RT-004 • Microphone Guide

[justinguitar]

Questions...

Lesson Link: http://www.justinguitar.com/en/RT-004-MicrophoneGuide.php

[nellicus]

Hi guys,

This may be a silly question but I am a complete newbie when it comes to recording. I haven't got any recording kit yet and am still deciding on what route to down.

If I go down the route of using a mike to record my amp as opposed to plugging my guitar into an interface, will the microphone pick up external sounds such as a backing track/drum track/chord sequence already recorded? If it will how do you go about making multiple tracks then playing them back without ruingin the sound?

Neil

[Tourniquet]

They have yet to invent a microphone that can distinguish between sound you want recorded and sound you don't want recorded

If you can hear it, the microphone can too.... interesting little side story, when Van Halen went in to record the solo for Michael Jacksons "beat it" someone knocked on the door just as he was about to start playing.... they liked it and left it in (listen out for it next time you hear the song).

The way you stop any sort of backing from bleeding into your recording is to pipe the backing track through a pair of headphones.

[nellicus]

Thanks Tourniquet,

Ive got some studio monitor headphones hidden away somewhere, will dig them out when I get my microphone and PC interface. Not that great with the guitar yet but want to get kit I can improve into so I think I will go for mikeing the amp as opposed to plugging straight into an interface.

Will have a listen again to beat it, never noticed that before.

[TB-AV]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AlNWf7IBDOQ

I'm not sure I buy that knocking on the studio door theory... unless they were micing the control room side of the door....

http://www.songfacts.com/detail.php?id=459

[Tourniquet]

There's more than a few theories about the cause. Could be there was a separate door into the recording space or the people in the control room weren't paying attention to the guy that came in until he knocked on the recording space door....
The one in your link about it being the tremolo doesn't pan out as Eddie is playing a riff as it occurs and the tremolo isn't in use.

[TB-AV]

The one in your link about it being the tremolo doesn't pan out as Eddie is playing a riff as it occurs and the tremolo isn't in use.

Except for that little invention known as multi-track recording 

I doubt that solo was a single take either. Not that he can't or couldn't do it, but just that I would believe it was comped.

[Tourniquet]

possible (it's reputed he recorded two solos).... but if it is an intentional sound he's getting out of the tremolo surely he would use it in his own songs at well.

[TB-AV]

Yeah, I don't know that I buy that trem knocking either. Another theory is that it's simply EVH knocking on his guitar which doesn't sound all that far fetched.

Edit: Actually, I think the answer might be in the song credits....

Personnel

    * Written, arranged and composed by Michael Jackson[46]
    * Produced by Michael Jackson and Quincy Jones[46]
    * Lead and background vocals by Michael Jackson[46]
    * Guitar solo by Eddie Van Halen[46]
    * Guitar by Paul Jackson Jr.[46]
    * bass guitar and guitar by Steve Lukather[46]
    * Drums by Jeff Porcaro[46]
    * Drum case beater by Michael Jackson[46]
    * Keyboards by Bill Wolfer[46]
    * Synclavier by Tom Bahler[46]
    * Rhodes piano and synthesizer by Greg Phillinganes[46]
    * Synthesizer and synthesizer programming by Steve Porcaro[46]
    * Vocal arrangement by Michael Jackson[46]
    * Rhythm arrangement by Michael Jackson and Quincy Jones[46]
    * Costumes designed by Gordon Clarke[46]

Drum Case = hollow knocking in time with music.

[janv]

Hello All,

Completely new to recording, so looking around for some information on this site.
Think I got most of the information needed, but a bit stuck on microphone choice.

What I want to do :
Start with recording, just to try out so looking for not too expensive gear.
Would like to record acoustic guitar, vocals (not mine!), and electric guitar.
(In that order of importance)

Decided upon
- getting an M-audio Mobile pre interface,
- some OK-ish headphones
   (somebody recommended Sennheiser HD 205, still have to find out more about those)

But as said, stuck on mic choice.

In the RT-001-BeginnersRecordingGuide recommendation is
Shure SM58 as budget solution or Rode NT1 as 'good' solution.

In the section RT-004-MicrophoneGuide however recommendation is rather
Rode NT1 PLUS Shure SM57 and a VERY strong recommendation of getting the SM57.

Now I'm a bit lost ;-)


Trying to limit the budget (max 200 EUR for mic, preferably less).
I would like to start out with only 1 microphone, but keeping the options open
to get an extra one later on if needed and if I still like to go on with it.

Any thougths?


Best regards,  Jan

[TB-AV]

Get a large diaphragm condenser  ( LDC ) mic.

There are many. Check the ones in your price range and see which ones sound best to you.

Many will actually like a ( SDC ) small diaphragm condenser for acoustic but that is not going to be best for vocal or even electric. Plus an LDC is perfectly fine for acoustic as well.

Rode - NT1A
Mics modified by Michael Joly ( Oktavamod ) - google it
Audio Technica mics
MXL mics
Shiney Box

There is also a ribbon mic which you have to be careful not to ever blow into it as you can ruin teh ribbon but there is a mike that looks like a Lollypop. Fat Head, TNC, Others. It's all the same mic. Look on ebay "ribbon mic" you will see it. That has been a very popular mic.

Again there are lots to choose from and are especially more useful than an SM57 for your intended use.

[janv]

Hello TB,

Will check out on those ones, thanks for the quick reply!

Regards,

Jan

[Cue Zephyr]

I'll say that the stock Oktava's are pretty awesome too (especially the MK-012 - one of the most popular ones). I'd add the CAD M179 to that list, btw. It's an awesome multi-pattern LD condenser microphone. I own one and love it. I'd gladly get another one, but only after i get my second MK-012.
Good luck.

[PattheBunny]

I got a sennheiser e835 with two mike stands I bought on Craigslist for sixty bucks or so.   I really like it and think they sell new for like 80 bucks American.   I have used a Shure at my singing teacher's studio but I never noticed it being particularly superior...  Not that I know what I'm doing


Pat

[HamrockGuitar]

Definitely go for an LDC... Audio Technica and Rode mics make great inexpensive versions.