SM58 ok for recording instrumental?

[Tone Gopher]

Originally Posted by Twilo123

Like title says is that ok or should I try something like AT2020 instead?
Home studio recording.

If you already have one, try it.

Since we have no information in this thread about your guitar, concept, or recording chain, you need to start Somewhere.

[MikeBmusic]

You might want to consider recording the audio to the computer at the same time as you use the Canon for video, then combining them in software.

[Twilo123]

Originally Posted by Tone Gopher

If you already have one, try it.



Since we have no information in this thread about your guitar, concept, or recording chain, you need to start Somewhere.

I just gave this info above Tone. What am I missing?

Originally Posted by Twilo123

I also have an edirol ua101. http://www.roland.com/products/ua-101/
This would get me phantom power but again I could only get it to pc right.
Trying to get 2 setups.
1. Just record audio. Half of my instruments don't have electronics so I need to mic them. For audio recording straight to pc is fine.
2. Record video with audio mic to my instrument. I have a t3i for video or would need to use laptop built in camera. For t3i I thought about bullet audio mount but still that would be X feet away and pick up ambient noise no.

What I want to do listed in quote. I don't sing so I really just want to record instrumentals. I want to do audio and 2nd sometimes video with audio.

My current hardware options list:
Audio:
Shure sm58 xlr
Blue yeti USB
I just bought the tascam dr-22wl. Didn't have it when I posted thread.
Edirol ua101

Video:
Canon t3i

Recording/DAW
Audio: Logic Pro
Video: iMovie


Various:
PC

Instruments:
Different string instruments. Not sure what info you need here. Mostly acoustic instruments with no electronics built in. There are some with electronics but even those I could mic up except electric guitar/bass. Those I would need direct input if I were to use them.



Guitar Player

[Twilo123]

Originally Posted by RustyAxe

Fran for the win! To the OP, if I only had one condenser for recording it would be large diaphragm multi-pattern mic. In my usual setup at home, just guitar and vocal, I use two of 'em, in fig-8 patterns, like in this video from Fran ... even if you can only afford one right now, it can still be used in cardioid pattern until you get another.

Really Rusty? According to info above your post I thought I need a small diaphragm mic...would I lose much by going large diaphragm? Is large diaphragm good overall mic? My main interest right now is acoustic instrument instrumentals but who knows as I get into it right. Maybe large would future proof myself?


Guitar Player

[CaffeinatedOne]

Originally Posted by Twilo123

Really Rusty? According to info above your post I thought I need a small diaphragm mic...would I lose much by going large diaphragm? Is large diaphragm good overall mic? My main interest right now is acoustic instrument instrumentals but who knows as I get into it right. Maybe large would future proof myself?

Here's the thing with large / small diaphragm mics.

1. Don't overthink this. Either one will work well for an acoustic guitar and large diaphragm mics tend to be useful for more and different applications. So if you are going to have only one starter mic, I'd choose a large diaphragm. In fact, that's what I did when I started messing with mics.

2. The differences are subtle, but in general a small diaphragm mic will react more quickly to sound wave pressure than will a large diaphragm mic, because the capsule membrane is of a smaller diameter so there is less mass to move around. This is more noticeable at higher frequencies because those are comprised of shorter wavelengths. So small diaphragm mics can capture certain overtones and some nuances in a complex signal that might escape a large diaphragm mic.

3. This same principle makes large diaphragm mics a better fit for midrange and low frequency signals, such as the human voice. You will seldom see a recording wonk reach for a small diaphragm mic when setting up to record a solo vocal. The mic of choice will nearly always be a large mic.

4. So one size is not "better" than the other. They each have quirks and characteristics that lend them to particular uses as the go-to mic.

5. You can see this in action if you have an opportunity to see someone recording a grand piano performance. There may sometimes be a large diaphragm mic at the very far end of the piano to pick up its ambient and reflected signals but the preferred method is to clamp a bar above and across the strings at about two feet away from the hammers, with two small diaphragm mics affixed to the bar pointed towards the far end and down at the strings, so as each to receive a spray of direct signals from the piano's soundboard.

This dual micing technique works best with small diaphragm mics because a grand piano's direct signals are exceedingly complex, with tons of overtones upon overtones. Here is where a small diaphragm mic will bring out stuff a large mic might miss.

6. Bottom line is: Don't sweat it. A single large diaphragm mic will work fine.

[RustyAxe]

Originally Posted by Twilo123

Really Rusty? According to info above your post I thought I need a small diaphragm mic...would I lose much by going large diaphragm? Is large diaphragm good overall mic? My main interest right now is acoustic instrument instrumentals but who knows as I get into it right. Maybe large would future proof myself?


Guitar Player

There's no one "right" mic. No, you won't lose anything, and really, I think you'd be gaining. Just to confuse things, there are also medium diaphragm's, like the AKG C1000 (not one of my favorites, but I have one), and stage condensers like the SM86 (got a couple of those, too).

You might notice, mic's are like guitars ... you can't live with just one ... for long.

[Fran Guidry]

Originally Posted by Twilo123

Really Rusty? According to info above your post I thought I need a small diaphragm mic...would I lose much by going large diaphragm? Is large diaphragm good overall mic? My main interest right now is acoustic instrument instrumentals but who knows as I get into it right. Maybe large would future proof myself?


Guitar Player

The difference is much smaller than most folks think. Here's a level matched same source recording of large and small diaphragm mics: http://www.homebrewedmusic.com/2009/...ur-more-clips/

Can you tell which is which?

Fran

[Twilo123]

Originally Posted by Fran Guidry

The difference is much smaller than most folks think. Here's a level matched same source recording of large and small diaphragm mics: http://www.homebrewedmusic.com/2009/...ur-more-clips/



Can you tell which is which?



Fran

Cmon what's the key Fran?!

[Fran Guidry]

Key sent by PM. Sorry for the delay.

Fran