Royer r-121 mic OR Axe-Fx?

[Gainfreak]

I wouldn't get the royer unless I was really thinking about recording other bands as well as myself. After hearing clips from guys like Acle and seeing what equipment that they used to get those massive tones, Im thinking that the royer is a bit overkill and you could use the money elseware, but that's just me!! You ultimately have to make the decision!!

 

[amiller]

OK, here's the thing, I've been recording for a while now and I've learned a bunch of stuff. I've got a decent rig and good recording equipment and I understand the basic fundamentals of recording ...eq, pres, mic position, cabs...etc.etc. The recorded guitar tone that I get is actually pretty decent. Having said that, I'm always looking for ways to improve my recorded tone. I mean, we're all tone chasers here aren't we? I'm just trying to push my recorded tone up a notch or two...and then I'll want to improve it again and again and again...

So basically, without rehashing recording techniques, given the choice between a Royer r-121 and Axe-fx...which one?

 

[Bob Savage]

So basically, without rehashing recording techniques, given the choice between a Royer r-121 and Axe-fx...which one?

They're COMPLETELY different tools with different purposes and capabilities. If it were me, I'd buy the Axe-Fx. I think I get some pretty decent recorded guitar tones and I don't have any ribbon mics because ones like the 121 are fairly expensive and just haven't hit the top of my wish list.

How's that for a non-answer?

 

[Anonymous]

Axe-Fx all the way.

Steve

 

[amiller]

So basically, without rehashing recording techniques, given the choice between a Royer r-121 and Axe-fx...which one?

They're COMPLETELY different tools with different purposes and capabilities. If it were me, I'd buy the Axe-Fx. I think I get some pretty decent recorded guitar tones and I don't have any ribbon mics because ones like the 121 are fairly expensive and just haven't hit the top of my wish list.

How's that for a non-answer?

Actually, that's a damn good answer. It gets to the point...do I continue down the current path or add the Axe-Fx as a fork in the road? OR, pursue both paths at the same time...

 

[Audioholic]

I think the Axe FX is more usable for the money. Good quality mics are very expenesive, and have one sole purpose. If you get the AXE FX, its not like you won't still have your amp, and the ability to record it still. Like I said, A Heil PR30 will really get you a GREAT recorded tone from your amp, over any 57 in my book, it is condenser and ribbon like for an affordable dynamic. like $220 bucks or something. or for a hundred bucks, and Audix I5 is more like a high end 57.

If you invest into the AXE fx, you will have many more options for the money IMO. Don't like it for direct? fine, you now have a killer efx box.

 

[Bob Savage]

and Audix I5 is more like a high end 57.

I've used the i5 quite a bit and don't find it to be anything like a "high end 57." It works fine for recording loud, high gain guitar tones, but I find it to be yet another tool rather than a "better" version of the 57 because I don't think they sound the same.

 

[sled]

and Audix I5 is more like a high end 57.

I've used the i5 quite a bit and don't find it to be anything like a "high end 57." It works fine for recording loud, high gain guitar tones, but I find it to be yet another tool rather than a "better" version of the 57 because I don't think they sound the same.

I agree...

a mic I particularly like is the ATM650. it's sort of like an i5 and 57 combined. not quite the bottom of an i5 nor as scooped with a bit nicer upper mid hump than the 57.

 

[Bob Savage]

I agree...

a mic I particularly like is the ATM650. it's sort of like an i5 and 57 combined. not quite the bottom of an i5 nor as scooped with a bit nicer upper mid hump than the 57.

I haven't yet had the opportunity to try the ATM650 but I've heard good things about them so at abou $100, I may just end up buying one.

 

[amiller]

and Audix I5 is more like a high end 57.

I've used the i5 quite a bit and don't find it to be anything like a "high end 57." It works fine for recording loud, high gain guitar tones, but I find it to be yet another tool rather than a "better" version of the 57 because I don't think they sound the same.

I've seen the i5 around but haven't worked with it. Musician's Friend is offering a combo package right now...buy an om5 and get an i5 for another hundred bucks.

Bob, now that you've been working with the Axe-Fx, which do you prefer recording with...mics or the Axe-Fx? Which are you getting the best results with? Do you think you'll be leaning more toward one or the other?

 

[Audioholic]

and Audix I5 is more like a high end 57.

I've used the i5 quite a bit and don't find it to be anything like a "high end 57." It works fine for recording loud, high gain guitar tones, but I find it to be yet another tool rather than a "better" version of the 57 because I don't think they sound the same.

I guess what I mean to say is that in every instance I would use a 57, the Audix I5 sounds better. Snare, 57 sounds muffled, the audix I5 is a fantastic snare mic. Guitar amp, it beats out the 57 for me most of the time, much fuller and more definition, other applications, the I5 does a better job for me over the 57 most of the time, they are about the same price, so in essence, to me, the Audix I5 is like a better 57...

Do a search on audix I5 over at gearslutz, it is highly regarded, specially for snare. I do recording and music full time.

 

[stratotone]

I'd almost say take that money and spend it on taking some sort of course in recording or pocket it and see if you can be a slave/gopher for a few sessions at a 'real' recording studio.

