Ruth asks…
AKG Perception 100 or Shure Sm57 or some other microphone?
I’m buying a microphone for recording at home. Especially (grand)piano, acoustic guitar, vocals and maybe winds and electric guitar. Should I get the AKG Perception 100 or Shure Sm57 (both are on sale for 99e). Or perhaps perception 200 or something entirely different? My budget is around 100-150e. I hear a large-diaphragm condenser is good for picking up details in acoustic instruments.
Also, should I pay attention to preamps? I’m thinking of buying a small mixer which at least provides the phantom power. So does this include preamp and what’s the role of a preamp in the sound? Do I need it for recording on my computer?
Thanks.
This is my first real microphone, so it’s intended to be an all-in-one general purpose mic.
SarahSo44 answers:
‘though the SM57 and 58 are fine dynamic microphones worthy of their place in any recording studio, for acoustic instruments you should consider a condenser mic for the cleaner, crisper sound.
You are only going to need a mixer if you are going to record several sources at once – you’re right that a mixer would give you the phantom power that you will need for a condenser mic, however some condensers can be fitted with batteries to negate the need for phantom power.
Before you plunge into mixers, if you are planning to record on your PC, take a look at my online guide to multi-track recording here:
http://www.cassette2cd.co.uk/DIY/index.php
follow the link to ‘multi-track recording’ this was done using free (AUDACITY) software and a condenser with a AA battery -these condensers are excellent and not too expensive. A pre-amp would enable you to gain more control over the recording as generally you have to crank the volume up to maximum to get one of these mic’s to record onto a PC.
A pre-amp is a small amplifier that boosts the output to a level that another device such as a full-blown amplifier or recording needs. Some mixers include a pre-amp, check the specifications if you’re not sure…
For more on microphones visit:
http://www.cassette2cd.co.uk/studio/index.htm
click on the links for ‘microphone types’, ‘dynamic vs condenser’ and ‘specific applications’ for all I know about mic’s…
Hope that’s enough to be going on with…
Chris asks…
Just found a Gibson guitar on ebay looks good but i’m no expert. What do you think?
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Gibson-Maestro-Signiture-SG-Electric-Guitar-Wine-Red_W0QQitemZ140324803519QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV?hash=item20ac0293bf&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=65%3A12%7C66%3A2%7C39%3A1%7C72%3A2140%7C293%3A1%7C294%3A50
SarahSo44 answers:
Let me correct my post WTF. As one poster stated, the guitar is made by Maestro. Having said this, it is a spin-off of SG Gibson and i notied that the Truss Rod Cover states Gibson. So the power seller is not lying in the sense that this guitar is a low-priced guitar made in Singapore and to the specs of Gibson.
For the money, you can’t go wrong but don’t expect the guitar to get better with time because it will not. As for the re-sale value, it would be next to nothing.
James asks…
Novice guitar buying help?
I can play a little bit of acoustic and want to try electric can you tell me if this is a good guitar for a begginner
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SALE-NEW-OSCAR-SCHMIDT-OE20TS-SUNBURST-SINGLE-CUTAWAY-SETNECK-LP-ELECTRC-GUITAR-/350624115241?pt=Guitar&hash=item51a2d36a29
SarahSo44 answers:
I can tell you it’s not a brand I’ve heard good things about though I’ve never played one. It seems like one of those brands that markets for beginners but satisfies only tone deaf beginners. If you don’t want to spend a lot (as I don’t because i like cheap even though I’ve been playing for like 6 years) you should look into an ibanez. I play them and they’re super cheap and have a very very nice tone, especially for the money. Quality doesn’t go off a cliff as cost goes down, as with many other brands. I would suggest this: http://www.guitarcenter.com/Ibanez-GRG120BDX-Electric-Guitar-107282022-i2521943.gc
John asks…
how much noise does one of the cheap electric guitars make that are on sale in uk at asda and woolies…?
will my neighbours be driven mad with it,they are the type to complain so i wont buy one if they are bad
the guitar is for an 8 year old who cant play one but wants one by the way!
SarahSo44 answers:
What guitar you buy makes no difference to the volume, thats what the amp does – just keep the volume of the amp down and don’t worry about it.
Although if you want to be serious guitarist don’t buy a guitar from asda or woolies. They are… SH*T. Get a proper guitar with a well known brand name. Sure the price goes up but the sound quality of it gets so much better. Guitars from shops like that are skanky and a waste of money.
David asks…
Does anybody know where you can find hurricane guitars. I know they’re not made anymore?
I didn’t know if someone sold them
SarahSo44 answers:
Looks like they are still being sold. One of the sites show $500.00.
Lutes & Guitars | For immediate sale
11 Renaissance and Baroque guitars. 6 Eleven-course lutes. 12 Vihuela, … For sale now … Which we obtained in the aftermath of the October 1987 Hurricane. …
Www.lutesandguitars.co.uk/htm/sale.htm – 192k – Cached
Details Page For Guitars For Sale
… Guitars Page 1. Details On Guitars For Sale. Home > All Guitars … Caribbean Burst, Hurricane. 1. 3G925740908-8098. 012. JET Caldera #327. Ruby Quilt, Eclipse …
Www.edroman.com/guitars/0_details.html – 228k – Cached
Cheap Guitars | Guitar Stringed Instruments For Sale
Discount Guitars and Stringed Instruments … Hurricane Electric Guitar Features. •Hand Crafted Contour Designed by Glen Burton …
Bargain-guitars.com/product_info.php?cPath=2&products_id=77 – Cached
charleston, WV musical instruments classifieds – craigslist
Acoustic Guitar – $300 – (Hurricane, WV) Mandolin F4 style – $500 – (Saint Albans) pic … Several Guitars for sale – $100 – (Gallipolis, Ohio) Mon Nov 23 …
Charlestonwv.craigslist.org/msg – Cached
Bluegrass sheet music, printable downloadable & music books
Epiphone Acoustic guitars for sale. Fender 12-string acoustic guitars for sale … Down Yonder by: Johnny & the Hurricanes, Johnny Gimble, L. Wolfe Gilbert and …
Www.vocalist.org/bluegrasssheetmusic.html -
Thomas asks…
I want to import a bass guitar from the US- import charges.?
I am a bassist and I am in the process of buying a new bass guitar. However the make of bass I have chosen is American.
I need to know what charges would be payable on the bass, which is worth around £240 in sterling.
Can anyone simply explain to me import charges in the UK? Is there anyway of calculating the charges before I place my final order.
I don’t want to place an order then find out the bass is going to cost more than I expected.
SarahSo44 answers:
Customs will treat a bass guitar as an electric guitar for import purposes. The TARIC code for electric guitars is 9207901000 and the import duty is 3.7%.
Then you will have to pay VAT (17.5%) on the imported bass.
Make sure it is packed in a flight case (you may have to pay extra for this). Make sure that the price quoted is a final cost. In the USA quoted prices often exclude local sales taxes which will be added to the bill. Check shipping costs and method of shipping, and how long it will take.
By the time you have bought the bass, paid for the shipping costs, insured it and paid the duty and VAT you will not make much of a saving over UK shop prices. This of course is not an issue if the bass you want is not available in the UK.
You will also have to wait for it to be shipped over to the UK.
Don’t forget to insure the bass as it is very possible it will be damaged, even if properly packed in a flight case.
If you let me know what bass you are getting, I will see if I can find a UK source to get a comparison cost.
Powered by Yahoo! Answers