Complete Recording Solution for $310

mhbstevens wrote on 8/1/2004, 12:44 PM

I've been asking and reading up here on the components for a budget recording system. Both for VO at PC and street interviews to camera. Here is what I have come up.

It is a complete system for $310. I am asking for critism/reviews before I buy. All quoted prices are at my local Gutar Center store. On-line prices may be different.

Microphone: Behringer B-2 pro. This is a large diaphram condenser mic that is a clone of the Neuman U-87 $150

Pre-Amp: Behringer Tube Ultra MIC-200. Includes Phantom power. $60

Sound Card: M-Audio Audiophile 2496. PCI digital Stereo card. $100

So what do you think?

Comments

drbam wrote on 8/1/2004, 3:55 PM

"Microphone: Behringer B-2 pro. This is a large diaphram condenser mic that is a clone of the Neuman U-87 $150"

The only thing that is similar to the U87 is appearence. For a decent large condensor in this budget, look at the Studio Projects line. Much better QC and sound. Look at the B3 in this price range. A good all around mic.

"Pre-Amp: Behringer Tube Ultra MIC-200. Includes Phantom power. $60"

Sucks! A much better mic pre and value (for a bit more money) would be the Studio Projects VTB-1.

>>Sound Card: M-Audio Audiophile 2496. PCI digital Stereo card. $100<<

This is ok, except that the analog I/O is unbalanced. Since you'll be running your mic pre into the soundcard's analog inputs, this *could* be a problem. I'd personally choose Echo's Mia over the Maudio which has balanced I/O. Of course its a bit more money as well.

HTH,

drbam

Geoff_Wood wrote on 8/1/2004, 3:58 PM

Firstly, a large diameter mic is totally inappropriate for 'street interviews'. A small diameter hypercarioid mic would be better, even a Behringer one.

Strongly suggest an all-in-one USB preamp/converter. Less units is better than more. This may necessitate a battery-powered mic, such as Rode NT3, or AKG C1000.

The mic can plug straight into the camera.

geoff

mhbstevens wrote on 8/1/2004, 9:26 PM

THANKS DrBam

Now it was someone here that told me the B3 was a true copy of the U-87, I forget who but a prevalent contributor. You obviously disagree. I reserached the Studio projects B3 and spec are about same as the Behringer B2. Why do you see this as a better mic?

As for the pre the VTB-1 does look nice for the $, and the Echo Mia WAS my second choice.

Thanks again - appreciate your input.

mhbstevens wrote on 8/1/2004, 9:30 PM

Thanks Geoff:

I want a compromise between street interview with mic extended from camera and VO's - one mic for both. I had a lot of people here say a LDC was the best all-round mic. Do you still, for the compromis, think differently?

What is a USB preamp-converter. Please give a recommendation as I can find none to match this description. To use USB or Firewire and avoid replacing my soundcard has an obvious advantage.

Thanks again,

Mike

MyST wrote on 8/2/2004, 3:58 AM

Mike,
Just to help you out regarding another subject altogether...
I believe, judging from your two different posts answering two different people, that you're using THREADED view in the forum options. If you go to Edit Account at the top right of this page, you can change that to NON THREADED.
I believe you'll find that much better.
If I'm mistaken, I apologise.

Mario

drbam wrote on 8/2/2004, 7:00 AM

" I reserached the Studio projects B3 and spec are about same as the Behringer B2."

Specs don't say anything about how a piece of gear actually performs, sounds, or its build quality and therefore can be very misleading. Even reviews in the gear mags are often quite biased in certain directions. I think doing some in-depth, detailed research of multiple user forums is the best way to get a broad sense of real world performance. If you do this, you will find that rarely (if ever) anyone will recommend the Behringer large condenser mics. On the other hand, you will find tons of positive reports about the Studio Projects mics, even from a few of the high end "gear snobs." The B3 in particular has a reputation as the proverbial "most bang for the buck" in the price range you posted.

drbam

decrink wrote on 8/2/2004, 11:22 PM

If you think the Behringer is a copy of the U87 then you will not notice any difference in the Studio Projects mic. Buy the B and you'll want a better mic soon. The SP will come next and if you want the real deal, you'll save for a long time for the U87. Then, by the time you have that you'll realize that it doesn't sound great on everything either and you'll go hunting again or pull out the old B to stick on some cranky cabinet. Either way, your ears must decide because opinions here will only give a general idea. Eventually you'll have to plunk down your hard earned cash.

All that being said, the SP is a better mic.

Geoff_Wood wrote on 8/3/2004, 1:15 AM

USB Preamp / converter - a USB sound"card" with built-in mic preamps. There are dozens out there, from M-Audio, Edirol, Apogee, etc.

I'm sure the likes of a RODE NT3 would be just as good as a B'ringer U87 look-a-like for VO, if not better. An LDC is totally inappropriate as an interview mic, especially outdoors or mobile. Handling noise, necessity for popper-stopper, weird off-axis tonal effects, phantom power rqd, etc.

geoff

mhbstevens wrote on 8/3/2004, 9:36 AM

So Geoff: Thanks. I found the USB/Firewire boxes and think that may be option if more expensive.

As for compromis mic are you saying I need go dynamic. Could I go battery powered small diaphram condensor as compromise?

Geoff_Wood wrote on 8/3/2004, 2:55 PM

Certainly . Strongly suggest RODE NT3 as battery powerable small (medium actually) diameter condenser mic suitable for street or studio alike.
AKG C1000 is suitable too, but is also a pretty much despised mic wrt sound quality in the upper range.

geoff

mhbstevens wrote on 8/3/2004, 3:17 PM

Thanks Geoff:

As this thread has got refocused as I have become more knowlegabe let's end it here and I will make a new subject post entitled "Handheld mic for on-camera interviews?"