I was pointed to this channel by a friend. I am seriously happy with the first 3 videos and am super excited to get on with the next few videos. Thanks for making this available for free. It means a lot by taking hours of your life to share something that millions have a hard time figuring out on their own. Myself included.
Great video Warren, I really love your channel!It's incredibly useful and, for a 15 years old musician like me, who's just getting into recording, very helpful. Thank you very much for your videos and I look forward to the next one!!
Hi Warren, Just want to say thank you for doing this multi-part recording series. I just set my home rec studio up after two years of being stored. I was looking for inspiration to record some new material and you are a part of that inspiration. I am now looking forward to using the knowledge I am already learning from you to get great recordings at home. I am glad that this series will most likely fill in the gaps of things I didn't know all these years.That inspires me to want to write again. Thank you so much. Thank you so much!
Thanks very much tribunation! That's a wonderful thing, I am very glad I can be of help to you! Thanks very much for the comment I really appreciate it! Have a marvelous time recording, many thanks Warren
I applied what I learned from this video with superb results. I combined an AKG P170 and AKG C314 placing them XY+ right at speaker cloth, center of speaker. It tested the best. I learned that by combining 2 mics one can overcome the weaknesses of both and benefit from the strengths of both. Thanks for the vid!
Simply the best explanation about mics. I've ever heard. Thank you so much! Warren, how would you approach a pipe organ recording? Could you talk about that in a video? Something like "Special Ocasions Recording Series"?
Hi Warren, This is a great series of videos, thanks for doing this! I have a question for you (or any of the viewers who could enlighten me): what are the fundamental differences between small and large diaphragm condensers in terms of sound characteristics and application? Why would one prefer one over the other in certain applications?
Thanks for another great video, Warren. Maybe you can do a video of you tracking various things (guitar, drums, vocals - I know you have some of this already) that will show some of the tricks that is separate from the normal microphone recording techniques.
Hi Jed Wunderli absolutely I am definitely going to be do more videos on recording instruments. Thanks very much for the wonderful comment I really appreciate it! Have a marvelous time recording, many thanks Warren
I love your comment about the ubiquity of the 57... I recently watched a video with Bob Clearmountain and they were asking him about miking guitar cabs, and his response started with, "Ok, so you take a 57 and you (do this, that or the other)..." Also, your mention of the Ludwig Supraphonic-what a combination-that snare, I believe, has the distinction of being the most recorded snare ever, or so I've read. I have a blue and olive badge Supra from 1974, that I have owned since '86-there's just no other snare drum, far as I'm concerned, and I always seem to see drummers with this kit or that kit, but a Supraphonic snare. A real testament to Ludwig's timeless design! Thank you again for all that you do! Cheers, Victor
Thank you for your tip about overhead mics and how to remedy brittle-sounding rooms. My work around for this (in my situation, having a small drum room), was by using two dynamics instead of the typical small-diaphragm condensers in a spaced-pair configuration to kill the harsh highs. I compensated by having a single large-diaphragm condenser as a room mic six feet away, facing the drum kit at shoulder level. Your explanation helped me understand why it worked for me.
Brilliant stuff. Adding that ribbon to my mic list for sure. I've always had a had time getting a smooth tone using just a 57 (I always describe it as sounding like a packet of crisps), on a Strat through a 60 watt Fender Supersonic is just to top heavy. I think that blend will sound great. Cheers, Warren
Howard Hedger Another great budget English mic set to look at would be Red5 Audio. I have their tube condenser that I use for strings. Nice presence... Sorry, not English, Scottish.
Hi Howard Hedger thanks for the comment. Yes agreed a bright single coil guitar like a Strat through a bright sounding amp would definitely be a challenge for an SM57. I recorded Joe Perry on the last Aerosmith album and he also had a similar set up to yours on many of the songs and I ended up using the Sontronics Delta on his amp, I pulled back the mic around 18" and it gave me a much warmer sound than the traditional SM57, although I did blend the 57 in occasionally. Have a marvelous time recording, many thanks Warren
Hi Howard Hedger that sounds cool! I'll have to look them up as well. I really do find that makers such as Sontronics and Lewitt are making affordable high end sounding mics that perform extremely well compared to the traditional expensive mics and I personally use them every day. Thanks very much for commenting! Have a marvelous time recording, many thanks Warren
I'm learning a lot from your videos. Thanks for taking the time to share all your experience. I've been producing my own music for 2 years now and up until this point I've just kind of been winging it with experimentation without anyone to give me advice(Though I guess I could have consulted the interwebs long ago lol) I recently got a Blackstar amp so I went from recording my guitar tracks with simulators via USB (my last source of these being the Zoom G5), to miking my Blackstar amplifier. Got out my AKG condenser, played with the placement/settings, got a decent recording and compared it to the recordings from my simulated amps/distortion/effects patches AND HOLY SHIT! I'm so friggin stoked from the possibilities I have at my disposal now. Can't wait to delve further into the world of music production. Playing music has been a passion and discipline of mine since I can remember but producing is fairly new to me. Will be checking out the website frequently over the new few weeks as I rerecord all my music! cheers!
Hi +Danny K Thank you ever so much for your exceptionally kind words!! Great to hear your recording great tones!! Have a marvellous time recording and mixing, many thanks Warren
I bought a pack of and small and large diaphragm condensers for about 120 dollars last year. They sound fantastic. I've borrowed a friends super expensive condenser for a vocal track, and there wasn't as big of a difference as I was expecting.
Hi Jacob Toohey that's wonderful! Yes some inexpensive Mics can sound amazing! Frankly some expensive mics can sound not so good! Thanks very much for the comment I really appreciate it! Have a marvelous time recording, many thanks Warren
Great videos Warren and thank you so much for demistifying art of recording! Very pedagogical and down to the point. Best tutorials on internet, period! Amazing producer, teacher, and down to the earth guy.👍 Cheers from Sweden😀🍻
Hi Warren - great series on recording you've done, really helps to better understand the processes and fill in some gaps! On the subject of microphones - could you discuss their care and feeding a bit. Do they typically wear out over time and can/should they be repaired given the different types. Thanks!
Hi Buddy Martin great! Glad to be able to help! Thanks very much for the wonderful comment I really appreciate it! Have a marvelous time recording, many thanks Warren
Hey Warren, I just found your channel from your interview with Mr. Pensado. Great interview! Very similar type of channel, but videos like this are great. You're covering the foundation very well which is often overlooked. You fill in the gaps with stuff like this, I appreciate it. Thank you very much for this series of videos! Evan
Great lesson! Very useful info.I think I should invest in a ribbon mic to record my guitar amp, just for a bit of variety for layering. The Lewitt LCT 940 looks amazing. £1000 is too much for me at the mo.
You're really a good teacher, never boring :-) Could i ask again about mic type to record a Loud Tenor Sax..? I only own a BPM CR-10s ( Cardioïd Condenser THANKS ! ) that i use to pick vocals, But it tends to distort-Squeeze.. on certain part of the Sax register. I've tried multiple Mic positioning.. 60 cm from the neck.. right into the bell.. front of the mid keys.. even 1m overhead Haha.. Watching all your How to Record Lessons Right now. Thank you Warren.
Hi +Demon Ritchie Wow! Thanks for your extremely kind words!! I prefer to use dynamic mics on loud saxophones! Have a marvellous time recording and mixing, many thanks Warren
Hi Warren, Have been watching your videos for over a year now, and they've been super helpful. I'm looking for some suggestions on a decent pair of small diaphragm condensers. Probably in the $250-$500 range. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
Hi Ed, thanks for the great comment! Interesting question, there is many great mics in that price range, I believe Audio Technica and Lewitt make great mics in that price range! But there is a lot and most of them are quite incredible! Have a marvellous time recording and mixing, many thanks Warren
Such a great lesson, condensing (oh dear) so much technical reading down to simple to understand usefulness. I've used a cheapish large diaphragm as my main mic for years and then discovered the beauty of a small diaphragm condenser. So much more to discover.. and put into practice. Thanks so much for your superb video's imparting invaluable knowledge...
