Re:OT top affordable microphones (was headache from cds)

[kkissinger@kevinkissinger.com]

I forgot to mention, the center (cardroid) mic is panned to center.   
You probably figured that out, though.

-- Kevin

Quoting kkissinger@kevinkissinger.com:

> Quoting "L.Angulo" <labaloops@yahoo.com>:
>>
>> if you were right now to choose the affordable mics you must have   
>> to  record voice,drums and instruments which ones would you pick?
>> cheers
>> Luis
>>
> My latest purchase was a pair of XML4000 microphones:
>
> 
>http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/product/MXL-4000-MultiPattern-FET-Studio-Condenser-Mic?sku=270624
>
> What attracted me to this mic is the choice of patterns.  I am using
> them to mic an ensemble and I prefer m/s miking for this application.
> Thus, I needed an affordable mic with a figure-8 pattern.
>
> Some of the reviews describe this mic as a "vanilla-sounding" large
> diaphram mic.  For my purpose, "vanilla" is fine -- I want an accurate
> sound.  This mic is very good for vocal sounds -- men's voices sound
> quite full and woman's voices have a nice "silvery" quality without
> sacrificing diction.  The base response (clear down to pitches in the
> 32' range) is fantastic.
>
> I really like m/s miking technique.  You don't need fancy equipment to
> do it, either.  You simply co-locate the mikes (that is, you want the
> microphones as close together as possible -- literally only an inch
> apart).  One mike is set to a cardroid pattern and the other is set to
> a figure-eight pattern.  The cardroid mic is aimed straight ahead
> (center) and the figure eight is aimed to the left 90 degrees  (that
> is, the front of the figure-8 mic covers the left, the back covers the
> right).
>
> You then split your figure-8 signal and invert one of the sides.  Pan
> the in-phase side hard-left and the inverted side hard-right.  (Thus,
> you use three channel strips for this).  To do this one needs a
> microphone splitter cable and a inverter barrel:
>
> 
>http://accessories.musiciansfriend.com/product/Pro-Co-Y-Mic-Cable-Female-XLR2-Male-XLR?sku=330539
>
> and
>
> 
>http://accessories.musiciansfriend.com/product/VTG-Phase-Reverse-Barrel?sku=330264
>
> The Center mic is a mono signal and as you bring up the figure-8 mic's
> level, you get an increasing amount of stereo.  I won't get into the
> math involved however the stereo imagery is amazing.  The other
> advantage of m/s is that you don't get stereo comb-filter effects that
> can happen with seperated microphones.
>
> I can't claim hands-on experience with lots of mics -- however the
> choice of mics -- large and small diaphram condensers, dynamic, and
> even a ribbon mic -- in the $200 to $600 range is amazing.
>
> Among such mics, the XML4000 emerged as a great all-around mic that
> features selectable patterns.  And at only $200 each, not a bad deal.
>
> -- Kevin