I know this is not exactly a Cubase question, but many users of Cubase probably record strings on a home or small studio setting. By strings I mean violin, viola, cello, etc.
I know that in the world of electric guitars the affordable microphone of choice is the Shure SM57, like the SM58 is the choice for vocals. But I would prefer something that is in that price range but is used to record strings.
And I don’t mean to be rude, but please save comments like “if you really want to record orchestral strings you need a studio treated for sound and this $1,800 microphone”. I’m neither a musician nor a sound engineer. I just want to have something decent, like if were to record my electric guitar with the $109 Shure SM57 hanging from the top of my Fender amp. I’m not trying to record something extremely professional, just have something at hand if an idea comes to my head.
First of all, I would suggest to go for a condenser mic and not a dynamic mic. Moreover, I’d suggest a condenser mic with a small diaphragm.
I strongly advise against buying the cheapest mics on the market. Maybe start looking into Rode, Lewitt and alikes. They can’t compete with KM 184s but they come with a decent built and sound quality. I think this is what you have been asking for, right?
I agree with @Reco29 ‘s advice. Especially regarding the cheapest mics. You don’t need to go up in price very much to get a decent quality mic. What kind of price range are you thinking?
You should also consider the space you are recording in relative to what you are recording. For example if you are mostly recording one instrument at a time vs. a quartet might effect your choice, especially regarding polar patterns. Do you intend to close mic the instruments or record it further away to get some room sound.
Ultimately you want a mic that is both going to make strings sound good & also work well in the environment.
Sweetwater has a decent guide of what to think about when choosing a mic.
The cheapest in the market would be the ones you can get on Amazon for $15 or so. I’m talking about the equivalent of the Shure SM57 and SM58 but for strings. I do have the SM58 from when I was the singer in a band, but I can tell it’s a singing mic, because I also have an Audio-Technica AT875R, and the latter has far more gain than the Shure. It also has a lot more clarity. It’s mostly a directional mic meant for videographers, but it captures a lot and with great quality.
That said, if there’s something in that price range, no more than $150, and it does a better job for strings, I would buy it.
That’s because the SM58 is a dynamic mic and the other a condenser mic - which in general have better definition, and why Reco(mended) condenser mics. They actually put out a weaker signal than a dynamic mic. But it’s so low that it gets boosted in the mic, which is why condenser mics need to be powered.
SM57 - the choice of presidents!
I have heard it said that the expected use of the SM57 (in 1965) would be in an orchestral setting.
Also, isn’t the SM58 just a SM57 with a pop shield?
