The Ultimate $500 Mic Locker

Let’s face it; recording music can be expensive. But it doesn’t have to be. Getting the microphones you need to make great music at a reasonable price is easy at Sweetwater. Sweetwater has configured four microphone packages to cover the needs of singer/songwriters, drummers, guitarists, and studio engineers — and they all retail for less than $500.

Singers and Singer/songwriters

Recording at home and gigging out doesn’t have to be expensive! Singers and songwriters can achieve excellent results with just two microphones! For recording at home, we find that the Lauten Audio LA-220 is superb on acoustic guitar and folk instruments. And its warm, clear tone is a natural choice for recording lead vocals in the isolation booth.

When you’re gigging out with an acoustic-electric or a stage keyboard, bring the Mojave Audio MA-D with you! This trusty handheld microphone offers a high-definition sound that runs circles around the handheld mics that venues typically supply.

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Drummers

You may not realize that it’s possible to mic up your entire drum kit for $500! When you buy from Sweetwater, it’s pretty easy. We’ve chosen the Audix FP5 5-piece drum mic package. This is enough mics for your kick drum, snare, and three toms. For overheads, add a stereo pair of RODE M5 small-diaphragm condensers for great results. With these seven mics, you’ll have everything you need to record in the studio or to play live onstage. Just add stands and cables, and you’re ready to roll. Never miked up a drum kit before? You can read our article on how to mic a drum kit or watch the video below!

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Guitarists

Did you know you can assemble a collection of four unique guitar mics for less than $500? To build a guitar-centric mic locker, Sweetwater recommends the Sennheiser e 609 Silver, the legendary Shure SM57, MXL’s R144, and the RODE NT1-A.

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Electric players will mainly use their e 609 Silver, SM57, and R144 for recording guitar cabs. Each of these microphones has a unique sonic signature that significantly impacts your final sound. If you’re new to recording electric guitar cabs, then you can learn how to mic a guitar amplifier by watching this video.

What about acoustic guitar players? We haven’t forgotten about you! Ribbons and condenser microphones are usually the tools of choice for acoustic guitars, leaving your options at the MXL R144 and RODE NT1-A. However, the SM57 could also provide the right sound, depending on what sound you want.

Whatever you’re recording, be sure to experiment with recording the same source with two mics simultaneously. Using the MXL R144 ribbon mic alongside the dynamic Shure SM57 is dynamite on guitar cabinets. Meanwhile, you may find that pairing the R144 with the RODE NT1-A yields superb acoustic sounds.

Engineers

Commonly, an engineer’s journey begins by recording themselves and their friends for little or no payment. A good set of utility mics makes cutting your teeth that much easier. Here’s what we recommend:

Golden Age Project R2 MKII

The Golden Age Project R2 MKII is a ribbon microphone that flaunts all the smooth, velvety goodness of a classic ribbon mic without any of the durability issues that can plague vintage examples. It’s a wonder on cabs, acoustic guitars, brass instruments, and many more sources.

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AKG P170

A small-diaphragm condenser microphone, such as the AKG P170, offers a vivid soundstage and detailed sound pickup. It’s a no-brainer for drum overheads, hi-hats, and acoustic instruments.

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sE Electronics X1 A

Flaunting a well-balanced frequency curve, impressive accuracy, and a wide dynamic range, the sE Electronics X1 A is a large-diaphragm condenser microphone that proves you don’t have to spend thousands to achieve excellent recordings.

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Shure 545SD

Before the legendary SM57 came the Shure 545. Now, the late-’60s design is reborn as the Shure 545SD! This microphone is a Swiss Army knife, effortlessly handling guitar cabs, vocals, drums, and anything else you need. And, since it’s a Shure, it’s durable enough to last for decades.

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Conclusion

See? You can assemble a mic locker for under $500! If you’re curious about any of the microphones on this list, then call Sweetwater at (800) 222-4700! Your dedicated Sweetwater Sales Engineer will happily walk you through the ins and outs of creating your first microphone locker. Once you’re ready to add more microphones or to upgrade your overall setup, give us a call! We’re always happy to help.
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