vocal mic preference

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FightingPlankton
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vocal mic preference

Post by FightingPlankton » Tue Nov 14, 2017 4:23 pm

So, wonder what y'all use for recording vocals. My sister is a singer and wants to record at home. I bought her a beginner setup with interface and an mxl 990. I know this mic has mixed reviews but it was in my price range.
What I'm looking for is reccommendation for when she wants to upgrade. She mostly sings country/pop.
Her next mic will probably be in the $100-200 price range. I wanted to get her a Rode nt1a, but it was out of my price range considering how much I spent on all the other gear.
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Re: vocal mic preference

Post by mackerelmint » Tue Nov 14, 2017 10:16 pm

I have an MXL57. I did a little work to the guts. Those "shanghai specials" shine up pretty nice. If you don't mind doing a little soldering, you can either buy a mod kid for too much money or source better parts yourself, it's not hard to find a bill of materials to square the insides away. You can even get new capsules if you wanna be an overachiever. Quality varies quite a bit in the chinese mics but my stock capsule sounds pretty good and smooth, I'm given to understand that MXL mics are generally ok in that department, but ymmv.

And FWIW, I always, ALWAYS hear something weird in Rode mics. A boxiness, a lifelessness, a flatness. It's in all the rodes I've ever heard.
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Re: vocal mic preference

Post by Embenny » Tue Nov 14, 2017 10:38 pm

The Studio Projects B3 is in that price range. Very good large diaphragm condenser mic for the money. I used to own one for a number of years and it worked well on both male and female vocals.

I also dislike Rode mics. Haven't ever gotten along with one.
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Re: vocal mic preference

Post by FightingPlankton » Wed Nov 15, 2017 2:00 am

Glad to hear about the Rode mics. All the videos online that I've watched are just people talkng, so you don't get a feel for Rea world application.
anyone have opinions on the SE x1?
What is acoustic? Oh, you means a grandpa's guitars? A grandpa's guitars? That's for pussies and grandpas. I think you know it.

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Re: vocal mic preference

Post by fortytwo » Thu Nov 16, 2017 2:58 pm

See if you can't find a used Shure SM7b.
They don't sound of much on their own, but the blend really well with the rest of the mix.
Only thing is, that it's a little low on the output side, so they need lots of gain.

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Re: vocal mic preference

Post by FightingPlankton » Thu Nov 16, 2017 3:07 pm

I think what's going to end up happening is she's just going to do a bunch of research, and determine based on YouTube videos that she won't be happy with anything less than a professional tube mic or ribbon mic... which is fine, but there's NO way I'm spending that kind of money on a Channukah gift.
What is acoustic? Oh, you means a grandpa's guitars? A grandpa's guitars? That's for pussies and grandpas. I think you know it.

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Re: vocal mic preference

Post by s_mcsleazy » Thu Nov 16, 2017 6:24 pm

i dont do much vocals but the mic i always come back to seems to be a shure realistic. i keep meaning to get more mics in general however.
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Re: vocal mic preference

Post by UlricvonCatalyst » Thu Nov 16, 2017 11:32 pm

My friend swears by the Blue mic range. I think they have a budget large-diaphragm condenser with USB connection which could be worth looking at.

For a cheaper alternative to the Rode NT1A, the Behringer B2 Pro does a decent job, with a presence peak that helps vocals jump out of the mix.

Or think outside the LDC box and consider an AKG C1000, probably the cheapest alternative of all.

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Re: vocal mic preference

Post by Rob » Tue Nov 21, 2017 5:06 pm

fortytwo wrote:
Thu Nov 16, 2017 2:58 pm
See if you can't find a used Shure SM7b.
They don't sound of much on their own, but the blend really well with the rest of the mix.
Only thing is, that it's a little low on the output side, so they need lots of gain.
I'm also a big SM7 fan. Recorded once in a journalism studio, and they had an SM7 for newscast voiceovers. Probably the only time I've liked how my voice sat in the mix.

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Re: vocal mic preference

Post by Telliot » Tue Nov 21, 2017 5:32 pm

I used a Rode NT2 for almost 2 decades, and was able to make it sound somewhat decent, but that was after a lot of EQ'ing out the nasty frequencies. Along the way I tried other mics like the SM7b and RE20, but didn't think they matched my voice well. Last year I got an Aston Spirit, and I really like it! It seems well balanced, and lively without being too sibilant. I'd really like to try a C414, all the examples I've heard are really warm and smooth.
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Re: vocal mic preference

Post by waylon » Tue Nov 28, 2017 9:20 am


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Re: vocal mic preference

Post by øøøøøøø » Tue Nov 28, 2017 11:52 am

Everyone's voice is different and what mic "likes" my voice might be a different mic than what "likes" hers.

I will say-- with the budget you're working in, I'd be more inclined to get a nice dynamic like a Shure SM7b than an awful condenser.

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Re: vocal mic preference

Post by FightingPlankton » Tue Nov 28, 2017 12:50 pm

øøøøøøø wrote:
Tue Nov 28, 2017 11:52 am


I will say-- with the budget you're working in, I'd be more inclined to get a nice dynamic like a Shure SM7b than an awful condenser.
That's actually very sound advice. I have been listening to demos of dynamics but haven't found one I think she'd like.
What is acoustic? Oh, you means a grandpa's guitars? A grandpa's guitars? That's for pussies and grandpas. I think you know it.

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Re: vocal mic preference

Post by Telliot » Tue Nov 28, 2017 12:51 pm

øøøøøøø wrote:
Tue Nov 28, 2017 11:52 am
Truth. I’ll just add, the SM7b is an incredibly low output mix, so make sure you have a level booster on hand. I used a FetHead, which worked brilliantly.
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Re: vocal mic preference

Post by sears » Wed Nov 29, 2017 7:00 am

In that price range you might be able to find a used EV re-15 which is one of those amazing mics that sounds like an old record. It also works well if you're recording in an untreated bedroom since it's a dynamic with a tight pattern.
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