Tapers Corner Forum

Got a crispy FOB SBD or Podcast?

I Just started taping.I have an H4 Digital recorder which is good for bars and small venues but what might be some good semi cheap mics for big venues...any suggestions would be great

hdynug22,

I my first set of mics were stealthy bineurals which I loved. Nowadays they make high end versions which sound as good as an expensive taping rig. The benefit of the bineurals is that they have a battery box that functions as the preamp. The quality of the preamp generally determines the cost of the recorder - therefore, as you may imagine, the ones in your $300 h4 arent that great. Also, full sized mics will require phantom power from the h4 which will eat through the 2 AA's quickly. The bineural mics are here:

http://www.core-sound.com/mics/1.php

The high end versions that sound as good as a full sized rig:

http://www.core-sound.com/bk/1.php

Another option that won't sound quite as good as the high end bineurals but is at least more affordable is a battery powered stereo micropone such as the audio technica AT822. The key feature is the battery power so that you don't have to provide phantom power from the h4:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/68194-REG/Audio_Technica_AT822_AT822_Stereo_Microphone.html

Hope this is helpful.

Regards,

Tapergeeek

Instead of the bineural, I see they offer a cardiod version which will actually be better in most applications - I would choose this first as the lower end miniature option:

http://www.core-sound.com/cardioid/1.php

Regards,

Tapergeek

If you don't need something really stealthy, the best deal going is the Samson CL2 matched pair. They are a true capacitor condenser. You get two cardiod capsules, 2 omni, shock mounts, wind screens, stereo bar and metal flight case. Bar none one of the best deals going. I personally own Schoeps, Neumann, AKG, ADK, Sennheiser, Crown, Oktava, Shure and BLUE mics. The CL2's compare really well with Neumann KM184's, actually sound smoother. KM184's sell for about $700 each with only one pattern option. If you want a new pattern/capsule, you have to buy a whole new mic. The CL2's come with matched pairs of cardiod and omni caps, all the accessories for $299!!!! It is a rediculous deal. I work for one of the largest mic and pro sound distributors in the country so I have the ability to compare a lot of gear, trust me the CL2's are awesome.