Hi hazybrain7 thanks very much for your kind words! I really appreciate it, so glad to be able to help! Have a marvelous time recording, many thanks Warren
Produce Like A Pro One more question if I may.. I'm using a focusrite saffire 56 which has 2 emulated pre-amps and 6 regular ones. To me they sound clean and do what I need. But I'm curious about spending well say about 1000 euro on a mic pre-amp, or less. It's a lot for me. Would I be better off just being musical with what I have or could it really benefit me, especially for recording vocals .. I'm thinking upping your game like that should only be done with some kind of commercial success, which I hope is in the works.. Thanks so much Warren..
Hi hazybrain7 thanks for the great question. I do like having at least one great mic pre for Vocals, guitar overdue etc. However there might be other things you might need first, what Vocal mic do you use? Have a marvelous time recording, many thanks Warren
Hi hazybrain7 thanks for the comment. I've used the Groove Tubes mics before and had great results. Have a marvelous time recording, many thanks Warren
Yes, good primer material for his later videos, I found this 16 lesson series very useful in understanding his later videos. Just re-watching a few of these older videos due to "lazy Sunday syndrome" ;0)
Great video! Though, a bit misleading to call out the $100 list price for the SM57, given that the rest of the signal chain Warren is describing for the classic rock guitar sound (i.e. the 1073 / 1176) will set you back another $5K, to say nothing of the Gold Top / Plexi being recorded... :D That said, the experience and knowledge you're sharing in these videos is priceless, Warren -- many thanks!
Thank you for these very informative videos. I'm an organ player, I would like to know how you would record a Leslie speaker. Which mic's, placement of mic's, and panning?
Thanks for doing these videos Warren. It's very helpful to us out here, who have no real idea where to start. I do have a mic question though. What type of mic handles a bass amp better? I know you usually do your bass as a DI but, if you were to mic a bass cabinet, what is your recommendation?
Hi Vraxx7 if you have a condenser I would recommend that because of it's extended frequency response, however be careful not to drive your amp to hard and overload the capsule. What are your mic choices? Thanks very much for the wonderful comment I really appreciate it! Have a marvelous time recording, many thanks Warren
Justin Vernon - Bon Iver created a hit album using a single SM57, a 1930s resonator and a 1960s Silvertone Archtop acoustic - Mac with Pro Tools LE and and Mbox interface. He won Grammy's. BUT, it depends on what kind of music you are making, this was perfect for folk music.
Hi, Warren. I know this video is several years old at this point, so you may not see this question, but in case you do: Have you done much recording of accordion? If so, which type of mic have you used (or would you recommend) to capture the admittedly sharp-edged reedy sound of the accordion, keeping the nuance, but perhaps taming the harshness? It would seem like a great time to use a ribbon mic since they naturally roll off the ultra-high frequencies and provide some smoothing to the sound. However, as primarily a musician and not a recording engineer per se, I don't have any other real need for a ribbon, and a decent one is quite costly for how little I would use it. Would it be worth considering something like a pair of pencil condensers with switchable low-pass filters to sort of tame the top end? (LA-120's, for example.) Or do you have another suggestion? Thanks in advance.
COULD YOU DO A VIDEO ON S.M.P.T.E. CONTROL AND SYNCHRONISATION. How to connect and set up for example with an Open reel Tascam maybe to DAW or machine to machine. I have a XR300.
Thank u warren for your time and effort of explanation videos. I’m starting a mid range studio with akg c414 mic. What would u recommend me for brass instruments ?
I've been using a Blue Spark Condenser Microphone on Flute. I'm classically trained but I produce kinda indie dreamwave/8 bit synths with Flowy Classical Flute on the top. I have a very warm/earthy and full sound but I have a hard time getting that across with my mic. I've compared my Flute sound to recordings that were done in my school's recital halls with their mics and it sounds totally different. I know that recording in a Recital Hall is totally different from recording in a closed off living room, but I'm working with what I've got. I was looking at the Shure Beta A87 Condenser Mic but I'm not sure. Have you ever worked with any Flutists before? Thank you so much everything that you do. Much Love from Florida.
Hi Luci, thanks for the great comment! Yes, when I've recorded Flutes I've used both large and small diaphragm mics. I would also say some Ribbon Mics can work. One of the challenges is understanding what the player is looking for, for instance for more breath I close mic to the edge blown area with a small diaphragm mic. However typically Micing the Flute can be more of an accent where I might go for a large diaphragm mic. Using a small dead room will be fine, you can always add reverb! I hope that helps?
warren Hello , I am beginner artistic producer of Argentina , thanks for your videos, me are my useful and improve every day my work. here in Argentina it is very difficult to get any kind of ribbon mics , some day could you recommend brands more of this kind of mics ?Thank you
Sm57 and Sm58 only differ in the shape of the basket. For live service it is THE microphone! I know none mic I have seen or used in live. I was once on a school concert and we used 25 sm58s.
One really important thing you left about about ribbons is they are easy to break because of the material inside the mic picking up sound. Also about phantom power on ribbon mics. Some actually require phantom power audio-technica has some www.audio-technica.com/cms/wired_mics/330bf5b3610f8f98/index.html . Anything other mics that don't need phantom power might damage the mic and it's not a good thing to test to see what happens if it doesn't say you need it. Taking care of your mic is really important. Fun fact: if you throw a SM-58 out of a helicopter 300 feet above ground it will still work ruclips.net/video/0VaS3W9k2vo/видео.html . Thats my little input of what i know that could help others looking that info which i looked out for when trying to pick a mic.
Hi blood lord thanks for the comment, I really appreciate it. Actually I did mention that I pull back Ribbon mics from the speaker due to high SPL. Agreed vintage Ribbon mics can't take Phantom power, luckily that isn't an issue with most modern mics and yes as you pointed out a lot of new Ribbon mics actually require Phantom. It's definitely minefield out there with loads of different and conflicting mic information, I really appreciate you taking the time and commenting! Have a marvelous time recording, many thanks Warren
I have used a 1959 Unidyne 545 Vintage Dynamic Mic for my iPhone video recording with the assistance of my Zoom H4N acting as a mic preamp. For a 59 year old mic, it makes my voice sound realistically clearer than the iPhone 7 builtin microphone. You would see and hear it on my rant video. You could check it out. Cheers, Flood!
As great as ever! What do you think about the RODE mics? Especially the new Nt1. Do I need a more expensive one for great vocals and acoustic guitar? Thank you!
Hi Valentin L The Rode is a great starter mic! Many wonderful recordings have been made with it, if you upgrade then the Rode will definitely be a mic you can use forever. I'm a big fan of the Lewitt's because they are extremely consistent, a pair bought at different times are always perfectly matched, so to me that seems like a great long term investment. Also as other people are pointing out there a wide range of amazing sounding mics out there, it's definitely not necessary to spend a fortune to get amazing results! Have a marvelous time recording, many thanks Warren
What do you think of SE Electronics. They seem to be getting reviews where the results, in terms of frequency response and sound clips are comparable to mics twice the price. I bought an SE XT tube condenser and think it sounds great on vocals and acoustic guitar, especially for the price.
Great video Warren for a newbie in the recording world such as myself! Quick question to you/anyone else, I've a couple of 58s knocking round and know there seems to be a timeless debate on their similarities/differences with 57s, but can I get away with a 58 for recording instruments or is it worth investing in a 57? Any clarifications or recommendations on this "trick" of unscrewing the ball screen at the end of the 58 to simulate a 57-ish sound? Cheers, Harry
Hi +Seer73 That's an interesting question! I have only ever owned SM 57's so I can't speak with any authority! I remember being told that the mics were essentially the same, but I would suggest a quick look at Shure's web site for some clarification? Happy New Year! Have a marvellous time recording, many thanks Warren
An interesting thing I observed about sample rates is that I was able to achieve lower recording latency with higher sample rates. At 44.1k, for instance, I could get down to 205 sample (ASIO) before breaking up. But with 96k I could get to 300 samples, which at that rate was far less latency time in milliseconds. (Don't do the math, I just pulled examples from thin air to illustrate. Mileage will vary per system.) I've talked to some experts about why this happens and the best we could come up with is processor scheduling. Of course, I later learned about hardware direct monitoring and the wet reverb signal trick. (using the latency as the pre-delay on the pure wet reverb for wet monitoring.) Still, when recording guitar through Guitar Rig over an audio track it helps to get that latency way down... but then that issue is beginning to be a thing of the past with super fast USB 3.1a and Thunderbolt..
