Hello All,

This is my first post! I'm putting together a home studio, and am hesitating between 5 microphones. I mostly play folk music with some bluegrass influences. I would be using it for vocals, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, and double bass. My budget is in the $2000 range (perhaps a bit more). Here is a link to my music to help give you a bit of context:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-I3sPh1UDH0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WY7in2QfbdI

I've read various posts comparing one mic with another, but none that have included all 5 of the microphones I'm considering.

- Chandler Limited TG
- Lauten Atlantis
- Soyuz 017 FET
- Telefunken TF51
- WA-47 or 8000

I have also wondered whether using the budget to buy two somewhat cheaper microphones from these brands might be worthwhile (for example the Chandler Type L with the Soyuz 023, or the Lauten Clarion). Happy to hear any thoughts on these.

I have also wondered about the best pre-amp to pair with these. I am thinking that having something where I can adjust the amount/level of tube might be worthwhile: The SPL Gainstation 1,the Cranborne Audio Camden EC1, Universal Audio 710 Twin-Finity etc. I have also been looking at audio interfaces including the Audient iD24 and Universal Audio Apollo Twin. Any opinions on these would also be greatly appreciated, or any other options that you think would be worthwhile.

I have very limited experience with recording, sound engineering etc., and thus any advice and recommendations, including pros and cons for each, would be of huge help! I've read through various threads already and the community here seems to be so knowledgable.

Thanks a lot and look forward to hearing what people think! The more comments the merrier!

Best,

Eric

If it were me I think I would start by getting a workhorse mic which would cover a lot of ground, and still be viable once you spend heavy cash on your next big time vocal mic. Something along the lines of an Austrian Audio OC818 or a Neumann TLM 107. I would check used options before dropping coin on a new mic. I'd then concentrate on an interface with enough clean inputs to cover your recording needs, as well as the ability to bypass the built-in preamps once you are ready. I wouldn't add a microphone preamp until your budget was sufficiently refreshed, and you had enough time to audition different pre's to find the sound you are really after.

Best!

Dave

With the possible exception of the Warm, I'll bet you would be very happy with any of these mics. And for all I know the Warm is fine. But the others certainly come with excellent reputations.
If you go this route, one thing you might want to think about is stereo. Getting two of the same mic could be handy for stereo. Another idea for the "2 mics" thing would be to make sure at least one of them capable of a figure-8 pattern. Then you could do mid-side stereo - even with 2 different models.

The mics on your list seem to be all LDCs. If you really want 'variety', you might want to look at adding SDCs or ribbons.

You did not mention what mics you own now. Did you record those YouTube songs yourself or go to a studio? Another consideration is your process. Are you tracking your band live, partly live, or overdubbing one instrument at a time? If live, you may not want to put all your eggs in one basket.

you may not want to hear this, but money spent on a preamp is not going to give you the same bang for the buck as money spent on mics. IMO, an outboard preamp could wait, lest you spread your budget too thin.

Hey Eric!
Welcome on GS!

I agree with what said above by David W Jones.. and the mics he suggested are also pretty good!
The TLM107 is a very nice, clean mic with almost no proximity effect.. there’s just the source coming through..
the OC818 is what akg should make today if they were not sold to a mainstream consumer electronics company (and it’s made by ex akg engineers).. on some vocals could a tad too bright though.. I’d be careful with this on your vocals (and the female one I’ve heard).. but it’s an excellent mic.

MICS:
Start with a good workhorse, that you can throw anything at, that sounds “finished” from the get go.

From your list I’d probably look into the Lauten (although I’m not particular fond with them for several different reasons).

BTW I’d suggest you to TEST a few contenders before buying if you can.. this helps to keep the BS at bay and getting what YOU like.
Try to find a dealer that can send you 2-3 mics, keep the one YOU like the most for YOUR taste/productions.

I’d suggest to buy a quality mic, it will last forever while performing GREAT. Buy once BUT good, you’ll save money in the long run, believe me.

After listening your stuff on YT I’d suggest a Neumann TLM67, which is a rather mellow, smooth and classy mic.

several reasons:
I do believe it could fit the vibe and it might help with the harshness.
Also it could be expanded in a real U67 with the Max Kirchner U67 mod (just swapping the body, without damaging its value.. you actually get 2 mics in 1.. actually 3, with the modern and vintage style circuit present in the iomod).

Obviously you could record everything with this mic, it will work well on that violin and the vocals, will do great on ac gtrs too..

An Audio Technica 4060 tube mic might also be a good workhorse (despite doesn’t have a name like neumann.. they do pretty good mics).

I’d add to your mic locker 2 inexpensive mics that will help with the el gtrs (and also other stuff..)

