I’d like to ask for some mic advice. I’m planning on making a purchase of a new studio recording mic and was hoping for some feedback. I realize that mics will sound different depending on who is singing into the mic. I also know equipment and room treatment can have an effect on how a mic will sound. But I thought maybe some of you may have experience using these mics or some knowledge on the quality of these mics.
I currently use a TLM 103 that I bought about 20 years ago. It’s never been out of my studio and has never been dropped or abused. I will say that it has spent lots of time outside its box just on a mic stand waiting to be used.
My studio walls have been treated with thick “carpet padding” and the room is very quiet. I also usually run my 103 into an Art Pro MPA preamp, bought about 20 years ago. Sometimes from there into a dbx processor to get some compression etc which I also bought about 20 years ago. I’ve recently bought the Behringer XR18 and use that as an interface into my laptop and I record using Reaper.
I haven’t been happy with my vocal sound for some time and I’ve been asking on different forums for suggestions and ideas. All this could be that my voice isn’t what it used to be but I’ve been thinking about trying a tube mic and a ribbon mic to see if I can find something that makes me feel good once again with my vocals.
So with that in mind below is a list of mics that have gotten my interest for one reason or another. Some are cheap in price while others are a bit more expensive. If things work out I may buy both a tube and ribbon mic at the same time. And then again maybe I won’t, just not sure. If you have some knowledge on any of these mics, either you’ve used them or know something about them I’d be very interested in your opinion.
Thanks and here’s my shortlist,
Don……
Tube Mics:
Avantone Pro CV-12
MXL Genesis Flagship Tube
MXL V67G
AKG Pro C214
Rode NTK Tube
Ribbon Mics:
Avantone Pro CR-14
MXL R144 HE Heritage Edition
Cascade 98-G-A Fat Head
MXL R40 Ribbon
I currently use a TLM 103 that I bought about 20 years ago. It’s never been out of my studio and has never been dropped or abused. I will say that it has spent lots of time outside its box just on a mic stand waiting to be used.
My studio walls have been treated with thick “carpet padding” and the room is very quiet. I also usually run my 103 into an Art Pro MPA preamp, bought about 20 years ago. Sometimes from there into a dbx processor to get some compression etc which I also bought about 20 years ago. I’ve recently bought the Behringer XR18 and use that as an interface into my laptop and I record using Reaper.
I haven’t been happy with my vocal sound for some time and I’ve been asking on different forums for suggestions and ideas. All this could be that my voice isn’t what it used to be but I’ve been thinking about trying a tube mic and a ribbon mic to see if I can find something that makes me feel good once again with my vocals.
So with that in mind below is a list of mics that have gotten my interest for one reason or another. Some are cheap in price while others are a bit more expensive. If things work out I may buy both a tube and ribbon mic at the same time. And then again maybe I won’t, just not sure. If you have some knowledge on any of these mics, either you’ve used them or know something about them I’d be very interested in your opinion.
Thanks and here’s my shortlist,
Don……
Tube Mics:
Avantone Pro CV-12
MXL Genesis Flagship Tube
MXL V67G
AKG Pro C214
Rode NTK Tube
Ribbon Mics:
Avantone Pro CR-14
MXL R144 HE Heritage Edition
Cascade 98-G-A Fat Head
MXL R40 Ribbon