Hi +L. Scott Music Thanks for the great info!! Yes the new Clarett range with Thunderbolt will have zero latency. Have a marvellous day time recording and mixing, many thanks Warren
+Produce Like A Pro Of course there is still the system latency that is determined by the computer's processing power. After four cores, GHz is king. Although I'm sure your audience has done their CPU research already.
Im really really Intrested in getting the Neumann U-87, But it is way beyond how much I can Spend with out being Homeless. Is the Warm Audio wa-87 or any other mic in the u-87 model worth considering untill I can Afford the Nuemann. I have there tlm 102 and I Love it.
Hi Tim Adams I would definitely use anything handy, a cushion, things that will break up the inside. I'm not looking at it, but if I were I might have a better idea of how to make the inside a little more irregular. Honestly I would use common sense and see what you can do. Thanks very much for the comment I really appreciate it! Have a marvelous time recording, many thanks Warren
Hi Warren. Thanks so much for doing this lesson series, very informative. I'm recording my band and at the moment we have only pretty budget recording gear so I'm looking into investing. So, the SM57 and a Lewitt LCT 550 looks like a good start for mics, and a single channel mic pre to beef up the vocals and add a bit of character. For the preamp I'm considering your recommendation of the BAE 1073 DMP or I'm also looking at the Universal Audio Solo/610 for that tube sound. Any thoughts on the Solo/610? Now when it comes to recording the drums, getting a decent set of mics is going to have to wait and we'll have to use the fairly budget set our drummer has already. Obviously, once I get the SM57 and the LCT 550, I can utilise these as part of the drum mic setup, so how would you add these 2 into a budget set? Like, use the SM57 on the snare and the LCT 550 on...hmmm...a 3rd central overhead? The hihat? The kick?? Also, what about utilising 1 mic preamp (as mentioned, the UA Solo 610 or the BAE 1073 DMP) for the whole drums? Is there any point in even attempting to do this? I suppose I could route the kick or snare via the preamp then into the mixer with the other drum mics? The mixer we're using is a Behringer XR18 digital mixer which doubles up as an audio interface and has mic preamps on 16 of the 18 channels, but I'm wondering about getting the most out of that one 'expensive' preamp and using it as an effect post recording (effects send?), or even just re-recording each drum track separately with each track going through the preamp, again, post initial recording. Apologies for bundling questions on various topics into one post!
Hi Warren, just started watching all of your videos and I'm learning a ton! Wanted to ask your opinion on MXL condensers. For any purpose, whether it's overheads on drums or guitar amps. Mainly for hard rock though.
Hi max, that's fantastic to hear! I'm so glad to be able to help!! I haven't personally used MXL Condenser Microphones, I hear good things considering their price range! I would personally recommend the Lewitt PCT 240, but it may be too much? Have a marvellous time recording and mixing, many thanks Warren
great video Boss ! I improve a lot of your videos , in fact when i record my voice get like bass and i reduce the bass with EQ is that normal ? correct me if im wrong
Hi candy par it depends on your voice, but be aware if you have the mic right up against your mouth it will be the bassiest because of the proximity effect. Thanks very much for commenting I really appreciate it! Have a marvelous time recording, many thanks Warren
If I should get one good mic for bongo, Conga, snare, shaker, hat and ride what would that be? The only thing I have is a field recorder (Zoom H5 with it's default XY type condenser mic).
What do you look for or recommend in an affordable mic pre? I use a digital soundcraft mixer as my interface, how decent would you consider the built in preamps?
Thanks for the quick reply Warren. The only condenser I have is an MXL-V250. I picked it up from a local store that had a nice flow of used equipment, for about $45.00. I think new it was a $150-$200 mic. Do you have any suggestions for a fairly inexpensive option?
Hi Vraxx7 thanks for the great question. What is your budget? There a lot of great mics around $400-500 if that's your next step. Let me know, have a marvelous tie recording! Many thanks Warren
Hi chris kaspar I'm a big fan of the EV RE20, that's a great mic, I would use it for guitar amps, bass amps etc and even on a kick drum. The C1000, I used to have one, is ok, nice mic, but honestly not really a vocal mic in my opinion. However it is a good all around mic and would be great on acoustic guitar, hihat etc and definitely a good starting off vocal mic. Thanks very much for the wonderful comment I really appreciate it! Have a marvelous time recording, many thanks Warren
Hi +tylercox2 I know CAD make very affordable stuff that's great quality! I don;t this particular model, but it could be great! Have a marvellous time recording, many thanks Warren
Hey Warren! Great video on the different mics. I am looking at upgrading my vocal mic locker for my studio and would love some thoughts! I wasn't familiar with the Lewitt until I started checking out your videos and so I've looked at some of them. Here's what I have: Shure SM57 Shure SM7 EV RE20 AKG 414 XLII SE 4400 I was thinking of getting the U87. Do you think that would be a good addition, or do you have any other recommendations? Thanks!!
Hey Warren, curious about the 57->1073->1176 chain you spoke about in the video used in the late 60's on guitar. Can you suggest a general starting point, settings wise for the 1176? Thanks!
Hi ***** I own all these mics I use in the videos, I use them all every day. Thanks very much for the comment I really appreciate it! Have a marvelous time recording, many thanks Warren
What are your thoughts on Electret `Mikes,if one is on a low budget for instance,they seem to be popular here in France,I find them on Carboot sales,vide greniers. Good info Thank you!. My favourite Mike is my Apple and Biscuit do you have one, if so, is it wired balance or unbalanced?
Hi Warren, A simple question for you. Why would you buy an expensive ($2000+) mic, when all we are dealing with are frequencies, that can be adjusted by parametric eq , plugins and effects?
Hey Warren, When you were speaking about micing with a ribbon and an SM57 on the guitar cab. Obviously the phase correlation is different! So do you re-align the phase when they go into the box through minor time delay adjustments?
Hi Luke Mansell-ward thanks for the great question, yes I print two separate tracks, if there is a need to time adjust files I will do it then. Obviously if it's a long way back and intended as a room or ambient mic then I wouldn't pull it forward. Have a marvellous time recording, many thanks Warren
Hi +Marcus Cordock Great question! If it's not your only source then yes a 57 would give you some edge that you could blend with your DI, but if you're looking for some bottom end and it's your only source for the Bass I would look at a large diaphragm condenser or a mic such as D12 or another Dynamic suitable for adding extra bass. Have a marvellous time recording, many thanks Warren
+Produce Like A Pro Thanks for your quick reply Warren. Yes i'll be blending DI from my Sans Amp Tech 21 NYC Driver. I was just hoping to capture a bit of the cab too. Will try the 57 First. How do you feel about an Electro Voice RE20 as a starter for all round?
Hi +Steve Berry Great question! I know the Cloudlifter is great for ribbon mics, I haven't tried or heard it on an SM7 etc. I imagine that on very low level signal sources it would quite useful. Thanks very much I really appreciate it! Have a marvellous time recording, many thanks Warren
Hi Warren, based on your recommendation of Lewitt mics, I just picked up a new Lewitt LCT240 for $179 on clearance. Normally $299. I'll try it out. Have you experience with this particular mic from Lewitt?
Hi tribunation that's great! I use my LCT240 on acoustic guitar quite a lot! Sounds great! Let me know how you get on with it! Thanks very much for the comment I really appreciate it! Have a marvelous time recording, many thanks Warren
Hi tribunation thanks for the great question. Many 'scream' singers I've worked with create that sound at low volumes, so if your guy is then a standard condenser like the LCT240 would be perfect. But if they really do SCREAM! then I would use a dynamic mic, like an SM7 or even an SM57! Let me know how you get on, have a marvelous time recording, many thanks Warren
Hi warren I’ve been recording Paino with a sm57 into my presonus AudioBox 96 and I’ve been having trouble getting enough gain. Do you think a fethead would be a good improvement or do you have any better budget recommendations?
