aveatrex
Joined: 25/10/05
Posts: 129
Loc: The armpit of civilization
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The 3 mics you can't live without
#784696 - 04/11/09 05:07 PM
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Theoretically, if at this very moment, all of your microphones spontaneously EXPLODED(or
stopped working...if you want to take all of the excitement out of it), which
three mics would you begin to repopulate your collection with and why (i.e. for
what applications could you not live without each mic)? Of course this will
differ depending on each person's applications and financial situation, I'm just
interested to hear where people would begin if they suddenly had to start all over with
the knowledge they now have. 
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Ramirez
Joined: 24/10/06
Posts: 384
Loc: Llithfaen, Cymru
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Re: The 3 mics you can't live without
[Re: aveatrex]
#784707 - 04/11/09 05:22 PM
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I've only a very cheap and limited mic collection, so that's relative to my
comments, but the 3 I couldn't live at the moment are:
SM57 - Because it'll
do most of anything, really, to an acceptable level.
Rode M3 - Similar
reasons to the SM57 above, but more useful for acoustic instruments / drum overheads and
such.
Studio Projects B1 - Simply because it's the only LDC I have at the
moment, so I'd want it.
Although, if all my mics exploded, It's possible I
wouldn't buy a different LDC, while I'd definately buy more SM57s and M3s. Not that
there's anything inherently 'wrong' with the B1 - it can be very nice, especially on
acoustic guitar, and it seems to suit my voice OK, but I've hired out an U87 for a more
'serious' projects, and a new LDC is pretty close to the top of my shopping list.
Aled
--------------------
Bill Withers while Tom Waits, and Stan Getz
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The Elf
active member
Joined: 14/08/01
Posts: 8150
Loc: Sheffield, UK
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Re: The 3 mics you can't live without
[Re: aveatrex]
#784708 - 04/11/09 05:29 PM
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Sennheiser MD421. Rode NT5. Neumann U87Ai.
With those three mics I believe I
could have a crack at most anything - albeit mono!
The MD421 can cover the
tasks I'd normally throw a D112 or SM57 at. The NT5 would be my 'overhead' and also aimed
at anything needing a sharper mic with some top end. The U87 can turn it's hand to pretty
much anything, and if the vocals sound classy it can cover a multitude of sins for the
other mics!
--------------------
An Eagle for an Emperor, A Kestrel for a Knave.
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Ian Savage
Joined: 16/12/07
Posts: 611
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Re: The 3 mics you can't live without
[Re: aveatrex]
#784710 - 04/11/09 05:30 PM
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SM58/ 57 (either's fine), AKG D112, Rode NT2. Could probably do just about everything I
need to apart from stereo drum recording with those.
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ken long
Joined: 21/01/08
Posts: 4276
Loc: The Orient, East London
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Re: The 3 mics you can't live without
[Re: aveatrex]
#784717 - 04/11/09 05:36 PM
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Telefunken U47
Soundfield ST350
Simpson Model A
Cheers!
ken
--------------------
I'm All Ears.
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Steve Hill
member
Joined: 07/01/03
Posts: 13140
Loc: Oxfordshire
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Re: The 3 mics you can't live without
[Re: aveatrex]
#784726 - 04/11/09 05:46 PM
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Neumann U47FET
Schoeps CMC5 with omni capsule
SM57 for general workhorse stuff.
And snare drums.
--------------------
Dynamite with a laser beam...
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jayzed
member
Joined: 19/03/04
Posts: 846
Loc: North London
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Re: The 3 mics you can't live without
[Re: aveatrex]
#784737 - 04/11/09 06:23 PM
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Audix i5 (just to say something different to the SM57)
Neumann M49 - used to be one
where I worked once, got to have a lovely vintage tube LDC.
Royer SF24 - only ever
used the SF12, which I loved but this way I get a stereo mic and a ribbon all in one! (Is
that cheating?)
Ken - do you really mean the Simpson? I've never heard one but
(with some scepticism) have wondered what it's really like.
