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Post by antipodesjosh on Jul 2, 2021 8:26:56 GMT -6
Hi folks,
Long time lurker, first time caller. I’m a musician and live sound guy, but have been bitten by the recording bug over the last year or so with all the live stuff being on hold.
I have two upcoming recording projects that will require tracking of a drum kit (heavy rock EP), and grand piano (singer-songwriter vibe).
I have access to a bunch of SDCs and dynamics, but I’m looking to get a pair of LDCs.
I currently own one Vanguard v13, which is fantastic, but that’s the extent of my locker so far.
I’m based in New Zealand, so multiply your regular USD pricing by two for local pricing out here. My budget can get me one of these:
- a pair of Serrano 87s
- a pair of Beesneez BU87s (cardioid only, no pads etc)
- Another v13 and a United FET47
- A v13 and a v44s (could be good for rooms etc)
- A pair of Austrian Audio OC18s (cardioid only), or one oc818 one oc18 at a stretch.
- A pair of Lewitt LCT640s
What would you go for? Something else entirely?
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Post by svart on Jul 2, 2021 8:36:00 GMT -6
87's might be a little too niche-y for general purpose mics. I've had great experiences with the Lewitt mics so I'd suggest them as great all-purpose LDCs.
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Post by plinker on Jul 2, 2021 8:53:43 GMT -6
Been tracking drums with a pair of Lewitts (540S) and they sound fantastic.
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Post by drbill on Jul 2, 2021 9:04:16 GMT -6
My opinion is different than some, but for me, a pair of U87's is about as good an all-rounder as it gets for desert island, do whatever I need, get it sounding good - if not great. I'd probably push toward the Seranno's - although I have not used them personally - I've only heard the clips.
I do have the 44. It sounds great as well. I think the vanguards would also be a good call.
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Post by gravesnumber9 on Jul 2, 2021 9:39:07 GMT -6
The mics I would get are spend it on room treatment.
*engineering forum joke
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ericn
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Post by ericn on Jul 2, 2021 10:22:12 GMT -6
Welcome to RGO.
Well based on your choices Bill and I are in agreement I would choose the Serranos, nothing wrong with the Beez Nees I just like the idea of having multiple patterns. The 87 is a workhorse I just can’t imagine paying $3650 for a new AI or $2500 used. From everything I have heard Carlos pretty much nails the sound.
The question I have to ask though do you really really need a pair? Don’t get me wrong I love multiples of workhorse mics, ask BradD about all the different dynamics I had 5 or 6 of at my worst. If the mics you have access to includes a pair of Decent SDC’s I would really consider a used Gefell UM70 or for a bit more a first generation Lawson 47. You could score a nice Sony 48 or 38 FET. There are a ton of nice used and under the Radar used FET LDC’s between 1K -$1.6k you just have to hunt.
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Post by antipodesjosh on Jul 2, 2021 16:38:34 GMT -6
Yeah a pair of real 87s retails for around $11k NZD, more than my car!
So we have a few votes for Lewitt and Serrano.
Has anyone heard a sample of the Serrano on overhead or piano duty? I’ve only heard some acoustic/vocals clips on here.
Plenty of info around for the Lewitt, thanks to Produce like a Pro multi-tracks, bright but very useable, plus dual outputs is nice. We borrowed the competing OC818s for a session last year, they were okay, extremely neutral. From what I’ve heard they are quite similar to the Vanguard v4 in tone (but about double the price).
Also still considering making a pair of my v13, as it’s a sound I have been really impressed with so far, and it’s the cheapest option 😅
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Post by nick8801 on Jul 2, 2021 16:54:59 GMT -6
A friend of mine brought over a pair of AT4033's this week to track drums. Gotta say I reallly dug them. They definitely have an edge to them, almost like a tube breakup, the way the high end got a little crunchy with the drums. But for aggressive rock, I think they are really cool! The 4040 is more neutral, and still very afforable!
