Best Mic to Choose

[Young Chris 101]

I am in a rap group and i want to know what would be the best mic to choose for rap in the studio. With a price $200 dollars or cheaper. I've seen alot of mics under $200 (Shure, AKG, etc.) dollars with very good reviews. But im not sure which one is the right one for me.

[DJL]

Originally posted by Young Chris 101
I am in a rap group and i want to know what would be the best mic to choose for rap in the studio. With a price $200 dollars or cheaper. I've seen alot of mics under $200 (Shure, AKG, etc.) dollars with very good reviews. But im not sure which one is the right one for me.

Good question... but I'm not sure which one is the right one for you either... which one did you like the best?

[Young Chris 101]

I havent tried any of those mics yet. We are just startin out on our own. But i've seen the shure 57, akg c1000s, and some others like the behringer b-1 that got alot of good reviews. but i dont wanna buy a mic and turns out as garbage.

[DJL]

Originally posted by Young Chris 101
I havent tried any of those mics yet. We are just startin out on our own. But i've seen the shure 57, akg c1000s, and some others like the behringer b-1 that got alot of good reviews. but i dont wanna buy a mic and turns out as garbage.

Are you going to go to your local music store and try those mics out so you know which one you like best? I could tell you which ones I like for my voice... but because everyones voice is different, the mics I like for my voice might sound like garbage on your voice... you need to hear the mics for yourself with your voice so you don't end up buying a mic that sucks ass on your voice. Can you get more than just $200?

ADDED: Chris, checkout this thread... http://www.homerecording.com/bbs/sho...threadid=53878

[chessparov]

Young, an excellent microphone for most any vocalist and/or rapper would be the Electro-Voice RE16 IMHO.

They sell for around $100 or so used, and have EV's exclusive
"variable-D" feature that minimizes proximity effect.

In other words, microphone technique becomes much easier
compared to a typical cardiod microphone like a Shure SM57.
Also the RE16 can be used handheld.

Been an established VO microphone in broadcasting for many years, and was used on R&B style hits during the 60's/70's.

They are starting to "catch on" with people who record and/or
with collectors so snap one up before the prices continue to rise.
(same goes for RE15)

Hope this helps.

Chris

[Young Chris 101]

chessparov,
i went to Electro Voice website and saw the Re 20. Does that sound good for the type of mic im looking for?

[chessparov]

The RE20 is a stone cold classic R&B vocal microphone.
BUT they normally run well over $200 new or used.

I think at e-bay you could score a new one under $400.
(if you find two under $200 I'll take one of them right now!)

The EV PL20 is the same microphone with a different paint job,
and they typically run slighty less $$ used because people mistakenly think they're RE20 "rejects".

If you've got the dough and are fine with it not being designed for hand held use, either should be a fine choice too.

The Electro-Voice EV 666 is the closest in sound to the RE20.
You'd have to pry mine from my cold dead fingers!

As a famous pro AE said, they sound like a RCA 77DX run through
a (high end) tube mic pre. Not better than the RE20, just a bit thicker with less detail.

Sometimes you can find them used for about $200 or so if you're lucky. Primo ones can go $300+ easy, as they're rare now.
Make sure you can get the funky cable that matchs it, and the original mic clip, if you find one.

The downside on the EV 666 is that if they go kaput, AFAIK there's no way to repair them as EV stopped doing that due to a parts shortage. Plus I have a second one where the internal EQ circuit failed, but it still works albeit thinner sounding.

Another great rival to those EV's is the Shure SM7, which again normally sells above $200 in good condition or better. It's a "go to" microphone for many pro studios.

The EV's are easier for the relatively inexperienced studio vocalist though (like me!) IMHO.

Chris

[chessrock]

In the "less than $200" bracket, I think the best thing going on out there is the CAD M177 or M179.


Should work fine on Rap vocals. Sounds good on just about everything else.

[darrin_h2000]

With the plosives you will want an SM58. It will give you good results Ill gurrantee that.

[Rev E]

Whatever you decide to do... do not... I repeat DO NOT even think about the AKG C1000... Big mistake for what you are trying to do. Hate that mic with a passion.

[noisedude]

2nd that call from Rev E.

[Altruist]

3rd that comment. I had and akg for about a day and a half before I got rid of it. Terrible for rappers

[Dot]

I agree with chessrock on the CAD M179. Right here for $169.

I often still recommend the C1 as one of the best vocal mics for under $200, but the C1 is very colored, and rap usually works better on more neutral sounding mics. The M179 is a good mic.

Dan Richards
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