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caveman82
Joined: 30/01/06
Posts: 1261
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Re: The 3 mics you can't live without
[Re: jayzed]
#784740 - 04/11/09 06:29 PM
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I only own 3 microphones, so it would be all the microphones I own!
Shure
SM57, a strange old Russian mic made by 'Lomo', and a T-Bone Condenser. The T-Bone
condenser is the one I use the most, maybe because it's the only condenser I own and I do
record a lot of acoustic guitar. Planning to get a Rode NT-4 or something similar at
sometime.
Field recordings!!!!
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jayzed
member
Joined: 19/03/04
Posts: 846
Loc: North London
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Re: The 3 mics you can't live without
[Re: aveatrex]
#784743 - 04/11/09 06:35 PM
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Sorry, I thought this was theoretical - I missed the bit about finances.
Well
- not too different. The Audix i5 I'd keep and the mono Royer SF12 instead of the stereo
due to cost. I'd have to skip the Neumann, which I could never afford. Instead of that I
think I'd probably get a RODE NT2000 or K2, considering I'd blown my budget on the Royer.
The theme here, I think, is that I prefer darker mics.
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Jack Ruston
Joined: 21/12/05
Posts: 4065
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Re: The 3 mics you can't live without
[Re: aveatrex]
#784751 - 04/11/09 06:55 PM
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For me it would be a Sennheiser 441 (or maybe an re20, can't decide), a 414 and a posh
valve condenser like a VM1 or maybe one of the better 47 style mics, Flea or Bock. J
-------------------- www.jackruston.com
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TheChorltonWheelie
Joined: 22/09/09
Posts: 867
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Re: The 3 mics you can't live without
[Re: aveatrex]
#784755 - 04/11/09 07:09 PM
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Quote aveatrex:
Which
three mics would you begin to repopulate your collection
Mic Batt
Mic Baldwin
Mic el-Angelo
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Bob Bickerton
active member
Joined: 20/12/02
Posts: 2519
Loc: Nelson, New Zealand
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Re: The 3 mics you can't live without
[Re: aveatrex]
#784769 - 04/11/09 08:08 PM
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2 x TLM170s - to record solo instruments, ensembles, orchestras, etc. 1 x U87 - for
voices and the rest. Pity I can't afford any of them! Bob
-------------------- www.bickerton.co.nz
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ken long
Joined: 21/01/08
Posts: 4276
Loc: The Orient, East London
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Re: The 3 mics you can't live without
[Re: jayzed]
#784778 - 04/11/09 08:32 PM
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Its amazing Paulus. Simply amazing. Worth the ten grand. If I had another 10 grand, I'd
get another.
I think RFS are hiring em out now... you could give it a try. All
they ask for is the deed on your house as a deposit but hey ho!
ken (TIC)
--------------------
I'm All Ears.
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adam miller
Joined: 02/08/06
Posts: 84
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Re: The 3 mics you can't live without
[Re: aveatrex]
#784783 - 04/11/09 09:05 PM
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Coles 4038 - for bright loud stuff
SM7 - for loud close mic'ed stuff
M49 - for
everything else
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Persuazion
Joined: 29/10/05
Posts: 1559
Loc: Scotland
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Re: The 3 mics you can't live without
[Re: adam miller]
#784932 - 05/11/09 11:49 AM
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My mics.... 57 Phantom C 414 If I could have any
mics I'd replace the PH/C with a good Valve Tely U47
-------------------- http://www.loverslanestudios.co.uk
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Richard Graham
Joined: 10/04/06
Posts: 2250
Loc: Gateshead, UK
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Re: The 3 mics you can't live without
[Re: aveatrex]
#784960 - 05/11/09 01:32 PM
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SM58
Tandy PZM x2
--------------------
Battle flags are flown at the feet of a garden gnome.
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The Elf
active member
Joined: 14/08/01
Posts: 8150
Loc: Sheffield, UK
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Re: The 3 mics you can't live without
[Re: Richard Graham]
#784964 - 05/11/09 01:44 PM
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Quote Richard Graham:
SM58
Tandy PZM x2
At last! Someone
else who owns (and clearly understands the value of) a pair of Tandy PZMs!
