One of our blog fanatics contacted us the other day and asked if we could write a post on audio recording for beginners. In recent years, equipment in project studios has gotten to be more sophisticated and intuitive, almost exacting the quality of professional studios at a fraction of the cost. The biggest factor in improving sound quality lies completely in the audio recording device. An upgrade to the microphone would instantly boost your audio recordings and save you time in post.
There’s no shortage of great-sounding microphones available right now, and it can be dizzying trying to figure out which model best suits your needs. A great way to start narrowing down your choices is to determine what kinds of sounds you’re primarily going to be recording. If you’re mainly recording vocals, a large diaphragm condenser microphone is usually a good starting point. If you’re going to be recording stringed instruments, a small diaphragm or a ribbon microphone are nice tools for the job. If you’re recording a rock band with a drums and amplifiers, your best bet is to use some tough dynamic microphones in conjunction with other kinds of mics. However, the most important factor to consider when picking out a microphone is your own personal impression of its sound.
Another way to start narrowing down your choices is to consider what kind of equipment you already have in your studio. If you already own some dynamic microphones, picking up a good condenser or two is the way to go. If you already own condensers and dynamics, then a ribbon microphone will really add some flavor to your recordings. If you’re just starting out and you don’t have a mixer or an audio interface yet, a USB microphone will enable you to start recording without having to buy any other gear.
USB Microphones
The AT2020USB, the Snowball and the Yeti USB microphones simplify the recording process.
What makes USB microphones different is that you don’t need a microphone preamp, an audio interface or even a microphone cable to use them. The preamp and audio interface are built into the microphones themselves. You can simply connect them to a computer with the included USB cable and start recording. Their convenience makes them really handy for veteran audio producers to have for portable recording.
There are different kinds of USB microphones available that suit different needs. Many (but not all) USB microphones come with a desk stand, which adds to their all-in-one appeal and suits the needs of podcasters. The majority of USB microphones are condensers, which are well suited for recording vocals and various instruments. Handheld dynamics are often thought of as the best multi-purpose microphones. TheSamson Q1UCW is the solution if you’re looking for a handheld dynamic USB microphone. The Samson Q2U is a hybrid USB mic that can act as both a USB and a regular analog microphone with an XLR output.
Vocal Microphones
Delight your ears with the JZ Black Hole BH-1S, the Telefunken AR-51, and the Neumann U87.
All microphones have a unique sound. You can think of them as different-colored paints on an artist’s palette. You can put one microphone on a sound source to capture a single color, or you can mix the sounds of two microphones together to get a unique blend. One area where you can really hear how a microphone reacts differently is on your own voice.
There are many microphones that have built a reputation for being dependably great sounding time and time again. One of the old favorites in recording studios around the world is the Neumann U87. Its presence is iconic. All you need to do is look at a U87 and superimpose the image of your favorite classic jazz singer crooning in front of it. This microphone has been used on so many timeless recordings that I don’t have to describe what it sounds like. You’re already intimately familiar with its sound.
Telefunken microphones are equally as well known in recording studios world wide, and have been for decades. Telefunken produces some of the finest tube microphones in the world. The AR-51 delivers smooth mid frequencies, with an open-sounding high end. You get the warm and pleasing harmonic distortion that good tube microphones bring, with a crisp high end to really capture the detail and emotion of a stellar vocal performance.
Named after the large black hole in its chassis, the JZ Black Hole BH-1S offers an innovative approach to large diaphragm condenser microphone design. The unusual hole in the center allows you to attach the included shock mount. The hole starts to make sense when you realize that the low profile shock mount allows you to position the BH-1S closer to sound sources than you could if it had a shock mount that jutted out in front of it. While the innovation is useful, what you should really concern yourself with is its sound. The dual gold sputtered capsules capture a clarity and depth that many vocalists and producers seek for recordings.