Hi tribunation thanks for the great question. I've used the Sennheiser e609 on guitars before and it sounded great! Have a marvelous time recording, many thanks Warren
Hey ! I'm recording electric guitar with a Fame MS57, I'm thinking about getting a Shure SM57 someday, but I never tried one. does it worth the price of upgrading from Fame to Shure ? :) Awesomely clear videos btw, I really like them, I'm begginer at recording and it helps me a lot !!
Hi Matthieu Oliver thanks for the compliment! Really glad I can be of help! I don't know the Fame Mic, however if you make great music with it then that's all that matters. I try not to get caught up with the gear snob thing, luckily an SM57 isn't too expensive, so it might be a good addition long term for you. Thanks very much for the comment I really appreciate it! Have a marvelous time recording, many thanks Warren
PS, actually. I do have a PZM also, and a couple of others I havent used much..but the AKG and SM57 are the main ones that I use, I may pick up a Shure PG52 since they are good for Bass Cabs(and of course Kicks)
i really want to get a hi hat for my trance production. i dont really like electronic hats and id prefer to bash some sticks in varoius patterns... im a self taught drummer 😊 so im guessing a ribbon is the best choice?? what would you recomend for a poor man haha plus id like to play with some acaustic guitar stuff some its got to be multi purpose i guess
Hello I am currently using a 6x8 whisper room. in which it is fully treated and I do everything from acoustic guitar, vocals, etc. However I notice with singers i get a odd nasal sound/ring which it appears to be around the 1-2k range.. my question is, is there something i should place in this whisper room that might help as i have tried to position the mic many different ways, or might there be a specfic type of mic that might tame that down... i am lost with this... I use a Neuman TLM 102, Blue Bird and a old Marshal Mic,,, i do have a ribbon which is a royer 101A but i have never used it on a vocalist before... anyways thanks for your time.. and love the videos....
Hi Tim Adams thanks for the great question. I have had the same issues with the 'whisper room' myself in the past. I find it to be great for isolation but it does have an inherent hard sound to it caused by standing waves, you'll have to break it up a little inside. You may just want to pad it down a bit to try and soften some of those mid range problems. Are you using the Whisper Room because you have a lot of bleed issues? As far as mics are concerned obviously C12s or 251 have a much softer mid range but honestly even buying a clone seems like a waste of money where it's probably the standing waves inside of the booth that are causing the problem. Have a marvelous time recording, many thanks for your comment, I really appreciate it! Warren
Produce Like A Pro thanks for the info... it is due to bleed.. My concern also is I would like to record electric guitars by placing the amp in there (i haven't tried it yet) however not sure what i am going to get. I am starting to get clients who want to use me to write songs for them and record them and mix for them etc etc, so i am trying to figure this stuff out. Again thanks for the help. I really appreciate the reply..
Hi Tim Adams thanks for the response. I would definitely try and break it up a little inside the booth, that will help. But honestly I have add issues with them before, Steven Tyler had one in his home studio and we also had an AKGC12 in there and it still sounded really nasally to me. As far as electric guitar amps are concerned I don't think that will be as big of an issue because it will be loud and close mic'ed. Have a marvelous time recording, many thanks for your comment, I really appreciate it! Warren
Thank you for all the time you put into your channel. It is extremely good. Quick question. I am a classical guitarist and want to upgrade my mike for recording purposes (not for playing live). I currently use a Rode NT1-A. What would e a good upgrade up to a $1000.00 price point? Any suggestions?
Hi wardcheryldarcie Thanks very much for your great comment I really appreciate it! I really like Lewitt Mics for the price, really fantastic mics! Have a marvellous time recording, many thanks Warren
Dear Warren - you get put on an island with no return and can only take 1 type of each mic. What do you take? (nevermind why you would take mics if you're on a deserted island)
Hi Warren a great video once again :) I'm based in London :D, Anywho, As a composer for media I need to record anything from overdubs all the way up to small orchestras, what do you think to my selection of mics ? Rode Nt2a , Two of them Matched pair of Nt4 (a new version of the NT5) Sm57 SEelectronics X1 D GAK Ribbon Mic Mk3 many thanks :)
Hi BevecLighting that looks like a great selection of mics to me! You can add higher quality condensers as you go and these ones will always be great mics to have in your collection. Have a marvelous time recording, many thanks Warren
Hi noreaction my main Lewitt Mic is the LCT240 I use for Acoustic guitars and Overheads and it was $249. The LCT is their most expensive 2 in 1 mic, it's a Tube and Fet Mic in one but you'd have to spend a lot more money to beat it. Have a marvelous time recording, many thanks Warren
It’s crazy how these videos have less than 200 comments. You’d think more people would want to soak in your knowledge considering everyone you’ve worked with
These videos are little gems - informative, detailed but not boring at all. Thanks a lot for sharing them with us.
Hi +Torben Fugger Thank you very much indeed! Have a marvellous time recording and mixing, many thanks Warren
I'm so glad there is a pro who puts up these awsome free instructional videos.
Hi Folly Den Toom thank you ever so much for your kind words! Have a marvellous time recording, many thanks Warren
very rare indeed.
I was pointed to this channel by a friend. I am seriously happy with the first 3 videos and am super excited to get on with the next few videos.
Thanks for making this available for free. It means a lot by taking hours of your life to share something that millions have a hard time figuring out on their own. Myself included.
Great video Warren, I really love your channel!It's incredibly useful and, for a 15 years old musician like me, who's just getting into recording, very helpful. Thank you very much for your videos and I look forward to the next one!!
Hi +Michele Dimitri Thank you very much!! I;m very glad to be able to help! Have a marvellous time recording and mixing, many thanks Warren
Shure SM57 "most used microphone in the world." | 0:55
Lewiston LCT 940 Condenser | 4:40
Sontronics Delta - Ribbon | 10:02
This channel is great and I appreciate the content. Thanks for getting straight to the point with such useful information.
Thanks ever so much
Hi Warren,
Just want to say thank you for doing this multi-part recording series. I just set my home rec studio up after two years of being stored. I was looking for inspiration to record some new material and you are a part of that inspiration. I am now looking forward to using the knowledge I am already learning from you to get great recordings at home. I am glad that this series will most likely fill in the gaps of things I didn't know all these years.That inspires me to want to write again. Thank you so much. Thank you so much!
Thanks very much tribunation! That's a wonderful thing, I am very glad I can be of help to you! Thanks very much for the comment I really appreciate it! Have a marvelous time recording, many thanks Warren
I applied what I learned from this video with superb results. I combined an AKG P170 and AKG C314 placing them XY+ right at speaker cloth, center of speaker. It tested the best. I learned that by combining 2 mics one can overcome the weaknesses of both and benefit from the strengths of both. Thanks for the vid!
Simply the best explanation about mics. I've ever heard. Thank you so much! Warren, how would you approach a pipe organ recording? Could you talk about that in a video? Something like "Special Ocasions Recording Series"?
this is so great , even better would ove to have heard a raw sample of each microphone
Hi Warren, This is a great series of videos, thanks for doing this!
I have a question for you (or any of the viewers who could enlighten me): what are the fundamental differences between small and large diaphragm condensers in terms of sound characteristics and application? Why would one prefer one over the other in certain applications?
Thanks for another great video, Warren. Maybe you can do a video of you tracking various things (guitar, drums, vocals - I know you have some of this already) that will show some of the tricks that is separate from the normal microphone recording techniques.
