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adding a second mic
I'm currently using an AT2020 with a personas usb 96. I'd like to start using a second mic for playing/singing simultaneously as well as recording in stereo. My question: Purchase a second AT2020 for "consistency" or upgrade the second one to at 2035. Does the upgrade outweigh the advantage sameness? (Is "sameness" even a word?!)
Thanks! LarryK.
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LarryK. AGF Moderator |
#2
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I have probably only had the same make/model mic on my guitar and vocal once or twice, and that was when the only mics I had were two Beta 57as.
I would get the best mic you can afford that improves either your vocal track or guitar track (or both!), recognizing there will be a lot of bleed in both. This generally isn't a problem, though if you get into any plugins that do time shifting, like trying to add chorus to the guitar track, you'll find out quickly it probably isn't going to work very well. Similarly, for stereo, if you mean two mics on your guitar, I wouldn't worry much. You will generally not be panning those wide, so differences in the mics can generally be managed in the mix very easily. I sometimes record with an AKG LDC and an AT SDC on the guitar. No big deal. And, if you want to record something big, like a chorus or large ensemble, these two could be used there. Digression - Where I get a little concerned about using different mics for a wide spread stereo mix is if it's a small source and the mics are very different.
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"I know in the morning that it's gonna be good, when I stick out my elbows and they don't bump wood." - Bill Kirchen |
#3
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I've tried 2-mic recording with a variety of different mics, and except for using something simple like a Shure 57 or 58 as the 2nd mic, could hear very little tonal difference in the two tracks except via mic placement. I even tried some 'side by side' experiments with some very cheap condensors and the tonal differences were minimal.
So, like Keith says, get the best mic you can afford.
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Mike My music: https://mikebirchmusic.bandcamp.com 2020 Taylor 324ceBE 2017 Taylor 114ce-N 2012 Taylor 310ce 2011 Fender CD140SCE Ibanez 12 string a/e 73(?) Epiphone 6830E 6 string 72 Fender Telecaster Epiphone Dot Studio Epiphone LP Jr Chinese Strat clone Kala baritone ukulele Seagull 'Merlin' Washburn Mandolin Luna 'tatoo' a/e ukulele antique banjolin Squire J bass |
#4
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Thank you, Keith and Mike!
Thanks, Keith and Mike, for your counsel.
Best, LarryK.
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LarryK. AGF Moderator |
#5
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if playing and singing at the same time it would be beneficial if you have the option for a figure eight pattern. By using the null Point you'll be able to get better separation. With that said there are folks with much more experience than me to help up you decide which mic would work better.
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David Webber Round-Body Furch D32-LM MJ Franks Lagacy OM Rainsong H-WS1000N2T Stonebridge OM33-SR DB Stonebridge D22-SRA Tacoma Papoose Voyage Air VAD-2 1980 Fender Strat A few Partscaster Strats MIC 60s Classic Vib Strat |
#6
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"I know in the morning that it's gonna be good, when I stick out my elbows and they don't bump wood." - Bill Kirchen |
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Regarding figure-eight mics, heed Keith's words...
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Jim 2023 Iris ND-200 maple/adi 2017 Circle Strings 00 bastogne walnut/sinker redwood 2015 Circle Strings Parlor shedua/western red cedar 2009 Bamburg JSB Signature Baritone macassar ebony/carpathian spruce 2004 Taylor XXX-RS indian rosewood/sitka spruce 1988 Martin D-16 mahogany/sitka spruce along with some electrics, zouks, dulcimers, and banjos. YouTube |
#8
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Yep, 2 of them would be the way to go and room is always critical. I have found with just acoustic guitar and voice, that some heavy moving blankets in back of the figure 8 mics, though not optimal, can make a big difference. In regards to tracking separately.... Sometimes, on some songs you just don’t get the same synergy as if you were playing and singing at the same time. It would be great if you could track separately but it does not always serve the song/performance
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David Webber Round-Body Furch D32-LM MJ Franks Lagacy OM Rainsong H-WS1000N2T Stonebridge OM33-SR DB Stonebridge D22-SRA Tacoma Papoose Voyage Air VAD-2 1980 Fender Strat A few Partscaster Strats MIC 60s Classic Vib Strat Last edited by Mbroady; 11-28-2019 at 07:48 AM. |
#9
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Just like playing to a click track, tracking guitar and vox separately is a learned skill. Both are skills that make post-production much easier and with enough practice, the performance doesn't have to suffer. My personal trick is to sing "air vocals" while tracking guitar. I'm not making any sound but I'm mouthing every word as if I were.
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Jim 2023 Iris ND-200 maple/adi 2017 Circle Strings 00 bastogne walnut/sinker redwood 2015 Circle Strings Parlor shedua/western red cedar 2009 Bamburg JSB Signature Baritone macassar ebony/carpathian spruce 2004 Taylor XXX-RS indian rosewood/sitka spruce 1988 Martin D-16 mahogany/sitka spruce along with some electrics, zouks, dulcimers, and banjos. YouTube |
#10
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I would say it depends on the style and type of recording one is after. Take for example a spin such as Patty Griffins “Living With Ghosts” Album. It’s a Girl and her guitar. I think recording the tracks separately would have changed the finished product, and not for the better. There’s probably great examples on the other side of the debate as well, songs that were tracked and would not have been the same if recorded as a performance. LKristians, sorry to hijack your thread with this debate. Hope you find it relevant
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David Webber Round-Body Furch D32-LM MJ Franks Lagacy OM Rainsong H-WS1000N2T Stonebridge OM33-SR DB Stonebridge D22-SRA Tacoma Papoose Voyage Air VAD-2 1980 Fender Strat A few Partscaster Strats MIC 60s Classic Vib Strat |
#11
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On the other hand if you are thinking of having the mics arranged vertically one for your voice and one for your guitar, then what you are actually talking about is dual mono recording not actually "stereo" (unless you would try to pan them left and right) which could work and would be stereo, but will have the guitar coming more from one side, and the vocal coming more from the other , just as point of clarification . And in vertical mic position, as people have suggested what sounds good with your particular voice then becomes more of a factor, and you might want to try to for example to audition a 2035 and 2020 and see it there is any noticeable improvement on you voice . And also figure of 8 might be a consideration (although not critical)
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Enjoy the Journey.... Kev... KevWind at Soundcloud KevWind at YouYube https://www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...EZxkPKyieOTgRD System : Studio system Avid Carbon interface , PT Ultimate 2023.12 -Mid 2020 iMac 27" 3.8GHz 8-core i7 10th Gen ,, Ventura 13.2.1 Mobile MBP M1 Pro , PT Ultimate 2023.12 Sonoma 14.4 Last edited by KevWind; 11-29-2019 at 10:04 AM. |
#12
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Recording a song with vocals, the vocals are the most important part. That's where people are focusing their listening. So if my budget limits me to two mics, I'd want one of those mics to be as flattering to my voice as possible.
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Jim 2023 Iris ND-200 maple/adi 2017 Circle Strings 00 bastogne walnut/sinker redwood 2015 Circle Strings Parlor shedua/western red cedar 2009 Bamburg JSB Signature Baritone macassar ebony/carpathian spruce 2004 Taylor XXX-RS indian rosewood/sitka spruce 1988 Martin D-16 mahogany/sitka spruce along with some electrics, zouks, dulcimers, and banjos. YouTube |
#13
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LarryK. AGF Moderator |