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Post by plinker on Jul 2, 2021 17:23:42 GMT -6
Also, as an owner of the Serrano -- I think it will do very well on overheads. <hyperbole>However, I have only one Serrano (bought primarily for vox) and the Lewitts sound soooo damn spectacular that I refuse to try something else. If that means anything to you...
Add a in-kick mic and you're done. Seriously, spot drums mics are damn-near irrelevant with the 540S. </hyperbole> They sound waaaay closer than they are.
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Post by Ward on Jul 2, 2021 17:25:26 GMT -6
Yeah a pair of real 87s retails for around $11k NZD, more than my car! So we have a few votes for Lewitt and Serrano. Has anyone heard a sample of the Serrano on overhead or piano duty? I’ve only heard some acoustic/vocals clips on here. Plenty of info around for the Lewitt, thanks to Produce like a Pro multi-tracks, bright but very useable, plus dual outputs is nice. We borrowed the competing OC818s for a session last year, they were okay, extremely neutral. From what I’ve heard they are quite similar to the Vanguard v4 in tone (but about double the price). Also still considering making a pair of my v13, as it’s a sound I have been really impressed with so far, and it’s the cheapest option 😅 For everything you're describing, including budget, I would definitely get in touch with cserrano Carlos has done a great job here. |
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Post by antipodesjosh on Jul 2, 2021 17:38:57 GMT -6
Also, as an owner of the Serrano -- I think it will do very well on overheads. However, I have only one Serrano (bought primarily for vox) and the Lewitts sound soooo damn spectacular that I refuse to try something else. If that means anything to you...
Add a in-kick mic and you're done. Seriously, spot drums mics are damn-near irrelevant with the 540S. They sound waaaay closer than they are.
That is high praise indeed! Lots to think about. Might end up with both eventually. |
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Post by antipodesjosh on Jul 16, 2021 2:25:02 GMT -6
An update: a local store had a $1k discount on their last pair of the Austrian Audio mics, so I picked up those. Sometimes the market makes the decision easier for you  |
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Post by Guitar on Jul 16, 2021 6:46:47 GMT -6
Welcome to RGO, now post some clips!! Haha. I would love to hear those Austrian Audio mics on your drums.
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Post by phdamage on Jul 16, 2021 8:02:32 GMT -6
Can’t speak to anything you listed but I would add the U195 to your list of considerations. I had one for years and made it a pair fairly recently because I cannot imagine an application it wouldn’t sound great in
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Post by Deleted on Jul 16, 2021 8:23:10 GMT -6
Don't spend any money just now. We've all got our favorite mics for various applications, but that's based on our own unique experience. What works for one of us may not work for you. I'd say stick with what you've got now and experiment with it. You'll know best what you need when you fully understand the limitations of what you have. Try different placements, different spaces and treat your room. For heavy rock drums, look up the Glyn Johns 2 or 3 mic technique. You really don't have to stick a mic everywhere there's a drum.
The worst thing you can do (and we've all done it in one way or another) is to spend your money solving somebody else's problems. Use the heck out of what you've got and then gradually work in new stuff when you know what YOU need.
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Post by Guitar on Jul 16, 2021 8:39:00 GMT -6
I am late to post again, since you've already made your purchase. And it's funny to say this after Michael's post. But if you have access to KSM141 or KSM137 I think they would possibly be ideal for your purposes. And I haven't recorded a piano in years but you might want to try some ribbon mics there. The ribbon mics would also be valuable, IMO, for drum room capture, assuming the acoustics aren't chaotic. Oktava MK 012 would also be worth using on these two sources if you have access to a pair.
Guess I've never been all that into LDC mics, other than vocals, so this is an off topic recommendation. Seems like you might have just bought a pair of workhorse microphones, so good luck with those.