Hi Jed Wunderli absolutely I am definitely going to be do more videos on recording instruments. Thanks very much for the wonderful comment I really appreciate it! Have a marvelous time recording, many thanks Warren
I love your comment about the ubiquity of the 57... I recently watched a video with Bob Clearmountain and they were asking him about miking guitar cabs, and his response started with, "Ok, so you take a 57 and you (do this, that or the other)..." Also, your mention of the Ludwig Supraphonic-what a combination-that snare, I believe, has the distinction of being the most recorded snare ever, or so I've read. I have a blue and olive badge Supra from 1974, that I have owned since '86-there's just no other snare drum, far as I'm concerned, and I always seem to see drummers with this kit or that kit, but a Supraphonic snare. A real testament to Ludwig's timeless design! Thank you again for all that you do! Cheers, Victor
Thank you for your tip about overhead mics and how to remedy brittle-sounding rooms. My work around for this (in my situation, having a small drum room), was by using two dynamics instead of the typical small-diaphragm condensers in a spaced-pair configuration to kill the harsh highs. I compensated by having a single large-diaphragm condenser as a room mic six feet away, facing the drum kit at shoulder level. Your explanation helped me understand why it worked for me.
Brilliant stuff. Adding that ribbon to my mic list for sure. I've always had a had time getting a smooth tone using just a 57 (I always describe it as sounding like a packet of crisps), on a Strat through a 60 watt Fender Supersonic is just to top heavy. I think that blend will sound great. Cheers, Warren
Howard Hedger Another great budget English mic set to look at would be Red5 Audio. I have their tube condenser that I use for strings. Nice presence... Sorry, not English, Scottish.
Hi Howard Hedger thanks for the comment. Yes agreed a bright single coil guitar like a Strat through a bright sounding amp would definitely be a challenge for an SM57. I recorded Joe Perry on the last Aerosmith album and he also had a similar set up to yours on many of the songs and I ended up using the Sontronics Delta on his amp, I pulled back the mic around 18" and it gave me a much warmer sound than the traditional SM57, although I did blend the 57 in occasionally. Have a marvelous time recording, many thanks Warren
Hi Howard Hedger that sounds cool! I'll have to look them up as well. I really do find that makers such as Sontronics and Lewitt are making affordable high end sounding mics that perform extremely well compared to the traditional expensive mics and I personally use them every day. Thanks very much for commenting! Have a marvelous time recording, many thanks Warren
I'm learning a lot from your videos. Thanks for taking the time to share all your experience. I've been producing my own music for 2 years now and up until this point I've just kind of been winging it with experimentation without anyone to give me advice(Though I guess I could have consulted the interwebs long ago lol) I recently got a Blackstar amp so I went from recording my guitar tracks with simulators via USB (my last source of these being the Zoom G5), to miking my Blackstar amplifier. Got out my AKG condenser, played with the placement/settings, got a decent recording and compared it to the recordings from my simulated amps/distortion/effects patches AND HOLY SHIT! I'm so friggin stoked from the possibilities I have at my disposal now. Can't wait to delve further into the world of music production. Playing music has been a passion and discipline of mine since I can remember but producing is fairly new to me. Will be checking out the website frequently over the new few weeks as I rerecord all my music! cheers!
Hi +Danny K Thank you ever so much for your exceptionally kind words!! Great to hear your recording great tones!! Have a marvellous time recording and mixing, many thanks Warren
I bought a pack of and small and large diaphragm condensers for about 120 dollars last year. They sound fantastic. I've borrowed a friends super expensive condenser for a vocal track, and there wasn't as big of a difference as I was expecting.
Hi Jacob Toohey that's wonderful! Yes some inexpensive Mics can sound amazing! Frankly some expensive mics can sound not so good! Thanks very much for the comment I really appreciate it! Have a marvelous time recording, many thanks Warren
I am loving your 'how to record' series. Thank you very much.
Great videos Warren and thank you so much for demistifying art of recording! Very pedagogical and down to the point. Best tutorials on internet, period!
Amazing producer, teacher, and down to the earth guy.👍
Cheers from Sweden😀🍻
Aw shucks ChrystAL Sahacic thanks very much! I really appreciate it! Have a marvellous time recording, many thanks Warren
This is great advice for someone wanting to get into sound production. Cheers.
Hi +smargle fwargle Thanks very much for your great comment I really appreciate it! Have a marvellous time recording, many thanks Warren
Just watching this now in 2019. Great video. Thanks so much for all of your vast knowledge. My regards.
Great content Warren! I really appreciate you taking the time to make these videos. Thank you so much!
Loving your content, my man. Thank you.
Thanks ever so much!!
Thanks for these videos Warren, you are an absolute legend!
Hi Warren - great series on recording you've done, really helps to better understand the processes and fill in some gaps! On the subject of microphones - could you discuss their care and feeding a bit. Do they typically wear out over time and can/should they be repaired given the different types. Thanks!
Great stuff Warren, thanks! Nice to hear a lot of what I've only read about.
Hi Buddy Martin great! Glad to be able to help! Thanks very much for the wonderful comment I really appreciate it! Have a marvelous time recording, many thanks Warren
Hey Warren,
I just found your channel from your interview with Mr. Pensado. Great interview! Very similar type of channel, but videos like this are great. You're covering the foundation very well which is often overlooked. You fill in the gaps with stuff like this, I appreciate it. Thank you very much for this series of videos!
Evan
Great lesson! Very useful info.I think I should invest in a ribbon mic to record my guitar amp, just for a bit of variety for layering. The Lewitt LCT 940 looks amazing. £1000 is too much for me at the mo.
Hi mrbsred1 Yes Sontronics make very affordable Ribbon Mics, I love using them!! Have a marvellous time recording, many thanks Warren
You're really a good teacher, never boring :-) Could i ask again about mic type to record a Loud Tenor Sax..? I only own a BPM CR-10s ( Cardioïd Condenser THANKS ! ) that i use to pick vocals, But it tends to distort-Squeeze.. on certain part of the Sax register. I've tried multiple Mic positioning.. 60 cm from the neck.. right into the bell.. front of the mid keys.. even 1m overhead Haha.. Watching all your How to Record Lessons Right now. Thank you Warren.
Hi +Demon Ritchie Wow! Thanks for your extremely kind words!! I prefer to use dynamic mics on loud saxophones! Have a marvellous time recording and mixing, many thanks Warren
Hi Warren,
Have been watching your videos for over a year now, and they've been super helpful. I'm looking for some suggestions on a decent pair of small diaphragm condensers. Probably in the $250-$500 range. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
Hi Ed, thanks for the great comment! Interesting question, there is many great mics in that price range, I believe Audio Technica and Lewitt make great mics in that price range! But there is a lot and most of them are quite incredible! Have a marvellous time recording and mixing, many thanks Warren
Such a great lesson, condensing (oh dear) so much technical reading down to simple to understand usefulness. I've used a cheapish large diaphragm as my main mic for years and then discovered the beauty of a small diaphragm condenser. So much more to discover.. and put into practice. Thanks so much for your superb video's imparting invaluable knowledge...
Hi hazybrain7 thanks very much for your kind words! I really appreciate it, so glad to be able to help! Have a marvelous time recording, many thanks Warren
Produce Like A Pro One more question if I may.. I'm using a focusrite saffire 56 which has 2 emulated pre-amps and 6 regular ones. To me they sound clean and do what I need. But I'm curious about spending well say about 1000 euro on a mic pre-amp, or less. It's a lot for me. Would I be better off just being musical with what I have or could it really benefit me, especially for recording vocals .. I'm thinking upping your game like that should only be done with some kind of commercial success, which I hope is in the works.. Thanks so much Warren..
Hi hazybrain7 thanks for the great question. I do like having at least one great mic pre for Vocals, guitar overdue etc. However there might be other things you might need first, what Vocal mic do you use? Have a marvelous time recording, many thanks Warren
Produce Like A Pro I'm using Groove Tube Fet Large diaphragm condenser the GT55. Mostly on deep and loud male vox. Thanks as ever Warren.
Hi hazybrain7 thanks for the comment. I've used the Groove Tubes mics before and had great results. Have a marvelous time recording, many thanks Warren
GREAT VIDEOS WARREN
great Mic primer & studio / recording use. Having fun learning from your “How To” Series - Thx for articulting your expertise so clearly. Cheers!
Yes, good primer material for his later videos, I found this 16 lesson series very useful in understanding his later videos.
Just re-watching a few of these older videos due to "lazy Sunday syndrome" ;0)
I have a few ADK mics that I love.
