Okay granted everyone wants that lovely RE20 or a SM7B but I am curious what all mics you have laying around for use?
I recently bought a MXL R150 ribbon mic which is the style of mic used in the golden days of radio and it sounds fantastic. It definitely adds a lot of boom and big radio sound to my voice while still articulating the high end. Some pics of it for those curious.. imgur.com/a/vz4yB
Sucker only cost $50 whereas the R144 MXL sells which is identical internally runs for twice as much, and it even comes with a shock mount and some other goodies. I know ribbons are not the go to for most broadcasters but I have a soft spot for them as they sound so natural to my ears.
Condensers are another story, they are incredible for taking a bit more beating (especially compared to ribbon types) but you have to watch out for sibilance which often requires some de-essing in the mic chain whereas ribbon mics remove that naturally. I really question which style of mic is more susceptible to RFI also but I suppose it depends on how well they are built and their preamp.
As far as your run of dynamics, I have a handful of them. Most of them are offbrand like Realistic with those weird part numbers, but were basically clones of their Shure 58a big brothers and they sound like it too.
I find it funny with most professional studios how there is a pecking order when it comes to micing up the people. The host always gets the high end mic and processing, the guests often get the hand held 58a clones, and people inbetween often get the usual cheap condensers. I get why now because when working in broadcast you often want your voice to sound a certain way and you find which mics over time sound best for yourself so being the host or such you get to make those decisions. It's not always because the host wants to make their puny voice sound big and cool, but rather from experience from awful mics they had to use in the past.
Anyways I am ranting. Check out the MXL line of mics. I can't believe they sell them so cheap and yet quality control is usually good. Great mics for the price. Love my new R150 though it's going to take some getting use to for its figure 8 pattern, but that can be quite useful too for micing two people with one microphone like old talk shows did back in the day before mics became a prop for TV shows. No affiliation with MXL by the way, just astounded I could buy a ribbon mic that cheap that sounds this good. This will make an incredible voice over mic too.
Let me know what you guys run, and hell may as well describe processing too if you use it. Curious what everyone uses for fun. I'll grab the popcorn.
Gotta admit...I DID break down earlier this year and get an RE20.....for a price I couldn't pass up!! But I also use 2 Shure SM57's....nothing fancy -- just a good, rugged, all-around mic that I use for "guests' at my station..... Processing.....well, again, because I got a SUPER deal on 'em, I have TWO Optimod 8000A's...one for the main, one for the aux transmitter!! These units were retired some years ago -- but were well-maintained and CAREFULLY STORED prior to their being pressed into service once more... RE: mics --- an RCA 77DX ribbon is on my short "bucket list".....but any out there in respectable shape command a stratospheric price!!
Post by HighMountainRadio on Jan 14, 2018 10:48:01 GMT -6
Greetings From High Mountain Radio Kage !
Here I currently use an AKG Model D8000M as my main mic and a Shure Model PGA48. Both sound very good, but I still lean towards the AKG when making station ID's, spots, so on. Most of my programming currently consists of music with periodic station ID's so don't really use a mic that often at this time..
I process both mics through a Xenyx Model 1002FX Stereo Effects Processor with built-in adjustable EQ which I tailor to get the just the right sound. The output then goes through a Tascam Model M-06ST Stereo Mixer and out to the ST-15B transmitter and on to the HPA @ 80 Watts max. Currently I've been letting it loaf at 50 watts which is adequate for my needs. It's a modified 'Techno-Labs' HPA brick. Originally it was purchased as a 50 watt brick but after I smoked the final because of a high VSWR that was accidentally overlooked, I replaced the final output MOSFET with a MaCom MRF173. Originally it came with a MaCom MRF171A installed. I currently use a Ground Plane but this week I will be making a J-Pole and see how that performs over the GP.. It seems quite a few individuals report better performance using the J-Pole..
73... Spooky...
"Knowledge Is Always Made More Valuable By Sharing It With Others !" Always Remember To Be Kind ! True Greatness Often Has Very Humble Beginnings ! Help A Kid Out Today ! *** High Mountain Radio *** "Broadcasting From Somewhere High In The Remote Appalachian Mountains"
Post by HighMountainRadio on Jan 14, 2018 10:50:22 GMT -6
By the way Kage, that is a very nice looking ribbon mic ! I'll have to look around and see where I can find one for the best price. I'd like to try one of those out !
Spooky...
"Knowledge Is Always Made More Valuable By Sharing It With Others !" Always Remember To Be Kind ! True Greatness Often Has Very Humble Beginnings ! Help A Kid Out Today ! *** High Mountain Radio *** "Broadcasting From Somewhere High In The Remote Appalachian Mountains"
By the way Kage, that is a very nice looking ribbon mic ! I'll have to look around and see where I can find one for the best price. I'd like to try one of those out !
Spooky...
Yeah it's still holding up well and seems to take a bit of abuse though I try to be careful with it given ribbons aren't something to bang around or sneeze at. I would recommend a clip on pop filter just to be safe. Found one for around $10 that clips to the shock mount so they aren't expensive at all. Only issue is the mic itself seems to be double the price now since I bought it. I guess they sold it for $50 at first to get people like me to snag them up and give them a test run but now you're looking at $100 unless you find a good deal. MXL in general is definitely a go-to brand for quality on a budget price.
Walmart was selling super cheap $5 karaoke microphones last I checked I bought up two of the SMM-205 model. 10' cord permanently connected, on/off switch, and all plastic besides the head basket, but for some outdoor or party use you won't miss one if they get broke by careless users. Funny thing is they sound decent and comparable to some of my more expensive stage mics, but obviously cheaply made.
Post by HighMountainRadio on Jan 20, 2018 7:35:22 GMT -6
Thanks very much for your advice Kage ! I agree, I shop the local thrift stores for good 'Monster' audio cables or other 'high end' components for the station and to help others who may not be located near one. If you or Void have any particular items on your bucket list that you would like me to keep an eye open for in my travels, by all means, let me know and I will keep you in mind as I tend to get around quite a bit. I also attend hamfests during the warmer months and as you know, that is a good place to shop, you just never know what you may find ! I really have never had the pleasure of using a ribbon mic and when I saw that you mentioned it, it piqued my interest ! Thanks once again for the helpful advice !
73... Spooky...
"Knowledge Is Always Made More Valuable By Sharing It With Others !" Always Remember To Be Kind ! True Greatness Often Has Very Humble Beginnings ! Help A Kid Out Today ! *** High Mountain Radio *** "Broadcasting From Somewhere High In The Remote Appalachian Mountains"
Post by "Skidmark" Fred Douglas on Oct 27, 2018 12:54:22 GMT -6
I’m low tech. I have been using a very cheap Behringer and corner loading my voice. For those of you not privy to really old recording tech I’m talking into a corner with both “sides” of the mic running. You might laugh at my cheapness, but I’m also pre-recording everything and processing through Cuebase LE. Top of the hour and bottom with good sound and LPF applied.
I use standart usb microphone. But recently I bought Audio-Technica, or A-T, has been known in the audio equipment industry as a premier maker of high-end electronic equipment for both recording and playback after reading article on whatever-tech.com/best-blue-yeti-alternatives-review/ I bought my deivice on amazon
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