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Post by drbill on Jul 16, 2021 9:36:20 GMT -6
Well based on your choices Bill and I are in agreement. Wait, wait!!! Let me write this down...... |
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Post by Omicron9 on Jul 16, 2021 10:32:29 GMT -6
I am late to post again, since you've already made your purchase. And it's funny to say this after Michael's post. But if you have access to KSM141 or KSM137 I think they would possibly be ideal for your purposes. And I haven't recorded a piano in years but you might want to try some ribbon mics there. The ribbon mics would also be valuable, IMO, for drum room capture, assuming the acoustics aren't chaotic. Oktava MK 012 would also be worth using on these two sources if you have access to a pair. Guess I've never been all that into LDC mics, other than vocals, so this is an off topic recommendation. Seems like you might have just bought a pair of workhorse microphones, so good luck with those. monkeyxx beat me to it; I was going to suggest KSM141. I don't understand why these aren't considered as modern classics. Well, by anyone other than me; I love the things. I have yet to find an application where they don't work, and work well. Both omni and cardioid at the twist of the cap. And the usual Shure workmanship, very well-made. I also agree that waiting to learn a bit more of what you really need is not a bad idea. Happy hunting! -09 |
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ericn
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Post by ericn on Jul 16, 2021 12:58:10 GMT -6
Well based on your choices Bill and I are in agreement. Wait, wait!!! Let me write this down...... I know isn’t it scary 😁 |
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Post by chessparov on Jul 16, 2021 20:54:15 GMT -6
87's might be a little too niche-y for general purpose mics. I've had great experiences with the Lewitt mics so I'd suggest them as great all-purpose LDCs. Aside from (maybe?) an 84... Aren't 87's Thee all purpose mic? Chris |
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ericn
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Post by ericn on Jul 16, 2021 20:56:34 GMT -6
87's might be a little too niche-y for general purpose mics. I've had great experiences with the Lewitt mics so I'd suggest them as great all-purpose LDCs. Aside from (maybe?) an 84... Aren't 87's Thee all purpose mic? Chris Well there is the 414! |
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Post by chessparov on Jul 16, 2021 22:31:03 GMT -6
And out of the 24 versions of the 414... The Academy Award for Best Supporting role, in a major Studio goes to... Wait it's a tie! The Lewitt and the Austrian Audio. Chris |
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ericn
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Post by ericn on Jul 17, 2021 5:57:13 GMT -6
And out of the 24 versions of the 414... The Academy Award for Best Supporting role, in a major Studio goes to... Wait it's a tie! The Lewitt and the Austrian Audio. Chris C12A was robbed as he rushes the stage and steals the mic from Taylor, I mean Chris Swiftly 😁 |
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Post by antipodesjosh on May 29, 2023 6:04:55 GMT -6
Bringing this thread back from the dead 💀⚡️Looks like I’m due a tax refund this year, so it’s shopping time.
My mic collection so far:
- Vanguard v13
- Beesneez BU87ic
- Austrian Audio OC818
- Austrian Audio OC18
- Austrian Audio CC8 (pair)
- Telefunken M80-SH
- Beyerdynamic TG D70
- Beyerdynamic TG D71c
What I feel I’m missing:
- a good all-purpose dynamic. The m80 is a killer snare mic so it lives there.
- tom mics
- a ribbon or two (for strings and guitar cabs mostly)
Things on my radar as possible next purchases:
- AL95 or M160 (single or pair)
- An M88
- either M81s or the ATM230 pack for toms. Given recent price rises I’m not keen on risking m88s on toms 💸
Part of me wants to order a Bu67 given the very favourable reviews around here, but I’m still doing mostly live sound/live stream. I don’t know how often I’d use it, as much as I’d love to have one.
If you were to add to the locker, and had a budget around $2kUSD, what would you do?
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Post by sean on May 29, 2023 6:28:01 GMT -6
If you are doing a lot of live/streaming work and the band is all in the same room and isolation is important, M160’s work great in that regard. The Sennheiser MD441 is also a stellar dynamic for that purpose (but expensive).
I’m not sure if certain brand are more of a value in New Zealand but if the Austrian Audio stuff isn’t that expensive consider using OC18’s for toms. I use my AKG 414’s there all the time. I also find the Oktava MK-012-01 sets really useful with the cardioid and Omni capsule and pads.
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