New Mic or Compressor more advantageous?

[chinkyeeboy]

Hello there,

I'm currently recording vocals with a Rode NT1-A or Oktava MK319 through a DMP3 preamp. However, I am not very fond of the sounds of either microphone. The Rode is too bright and the Oktava, though darker, sounds flat and dead-ish. Still, of the two, I prefer the Rodes.

I'd like to upgrade my setup as much as possible for vocals. Which would make the biggest difference: Swapping my two mics for a better one (I'm thinking about the Shure KSM27), or keeping the Rodes and buying an outboard compressor, such as the FMR RNC?

Thanks,
Mike

[billv]

IMO, if you don't like the sound of the mic, get one you do like before looking at compressors.

Bill

[fizbin]

I second the better mic suggestion. In fact, if you have a decent software compressor plugin you can track with it by placing it on the input channel of your host if it supports such a scheme.

[xstatic]

I agree. I would look into the mic first, and then at a better preamp before looking at compressors.