An interesting question...

[imitation-music]

If you have ever heard of the mic modeling program by Antares you might be wondering this same question...

If you can make and decent mic sound like just about any other mic you want with the mic modeling software why dont people buy a bunch of 1/2way decent mics and model them to whatever their heart desires?

For example:
Lets say you want to mic a 7 piece drumset but you dont have the money for all the "standard" michrophones. So instead you go out and buy several shure sm-57s and mic up the drums in the same manner you would if you had all the "right" michrophones. Then after you get done recording you apply the Antares Mic Modeler to each microphone so it models the "best of the best." ??!!

I don't know if this has already been thought of or is just a totally idiotic idea. But still its interesting to discuss. Anyone else have any thoughts?

[imitation-music]

Just a quick correction (im sure theres many more)....First line on the second paragraph should read:

"If you can make ANY decent mic sound..."

[Sheriton]

Mic modelling will give you a reasonable appoximation of the sound of a different mic, but will never be as good as the original. An SM57, for instance, will never capture all the high end that a good condenser mic will. I guess if you start with a good condenser, the results will be better though.

[DJ Taos]

interesting thought,

The mic modler will sculpt the sound that you have captured but if what you captured is from a low-end/sub-standerd mic then your source sound is bad to begin with...... at this point I'm suposed to say some quote about polishing and a turd but I won't.

Just my thoughts on that.

[imitation-music]

Anyone here ever tried this?

[imitation-music]

and I wasnt reffering to "polishing a turd" in above ^^^

[XenosoniK]

It shapes sounds somewhat but it doesn't fix them. GIGO still applies.

-X

[Sip]

Man! I've been polishing all day, and I'm not gettin anywhere.

[imitation-music]

dont forget to wash your hands after. it gets messy.

[Melanhead]

It helps if all you have is a 58 or whatever to record vocals with but it doesn't compare to having the real mic...of course it is way cheaper...It's hard to make a true comparison unless you record the track with the modeler and then on the mic it's modeling. I actually read a review where they did this. The reviewer praised the plug in but did concur that it's close but no cigar....Although it did great things to improve a vocal track recorded with a less expensive mic....You can polish a turd somewhat but it'll never shine like gold!..

[narcoman]

mic modeller is okay. Its got a quite nice drive feature but its little more than a differential EQ with tube simulation. Certainly will NOT turn an SM58 into high end condenser - not by a long way.

cheers

[narcoman]

Actually, Ithink there is something else to add to this. IF your dealing with the most of us with access to okay gear- ie Rode NT2 mic say and you use the modelling to replicate a U87 then you may get a nice approximation of the EQ and drive that that setup might have in your environment. However, an important thing to consider is that if you don't have a great recording environment , ie properly acoustically treated recording room, then a £3000 microphone is a waste of time. In fact a £200 mic in a very good room with an okay pre will outperfom a mic ten times the cost in a crap room. And good rooms cost FAR more than good mics.

cheers