$1 mic deal from Rode - deciding between Rode M1 vs M2 vs M3???

[wcap]

So, I'm finally on the way toward being set up to do some home recording. I ordered a Presonus Firebox today, along with a Rode NT1-A microphone.

The thing is, Rode is running a promotional deal through August - if you buy a qualifying microphone (such as the NT1-A), you can get an additional microphone for $1, and they give you the choice of:

An M1 ( http://www.rodemic.com/microphone.php?product=M1 )

or

an M2 ( http://www.rodemic.com/microphone.php?product=M2 )

or

an M3 ( http://www.rodemic.com/microphone.php?product=M3 )


So, more decisions.

I don't perform live so I guess my goal is NOT to get a stage mic (though I do occassionally play acoustic guitar solos in church, and it would be nice to have a decent mic (that could be plugged into the church's sound system) for such occassions - the church does not have a mic that the music director thinks is adequate for getting decent acoustic guitar sound, so last time I played he had me play without a mic, and I don't think people heard me in the back of the church as well as they might have).

Mostly I want to record acoustic instruments (guitar, violin, mandolin, banjo, flute, trumpet, trombone, piano, and maybe drums) at home, and maybe some voice on occassion. And I'd like to be able to record two instruments simultaneously.

(I might also like to do some recording of nature sounds outdoors - birds, insects, frogs - but this is not a high priority)

So, I'm thinking the M3 is probably the best one of these microphones for me to go with based on its versatility.

But I am totally new to all this recording stuff, so if anyone with more experience can give me some thoughts on this decision it would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks.

[Big Mike Simpson]

Of those 3 choices I would pick the M3 for recording, it will give you a small condenser mic for a different response than the NT1, for what it's worth it appears designed similar to the NT3...

I have 2 NT1's and a pair of NT5's

[wcap]

Thanks.

So, in what general sorts of situations do you tend to find the responses of large condensor vs. small condensor mics preferable?

[Old Cane]

That's quite a deal and I agree on the M3 as the one you want. Generally, SDCs give you a little more sparkle for quick, light recordings. Not sure if I explained that worth a crap but SDCs get used for acoustic guitars, violons, cymbals, etc. LDCs get used for vocals, kick drums, guitar amps, etc. There is a lot of overlap though on mics. No real hard and fast rules. I did a session a couple of weeks ago where the vocals all got done with an sm81, a SDC.

The M3 looks like you have the option of battery or phantom power. That's perfect for church since they may or may not have phantom power available on the board. The 1 and 2 look like a handheld vocal mic.

[wcap]

Thanks for the added info.

I'll probably have more questions once I actually have this equipment in my hands and start trying to do some recording (and processing of the audio I've captured).




I love TDPRI - I actually hardly ever play my Tele or Strat anymore, but TDPRI tends to stil be the place I come to with guitar-related questions.

[mudbean]

Originally Posted by Old Cane

... No real hard and fast rules. I did a session a couple of weeks ago where the vocals all got done with an sm81, a SDC.

Huh, no kiddin? By choice, or necessity?

OC's right, BTW - don't be afraid to break "the rules" ... try ALL of your mics on EVERYTHING.

Nuthin fer nuthin, but that M-3 looks waaaay too close to an AKG C1000S, a huge P.O.S. (in my personal opinion, YMMV).

mud

[Old Cane]

Yeah, but for $1? It may be ok. I hear good things about Rode in general but I've never used one.

Well, I was going to bring my Red mic for vocals and by the time I got there to do the bass they had the lead vocal done. They also had a 421 there. It's a media studio here at work. They mainly only do voiceovers on videos they make. So the next day I got a call to come back upstairs and be in the choir. And again, the sm81. Sounds ok. Used for an online meeting.....low, low, low res. Yuck. I need to talk them into a 4033 or something but then they have to add a phantom power supply.

[slowpinky]

I think the M3 is the best choice for recording. I have two of them - they are similar to a C1000 in size/look but they sound warmer to me. The battery option is cool, particularly for field recording, and they are also solidly built. come with a hard case too.

[Ben Harmless]

Originally Posted by mudbean

Huh, no kiddin? By choice, or necessity?

My understanding is that the SM81 actually used to be pretty popular on vocals, and I remember being quite pleasantly surprised the fist time I spoke into one - it sounded a lot more like me than the average vocal mic!

Originally Posted by mudbean

Nuthin fer nuthin, but that M-3 looks waaaay too close to an AKG C1000S, a huge P.O.S. (in my personal opinion, YMMV).

I had the same reaction. I suppose it could be the same body with different guts, but I now have such a visceral reaction to the C1000 that I'm not going to explore the matter further. I've watched the C1k wreck a lot of good sounding instruments when bands bring them along and insist on using them.

[Old Cane]

"I've watched the C1k wreck a lot of good sounding instruments when bands bring them along and insist on using them."

I remember those days.

[mudbean]

Funny ... I just got a Grateful Dead guitar instructional DVD today, looks like the guy's using a C1000S on his acoustic (a nice Gibby) ... it sounds spectacularly horrid. Wow. Nice DVD, though, overall. "Casey Jones" alone was worth the price of admission.

mud

[Ben Harmless]

Originally Posted by Old Cane

"I've watched the C1k wreck a lot of good sounding instruments when bands bring them along and insist on using them."

I remember those days.

...Luckily that's mostly live, so there's no record of them.

Nowadays, because we record all the live shows where I work (radio station with a performing arts studio) we have more grounds to insist on using our mics. For a poor public radio station, we've got a great mic cabinet.

[slowpinky]

[quote=Ben Harmless;1994236
I had the same reaction. I suppose it could be the same body with different guts, but I now have such a visceral reaction to the C1000 that I'm not going to explore the matter further. [/QUOTE]


maybe read this too....
http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/nov0...les/rodem3.htm