Dear Jocelyn,
I'm sorry you couldn't be at the OTW festival - I did a workshop that
addressed this question specifically.
I almost always prefer a condenser mic over a dynamic mic if I can get
one, and if the gear will support it. Condensers' sensitivity and
transient response make them much better for almost all acoustic music
recording.
Condenser mics need phantom power, meaning
that they need a +48 volt supply from the preamp or board they are being
plugged into. Not all gear has phantom power supply, but most does. Make
sure your gear has phantom power option before you buy a condenser mic.
Condenser mics fall into large-diaphragm and small-diaphragm. Generally
the less expensive of both types miss a bit in the low end. A little
more money will overcome that problem.
Just a quick look at sweetwater.com found me this mic:
Audio-Technica AT2020, $99
I looked at the specs, and the sensitivity and response curve look pretty
good. If I didn't have access to an AKG C-414, I'd buy this mic. Your
mileage may vary.
If you do get any condenser mics, remember to turn down all the levels on
your gear before you turn on or off the phantom supply. High
amplification levels hit with the "thump" of the amplifier in the
microphone can fry the preamp and/or the microphone. NEVER "hot plug" a
condenser mic: plugging it or unplugging it with a cable that already has
phantom power on it.
Alden F.M. Hackmann [EMAIL PROTECTED]
"Beati illi qui in circulum circumeunt, fient enim magnae rotae."
On Sun, 23 Sep 2007, Jocelyn Demuth wrote:
Hello everyone,
I know we've had this discussion before - but perhaps those people who have
done some recording can recommend a mike for a gurdy for recording purposes-
nothing too expensive please.
I have a deep, loud vielle - actually more like a tekkero in sound. Should I
get a dynamic mike or a condensor mike? I have maximum $150 to spend on this
mike. I want to make clean, listenable recording.
Thank you,
Jocelyn
