Live Recording...Stereo Pair Recommendations?

[Gill]

Hi All,

I work with some people here in Seattle and we have a live music show (liveeyetv.org) and I need to pick up a new pair of stereo mics for a live recording situation.

Any recommendations for mics under $500?

I was using a single Rode condenser that was working well but, alas, was not giving us a stereo mix.

Gill

[tremolite]

Hey. I live down here in Olympia. I checked out Live Eye TV... excellent work. I have a couple of lower cost stereo mic recommendations for you:

Rode NT-4
Audio Technica AT825

I've used the AT825 extensively for live recording, as drum overhead, field recording, etc. It's a workhorse, especially for the money. Can endure really high SPL no problem. The NT-4 I've only used a few times but was fairly impressed with the results. I'm also lucky to have a friend that owns a Royer SF-12 which is significantly more expensive but one of the most amazing sounding stereo mics I've ever heard. There are a lot of options out there these days so you should definitely be able to find something in your price range. Check out Pacific Pro Audio as they often have excellent deals on mics. Good luck...

[TheMilford]

For a stereo pair I would always reccomend using Omni-directonal microphones as they don't color the off axis sound or suffer from proximity effect.

I have a pair of inexpensive Audio Technica 3031 condensers and they sound excellent for stereo field recrding as well as drum over heads.

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/AT3031/

[tremolite]

The AT 3031's are actually cardioid not omni. Perhaps you're thinking of the 3032's?

AT 30 series

I own a pair of AT 4041's that excel in stereo micing situations. Having a stereo pair could be a really flexible way to go. A problem you may encounter with omni's in a live recording situation, particularly at a rock show, is that the mics will pick up everything equally so you may very well run into a whole lot of audience noise in addition to the band. I've always preferred cardioid patterned mics in this application.

[flatfiver]

I'd suggest a pair of Rode NT5s - or Shure SM-81s if you can find them used (or you could check out the Shure PG-81, same basic mic but with a plastic housing, no roll off switches, made in China, and about 200 bucks less).

[chrisjedijane]

I'll +1 on the Rode NT-4 - I used one for some projects a couple of years ago, and was really pleased with the results. Having both capsules already set up in a coincident pattern is handy too, you only need one mic stand and there's less cabling to be messing around with.

[TheMilford]

The AT 3031's are actually cardioid not omni. Perhaps you're thinking of the 3032's?

AT 30 series

I own a pair of AT 4041's that excel in stereo micing situations. Having a stereo pair could be a really flexible way to go. A problem you may encounter with omni's in a live recording situation, particularly at a rock show, is that the mics will pick up everything equally so you may very well run into a whole lot of audience noise in addition to the band. I've always preferred cardioid patterned mics in this application.

Oops.. you are correct and I have the Omni 3032s.

[TheMilford]

The nice thing about omnis is yo can get them closer to the band without proximity effect issues. That way you don't need to get them further out toward the audience to capture the whole picture...

I put them right in the middle of our band rehearsal circle and the sound great.