Microphones

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monks1975
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Joined: Wed Jun 03, 2009 5:05 pm

Microphones

Post by monks1975 »

What type of mic can plug straight into the sp-404? (or 303)? Can I use a condenser Mic for instance, or would I need a pre-amp?

Thanks
Jon
Jim Y
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Location: Wales, UK

Re: Microphones

Post by Jim Y »

Hi,
The sampler does have mic preamp built in. What it doesn't have is phantom powering for any condenser mics that need that.
You can use a Condenser IF it's the kind that has a battery in it. There are plenty of stage condenser mics that have battery compartments in the stem. Audio Technica make some nice ones.


Whatever Mic you have, you'll need a cable ending with a 1/4" mono jack plug as the sampler doesn't have a standard 3pin XLR mic socket.

If you're going to be vocalising loud right into the mic, a Dynamic might be better - like the Shure SM58 that is available everywhere and which there many alternative & cheaper copies made. For sampling everything else, a condenser would be better on average as they should be more sensitive.

On the 404, the built in mic is a condenser and really it isn't too bad. Certainly usable provided the sound you record is moderately loud.

Cheers
Jim
Just when you think things couldn't get any more exciting - they don't.
monks1975
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Re: Microphones

Post by monks1975 »

Thanks for that impressive reply, really helped.

Think I'll probably get the Rode M3 condenser, then perhaps a Shure SM57 (dynamic I think, rather than condenser) later on as a companion mic.

Putting together a small budget studio, so will also slowly, as money permits, get these:

Novation X-station 49 synth/midi controller
Korg PadKontrol
Electribe ER-1
Ableton Live 7
Reason, with the Abbey Road refill (Mellotron sound FTW!)

But for now, an SP-404 and a nice mic is a lovely, go anywhere music sandbox and I can do field recordings/interviews all kinds of stuff on it as well as sampling/making loops.

--
Jon
nyquest
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Re: Microphones

Post by nyquest »

sounds like a cool little studio,

if you're getting an ER-1, make sure you get the mk2 instead of the mk1, cross mod is alot more useful than ring mod - and it looks prettier too haha
Heaven forbid, I go my own way and..
Heaven forbid, I dont be a slave, man..
Cos I know that it's hard to accept,
I'm an outcast.
Jim Y
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Posts: 264
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Location: Wales, UK

Re: Microphones

Post by Jim Y »

Nice find that M3 :)
I wasn't aware of that one.
Found this review...
http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/nov07/a ... rodem3.htm
Looks to be a good all-rounder for the mobile sampler.

Jim
Just when you think things couldn't get any more exciting - they don't.
monks1975
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Joined: Wed Jun 03, 2009 5:05 pm

Re: Microphones

Post by monks1975 »

Jim Y wrote:Nice find that M3 :)
I wasn't aware of that one.


Yeah, it was because of your advice in this thread about condensers with batteries that led me to it. I was initially considering the Rode NT-1a, which is more expensive and no battery so less portable, I think the M3 will be great.

On the Sp-404, haven't received my unit yet but I did buy a SanDisk 1GB EXTREME III cf card, hope it's compatible. I looked on the Roland FAQ page and it did mention SanDisk, but an earlier one.

What's the delay effect like on the SP-404, can you in theory do space echo type stuff like the RE201? As in 70's dub reggae and Lee Perry etc ...
--
Jon
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