Hi Ronny George I will have to try those out. Have a marvelous time recording, many thanks Warren
Great lesson, thank you, Warren!
Great video! Though, a bit misleading to call out the $100 list price for the SM57, given that the rest of the signal chain Warren is describing for the classic rock guitar sound (i.e. the 1073 / 1176) will set you back another $5K, to say nothing of the Gold Top / Plexi being recorded... :D That said, the experience and knowledge you're sharing in these videos is priceless, Warren -- many thanks!
Thank you for these very informative videos. I'm an organ player, I would like to know how you would record a Leslie speaker. Which mic's, placement of mic's, and panning?
Very interesting mic info!
thank you very much it is as clear as usual.
Thanks for doing these videos Warren. It's very helpful to us out here, who have no real idea where to start. I do have a mic question though. What type of mic handles a bass amp better? I know you usually do your bass as a DI but, if you were to mic a bass cabinet, what is your recommendation?
Hi Vraxx7 if you have a condenser I would recommend that because of it's extended frequency response, however be careful not to drive your amp to hard and overload the capsule. What are your mic choices? Thanks very much for the wonderful comment I really appreciate it! Have a marvelous time recording, many thanks Warren
Justin Vernon - Bon Iver created a hit album using a single SM57, a 1930s resonator and a 1960s Silvertone Archtop acoustic - Mac with Pro Tools LE and and Mbox interface.
He won Grammy's. BUT, it depends on what kind of music you are making, this was perfect for folk music.
Hi, Warren. I know this video is several years old at this point, so you may not see this question, but in case you do:
Have you done much recording of accordion? If so, which type of mic have you used (or would you recommend) to capture the admittedly sharp-edged reedy sound of the accordion, keeping the nuance, but perhaps taming the harshness? It would seem like a great time to use a ribbon mic since they naturally roll off the ultra-high frequencies and provide some smoothing to the sound. However, as primarily a musician and not a recording engineer per se, I don't have any other real need for a ribbon, and a decent one is quite costly for how little I would use it. Would it be worth considering something like a pair of pencil condensers with switchable low-pass filters to sort of tame the top end? (LA-120's, for example.) Or do you have another suggestion? Thanks in advance.
COULD YOU DO A VIDEO ON S.M.P.T.E. CONTROL AND SYNCHRONISATION. How to connect and set up for example with an Open reel Tascam maybe to DAW or machine to machine. I have a XR300.
Thank u warren for your time and effort of explanation videos. I’m starting a mid range studio with akg c414 mic.
What would u recommend me for brass instruments ?
I've been using a Blue Spark Condenser Microphone on Flute. I'm classically trained but I produce kinda indie dreamwave/8 bit synths with Flowy Classical Flute on the top. I have a very warm/earthy and full sound but I have a hard time getting that across with my mic. I've compared my Flute sound to recordings that were done in my school's recital halls with their mics and it sounds totally different. I know that recording in a Recital Hall is totally different from recording in a closed off living room, but I'm working with what I've got. I was looking at the Shure Beta A87 Condenser Mic but I'm not sure. Have you ever worked with any Flutists before? Thank you so much everything that you do. Much Love from Florida.
Hi Luci, thanks for the great comment! Yes, when I've recorded Flutes I've used both large and small diaphragm mics. I would also say some Ribbon Mics can work. One of the challenges is understanding what the player is looking for, for instance for more breath I close mic to the edge blown area with a small diaphragm mic. However typically Micing the Flute can be more of an accent where I might go for a large diaphragm mic. Using a small dead room will be fine, you can always add reverb! I hope that helps?
Thanks for replying! I love your videos so much. I'll definitely experiment more with mic placements. And yay verb plug ins ^.^
warren Hello , I am beginner artistic producer of Argentina ,
thanks for your videos, me are my useful and improve every day my work.
here in Argentina it is very difficult to get any kind of ribbon mics ,
some day could you recommend brands more of this kind of mics ?Thank you
Sm57 and Sm58 only differ in the shape of the basket.
For live service it is THE microphone! I know none mic I have seen or used in live.
I was once on a school concert and we used 25 sm58s.
One really important thing you left about about ribbons is they are easy to break because of the material inside the mic picking up sound. Also about phantom power on ribbon mics. Some actually require phantom power audio-technica has some www.audio-technica.com/cms/wired_mics/330bf5b3610f8f98/index.html . Anything other mics that don't need phantom power might damage the mic and it's not a good thing to test to see what happens if it doesn't say you need it. Taking care of your mic is really important. Fun fact: if you throw a SM-58 out of a helicopter 300 feet above ground it will still work ruclips.net/video/0VaS3W9k2vo/видео.html .
Thats my little input of what i know that could help others looking that info which i looked out for when trying to pick a mic.
Hi blood lord thanks for the comment, I really appreciate it. Actually I did mention that I pull back Ribbon mics from the speaker due to high SPL. Agreed vintage Ribbon mics can't take Phantom power, luckily that isn't an issue with most modern mics and yes as you pointed out a lot of new Ribbon mics actually require Phantom. It's definitely minefield out there with loads of different and conflicting mic information, I really appreciate you taking the time and commenting! Have a marvelous time recording, many thanks Warren
Just Wow.
I have used a 1959 Unidyne 545 Vintage Dynamic Mic for my iPhone video recording with the assistance of my Zoom H4N acting as a mic preamp. For a 59 year old mic, it makes my voice sound realistically clearer than the iPhone 7 builtin microphone. You would see and hear it on my rant video. You could check it out. Cheers, Flood!
Thanks for the great insight! Thanks for sharing!
You are very welcome Warren! To make this work is that you need a lightning headphone adaptor for the iPhone 7 and above. Cheers, Flood!
As great as ever! What do you think about the RODE mics? Especially the new Nt1. Do I need a more expensive one for great vocals and acoustic guitar? Thank you!
Hi Valentin L The Rode is a great starter mic! Many wonderful recordings have been made with it, if you upgrade then the Rode will definitely be a mic you can use forever. I'm a big fan of the Lewitt's because they are extremely consistent, a pair bought at different times are always perfectly matched, so to me that seems like a great long term investment. Also as other people are pointing out there a wide range of amazing sounding mics out there, it's definitely not necessary to spend a fortune to get amazing results! Have a marvelous time recording, many thanks Warren
What do you think of SE Electronics. They seem to be getting reviews where the results, in terms of frequency response and sound clips are comparable to mics twice the price. I bought an SE XT tube condenser and think it sounds great on vocals and acoustic guitar, especially for the price.
What do you think about using a figure 8 as a room mic? Pointing the side of the mic towards the source to filter it out and get just reflections?
Hi ebbulk that's a fantastic idea! Let me know how it goes. Have a marvelous time recording, many thanks Warren
Great video Warren for a newbie in the recording world such as myself!
Quick question to you/anyone else, I've a couple of 58s knocking round and know there seems to be a timeless debate on their similarities/differences with 57s, but can I get away with a 58 for recording instruments or is it worth investing in a 57? Any clarifications or recommendations on this "trick" of unscrewing the ball screen at the end of the 58 to simulate a 57-ish sound?
Cheers,
Harry
Hi +Seer73 That's an interesting question! I have only ever owned SM 57's so I can't speak with any authority! I remember being told that the mics were essentially the same, but I would suggest a quick look at Shure's web site for some clarification? Happy New Year! Have a marvellous time recording, many thanks Warren
Hi +Tyler Mays Thanks for your insight!! Have a marvellous time recording and mixing, many thanks Warren
An interesting thing I observed about sample rates is that I was able to achieve lower recording latency with higher sample rates. At 44.1k, for instance, I could get down to 205 sample (ASIO) before breaking up. But with 96k I could get to 300 samples, which at that rate was far less latency time in milliseconds. (Don't do the math, I just pulled examples from thin air to illustrate. Mileage will vary per system.) I've talked to some experts about why this happens and the best we could come up with is processor scheduling. Of course, I later learned about hardware direct monitoring and the wet reverb signal trick. (using the latency as the pre-delay on the pure wet reverb for wet monitoring.) Still, when recording guitar through Guitar Rig over an audio track it helps to get that latency way down... but then that issue is beginning to be a thing of the past with super fast USB 3.1a and Thunderbolt..
