Mic recommendations - any possible alternatives AKG D112?

[nick]

Hello All,

I after a mic for recording & for gigging, to use in conjunction with DI'ing my bass.
AKG D112 is one, I hear of a lot.

Was wondering does anybody have any experiences of other makes/models, would be nice to know of another cheaper alternative if available....do Behringer or anyone else make a D12 clone or similar(?)

Any advice would be appreciated.

Many thanks

Edited April 18, 2008 by nick

[cheddatom]

Seeing as you will get the tightest low end from your DI, you won't need the extended lower responce of a d112. I would get a standard 57 or 57 clone for your amp.

[slaphappygarry]

I like using something a little brighter on a bass cab and have had good results with large dia mics. In that market check out the Rode Nt1a, AKG Perception 250 and SE mics which all get good reps.

A good condensor will be way more useful on other things than a D112 (which i really like). A 57 is also a good choice for an all rounder mic but would be better suited close on a cone rather than a foot or so from the cab (where i would start with the condensor).

Garry

[ironside1966]

Try
RVD1 Kick drum microphone a good cheaper alternative to the AKG D12 at
[url="http://www.red5audio.com/"]http://www.red5audio.com/[/url]

Here is what red5 says

This mic is a sure contender as a future industry standard. Offering robust construction and contemporary styling, it captures and delivers clear, punchy bass with tremendous sonic clarity. At this price / performance ratio, the RVD1 is simply unchallenged.


In addition, the RVD1 includes an all-metal mini-tripod stand and the complete package comes in a rugged black plastic carry-case. Add this mic to your collection and hear the difference in your mix.




Price: £35.00Includin

[ShergoldSnickers]

[url="http://www.dolphinmusic.co.uk/?page=shop/browse&category_id=309beaf75b8a7a65c4bea1c6c3ddeb10"]Good range of alternatives here[/url]

Most should be suitable for bass.

[nick]

Thanks everyone for advice, much appreciated.
Actually managed some reasonable results from just a SM57 at some recent gigs.

But, want to obtain a semi-decent mic myself for recording, & to take to gigs when the FOH engineer bemoans he cannot mic me up due to lack of mics.

Will look into RVD1, as well as well these JTS mics:
TX-2 (£30 [url="http://www.fbtusa.net/JTSTX2webtc.html"]http://www.fbtusa.net/JTSTX2webtc.html[/url]
NX-2 (about £50) [url="http://www.fbtusa.net/JTSNX2webtc.html"]http://www.fbtusa.net/JTSNX2webtc.html[/url]

Thanks again

[jensenmann]

Do yourself a favour and get a real microphone and stay away from cheapo BS.
Sennheiser 421, EV RE20, Beyerdynamic M88 or Shure SM7B are the ones you want. Everybody and their grandma uses these mikes for basscabs since ages (besides AKG D12 which is no more made) and there is reason why. These mikes deliver everything you need but without too much coloration. This will keep your sound flexible.

Bassdrummikes often have a presence/treble boost which you don´t want for bassguitar so you have to be careful with some of these mikes (D112, Beta52, e602). They might work - or might not, depending on what you want.

I know, late reply but I thought it´s worth to mention

[Mcdrewson]

Couldn't agree more with Jensenmann. In particular, I have always had good results with my Sen MD421. If you do ever get a chance to try one, the original D12 kicks the ass of a D112 - it's a real shame they're no longer in production.
Jensenmann - what mics and pres do you normally record with out of interest?

[stingrayfan]

JTS is actually good stuff. We use their vocal mikes all round as they have more gain than SM58s and sound brighter.

[joegarcia]

I agree with jensenmann as per his choices although I have had good results from a beta52. My personal favourite is the Beyer Opus 65 though, or a MD421.

[jensenmann]

[quote name='Mcdrewson' post='275764' date='Sep 2 2008, 08:42 PM']Jensenmann - what mics and pres do you normally record with out of interest?[/quote]

Fortunately I have around 60 mikes and access to boatloads more. So there´s pretty much choice.
The above mentioned mikes are no brainers, you can´t go wrong with either of them. I´ve recorded with each of them. They are kind of industry-standard for PA and recording, hence they are available in most studios and in most PA companies. I´ve been recording (bass) with beta52s, too. But they are not no-brainers. Sometimes they work, sometimes they don´t. Some Neumanns are pretty good for bass. The last recording I did was a bigband where the upright was picked up with two U89. I´ve been using SM57s for basscabs successfully when the lowend isn´t that important - means: recorded through DI+mike. Lowend came from the DI, life has been added with the SM57 sound.
Other mikes which I have been using: Beyer Opus99, M201, Sennheiser MD441, MD409

[Mcdrewson]

I've been recording through an Avalon U5 the past few months but I'm a great fan of a Neumann U47 Fet through a Neve 1073 DPA. My other fave is straight through my Drawmer 1960. Like yourself, I have access to everything from 57s to 67s and 47Vs but I always find you go back to what you know. Likewise I was recording a cranked up Marshall with an SG a few months ago - tried Royers and Neumanns but went back to a 57!

