$1.99 microphone experiment

[toryst]

LOL Thanks AP Hope it wasn't too much trouble.
I think that sounded a lot better without the layering, in my humble opinion. Excellent song choice and I like how you adapted it.
This continues to be an interesting experiment.

[toryst]

Originally Posted by thesilentdrummer

Interesting. Inspired by this, I pulled out my version of the 1.99 microphone. since you can't do drums, I mic'ed my snare. First is a microphone (probably $10) called the "Deluxe Stereo Microphone" (ironically, its not a stereo mic). The seconded is the wireless body mic from a $50 radio shack package that included the mic and body pack and a receiver for the mic. The third mic in the clip is the trusty, standard SM57. They were all placed roughly in the same place, 3-6 inches from the snare pointed more or less towards center.

Only A limiter was applied to equalize the levels.

That is an excellent comparison. Weird how the cheapie mic sounded better
than the $50 RS mic. Of course there was no comparison w/ the SM57!!

[PseudoComplexity]

2 thesilentdrummer: Holy... well done on the drums! Aside from the obviously awesome #3, #2 indeed sounds harsh as hell. Meantime, #1 seems quite equalizable/enhanceable to me, but let the supreme commander speak here.

2 ap1325: The vocals in the above post still sound a bit dull. IMHO you could try some software exciter (mostly included in different tracking software as a "mastering" tool) - that could clear things up.

2 Brandon: Thanks for your comments on the last try. I gotta tell you, that took me quite a bit of time to find at least two sweet spots on that amp to record both a.) the "hair" b.) the "bottom" of it separately. Here goes the technique I used...
First, the "bottom" take was compressed with the Adobe Audition modulation of a tube compressor which was set to medium, then it was left centered as a mono signal. The "hair" take was also compressed, dublicated and hard-panned left and right, where the phase of the left one was intentionally inverted. Finally, the whole mix was widened and excited a little with the "mastering" tool. Yet again, THIS mix was doubled and panned left and right. The right track was set delayed by exactly one period of a wavelength (so no phase cancelling occurs). This is it... but is the game worth the candle?

[thesilentdrummer]

Originally Posted by ferguson66

Wow, what a difference. #2 sounds like total hell, #3 was my favorite.

Yah, #2... I had no clue what was going on with it. Its very trebley/high end excessive on voice (it's main purpose as a clip on mic), but it seemed like it just isn't capable of handling high dB level of drums. I think I hear it distorting on the hits.

Originally Posted by ap1325

are you really hitting the same snare on the three takes?
Doesn't seem like it.

Yes, its the same yamaha 14"x6" birch/mahogany stage custom snare. I obviously didn't play the same thing for each, but I captured the essence of the snare sounds (with rolls and a couple hits... except for 2, but it crapped out when I recorded rolls with it).

Originally Posted by toryst

That is an excellent comparison. Weird how the cheapie mic sounded better
than the $50 RS mic. Of course there was no comparison w/ the SM57!!

Agreed. However, I think 40/50 dollars in that mic went towards the wireless system. I still love the 57 on snare, but one day, I'll throw all the mics I own on it to see what really sounds best.

Originally Posted by PseudoComplexity

2 thesilentdrummer: Holy... well done on the drums! Aside from the obviously awesome #3, #2 indeed sounds harsh as hell. Meantime, #1 seems quite equalizable/enhanceable to me, but let the supreme commander speak here.

Interesting. I really liked the attack and punch I got out of the 1st mic. However, the bass was way too pronounced and the upper mids /high end snap just not there for a really honestly usable sound. I feel the mic #1 would get buried in a mix. Maybe there would be some application for it, but the style of music I do, I want more crack out of my snare and not so much thud.

[adorian]

Not bad, there's definitely a place in the sonic spectrum for something like that if you mix it in, of course.
Your tests here remind me that I got 2 mid 70s NOS Telefunken mics, cheap plasticky ones that they sold back then with the reel to reel recorders and I need to put these through the motions, I might get some interesting lo-fi results.

[brandondrury]

Man it's weird hearing an incredible sounding room on the drums and then hearing that piece of shit mic on vocals. That's pretty much useless except for really dumb effects! Oh well, you got some interesting sounds out of the $1.99 mic.

Brandon