Re: [Harp-L] Need a little advice

[Richard Hunter <turtlehill@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

BiscuitBoy714@xxxxxxx wrote:
<I was  wondering if anybody could answer a question for me
<and if anyone has some  advice concerning affordable studio mics. 
<...Should I go for a ribbon mic? What  pattern is best on a budget?

Don't know what you mean by "affordable." Large-diaphragm condensor mics 
are available for as little as $100.  My Audio Technica AT4050 CM5 is a 
fine mic that cost me $500 used; Audio Technica's recent 2020 model has 
gotten a lot of praise at about $100. Most of the recently available 
condensors in the $100-200 range are made in China, and quality varies, 
so if you go for a very inexpensive mic make sure that you try it in the 
store and compare to others of the same kind.

Ribbon mics are generally great for harp and other instruments with a 
lot of high-end information, like violin--they soften the harshness of 
the high end.  They're not often the first choice for vocals. Electronic 
Musician magazine recently ran an article comparing 5 inexpensive ribbon 
mics, and I suggest you try to find it.

Kiel makes a condensor for $129 that is designed to produce flat 
response throughout its frequency range.  The mic is generally 
well-regarded; I haven't used it, so I can't comment on its usefulness 
for harp.

The same mic may not sound great on both vocals and harp. If your budget 
allows, you may wish to consider different mics for these purposes.

Finally, the mic shouldn't be considered separately from the preamp.  If 
you're going to use the mic with a particular preamp, like the ones in 
your digital recorders, then by all means drag one or both of your 
recorders to the store and record a little bit of the same vocal or harp 
part with every mic in your price range.  Then take home the MIC that 
sounds best with your preamps.  If you're not wild about the sound of 
any of the mics with your preamps, consider spending part of your budget 
on a decent preamp.  Good tube preamps from Presonus and others can be 
found in the neighborhood of $200, and go up from there.  I've gotten 
good results on some of my recordings with an ART MP tube preamp, which 
retails now for well under $100, and my AT 4050 CM5.  My solo recording 
of "The Star Spangled Banner" was made with this setup, as was the lead 
harp on my recording of "Auld Lang Syne;" both can be heard for free at:
http://www.broadjam.com/rhunter

Good luck and regards, Richard Hunter
hunterharp.com
Latest mp3s always at http://broadjam.com/rhunter