With as much free information as is out there on recording, mixing and mastering (though I think mastering should be left to pro mastering studios for serious projects), I wouldn't spend a dime on a recording course with the exception of perhaps a book or two.

And most studio gophers are too busy fetching coffee and sammiches to learn about the biz.

Yes, I'm a stick in the mud.

Carry on...

Yeah, you're a total stick in the mud.

It's amazing what I've learned though when my band was in a real recording studio, same as what I learned watching luthiers build and work on guitars vs reading about it. I guess I learn better by watching than reading about it.

Pete

 

[Bob Savage]

Do a search on audix I5 over at gearslutz, it is highly regarded. I do recording and music full time.

As I mentioned, I've used the i5 and have one in my mic cabinet. I do find that unless you're using quality preamps that the i5 is quite grainy, moreso than the 57 which I find to be quite forgiving with cheap preamps.

 

[Audioholic]

Do a search on audix I5 over at gearslutz, it is highly regarded. I do recording and music full time.

As I mentioned, I've used the i5 and have one in my mic cabinet. I do find that unless you're using quality preamps that the i5 is quite grainy, moreso than the 57 which I find to be quite forgiving with cheap preamps.

perhaps, I usually don't use cheap pre-amps. But side by side to me, the Audix has more definition and top end sheen. Not that it wins out all the time, but for the most part, I use it over the 57, specially for snare, fantastic top snare mic! We can agree to disagree.

Still A heil dynamic mic would sound better on a cab then both of those to me.

 

[Anonymous]

Do a search on audix I5 over at gearslutz, it is highly regarded. I do recording and music full time.

As I mentioned, I've used the i5 and have one in my mic cabinet. I do find that unless you're using quality preamps that the i5 is quite grainy, moreso than the 57 which I find to be quite forgiving with cheap preamps.

I've got a couple 57s and an i5 and have done many head to head taste tests on high gain guitars and I always end up liking the 57 tracks better. If you are gonna mix multiple mics of a performance they seem to work together fairly well. I think the i5 is pretty grainy sounding even with a nice pre...

Steve

 

[Audioholic]

Here is a pretty good site comparing dynamics with the same sound source, though probally not all scientific. great way to get an idea of what each mic sounds like. Even on this site, I prefer the I5 sound on guitar over the 57, the 57 is a bit muffled compared, which is my real world opinion on it. The I5 is a little grainy, but I still prefer it over the muffle of the 57, I would not classify the 57 as ungrainy either, it can be slightly muffled sounding. but there are better dynamics out there

http://www.frontendaudio.com/Articles.asp?ID=169

 

[Meathead]

I'd almost say take that money and spend it on taking some sort of course in recording or pocket it and see if you can be a slave/gopher for a few sessions at a 'real' recording studio.

With as much free information as is out there on recording, mixing and mastering (though I think mastering should be left to pro mastering studios for serious projects), I wouldn't spend a dime on a recording course with the exception of perhaps a book or two.

And most studio gophers are too busy fetching coffee and sammiches to learn about the biz.

Yes, I'm a stick in the mud.

Carry on...

Yeah, you're a total stick in the mud.

It's amazing what I've learned though when my band was in a real recording studio, same as what I learned watching luthiers build and work on guitars vs reading about it. I guess I learn better by watching than reading about it.

Pete

I use Shure e2 in-ears...while playing I move the mic around. You can hear the tone going from grainy/thin to full/smooth with very small movements of the mic...miking a guitar speaker is very finicky, but with in-ears on you can easily hear when the mic is in the 'sweet' spot.

 

[Bob Savage]

Bob, now that you've been working with the Axe-Fx, which do you prefer recording with...mics or the Axe-Fx? Which are you getting the best results with? Do you think you'll be leaning more toward one or the other?

Well, I certainly prefer the ease of just turning on the Axe-Fx and laying tracks, but I also enjoy micing cabs. Quite frankly, I think I get equal results which is why I'm digging the Axe-Fx so much. Keep in mind though, I didn't buy the Axe-Fx to replace my tube amps, nor is it going to even now that I'm thoroughly impressed with the AF.

They're all tools...

 

[Bob Savage]

perhaps, I usually don't use cheap pre-amps. But side by side to me, the Audix has more definition and top end sheen. Not that it wins out all the time, but for the most part, I use it over the 57, specially for snare, fantastic top snare mic! We can agree to disagree.

Still A heil dynamic mic would sound better on a cab then both of those to me.

I believe you're demonstrating exactly what I said initially. They're different tools for different jobs. The job depends on personal preference because afterall, we are talking about subjective criteria when it comes to what's "best" for the job.

 

[sled]

I agree...

a mic I particularly like is the ATM650. it's sort of like an i5 and 57 combined. not quite the bottom of an i5 nor as scooped with a bit nicer upper mid hump than the 57.

I haven't yet had the opportunity to try the ATM650 but I've heard good things about them so at abou $100, I may just end up buying one.

if you like, I can do a head to head comparison between the 57, i5, e609S and ATM650... before you fork out the cash.