Hi +L. Scott Music Thanks for the great info!! Yes the new Clarett range with Thunderbolt will have zero latency. Have a marvellous day time recording and mixing, many thanks Warren
+Produce Like A Pro Of course there is still the system latency that is determined by the computer's processing power. After four cores, GHz is king. Although I'm sure your audience has done their CPU research already.
Hi +L. Scott Music I'm sure there are many experts out there! Thanks for your insight! Have a marvellous time recording and mixing, many thanks Warren
Im really really Intrested in getting the Neumann U-87, But it is way beyond how much I can Spend with out being Homeless.
Is the Warm Audio wa-87 or any other mic in the u-87 model worth considering untill I can Afford the Nuemann.
I have there tlm 102 and I Love it.
I do have another question in regards to the whisper room. When you say break up the room/sound , are there any recommendations that you have?
Hi Tim Adams I would definitely use anything handy, a cushion, things that will break up the inside. I'm not looking at it, but if I were I might have a better idea of how to make the inside a little more irregular. Honestly I would use common sense and see what you can do. Thanks very much for the comment I really appreciate it! Have a marvelous time recording, many thanks Warren
Hi Warren. Thanks so much for doing this lesson series, very informative.
I'm recording my band and at the moment we have only pretty budget recording gear so I'm looking into investing. So, the SM57 and a Lewitt LCT 550 looks like a good start for mics, and a single channel mic pre to beef up the vocals and add a bit of character. For the preamp I'm considering your recommendation of the BAE 1073 DMP or I'm also looking at the Universal Audio Solo/610 for that tube sound. Any thoughts on the Solo/610?
Now when it comes to recording the drums, getting a decent set of mics is going to have to wait and we'll have to use the fairly budget set our drummer has already. Obviously, once I get the SM57 and the LCT 550, I can utilise these as part of the drum mic setup, so how would you add these 2 into a budget set? Like, use the SM57 on the snare and the LCT 550 on...hmmm...a 3rd central overhead? The hihat? The kick??
Also, what about utilising 1 mic preamp (as mentioned, the UA Solo 610 or the BAE 1073 DMP) for the whole drums? Is there any point in even attempting to do this? I suppose I could route the kick or snare via the preamp then into the mixer with the other drum mics? The mixer we're using is a Behringer XR18 digital mixer which doubles up as an audio interface and has mic preamps on 16 of the 18 channels, but I'm wondering about getting the most out of that one 'expensive' preamp and using it as an effect post recording (effects send?), or even just re-recording each drum track separately with each track going through the preamp, again, post initial recording.
Apologies for bundling questions on various topics into one post!
Hi Warren, just started watching all of your videos and I'm learning a ton! Wanted to ask your opinion on MXL condensers. For any purpose, whether it's overheads on drums or guitar amps. Mainly for hard rock though.
Hi max, that's fantastic to hear! I'm so glad to be able to help!! I haven't personally used MXL Condenser Microphones, I hear good things considering their price range! I would personally recommend the Lewitt PCT 240, but it may be too much? Have a marvellous time recording and mixing, many thanks Warren
great video Boss ! I improve a lot of your videos , in fact when i record my voice get like bass and i reduce the bass with EQ is that normal ? correct me if im wrong
Hi candy par it depends on your voice, but be aware if you have the mic right up against your mouth it will be the bassiest because of the proximity effect. Thanks very much for commenting I really appreciate it! Have a marvelous time recording, many thanks Warren
If I should get one good mic for bongo, Conga, snare, shaker, hat and ride what would that be? The only thing I have is a field recorder (Zoom H5 with it's default XY type condenser mic).
condenser mics seem better. what's the advantage of ever using a dynamic mic?
VIBRATIONS x
Hi AlexanderJohn Sutherland Have a marvellous time recording, many thanks Warren
What do you look for or recommend in an affordable mic pre? I use a digital soundcraft mixer as my interface, how decent would you consider the built in preamps?
Thanks for the quick reply Warren. The only condenser I have is an MXL-V250. I picked it up from a local store that had a nice flow of used equipment, for about $45.00. I think new it was a $150-$200 mic. Do you have any suggestions for a fairly inexpensive option?
Hi Vraxx7 thanks for the great question. What is your budget? There a lot of great mics around $400-500 if that's your next step. Let me know, have a marvelous tie recording! Many thanks Warren
Great vids Warren. What are your thoughts on the EvRe20. And the AKG c1000. Mics I have access to those. What would they be good for
Hi chris kaspar I'm a big fan of the EV RE20, that's a great mic, I would use it for guitar amps, bass amps etc and even on a kick drum. The C1000, I used to have one, is ok, nice mic, but honestly not really a vocal mic in my opinion. However it is a good all around mic and would be great on acoustic guitar, hihat etc and definitely a good starting off vocal mic. Thanks very much for the wonderful comment I really appreciate it! Have a marvelous time recording, many thanks Warren
Have you had any experience with the CAD Trion 7000? A friend suggested I pick it up as its very versatile.
Hi +tylercox2 I know CAD make very affordable stuff that's great quality! I don;t this particular model, but it could be great! Have a marvellous time recording, many thanks Warren
Hey Warren! Great video on the different mics. I am looking at upgrading my vocal mic locker for my studio and would love some thoughts! I wasn't familiar with the Lewitt until I started checking out your videos and so I've looked at some of them. Here's what I have:
Shure SM57
Shure SM7
EV RE20
AKG 414 XLII
SE 4400
I was thinking of getting the U87. Do you think that would be a good addition, or do you have any other recommendations? Thanks!!
13:10 "Golden Nugget" Advice
Hi +Gamaliel Rios Aw shucks! Thanks very much! Have a marvellous time recoding and mixing, many thanks Warren
Can’t believe this isn’t upvoted more. People pay a lot of money just to have this epiphany
This video still giving 5 years later
Hey Warren, curious about the 57->1073->1176 chain you spoke about in the video used in the late 60's on guitar. Can you suggest a general starting point, settings wise for the 1176? Thanks!
That silver ribbon microphone looks so nice. Do you own and keep these microphones or were they only there for the video? Just wondering.
Hi ***** I own all these mics I use in the videos, I use them all every day. Thanks very much for the comment I really appreciate it! Have a marvelous time recording, many thanks Warren
What are your thoughts on an SM7B mic for vocals vs a condenser?
What are your thoughts on Electret `Mikes,if one is on a low budget for instance,they seem to be popular here in France,I find them on Carboot sales,vide greniers. Good info Thank you!. My favourite Mike is my Apple and Biscuit do you have one, if so, is it wired balance or unbalanced?
Hi M. Huart, would you please elaborate the "old HiHat trick" you're describing around the 14:45 mark? Thanks for your videos!
Hi Warren, A simple question for you.
Why would you buy an expensive ($2000+) mic, when all we are dealing with are frequencies, that can be adjusted by parametric eq , plugins and effects?
12:58
Hey Warren, When you were speaking about micing with a ribbon and an SM57 on the guitar cab. Obviously the phase correlation is different! So do you re-align the phase when they go into the box through minor time delay adjustments?
Hi Luke Mansell-ward thanks for the great question, yes I print two separate tracks, if there is a need to time adjust files I will do it then. Obviously if it's a long way back and intended as a room or ambient mic then I wouldn't pull it forward. Have a marvellous time recording, many thanks Warren
What kind of mic would you put in front of a bass cab with 10" speakers? Would a 57 do a job?
Hi +Marcus Cordock Great question! If it's not your only source then yes a 57 would give you some edge that you could blend with your DI, but if you're looking for some bottom end and it's your only source for the Bass I would look at a large diaphragm condenser or a mic such as D12 or another Dynamic suitable for adding extra bass. Have a marvellous time recording, many thanks Warren
+Produce Like A Pro Thanks for your quick reply Warren. Yes i'll be blending DI from my Sans Amp Tech 21 NYC Driver. I was just hoping to capture a bit of the cab too. Will try the 57 First. How do you feel about an Electro Voice RE20 as a starter for all round?