Mine are a bit worse for wear these days. I modded mine for balanced output and phantom
power. Occasionally I'll tak them to the wall for a room sound, or put them on a lecturn
for spoken word and they always do a great job.
One of the plastic capsule
holders has parted company from the plate and the screw stalk has split asunder  , so I need
to come up with a clever repair plan.
I know some folks use them as kick
mics, but I've never wanted to expose them to those SPLs - have you tried that?
--------------------
An Eagle for an Emperor, A Kestrel for a Knave.
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Tomás Mulcahy
active member
Joined: 25/04/01
Posts: 2815
Loc: Cork, Ireland.
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Re: The 3 mics you can't live without
[Re: aveatrex]
#785028 - 05/11/09 05:19 PM
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Interesting!
I think Adam Miller's collection is the perfect "Desert Island"
set, if they were all in pairs 
I've semi experienced this catastrophe already- I had to give "my" Coles 4038 back to
the guy who really owned it, so if I could afford to, I would definitely replace
it. With a pair...
I'd probably replace my Audio Technica 4033a with a pair
of AT 4050.
And I'd have to have a Shure 557SB back in the locker, the older
version of the SM57.
-------------------- madtheory creations
Synths and pianos for Kontakt
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jonathan2008
new member
Joined: 24/01/03
Posts: 11
Loc: Norfolk
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Re: The 3 mics you can't live without
[Re: The Elf]
#986882 - 11/05/12 11:20 AM
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Hi Elf
It was two and half years ago when you posted that you'd modified your
PZM for phantom power. Can you remember how you did this? I have an old Tandy PZM (how I
wish I'd bought two when they were cheap!) and would like to use it with phantom power.
Thanks
Jonathan
--------------------
Jonathan
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James Perrett
Joined: 10/09/01
Posts: 9651
Loc: The wilds of Hampshire
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Re: The 3 mics you can't live without
[Re: jonathan2008]
#986904 - 11/05/12 01:38 PM
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Take a look at Rick Chinn's
site where he mentions a few alternatives. I'd take a look at Chris Hicks' page
(linked from there) as well as Rick's own pages. James.
-------------------- JRP Music - Audio Mastering and Restoration.
http://www.jrpmusic.net
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The Elf
active member
Joined: 14/08/01
Posts: 8150
Loc: Sheffield, UK
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Re: The 3 mics you can't live without
[Re: jonathan2008]
#986919 - 11/05/12 03:49 PM
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I followed instructions in the wonderful old 'Home and Studio Recording' magazine -
information supplied by our good Mr Paul White IIRC. It was a loooooooong time ago!
One article explained how to convert to balanced and a second explained how to
convert to phantom. I'll admit the details were greek to me, but I obviously did it
correctly. I have no idea now how I did it.
--------------------
An Eagle for an Emperor, A Kestrel for a Knave.
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Madman_Greg
Joined: 07/12/06
Posts: 705
Loc: The back of beyond
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Re: The 3 mics you can't live without
[Re: The Elf]
#986932 - 11/05/12 07:08 PM
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I only have 4 mics, 1x budget LDC, 2x budget SDCs and am SM58 - but I only play around at
home really.
For those on a budget I would have to go with the SM58, as it
stands for vocals, take the grill off and its close to an SM57 for guitar cabs etc....
maybe with a little bit of gaffer to hold the capsule if needed. So two mics in one really
in a way.
--------------------
Madman_Greg
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ConcertinaChap
Joined: 20/07/05
Posts: 1845
Loc: Bradford on Avon
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Re: The 3 mics you can't live without
[Re: aveatrex]
#986944 - 11/05/12 08:23 PM
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Rode NT4. I already own this mic so it isn't cheating but it gives me stereo as well as
NT5 quality. Of the LDCs I think it would have to the Gemini III because I love it to bits
and the U87, which I don't love but I deeply respect. CC
-------------------- Put the fun back into dysfunctional.
