Recommend a mic for OMNI/Delta 66?

[DonnieC]

Hey folks, I'm new here, but a longtime M-Audio user. I've had my Omni and 66 for several years, but have only recently started doing vocal tracks with it (previously instrumentals and film/game scoring). I currently am using a MXL 990 mic straight into the OMNI.

I get great levels on the meters, etc, but the tone is very canned sounding, and more subtle parts are getting lost. I think the mic is the issue, as I've used a 57 to mic guitar cabs into the OMNI with no issues.

Should I:
a) change microphones
b) pick up a channel strip or dedicated mic preamp to plug into the OMNI? (even though the OMNI seems to have a nice preamp)

Thanks!
--Donnie

[JA]

I'd suggest checking out channel strips as they would allow you to adjust EQ and compression. An SM57 is a great guitar cab mic, and you can always experiment with different mic'ing positions with the MXL.

[DonnieC]

Thanks JA, I've also been considering the Profire - should I still get a channel strip with that? I am also going to pick up a small analog mixer for some submixing, so that may cover it. I'm using outboard compression via an Alesis right now.

[JA]

The ProFire has great preamps in them and it would definitely be an upgrade over the OmniStudio. Are you lookin' at the 610 or 2626? Do you have an SM57 or have you just used one?

[blakegaston]

from my experience the profires preamps are okay. They are somewhat clean with a decent SNR... decent transparency for the price. However, they are NOT musical imho. No preamps Ive heard on a fw interface are really.. "good" sounding, apart from MAYBE the original digi002s that had the focusrite pres (although they still kinda sucked), and the metric halo stuff (not bad @ all). I would highly recommend a decent channel strip. I picked up a used avalon 737 sp for $800 and couldnt be happier. Completely smooths out 58s and 57s. Not much of a fan of using it on my ribbons.

If you want a cheap, good mic for guitar cabs, pick up a CAD trion 7000 ribbon. For $120 (if you buy one new on ebay) its an awesome sounding guitar mic, when paired with a Sm57, then panned L/R and EQed to taste. Very smooth.

[DonnieC]

I'm looking into the 2626 one. My main concern is will I have enough inputs - I have a couple 1/4" tape decks and a lot of outboard gear currently plugged into my OMNI. I have been reconfiguring though, and about to start rewiring my racks and patchbays tonight, so maybe I'll be smarter about it this time. ;)

I only need about 4 tracks simultaneously, which the OMNI does really well, and that many only when I'm transferring old 4-track tapes (a project that will hopefully be done soon).

My 57 died a few months back and I never replaced it - have just been using the MXL 990 and 991. I've used the 991 with really good results on my Spider amp, but I don't like it on my Marshall. I just got an AKG D5 in the other day so I'll be trying it out this weekend.

[DonnieC]

blake, I'll check out that ribbon mic you mention.