The Microphone Box and what I'd put in it...if I was rich!

The Microphone Box

I have approached this with the view that there is no budget in place although I have tried to buy a compact kit with multiple uses for “workhorse” mics and choices of mics to use with which application.

Instruments / instrument groups I would like to be able to record effectively

Vocals

Drums (various drum kits components)

Bass guitar amp

Electric guitar amp

Acoustic Instruments

Brass / Reed section

Piano

Drum Mics

Sure SM57 for Snare Drum

AKG D-112 for Kick Drum

Neumann KM84 (x2) for overheads

Sennheiser MD421 / Sure SM57 (x2) for Toms

Bass Guitar Amplifier Mic

Sennheiser MD421 / AKG D-112

Electric Guitar Amplifier Mic

Sennheiser MD421 / Sure SM57

Vocal Mic

Neumann U87 / Rode NT5

Extra Mics (for drums, cabs etc to give alternative sounds)

Sure Beta 58A

Brass / Reed Mic

Sennheiser MD421 / Neumann U87 (for ambient recording) / Sure SM57’s (for reed)

Piano Mic

Rode NT5 (pair)

Acoustic Mics

Neumann KM84 (x2 / Rode NT5

Sure SM57 (x7)

Because the Dynamic SM57 is renowned for its rugged construction it is excellent for use with high sound pressure levels such as mic-ing up a guitar amp or on toms or snare drum. It can also be used for kick drum although there are better examples as the bass response has a sharp cut. It’s brighter top end can also be used for reed instruments (oboe etc) to help them cut through a mix more effectively. I would be buying 7 of these as I would use them for reed, guitar amp, snare and toms and possibly for more general use where a particular sound may be desired that the preferred mic’s cannot provide.  Because it is a Cardiod mic it means it is good at rejecting sound from other directions which means it’s great for recording drums as it will not pick up too many sounds from other parts of the drum kit.

AKG D-112 (x2)

This robust Dynamic microphone is excellent for kick drum and the frequency response pattern shows a bass boost which will help the mic make the kick drum sound powerful. It is also a good alternative for mic-ing bass guitar amps for the same reasons. There is also a boost (although it cuts off rapidly at the very top end) in the top ranges that help it to sound crisp. I would buy two of these, one for kick drum and one for bass guitar amps if an alternative is desired. The D-112 is also Cardioid helping to prevent sounds from other parts of the drum kit bleeding into the kick drum recording.

Neumann KM84 (x4)

The KM84 is a Cardioid condenser mic which means its directional and very sensitive, using phantom power. The KM84’s biggest strengths are its very flat mid range with only a little bit of a cut in the bass range. This means it’s ideal for close mic-ing acoustic instruments or overheads as they give a natural sound and yet can focus on the sound wishing to be captured. Positioning is crucial as they usually need to be positioned the same distance away from the instrument as the size of the sound producing part of the instrument being recorded. This is only a suggestion as the ears and the overall track will be the best judge of method. These mics are often sold in pairs.

Sennheiser MD421 (x4)

The dynamic cardiod pick up of this mic is perfect for mid range applications with a boost to the higher ranges. This means it is good for bringing instruments brightly through the mix. It also has a large diaphragm and is robust meaning I could use this for many differing applications. In particular I would be using this for brass, toms and for bass and guitar amp recording.

Neumann U87 (x2)

The Neumann U87 is a large dual diaphragm condenser mic which is very sensitive and perfect for vocal recording. The bass response drops off but this can help counteract the bassy-ness that vocal mics can produce when using them close to the mouth. It’s been a standard for years and while it will not suit every singer, it’s ideal for most. I have plenty of options in my box already if necessary but this mic will give most singers the feeling that they are using quality equipment.

Rode NT5 (x2)

The Rode NT5 is a small diaphragm cardiod condenser mic which means it is sensitive yet accurate when pointed directly at the sound source. It can be used for vocals but is also ideal for recording acoustic instruments such as violins or acoustic guitars. I personally have used a small diaphragm cardiod condenser mic for vocals and acoustic and while it was a cheap model it did produce good results. I would also use these mics for recording piano as two pointed inside the piano itself would get a good range of frequencies without too much room reverberation. They can also perform quite well when used on drum overheads so provide a good alternative to the KM84. They are sold in a pair.

