clip-on mics - gigs AND home rec.?

[Philip Jensen]

Are clip-on microphones good enough for home recording (practicing) compared to standard microphones? I've been planing on buying an AT822 to use with my mini-disc recorder. Lately though I've been thinking about buying my own microphone (clip-on) for use in the Dixie band I play in and am wondering if I could use one microphone effectively for both purposes.

Next question. Wireless, or not wireless? Wireless certainly would be nice for gigs, but how well would it work for recording myself practicing? Does being wireless result in any loss of quality? Strictly amatuer here, I'm not going to be making any audition recordings

In what looking around I've done it looks like the clip-on mics can be used with or without wireless systems. So I assume I could simply connect, via cable, my mini-disc, or the band's amplifier, to the output from a phantom power supply.

Has anybody tried AMT's system 1?

http://www.appliedmic.com/system1.asp

This looks like something I could use for either purpose. Or even more fancy is their Roam Elite

http://www.appliedmic.com/roamelite.asp

If I wanted to spend that much would I be better off going ahead and getting the AT822 AND a clip-on (not wireless) like the AMT's system 1. Based on web pricing, those two would end up close to the same as buying just the Roam Elite. Then I would have a mic I could use for ensembles too if I wanted. On the other hand it would be nice to be totally wireless for gigs.

I would only go wireless if the quality would be high enough for the recording of myself practicing.

Thanks for all your help!

[Phil Dawson]

AKG makes a very nice condeser mic - C419 that works very well for recording. The sound can be more open or tight by placing the mic either farther out from the bell or deeper into the bell. I believe it can be had with a wireless feature - the version I own (4 of them for Quintet use) is the wired one. The cost is about $200 street price. There are also a good number of mics better than the AT 822. You might check the frequency responce on the AT 822. You can probably play lower than the mic can pick up without a great deal of distortion. Good Luck.
If you have any questions email me.
Phil

[Dean E]

FWIW, regarding performance microphone setups, there are some useful, archived microphone messages and discussions at the TubaEuph forum.

You have to register first. Click open an individual message, then click the "View Discussion" link.
http://www.smartgroups.com/message/sear ... MICROPHONE

[jimgray]

Hi folks-
I have researched this topic long and hard.
Most of my playing is on a close mic these days, both live and in the studio.
For general reference recording, the AT822 cannot be beat.
I really love it - I've owned mine for many years.
For studio and live sound reinforcement, I have become quite convinced that clip-on mics are for the birds. Just my opinion, but one based on a lot of experience and experimentation.
If you want to sound great, buy a decent condenser mic (like a Neumann 184, which is what I use).
cheers-
Jim Gray