Build a Microphone Cabinet on any Budget

Sep 1, 2000 12:00 PM, BRIAN KNAVE AND MYLES BOISEN

           
 

No Compromises Midline ($9,000)

Bt Brian Knave

(1) Electro-Voice N/D 868 ($338)
(1) beyerdynamic TG-X 50 ($249)
(1) Electro-Voice N/D 468 ($278)
(4) AKG C 418 ($329 each)
(1) Sennheiser MD 421 II ($485)
(1) Royer R-121 ($995) (1) Crown CM 700 ($289)
(2) Earthworks SR77 ($1,300 for matched pair)
(2) MicroTech Gefell M300 ($495 each)
(1) AKG C 414 B/ULS ($1,258)
(1) Lawson L47MP ($1,995)

For this cabinet, I'm still using the N/D 868 and N/D 468 for kick and snare, respectively, but I've switched to AKG C 418 miniature condensers for the toms. These great-sounding little units come complete with convenient clips that clamp onto the rims of the drums for quick and easy setup. For hi-hat, I picked the Crown CM 700 - not only because of its low price and great sound, but also because it offers a 2-position low-cut switch; with most hi-hats, I typically engage them both.

Like Boisen, I chose both the Sennheiser MD 421 II dynamic and the Royer R-121 ribbon for miking electric-guitar amps. I also love the Royer on horns and percussion, and I find it indispensable for recording violin and any other potentially "scratchy" sources.

The Earthworks SR77 and the MicroTech Gefell M300 are my choices for small-diaphragm condensers in this category. Having both pairs really expands the sonic palette, as the two models, though both very accurate, have quite different "attitudes."

I took the same approach in the large-diaphragm department, going for maximum flexibility and range of sound by using both the multipattern, solid-state AKG C 414 and the multipattern Lawson L47MP tube mic.

If you don't mind spending a few extra dollars, a different multipattern tube microphone that would fill this cabinet out nicely is the CAD VX2 ($2,249). This smooth, gorgeous-sounding mic employs two tubes and provides three polar patterns (cardioid, omni, and figure-8) and two interchangeable capsules: the OS 125 (1.25-inch diameter), which has a big, warm sound; and the brighter-sounding OS 110 (1.1-inch). The VX2 also provides an 80 Hz low-cut filter and two attenuation pads.