ToneDexter Maiden Voyage

[Steely Glen]

I got my ToneDexter yesterday, so this weekend I'll be making my first attempts at creating wavemaps with an SM57. I have K&K Pure Minis in all 4 guitars in my signature block.

I know that Audio Sprockets recommends small diaphragm condenser mics, but I'm not looking to spend $5-600 on a mic I really would only use for this application. The mic they recommend on their new YouTube video isn't available yet.

My question is which wallet-friendly ($200 or so) condenser have you all used with success over, say, an SM57?

[gfirob]

I would really encourage you to borrow some better mikes, preferably condensers. I made my first wavemaps with MXL 603s and they were ok, but I then borrowed some AKG's and an Ear Trumpet Edwina large diaphragm condenser mike and these wavemaps were far superior. I'm sure the dynamic mike will work, but you are just not using the Tonedexter to its best advantage at all. I didn't want to lay out the money for an expensive mike either, but I'm sure if you ask around you will find somebody with better mikes to loan you or rent to you.

[guitaniac]

James May has mentioned that a cheap omni-directional condenser measurement mic will do the job. I bought a $40 used (off ebay) Behringer omni-directional condenser mic and used it for making WaveMaps. An expensive directional condenser might work even better, but I've been pleased with the results with the Behringer.

I've also tried a Shure SM57 dynamic mic and a Audix OM-7 dynamic mic for training, but the Behringer works better for my taste.

[guitaniac]

Check post #9 in this thread:

http://www.acousticguitarforum.com/f...easurement+mic

[lovgren]

I think it partially depends on whether you want to use the Tonedexter for direct recording or using live.

My intended use was live performance. I purchased a Sennheiser e614 for $200. I think I made a good choice. The map turned out great. I'm the type of person who likes to own my tools rather than borrow them, so I had to make a price/performance decision.

I'm trilled with the results and there would be no point, in my view, to spend more for playing in a live setting (unless you're playing solo in a concert hall, but I'm just a guy who plays cover songs at open mics and in a duo.)

Oh, and a dynamic mic will most likely NOT give you the results you're looking for. I have a very nice one and I tried it. Don't bother.

[Steely Glen]

Great advice everyone! Thanks. I have access to an MXL 604 (a cheap small condenser mic) so I’ll probably eschew the SM57 in favor of that to see how it goes. If the results aren’t satisfactory, I’ll search for something

[philjs]

Originally Posted by Steely Glen

I got my ToneDexter yesterday, so this weekend I'll be making my first attempts at creating wavemaps with an SM57. I have K&K Pure Minis in all 4 guitars in my signature block.

I know that Audio Sprockets recommends small diaphragm condenser mics, but I'm not looking to spend $5-600 on a mic I really would only use for this application. The mic they recommend on their new YouTube video isn't available yet.

My question is which wallet-friendly ($200 or so) condenser have you all used with success over, say, an SM57?

If all you need a SDC for is training then why not just rent one?

Phil

[Gordon Currie]

Originally Posted by Steely Glen

Great advice everyone! Thanks. I have access to an MXL 604 (a cheap small condenser mic) so I’ll probably eschew the SM57 in favor of that to see how it goes. If the results aren’t satisfactory, I’ll search for something

That will be vastly better than an SM57!

The dynamics were a big fail for me. Many of the LDCs were OK at best. I only have a few SDCs, but they seem to work more consistently.

Currently using Shure SM81, Line Audio CM3 and iSK Pro Audio Starlight (a Blue Dragonfly clone). Between these I am getting a nice array of tones.

[sdelsolray]

Originally Posted by Steely Glen

I got my ToneDexter yesterday, so this weekend I'll be making my first attempts at creating wavemaps with an SM57. I have K&K Pure Minis in all 4 guitars in my signature block.

I know that Audio Sprockets recommends small diaphragm condenser mics, but I'm not looking to spend $5-600 on a mic I really would only use for this application. The mic they recommend on their new YouTube video isn't available yet.

My question is which wallet-friendly ($200 or so) condenser have you all used with success over, say, an SM57?

Rent a Shure SM81 or buy a used one. It has a flat frequency response which means it generates more accurate Wavemaps.

[AeroUSA]

I love the SM81. Buy one from guitar center. I prefer it to the Neumans I have.

[Steely Glen]

Originally Posted by philjs

If all you need a SDC for is training then why not just rent one?

Phil

I’m in the Air Force, stationed in northern North Dakota (i.e. middle of nowhere) so getting a nice condenser mic locally probably isn’t going to happen. Can they be rented online and shipped to/from?

[gfirob]

Google does show up a couple of rent-and-ship mike sources. The question is do you want to spend a little more and keep the mike...

Big thing though, is your wavemaps will probably be much better with a superior mike, especially if you take time to experiment with placement.

You might also just look around for a small recording studio in the area and ask to borrow or rent some mikes. I found a guy who was so interested in the Tonedexter that he loaned me a couple of mikes and came by to watch the training process. Then he borrowed the Tonedexter to try his own wavemaps. A lot of people are very interested in the device, but have never seen one.

[Steely Glen]

I purchased a used SM-81. I figure (at worse) I can keep it for a couple of months to get down some solid wavemaps and then sell it to 90% of what I paid for it. Maybe I’ll hang on it too for mapping future guitars.

[Gordon Currie]

Originally Posted by Steely Glen

I purchased a used SM-81. I figure (at worse) I can keep it for a couple of months to get down some solid wavemaps and then sell it to 90% of what I paid for it. Maybe I’ll hang on it too for mapping future guitars.

I think of it like the SM57 of acoustic guitar: it just works.

[gfirob]

Sounds like a good plan.