From time to time friends query me about what mic to use or buy. I don’t know a lot…but I know what I like, and really, that is one important criteria…how does it sound to you? If you doubt yourself, go into a music store and A/B test it against the mic you’re “supposed” to like. Here’s our interchange:
I’m recording a story at home. Just vocals. I’ll be sending an mp3 (mono, 128 Bit rate, 44100 hz) to a colleague who wants to make a CD of various storytellers.
Here are my options:
1) record with an Audio Technica AT2020 Cardioid Condense microphone, but with an XLR-to-USB adapter (with built-in preamp) to go directly to my computer;
2) record with an h2
3) (?) record with the AT condenser mike directly into an h4 (don’t know if this would be an improvement)Any advice appreciated.
They all sound like good options. Recording to H2 is easy and you can set to record directly to mp3 which is convenient. Stereo surround mic would allow you to get room sound (audience) if you wanted it. The pre-amp H2 combination would probably give you the best close-mic professional sound…but only by a whisker (and depending on pre-amp really). If you have all the items already, I would just experiment. If you are thinking of purchasing…think of you future use…will you be more likely to want to record live gigs (h2 wins) or podcasts at home (AT wins.)
I actually have at AT 4030 and I sent a TV producer, who I do a lot of commercials for (with AT), a sample recorded with H4 and he couldn’t tell difference. I think the H2 would perform similarly.
I actually ended up borrowing a neighbor’s G-track USB microphone, and used that. I liked the sound quality I got. I still need to play around with recording some more… since the stories I recorded (in a homemade fort of pillows and blankets to baffle the microphone) with me sitting down in the dark… and usually when I tell I’m standing up in front of an audience. So the voice is more intimate… but as this is for a CD compilation, and everyone is submitting studio tracks, I think it will work out.
I hope to test out the h2 soon in front of a live crowd.
I once made a successful room recording environment by tilting a couch up on its end as a baffle behind me…then random pillows in front of me. The space behind you (in front of mic) is by far the most crucial, the front less so and sides/ceiling least of all. Also the corners of the room are often the thing that gives room that cheap roomy sound. Duct tape or somehow secure fabric or pillows in corners.