There are large diaphragm microphones that audio engineers reach for as often as a craftsman reaches for a hammer and a screwdriver. The AKG C 414 XLS is known for delivering a very authentic representation of the sound you hear in the room with your ears. Think of it as the “what you hear is what you get” microphone. When a producer has a female vocalist and they’re looking for an “airy” sound, they’ll often reach for a Blue Blueberrymicrophone. When you’re looking to pick up a mic that can get you that “classic microphone” sound, but you’re on a starving-artist budget, options like the Studio Projects C1, the MXL 2003A and the Blue Spark deliver awesome sound at a low price.
Multi-Purpose Microphones
Capture a variety of sounds with the Audio Technica AT4047SV, the Shure SM57 and the SM7B.
Many project studio owners need microphones that can cover a range of different sounds and instruments. If you have a limited number of microphone inputs on your audio interface, yet have a wide variety of sounds that you need to record, it’s a good idea to select a good workhorse microphone. Good multi-purpose microphones don’t necessarily have to be dynamic or condenser microphones; they could be either. While it’s true that many microphones adapt well to capturing a variety of different sounds, there are a few microphones that have carved out a reputation for being especially good at this.
One of the most reliable picks for a workhorse microphone is the Shure SM57. This is often the first microphone someone will buy when they start recording music. It’s a dynamic microphone that you can literally stick in front of anything and it usually sounds good. They’re a favorite for use on loud guitar amplifiers and drums. You can’t really go wrong with an SM57, especially if you have some nice outboard preamps to run them through.
The Shure SM7B has a similar model name to the popular SM57, but it’s a pretty different animal. It was designed as a broadcast voice-over microphone, but over the years it found its way into the recording studio where engineers discovered its true workhorse functionality. From its size and shape, you might assume the SM7B is a large diaphragm condenser, but this is not the case. It’s a large diaphragm dynamic microphone, so it doesn’t require phantom power to operate. You’ll find that this microphone does well on a variety of sounds, including vocals. One of the SM7B’s claims to fame is that it is the main vocal microphone used on Michael Jackson’sThriller album (which is still the best-selling album of all time).
If you’re interested in picking up a large diaphragm condenser, but you want something that will work in a variety of situations, the Audio Technica AT4047SV is an excellent choice. Audio Technica is known for manufacturing microphones that offer a good bang for the buck ratio, and the AT4047SV does its part to keep that reputation alive. Whether you’re doing voice-overs in video production or laying down instrument and vocal tracks in music production, the AT4047SV is a solid choice.
Add some smoothness with the Cascade C77, the Coles 4038, and the AT4080 ribbon mics.
Condenser microphones capture lively, shimmering high frequencies that add air to a track, and dynamic microphones have a round quality that capture a lot of character at unforgiving volumes. Ribbon microphones strike a nice balance between the two. Condenser microphones excel in the high frequencies and dynamics play well with bass sounds. Ribbon microphones bring a lot of character to the mids, and have the ability to smooth out sounds that would otherwise sound brash.
Ribbons make great multi-purpose mics. They shine on stringed instruments and horns, but they do equally wonderful things for vocals and other instruments. Ribbon mics were really popular in the early days of broadcasting and music recording. If you’re looking for that old-time character, the Cascade C77is a good way to go. The Coles 4038 has been a legendary tool in recording studios for a long time. The best way to find out why is to pick one up and start recording some music. The Audio Technica AT4080 is a newer design, and in our ribbon microphone shoot out it was my personal favorite on the cello.
If you’re recording loud bands with drums and amplifiers, a couple of great sounding and hard working dynamic mics to have are the AKG D40 and the Audix i5. Both of these microphones are strong performers. The i5 is great for people who already own an SM57 and are looking for something similar, yet different. The D40 rocks because its small size lets you sneak it into places larger mics can’t go. The D40 also sounds sweet on a kick drum. If you’re really looking to round out your microphone collection, a dedicated kick drum mic like the Audix D6 can do wonders for your low end.
I hope this article helps and if you have any more requests, let us know in the comment section below!
Images courtesy of B&H
Author: Sam Mallery
Editor: MC
