Klarinet Archive - Posting 000052.txt from 1999/08

From: "Benjamin Maas" <benmaas@-----.com>
Subj: RE: [kl] Audition tapes
Date: Tue, 3 Aug 1999 00:59:15 -0400

> What is the best kind of equipment, short of professional studio
> recording, to record audition tapes? I have made several tapes in the
> last year, but the recording quality is not the best because of my cheap
> equipment. I have decided to buy good quality equipment for myself and
> students to make tapes with.
>
> Any suggestions?
>
> Deborah
>

When it comes to recording gear, you basically get what you pay for. I
would not recommend MiniDisc, regardless of what you do. Without getting
into technical specifics, there are too many problems with the format.

DAT is by far the best way to go. You haven't told us what sort of budget
you have, so I can only make some general recommendations...

Condenser microphones will get you a much better sound than dynamics, but
you need some sort of a small mixing board to power them (A Mackie 1202
would probably be fine and they cost about $300 new-- less used off of the
internet...). OR, you could purchase a good field DAT machine like a Tascam
DA-P1 and it has preamps built into it. (Cost: $1500). With a set of
preamps or a small board you could get a tabletop unit like a Tascam DA-20
($900 or less). I would not get a Sony portable DAT. They have far too
many mechanical problems and the quality is well, less than stellar...

Microphones: If you do end up with a little Sony Portable, there is pretty
much only 1 decent microphone you can use it is a stereo mic, that is made
by Audio Technica. (I can't remember the number but it costs about $250, I
think). The $80 Sony is not too good. If you get a board or preamps, get
something like a pair of Shure SM-81s or Rode NT-1 (or 2). (Each about
$350/each--$700/pair). If you want a really stellar set of Mic's and can
spend the extra bucks, get a pair of Neumann KM-184's. They sound great and
are a real deal at about $650/each.... This is some Ideas on the cheap end
of the spectrum.

I would stay away from most Dynamics (especially the Shure SM-57/58 etc...),
The Beyerdynamic and Sennheiser dynamics are pretty good, but they also run
about $300+/each. Might as well get the condensers...

Hope this helps a bit.

--Ben

Benjamin Maas
Freelance Clarinetist and Recording Engineer
Los Angeles, CA
benmaas@-----.com
http://www.fifthcircle.com

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