Hi +Marcus Cordock The RE20 should give you more bottom end! Have a marvellous time recording, many thanks Warren
Hi Warren - do you have any thoughts about the Shure SM7Bs or other dynamic mics with boosters like Cloud Lifter or FetHead? Thx
Hi +Steve Berry Great question! I know the Cloudlifter is great for ribbon mics, I haven't tried or heard it on an SM7 etc. I imagine that on very low level signal sources it would quite useful. Thanks very much I really appreciate it! Have a marvellous time recording, many thanks Warren
Hi Warren, based on your recommendation of Lewitt mics, I just picked up a new Lewitt LCT240 for $179 on clearance. Normally $299. I'll try it out. Have you experience with this particular mic from Lewitt?
Hi tribunation that's great! I use my LCT240 on acoustic guitar quite a lot! Sounds great! Let me know how you get on with it! Thanks very much for the comment I really appreciate it! Have a marvelous time recording, many thanks Warren
Any mic suggestions for high volume/pressure "screamo" black metal cookie monster style vocals? Lol. Rode NT1? Well my Lewitt LCT 240 work for that?
Hi tribunation thanks for the great question. Many 'scream' singers I've worked with create that sound at low volumes, so if your guy is then a standard condenser like the LCT240 would be perfect. But if they really do SCREAM! then I would use a dynamic mic, like an SM7 or even an SM57! Let me know how you get on, have a marvelous time recording, many thanks Warren
Hi warren
I’ve been recording Paino with a sm57 into my presonus AudioBox 96 and I’ve been having trouble getting enough gain. Do you think a fethead would be a good improvement or do you have any better budget recommendations?
Your opinion on the Sennheiser e609?
Hi tribunation thanks for the great question. I've used the Sennheiser e609 on guitars before and it sounded great! Have a marvelous time recording, many thanks Warren
Hey Warren, can the condenser mics be used both on live and studio setting? or is just on studio setting? Thanks
Hey ! I'm recording electric guitar with a Fame MS57, I'm thinking about getting a Shure SM57 someday, but I never tried one. does it worth the price of upgrading from Fame to Shure ? :)
Awesomely clear videos btw, I really like them, I'm begginer at recording and it helps me a lot !!
Hi Matthieu Oliver thanks for the compliment! Really glad I can be of help! I don't know the Fame Mic, however if you make great music with it then that's all that matters. I try not to get caught up with the gear snob thing, luckily an SM57 isn't too expensive, so it might be a good addition long term for you. Thanks very much for the comment I really appreciate it! Have a marvelous time recording, many thanks Warren
Produce Like A Pro I'll try one and see then, thanks for your response !
Hi Matthieu Oliver great! Let me know how you get on with it. Have a marvelous time recording, many thanks Warren
Produce Like A Pro okay i will ! can't wait for lesson 4 !
Hi Matthieu Oliver thanks very much! I really appreciate it. Have a marvelous time recording, many thanks Warren
I own two mics, AKG c214 and of course, the sm 57..but I dont record live drums, its midi for me.
PS, actually. I do have a PZM also, and a couple of others I havent used much..but the AKG and SM57 are the main ones that I use, I may pick up a Shure PG52 since they are good for Bass Cabs(and of course Kicks)
Hi dave thompson that sounds like a great collection for almost every use! Thanks for the comment. Have a marvelous time recording, many thanks Warren
i really want to get a hi hat for my trance production. i dont really like electronic hats and id prefer to bash some sticks in varoius patterns... im a self taught drummer 😊 so im guessing a ribbon is the best choice?? what would you recomend for a poor man haha plus id like to play with some acaustic guitar stuff some its got to be multi purpose i guess
Hello I am currently using a 6x8 whisper room. in which it is fully treated and I do everything from acoustic guitar, vocals, etc. However I notice with singers i get a odd nasal sound/ring which it appears to be around the 1-2k range.. my question is, is there something i should place in this whisper room that might help as i have tried to position the mic many different ways, or might there be a specfic type of mic that might tame that down... i am lost with this... I use a Neuman TLM 102, Blue Bird and a old Marshal Mic,,, i do have a ribbon which is a royer 101A but i have never used it on a vocalist before... anyways thanks for your time.. and love the videos....
Hi Tim Adams thanks for the great question. I have had the same issues with the 'whisper room' myself in the past. I find it to be great for isolation but it does have an inherent hard sound to it caused by standing waves, you'll have to break it up a little inside. You may just want to pad it down a bit to try and soften some of those mid range problems. Are you using the Whisper Room because you have a lot of bleed issues? As far as mics are concerned obviously C12s or 251 have a much softer mid range but honestly even buying a clone seems like a waste of money where it's probably the standing waves inside of the booth that are causing the problem. Have a marvelous time recording, many thanks for your comment, I really appreciate it! Warren
Produce Like A Pro thanks for the info... it is due to bleed.. My concern also is I would like to record electric guitars by placing the amp in there (i haven't tried it yet) however not sure what i am going to get. I am starting to get clients who want to use me to write songs for them and record them and mix for them etc etc, so i am trying to figure this stuff out. Again thanks for the help. I really appreciate the reply..
Hi Tim Adams thanks for the response. I would definitely try and break it up a little inside the booth, that will help. But honestly I have add issues with them before, Steven Tyler had one in his home studio and we also had an AKGC12 in there and it still sounded really nasally to me. As far as electric guitar amps are concerned I don't think that will be as big of an issue because it will be loud and close mic'ed. Have a marvelous time recording, many thanks for your comment, I really appreciate it! Warren
great thank you very much!!!
Produce Like A Pro thank you!!! will do
Thank you for all the time you put into your channel. It is extremely good. Quick question. I am a classical guitarist and want to upgrade my mike for recording purposes (not for playing live). I currently use a Rode NT1-A. What would e a good upgrade up to a $1000.00 price point? Any suggestions?
Hi wardcheryldarcie Thanks very much for your great comment I really appreciate it! I really like Lewitt Mics for the price, really fantastic mics! Have a marvellous time recording, many thanks Warren
Hey Warren what do you think of inexpensive Sterling Audio condenser mics?
And thanks so much for all you help on everything 🔊
Hi Warren, do you know of any low-cost ribbon microphones? I have for a $50-$150 price range.
Dear Warren - you get put on an island with no return and can only take 1 type of each mic. What do you take? (nevermind why you would take mics if you're on a deserted island)
Hi Warren a great video once again :) I'm based in London :D, Anywho, As a composer for media I need to record anything from overdubs all the way up to small orchestras, what do you think to my selection of mics ?
Rode Nt2a , Two of them
Matched pair of Nt4 (a new version of the NT5)
Sm57
SEelectronics X1 D
GAK Ribbon Mic Mk3
many thanks :)
Hi BevecLighting that looks like a great selection of mics to me! You can add higher quality condensers as you go and these ones will always be great mics to have in your collection. Have a marvelous time recording, many thanks Warren
Thanks Warren,(logged into the wrong account for posting :p) Many thanks, Ill try and do a video recording of it and upload it :) Jos
All the best BevecLighting! Thanks very much for the comment I really appreciate it! Have a marvelous time recording, many thanks Warren
the lewitt relatively inexpensive?!? compared to vintage mics maybe haha
Hi noreaction my main Lewitt Mic is the LCT240 I use for Acoustic guitars and Overheads and it was $249. The LCT is their most expensive 2 in 1 mic, it's a Tube and Fet Mic in one but you'd have to spend a lot more money to beat it. Have a marvelous time recording, many thanks Warren
Anh có thể làm sub tiếng Việt Nam không? Tôi không hiểu anh nói gì cả, chỉ hiểu qua hình ảnh thôi
The question is: what mic is used to record this video? :)
Wow this is an older one, so it was probably a Lewitt LCT 140! Have a marvellous time recording and mixing, many thanks Warren
feeed
It’s crazy how these videos have less than 200 comments. You’d think more people would want to soak in your knowledge considering everyone you’ve worked with