What is the best mic for ABLETON

Discuss music production with Ableton Live.
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dehamfex
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What is the best mic for ABLETON

Post by dehamfex » Tue Sep 13, 2011 2:33 pm

Looking for the best mic for ABLETON. What do you recommend?

XPM
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Re: What is the best mic for ABLETON

Post by XPM » Tue Sep 13, 2011 3:35 pm

To be honest there are many many many different microphones available for many many many different purposes. The question you ask is a little like asking 'what is the best jumper for keeping warm' without saying what climate you will be using it, what fashion you like, what materials you are allergic to and how big your budget is.
First things first, what will you be using your mic for? Recording vocals? Drum sounds? Guitars?
What inputs do you have on your computer? Jack? XLR? Do you have phantom power?
How much money do you want to spend?
Bit more info will help people help you!
Good luck.
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H20nly
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Re: What is the best mic for ABLETON

Post by H20nly » Tue Sep 13, 2011 3:40 pm

Ableton doesn't discriminate. Live treats all mics equally. you need to find the best mic for you... as the previous poster mentioned. if you want mic suggestions then provide some info regarding how you intend to use it like what type of space you'll be recording in, and maybe even what type of lyrics/sounds you'll be recording.
LoopStationZebra wrote:it's like a hipster commie pinko manifesto. Rambling. Angry. Nearly divorced from all reality; yet strangely compelling with a ring of truth.

ark
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Re: What is the best mic for ABLETON

Post by ark » Tue Sep 13, 2011 4:05 pm

I once read an article that made an argument about microphone choice that I found convincing: If you sing in venues that you do not control (such as open sages, festivals, etc.), your first microphone should be a Shure SM-58. The reason is that these microphones are so widely used that you will encounter them fairly often; so you should know how to sound good through one irrespective of what microphone you wish you were using.

memes_33
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Re: What is the best mic for ABLETON

Post by memes_33 » Tue Sep 13, 2011 4:20 pm

Hip-Hop, Breakbeat, Glitch, IDM, Dub, & Mashups! Go to:
http://memes.bandcamp.com
http://www.soundcloud.com/memes_33

patrick.olson86
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Re: What is the best mic for ABLETON

Post by patrick.olson86 » Tue Sep 13, 2011 6:51 pm

A mic really shouldn't matter across whatever recording platform you use (Straight into a board or with a DAW), they should all be treated the same. With that said, there are lots of mics to choose from out there, some are very pricey, some are more affordable. I've found the Shure SM-57 and SM-58 to be good for me. 57 for micing guitar, keys, drums, and 58 for vocals. Actually, now that I think about it, the 57 and 58 are the same mic but with different heads on them, therefore, the 57 can be used really for everything. It's no coincidence that almost every venue has a locker full of 57's and 58's. They are the true workhorses of the mic world.

I would recommend reading up on mics instead of trying to find what mic works for the program, because they all will. Mics are really versatile and can be used for a wide variety of applications, the only thing I don't recommend is micing a loud signal (such as a snare hit or guitar cab) with an old ribbon mic. You'll blow the mic and in the end blow thousands of dollars.

H20nly
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Re: What is the best mic for ABLETON

Post by H20nly » Tue Sep 13, 2011 6:55 pm

sweet... and it's only 10 grand!! :arrow:
LoopStationZebra wrote:it's like a hipster commie pinko manifesto. Rambling. Angry. Nearly divorced from all reality; yet strangely compelling with a ring of truth.

regretfullySaid
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Re: What is the best mic for ABLETON

Post by regretfullySaid » Tue Sep 13, 2011 8:37 pm

I'd get it for the briefcase, the C12 is a bonus...

I'm curious to how this stacks up to the original
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nuxnamon
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Re: What is the best mic for ABLETON

Post by nuxnamon » Tue Sep 13, 2011 9:53 pm

telefunken elam 251 is what most people use with ableton.. but some are strapped for cash and just get a sony C800G.. but both do add warmth to your synth tracks when you mic up your monitors.. it's like running to tape..

memes_33
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Re: What is the best mic for ABLETON

Post by memes_33 » Tue Sep 13, 2011 9:54 pm

i was being a little bit of a dick with that C12 response. if you're doing only vocals, i would start with a Shure SM58 or maybe a cheap ribbon like the Cascade FatHead. if you plan to record instruments as well, i would start with a Shure SM57 or maybe a cheap condenser like an Audio Technica AT2020, or maybe a small-diaphram condenser if you are only recording instruments/sounds (not great on vocals usually).

but these guys are right- what mic you buy completely depends on what you're doing with it. no mic is 'better' for ableton than another one. people have huge mic collections because each microphone sounds differently and is useful in different applications. add to the mix that personal taste is a huge factor, and asking 'which mic is best' becomes like asking 'which shoe is best'- it depends.
patrick.olson86 wrote:the only thing I don't recommend is micing a loud signal (such as a snare hit or guitar cab) with an old ribbon mic. You'll blow the mic and in the end blow thousands of dollars.
and never plug an old ribbon mic into a preamp with phantom power on!
Hip-Hop, Breakbeat, Glitch, IDM, Dub, & Mashups! Go to:
http://memes.bandcamp.com
http://www.soundcloud.com/memes_33

3dot...
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Re: What is the best mic for ABLETON

Post by 3dot... » Wed Sep 14, 2011 7:36 pm

sm-57...
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regretfullySaid
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Re: What is the best mic for ABLETON

Post by regretfullySaid » Wed Sep 14, 2011 10:00 pm

I think the best mic for LIVE is getting to the point of knowing why you're asking the wrong question.
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condra
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Re: What is the best mic for ABLETON

Post by condra » Wed Sep 14, 2011 10:13 pm

I would recommend an affordable interface with built in Mic Pres, such as a Saffire 6 USB, coupled with a cheap and cherful condensor mic such as any listed here:
http://audio.tutsplus.com/tutorials/rec ... me-studio/

I use the M-Audio Nova. It's very cheap but built like a tank and sounds pretty good. More than enough for dance music.

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