A Shure SM57 (will work well on a cab) and the very inexpensive (Thomann) TBone RB500, as a second cab mic to blend in with the SM57 sound.. basically using the the SM57 for the punch, and the RB500 for the body/low end.

Maybe you already have a 57 around..

In the future you might want to investigate about a used Schoeps CMC5 with a mk4 capsule for your acoustic gtrs and/or other acoustic instruments..
These could be found for “reasonable” amounts.. (for a high end mic).
another option might be the Haun mbc 440 or a used neumann km184 or better yet km140.

INTERFACES:

Nowadays every interface will do a decent enough job..
It boils down on the features that you want, the number of inputs, expandability, how stable it is and how long is going to last.

The UA apollo stuff is pretty good, especially if you have a mac and want to work with their plugins (which are indeed nice).. they’re expensive for what they are imho.. but if you want to stay in that eco system they are solid performers (would not suggest on windows though).

On the lower budget interfaces the new SSL 2+ MK2, the Audient ID24 and I’d also add the MOTU M4 are all excellent sounding choices..

the SSL have their 4K top end boost that might or might not be your alley, not very much expandable though. Good very low noise preamps.

The MOTU M4 offer 2 additional line inputs, so in case you will add a preamp or 2 in the future you could use these line inputs.

The Audient offers expandability through adat and the insert points in case you want to insert external outboard like an analog eq or a compressor.

On the higher price range there’s the RME stuff, which sounds great and is VERY reliable (best drivers in the biz) and it will last a LONG time.
Excellent product and routing( but there’s a learning curve regarding their excellent routing).

Another MOTU I’d reccomend is the Ultralite MK5, which have plenty of i/o for expansion and sounds very good too.
This could also stay with you for a long time, there might no need to an upgrade..and the price is still reasonable for what you get.

On the higher end there is Metric Halo, mac only, also very long lasting and the compaby offers upgrade plan with their hardware, which is unknown in the interface business. Sounds excellent of course.

PREAMPS:

As said above I’d start with an interface and a high quality mic, and go from there..
in the future you could then experiment with some pres or channelstrips IF you want.
Forget the UA710, not worth your time imho, and also all the mic clones and el cheapo stuff.. not worthed.

When the times comes, check out the Avedis MA5 (in the 500 series) or the SCA N72 for that neve-style vibe, or the SCA J99 which is the twin servo preamp, ADT TM101 is an excellent allrounder too, or the Crane Song Flamingo.

You might also look at tube pres at some point, but that might be for another post..

Also what you might need is a good dynamic eq plugin (like the fabfilter pro Q3) and a de esser (check out the excellent Apulsoft splitS, which is very easy and rather inexpensive, and it’s actually not a de esser, but automate the T’s and S’s.. clever product!).

I hope this helps,

howdy

Cheu

don't spend any money on preamps right now. you get your best improvements per dollar spent through your transducers (mics, monitors, headphones) and your room acoustics.

A good four-mic setup is this:
SM57
matched pair of small diaphragm condensers
multi-pattern large diaphragm condenser

do you want less mics, with a stronger budget on each? it's very difficult to say definitively.

whatever you do, buy with a 100% return policy and directly. online demos and the recommendations of strangers can only get you candidates. you then need to try-and-buy and make your own final decisions. plan to buy several candidates, all with a 100% return policy. do shootouts, and keep the winners.

i have found SE electronics mics to sound way better than they should for their price point. you will probably want to upgrade later. but you have to start somewhere.

Here would be a great four-mic collection:

Sony C800g (multipattern large diaphragm condenser) $15,000
Matched pair Schoeps mk5 $3900
Shure SM57 $100

So for $19,000 you can have an A-list, no-compromise, four mic collection.

But let's get to your reality: a $2000-or-slightly-higher budget.

Something like:
Sony C800g $1400
SE electronics SE8 pair $550
Shure SM57 $100

That's $2050, which fits your budget constraint.

There are many ways you can construct a good quality four mic collection for $2000. They are not going to match the $19,000 collection I indicated above. But you can put together something good for $2000.

Old thread but just wondering what mic did you get? I am happy with my ssl12 but added a Gap pre73mk3. It’s not bad but after tasting it am tempted to get a BAE1073. Before that I am planning to change the tlm103 for another mic same or higher level.

Was considering the Lauten Atlantis or the Austrian Oc818 but not sure. The Neumann is bright and sensitive and my voice is bright too so when singing high pitch high spl notes, you can imagine how it sounds(harsh?)

I got a shure ksm32 which I found it less bright but I feel it doesn’t have the color and openness of the 103. It takes more power (less sensitivity) but still missing something…maybe I’m used to neuman.

Anyways it will be good to know how it worked for you