Mr Punch's Studio
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adrian_k
Joined: 30/01/03
Posts: 1741
Loc: Gloucestershire
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Re: The 3 mics you can't live without
[Re: ConcertinaChap]
#986992 - 12/05/12 07:27 AM
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Quote ConcertinaChap:
... the
U87, which I don't love but I deeply respect.
CC
Ha! In a nutshell, me too.
But I
don't know, maybe I would get another matched pair of C414s and an SM57. Unexciting but
gets the job done.
--------------------
getting better all the time..
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Rockdrummerzero
Joined: 18/12/05
Posts: 72
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Re: The 3 mics you can't live without
[Re: aveatrex]
#987272 - 14/05/12 08:35 AM
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As I record drums ( mostly ) three is tricky, but... Beyer M201 for Snare Audix D6 for Bassdrum Rode NT4 for Overheads - Hey this is two for One ! 
-------------------- www.thespell.co.uk
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Howdy Doody Time
Joined: 18/01/09
Posts: 437
Loc: Huai Yai, Chon Buri, Siam
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Re: The 3 mics you can't live without
[Re: aveatrex]
#987494 - 15/05/12 08:33 AM
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1) Beyer MCD100 2) Beyer MCD100 3) Oktava ML-53 The Beyers output an
AES signal direct to the recorder so no mic preamps etc, and act as a stereo pair if
required because the digital muxing thingy muxes the 2 inputs to an AES output carrying 2
signals. The late Roger Nichols in his review said "If Beyer want these back they will
have to pry them from my cold dead fingers" The Oktava is a ribbon mike that
sounds fab on vocals. These 3 are all I'll ever need.
-------------------- The only excuse we have for making music in the first place is to make it differently..vis-a-vis our own difference (Glenn Gould)
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Phil Reynolds
Joined: 11/06/06
Posts: 180
Loc: Douglas, Isle of Man.
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Re: The 3 mics you can't live without
[Re: aveatrex]
#987618 - 15/05/12 05:38 PM
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3 SM57s!
Not exactly hi-fi, but there's not much you couldn't record to at
least a passable standard with 'em...
...and they're bomb-proof...
--------------------
"We knocked on the doors of Hell's darker chambers..." But no-one answered, so we went to the pub instead.
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Dodger
Joined: 28/11/09
Posts: 198
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Re: The 3 mics you can't live without
[Re: Phil Reynolds]
#987624 - 15/05/12 06:05 PM
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Pair of Nt5s and my SE X1
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Ariosto
Joined: 04/05/08
Posts: 303
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Re: The 3 mics you can't live without
[Re: aveatrex]
#987646 - 15/05/12 07:52 PM
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I can't even find a mic that I can live WITH!!
The four mics I have are OK -
but I will probably never find out if some of the more exotic mics are really any better,
or an improvement on what I want, as I need to hear it as in real life.
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4TrackMadman
active member
Joined: 30/10/02
Posts: 1645
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Re: The 3 mics you can't live without
[Re: aveatrex]
#987702 - 16/05/12 03:20 AM
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For my home studio, these 3: AT2020 condenser - low price and works great on pretty
much everythign you throw at it, including heavy distorted guitars AKG D880 (or SM57)
- one of the knock around dynamics, great on guitar voice, as snare mic and everything
else For studio (mics that someone else owns but I use all the time): 2x
AKG C414 - great for pretty much everything, especially in stereo One of the
Neumann's - either the KSM or U87. KSM great overall on vocals, the U87 on pretty much
everything.
-------------------- www.descentintomadness.com
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Guy Johnson
Joined: 02/05/03
Posts: 3955
Loc: Pembrokeshire
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Re: The 3 mics you can't live without
[Re: aveatrex]
#987786 - 16/05/12 11:51 AM
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Out of those I have ... that I'd choose now. Tomorrow may be different Sennheiser M421 Ted Fletcher TF27 (An amazing medium diameter cardioid (?) mic
with a very dry, immediate sound) CAD M179
-------------------- PA stuff on FB
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