Recording rookie tries condenser mic

[rmoretti49]

Hello gang,
I just tried out my new AT 2035 mic, running it into a Spire Studio (which supplied the necessary phantom power). I wasn't actually recording, just listening to the signal of the preamp output through headphones. All of this took place singing and playing in an untreated room with lots of soft surfaces.

I was very surprised by two things:

1. The extraordinary sensitivity of the mic at both ends of the sound spectrum.

2. My perception of the sound of the vocals as emphasizing the higher tones, significantly so. This, as compared to what I had been used to with my Audix i5 dynamic mic.

I'm wondering if I should return the AT 2035. I know that many of you have emphasised the importance of treating the room, but the reality is that I am unlikely to do that, as we may be moving to a new home within the next year. I am not trying to make professional quality recordings, just good quality ones to share with family.

I invite your opinions! Thanks,

[Rudy4]

You're just hearing what's actually there. Don't blame the mic in this case.

The Audix dynamic mic is going to naturally have way less high end, that's what it's designed to do for the most part.

Your Spire has EQ available to taylor the sound to your liking.

[Hoyt]

I was shocked at the sound of the first condenser I used after years of a Shure 57. But after awhile I adjusted. Experiment with mic placement. Maybe record with both mics.

I wouldn’t give up until you’ve worked with it awhile. Good luck.

[rmoretti49]

Both of these responses are extremely helpful to me. Thank you!!

[johnnydobbers]

make acoustic treatment panels, even a few will make all the difference. so what, you are getting a new house..what does that change?

[Bob Womack]

My first exposure to a condenser was enlightening. Along with many other factors it led me to a career in recording. My thought? Gobos are your friend. Gobos are moveable acoustic panels. They can be as fancy a standup frame with an acoustic panel within it to a boom mic stand holding up a thick quilt to dampen high-end returns.

Bob

[KevWind]

There is definitely going to be noticeable difference between a Stage dynamic and a Studio Condenser

[TBman]

I have a couple of AT-2035 that I use to record a single instrumental acoustic guitar. The large condenser AT-2035 are warmer to my ears than small condensers. I do not have any dynamic mics to compare them to though.

Just recently I did an experiment using a puffy and large bean bag "ball/chair" that belonged to one of my grandsons as an acoustic treatment between my guitar and the wall across the room. It gave me a bit more clarity, less muddiness which surprised me.

So as Bob pointed out you don't have to build panels as room treatments, you might be able to use a blanket or two draped in front of you, back a couple of feet to prevent reflections.

Before going down the rabbit hole of spending hundreds on new mics looking for "the one", a bit of room treatment might help.

[rmoretti49]

Again, thank you for all the responses so far. I will be keeping the microphone and trying the suggestions offered.

I have also learned through experimentation that there is a considerable proximity effect. Singing closer to the microphone seems to provide a more accurate sound.

[Trent in WA]

I used two 2035s to record most of an album at home this past summer, and having done that, I will not do it again. Compared to other mics I've tried and purchased since, the 2035d have a hyped, brittle response in the high end that can make bright sources and sharp transients sound distorted and spitty. I still have one that I might use on occasion (for backing vocals or as a dog toy), but I'll never allow one in close proximity to an acoustic guitar again. For a mic in the same price range, the Lewitt 140 is way more clear and balanced.

My .02 (or .04, since I had two of the ****'d things),

Trent

[TBman]

Originally Posted by Trent in WA

I used two 2035s to record most of an album at home this past summer, and having done that, I will not do it again. Compared to other mics I've tried and purchased since, the 2035d have a hyped, brittle response in the high end that can make bright sources and sharp transients sound distorted and spitty. I still have one that I might use on occasion (for backing vocals or as a dog toy), but I'll never allow one in close proximity to an acoustic guitar again. For a mic in the same price range, the Lewitt 140 is way more clear and balanced.

My .02 (or .04, since I had two of the ****'d things),

Trent

I'm not a AT fan boy, but my two 2035 mics don't exhibit that kind of tone. I don't pretend that there aren't better mics out there though. Here's a tune that I recorded with them:


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[rmoretti49]

OP here. After having experimented more with my AT2035, especially with respect to distance from the mic, I am pretty satisfied with it. I haven't even tried any of the room treatment effects yet, but I will have to do so. When singing and playing a 12 string, the voice is overpowered by the guitar, even when singing pretty directly into the mic. Room treatment will likely help a lot with that.

[KevWind]

Originally Posted by rmoretti49

OP here. After having experimented more with my AT2035, especially with respect to distance from the mic, I am pretty satisfied with it. I haven't even tried any of the room treatment effects yet, but I will have to do so. When singing and playing a 12 string, the voice is overpowered by the guitar, even when singing pretty directly into the mic. Room treatment will likely help a lot with that.

Yes a 12 string is a different animal
Arguably it is putting out twice the sound energy from the same amount of physical energy put into playing technique.

So while Room treatment may help reduce the level of reflected energy

Altering your playing technique will accomplish more and or perhaps altering mic position as well
#1 learn to play the 12 with less relative energy.
#2 instead of having the mic straight up and down vertically , try angling back and up towards you mouth Or try having it positioned horizontally (just below mouth) and rotate it more upward.

[rmoretti49]

Thank you, KevWind. Great suggestions!