[jensenmann]

Oh, you asked for preamps. Did you mean basspreamps or microphone preamps?
As for the latter I´m DIYing a lot of studiogear. So did I with my mikepres.
A phantastic preamp is the Gyraf G9 with a stunning sounding DI. It´s fully tube and gives great control about input distortion. Not in the sense of cranked Marshall but more in the sense of harmonic enhancement. Very creamy sounding, esp. for fretless. Here´s a link to the DIY-project: [url="http://www.gyraf.dk/"]http://www.gyraf.dk/[/url]
Then there are some Neumann v476, Telefunken v676 , Siemens v72, Langevin AM16, RCA BA31 racked pres and my version of the Amek9098 pre. My next DIY preamps will be Hamptone Jfet preamps. They are famous for nicely coloured bass-sounds. I´m really looking forward to get them finished (after having completed the overhaul of my Amek desk - which will surely take another year and a half). Hamptones are available as kit if it´s from interest for somebody: [url="http://www.hamptone.com/HJFP2.htm"]http://www.hamptone.com/HJFP2.htm[/url]

[Mcdrewson]

How do you find the 9098? Have access to 9098EQ but only used it on vocals. You rate it on bass? Also have you ever used any of the Buzz Audio pres?

[jensenmann]

The U47fet is what will be my next purchase. People always tell me how good they are for bass but I never had the chance to check it out. This has to change. If you know someone selling one let me know.

[Mcdrewson]

Can you PM me?

[jensenmann]

My 9098 is probably not exactly what the racked 9098 pres are because there were differences between the rackversions and the deskversions. My DIYpres are derived from the desk schematics.
They are great allrounders with a very rich tone. Not colourful, more on the neutral side but they deliver a very detailed sound. Everything is there, nothing missing, nothing favoured. These are my goto-in-a-hurry pres, I can´t go wrong with them in any application.
Never tried the Buzz audio stuff. I´m trying to stay away from the 500 series hype. I remember people throwing API desk away because they sounded too coloured - well, long time ago. Same with the old german broadcast stuff. Today the hype goes the other direction. Everybody´s crazy for analog nastyness :-)

Edited September 2, 2008 by jensenmann

[Rimskidog]

D112 is a studio staple for a reason. I wouldnt go much cheaper but to be honest, you'd be better off to buy a decent DI. If you get a good one it will work great for gigs and for recording. The BSS AR133 is great bang for buck at the budge tend of the spectrum. An A Designs REDDI is awesome if you can afford to splash out more.

[quote name='jensenmann' post='275870' date='Sep 2 2008, 10:40 PM']My 9098 is probably not exactly what the racked 9098 pres are because there were differences between the rackversions and the deskversions. My DIYpres are derived from the desk schematics.
They are great allrounders with a very rich tone. Not colourful, more on the neutral side but they deliver a very detailed sound. Everything is there, nothing missing, nothing favoured. These are my goto-in-a-hurry pres, I can´t go wrong with them in any application.
Never tried the Buzz audio stuff. I´m trying to stay away from the 500 series hype. I remember people throwing API desk away because they sounded too coloured - well, long time ago. Same with the old german broadcast stuff. Today the hype goes the other direction. Everybody´s crazy for analog nastyness :-)[/quote]

[charic]

The D112 is about as cheap as I would honestly recommend. AKG, Rode and Neumann are probably my favourite choices. Although I tend to worry about condensers near a bass cab if its not designed for the application. I did once get a very very good sound through a rode K2 with a bass amp. I would suggest saving for a little longer and get yourself something atleast industry standard. Personally I don't like DI on bass but hey thats me

I'm sure you'll find the right gear in the end.

P.S. The RED gear is pretty good but honestly I never found it quite anywhere near as good as the AKG.

[Rimskidog]

[quote name='charic' post='278949' date='Sep 7 2008, 08:09 AM']P.S. The RED gear is pretty good but honestly I never found it quite anywhere near as good as the AKG.[/quote]

The REDDI is nothing to do with RED microphones (which are actually the same make as BLUE)

[charic]

Look further up youll see where RED was mentioned. Altho i didnt know about blue

Edited September 12, 2008 by charic