Sure Beta 58A (x5)

This is the mic I use for recording and live although this is mostly because of its cheaper price rather than its effectiveness in all the situations I use it for. However, it is robust and versatile. It’s recognisable to most singers as it’s based on the incredibly popular Sure SM58 and can be used for rock vocals, for mic-ing up guitar cabs and drums (although not kick as a rule). A great all purpose addition and also helps inexperienced studio singers to feel at home.

So, first piece of coursework online. Boy did I have fun trying to get this on here. I'm fine editing complex documents but this editor has a mind of its own, or at least a mind unlike mine.

I'm sat in the college library at the moment listening to Alison Krauss singing about her and her sisters going down. Sounds erotic perhaps but actually its more serene and from the Oh Brother Where Art Thou soundtrack. It's the song they spoiled  by using for a road safety advert.

Last night I started a new song on my old software just so I keep getting stuff done while I learn. I'm pleased with my very first sequencing project though. It's got an Asian vibe (lots of Indian drumming and chinese instruments) and I may just polish it up. I've never produced an instrumental before, maybe because I like the sound of my voice too much but there's a first time for everything and perhaps this is it. Who know...?

And in the beginning...

Well, it's hardly a beginning. I've been Mr Keep Calm for some time now and was doing what Mr Keep Calm does long before that. Maybe I should explain...

I'm a songwriter, a musician, a singer, a live performer, a studio hermit who uses my low-fi kit to make low-fi tunes that people seem to like.

I'm not someone who pretends they're from the 'street', I ain't interested in fashions and trends and I don't have loads of money and yet pretend I'm a struggling artist. I'm doing okay and yet I'm always skint. Hmmm

I have played lots of festivals, theatres, concert halls and other, smaller venues. The biggest place I played is the Med Biome in the Eden Project, the smallest is my living room when I practice and write. I've been on lots of radio shows from the BBC to commercial stations to hospital to community radio. All across the UK and even as far as Vietnam.

I sell a few downloads, a few CD's, a couple of T-shirts, a handful of SD cards but not enough to pay the bills. The royalties do a better (but not much) job of that. Really I'm in it for the art although for a slice of songwriting cash I'd work for most people. Let's face it, I got bills to pay. I would be fussy but I'd be fine selling my wares. Don't let anyone fool you, all musicians have compromised their art for money without fail. Even The Fall have sold a song to an advert.

So now I have enrolled on a BTEC Music Technology course. I'll be posting some of my work from the course on here as well as detailing some observations of life but mostly I'll be talking about my musical exploits.

My current musical status is that I've released an EP, self produced with my limited resources and funds. I'm not playing live at the moment due to some crappy stuff that happened but I've done a few open mic's to get back into the swing. I have lots and lots of songs written, somewhere around 75. Some of them I play acoustic live, some are only studio efforts. Most are fully written but some are just doodles. Some will probably never see the light of day coz I don't like 'em (although these are among the songs I would happily sell to someone if they wanted it - they ain't doing anything for me after all!).

www.mrkeepcalm.bandcamp.com

Please take a look at my EP - The Rocky Place. I've also got on here last year's Christmas album, a labour of love that hopefully will put some new music into someones annual Christmas song playlist. Further to this is the BBC Red Button Project. Each week for 8 weeks I took a news headline and wrote a song based on it in less than ten hours per song from reading the headline to writing, recording, producing the song and posting it online with a video. It was exhausting but the results are not too bad at all. The recordings are a little wobbly as time was obviously tight but some of the songs I really like. This is probably the project I'm most famous for. The final piece is my old acoustic duo's album. We were popular on the folk circuit but our album is very amateurish. It's the first bit of recording we ever did and it's wobbly in places but also at times soars. See what you think.

So what for the future? Well, I'm still working with my guitarist James Bennett as we often write together. I'm also learning lots of new skills and have access to better production software. The music can only get better. Plus the songwriting will have some new skills to play with. I'm also tentatively learning to play the piano as time permits so I should have a new instrument I can add into the mix soon too.

My next blog will be a microphone box work piece for my course. Feel free to pick it apart etc as it can only help my coursework!

Please get in touch through sound cloud, Facebook, google +, myspace, twitter, youtube and my yahoo email as I would gladly hear from you, link and take on board criticism of anything I do.

Laterz!