Microphone choice for recording acoustic performances..

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puikes

New member
Greetings DvxPeople.

I'm preparing for a long project, archiving some local bands from many genres.

And I need advice on how to recording audio for this project...
So far I've had advice to buy either AKG 414 or Sennheiser 416...
The budget has around 2000$ for audio hardware, so let me know what you think the setup should be.

I would be shooting on HPX171 through XLR...and controled shoots, in closed interesting locations, without background noise.

The quality should be as good as possible, but without recording every single instrument...maximum 2 microphone setup.

Because there are so many different kind of bands, I could ask them to prepare an acoustic version of their song.
That could make things easier.

Any ideas on the recording strategy?


Thank you for your thoughts...and time.

Thank you,
 
I would definitely stay away from shotguns for recording music.
I own 2 414's which are a decent mic. Not fantastic. A little britle sounding, but
far from bad can definitely work for you.

You might want to look into a couple neumann 103's if you're looking to record a total of 2 mic's.
On the small capsule side, i'd try to look for a couple used Schoeps mk4's or 41's
with an older power supply CMC 4 or 5 (to fit in your budget)

Im sure others will have good idea's for lower budget style mic's.


The roughest thing is you're going to be recording to a less than ideal camera.
The smaller low budget cam's will get you "ok" sounding dialog tracks
but when you're trying to get a more full range freq spectrum you're going to notice the downfalls of lower end mic pre's
and recording more.
 
I would get the Oktava MK-012 stereo set with 3 pairs of capsules: omni, cardioid and hyper cardioid.

With those you can use most pure stereo recording tecniques: AB, XY, DIN, ORTF.

Those mics are a steal considering the quality, they would be better than any video/film oriented mics this purpose.

From $2000 you would have enough money left for stands, wind protection, cables, good headphones etc.

http://www.oktava-online.com/mk012.htm
 
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I would second the Oktava vote. The audio clips on this site were all recorded live in a theatre with an audience with an Oktava pair. It's not quite the same kind of music but despite the MP3 encoding you can get a feel for them.
 
For two mics you'll basically looking at a stereo mic setup (XY, Spaced, and ORTF mentioned already needing a pair of matched mics) or MS recording which uses a bidirectional and a cardiod mic together.

Here's some basics
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microphone_practice

2 quick questions though,
If you're archiving bands, shouldn't you record the bands as they play and not ask them to play acoustic if that's not really their style?
I'm assuming there's no PA system or mixer you could get a feed from?
 
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rafaeldelauz said:
Stereo pair of neumann Km184 or Km183 would do wonders for music recording
Click to expand...

The neumanns sound phenominal and come in matched sets. About $1500 the pair at B&H, but you can rent them also.

They are good for most boom work I think...much richer sound than most of the Sennheiser or Sankins people like.
 
DavidNJ said:
The neumanns sound phenominal and come in matched sets. About $1500 the pair at B&H, but you can rent them also.

They are good for most boom work I think...much richer sound than most of the Sennheiser or Sankins people like.
Click to expand...

Ive heard nothing but failed attempts at people trying to use a 184 for boom work through the years.
I used to own a set and wouldnt want to use them as my "only" 2 pair choice for music.
Then again im jaded i guess.
 
DavidNJ said:
I don't do music...but I love the sound. I use an overhead boom, often from a c-stand.
Click to expand...

I never used mine in a boom situation but if i recall i remember people having
issues with handling, off axis coloration and reach.
They are a good mic dont get me wrong but if i had 2 grand
to spend they wouldnt be my first choice. Thats all im saying.
 
Neumann km18X series doesn't have more handling issues that Senn mkh 40 or 50, just need good shock mount. The new models are almost RF immune, way better than Sanken Shotgun when being used close i-phones or steadicam monitors. They lack the punch on Senn mkh or Schoeps but quiet pre-amps behind them solve that problem.The mkh 184 and the 185 are a little on the bright side, but they are very smooth and beautiful resolution, the Km183 will give you more bass.
Very good mic specially for acoustic music and vocals
 
I would go for the octavias for the price /sound combo but I would do something else:

enquire the band BEFORE if they use a sound mixer and record an additional stereo mix of THAT mixers stereo sum to a cheap recorder like Tascam or Zoom or Roland, that records to memory but AIF or .WAV.

my choice would be a metric halo ULN-2 for stereo mobile recording with a pair of Schoeps-Neumans-Earthworks but it requires a macbook with FW 400 and will go over your budget.

Another option would be to use the onboard mix pres of the camera but fix the stereo microphones on a stand with ORTF setup. It will limit your bobility though!

Dont even think of good audio quality by running around with a stereo mic mounted to the camera: the phase issues will disturb the listener!
 
A set of Oktavas and Zoom H4n recorder would still be under $2000. With a separate recorder you get total freedom of movement for the camera(s) and the sound quality would be possibly better. At least you could shoot 24bit/48 kHz PCM. The new Zoom H4 is supposed to have better preamps than the old one.
 
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