current series was best for recording fiddle.
Anyway, I’ve found two cheap interfaces- USB is the way to go, but they can be expensive… or if they are cheap, really not very good. One problem is that even fairly pricey USB interfaces often have really crummy mic preamps.
One USB interface I’ve used recently with the Naiant X-Q mics is the ART USB Dual Pre. It’s a fairly rugged and versatile little guy that retails for only about $85 bucks. I recently used it to get some of my best fiddle recordings yet. Another performer at a low price that I have even higher hopes for is the Peavey PV6 USB 6 channel mixer. They came out about 2010, and apparently they used good preamps… I get an even better live sound out of the Peavey than out of the ART USB Dual Pre (I was using it as a mixer for a while before I got the Peavey) because the preamps sound very crisp and clean. I have also gotten good recordings with the Peavey and other mics (Heil PR30 and PR35) on voice and guitar, so I know it records well- and I’m looking forward to using it with the Naiant X-Qs as well. Oh yeah, the PV6 USB goes for about $130… be sure the model says USB after it, because they also make a nearly identical PV6 *without* USB.

]]> By: Fran Guidry http://www.homebrewedmusic.com/2007/04/05/very-inexpensive-microphones/comment-page-1/#comment-102 Fran Guidry Fri, 29 May 2009 22:47:28 +0000 http://www.homebrewedmusic.com/?p=32#comment-102 Jacob, there are a few ways to do this. If your computer has a Line In connector, you can buy a very inexpensive mixer and a couple of cables and adapters. With this arrangement you can get connected for well under $100. If your computer does not have a Line In connector, and many laptops today do not, then you need some kind of interface device. There are a few that offer 2 mic preamps for under $150 down to $100. Go to any major music retailer like Sweetwater and look for USB interfaces with two mic preamps and 48v phantom power. Ah, I just noticed that you are in the Netherlands. I'm not sure how to advise you for products that are available in Europe, and I'm afraid you'll face slightly higher prices. Fran Jacob, there are a few ways to do this. If your computer has a Line In connector, you can buy a very inexpensive mixer and a couple of cables and adapters. With this arrangement you can get connected for well under $100.

If your computer does not have a Line In connector, and many laptops today do not, then you need some kind of interface device. There are a few that offer 2 mic preamps for under $150 down to $100. Go to any major music retailer like Sweetwater and look for USB interfaces with two mic preamps and 48v phantom power.

Ah, I just noticed that you are in the Netherlands. I’m not sure how to advise you for products that are available in Europe, and I’m afraid you’ll face slightly higher prices.

Fran

]]> By: Jacob http://www.homebrewedmusic.com/2007/04/05/very-inexpensive-microphones/comment-page-1/#comment-101 Jacob Fri, 29 May 2009 20:34:38 +0000 http://www.homebrewedmusic.com/?p=32#comment-101 Is there also an very inexpensive way to connect 2 Naiant microphones to a computer? Is there also an very inexpensive way to connect 2 Naiant microphones to a computer?

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