Recording - October 2021 - 72

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The Right
Mic for You!
" Which mic should I get? " is probably the most asked question
in recording. New recordists ask it when they start out, and
veterans ask it when they need to improve, expand, or record
something new.
When you ask on the internet, dogma can get the best of
you. Some factions will tell you only a $10,000 classic will
do. Others will tout the latest and greatest. Some people swear
they hate the sound of a treasured classic, and some will tell
you they recorded a number one hit with a lavalier they found
in a trashcan.
The point is, it's easy to get caught up in the hype, but in
reality, every mic has its place. Whether that place is in your
studio depends on you and what you're doing.
Consider the source
When you're researching a new mic purchase, consider
the sources you'll record with it. Talk to trusted colleagues
and read specs. Choosing a mic is all about what you're
going to do with it. This may seem obvious, but the more you
can drill down, the better. Maybe you're looking for a vocal
mic-OK. But not all vocalists sound the same. Will you be
recording a male voice or female? Rock? Metal? Intimate
music? Spoken word?
Avoid the idea that some mics are 'best' and instead think
about what mics work for given applications. Even then, consider
things like frequency response and what any given mic
tends to emphasize. For one person, 'great on bass' means a
mic that emphasizes low end, while someone else may find
that mic muddy. A 'great snare mic' might end up being a
bright, sharp mic that gives you exactly what you weren't looking
for. Instead of looking for the best in general terms, dial in
what you want to accomplish as tightly as possible.
Consider the cost
Microphones can be really expensive. They can also be delightfully
affordable. There's no point in deciding you can't do
without a $20,000 Telefunken U 47 vintage tube mic if your
budget is $1000. Similarly, you may find that spending more
doesn't always get you what you want. A $5000 mic might
have the wrong sonic characteristics for most of what you need
it for. Still, there are times when you get what you pay for. So,
start with a budget.
The big picture
Maybe you have zeroed in on a respected $1200 mic. But,
would your money be better spent getting four $300 mics with
different qualities, giving you more options? If you never record
anyone else and the mic is just for you, then maybe not. If you
record a variety of talent, maybe so.
Forget buyer's remorse
Once you've bought a mic, there's only one thing you should
consider when it comes to whether you made the right choice:
the results. Quickly determine whether or not it works for you;
send it back if it doesn't. What you don't want to do is continue
researching and listening to the court of public opinion
and get all caught up in unnecessary buyer's remorse. This
happens more than you might think; share your shiny new purchase
with your friends or some Facebook group, and somebody
will invariably drag you over how bad a decision you
made. Only consider the opinions of trusted colleagues-and
only before you buy.
Use your ears
My single best piece of advice today: audition and listen to
mics. The best way to choose a mic is to bring the candidates in
for a test drive. It helps to do some research to narrow it down,
but your ears will be the best judge. Some stores will let you do
a shootout. Failing that, you could rent a few top candidates or
see if a local studio has the mics in question-rent a few hours
of studio time and try them out.
At the end of the day, the right mic for you is the one that's
right for you.
Aaron J. Trumm was using his dream vocal mic and couldn't get
the mix right, until he realized it wasn't the right mic for his voice.
Discuss at aarontrumm.com or on Facebook @AaronJTrumm.
72 RECORDING October 2021
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Recording - October 2021

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