The best vocals for under $400

[KingstonRock]

I know as much as it should be a large diaphragm condensor mic. I've been looking at the rodes the shures the akgs and about every other mic in the price range, basically what I'm asking for is for someone to narrow done my search to maybe 5-6 mics so I can try each of them. Thanks A LOT

Eric

[Wide Awake]

Under $400-

Rode NT-1000
Shure Beta 58
Sennheiser MD 441
Studio Projects C-3
ADK 51s

[ozraves]

New:

Shure SM7;
Studio Projects C1 or C3.

Used:

Rode NTK;
Blue Baby Bottle.

Steve
www.piemusic.com

[chessrock]

I just noticed that 8th street (www.8thstreet.com) is having a sale on the Marshall mxl v77 for $300. That's a pretty damn good deal on what is supposed to be be an impressive-sounding tube mic. I almost cried when I saw it, wising I had the extra funds lying around for it. Still, $300 is almost worth making the funds for it. Time to call the sperm bank. This one is an absolute no-brainer if you ask me.

Other than that, I like ozraves' suggestions a lot. The Shure SM7 has been my go-to vocal mic for some time now. Studio Projects also makes some good ones, and the NTK is just a thing of beauty.

One more I'd add to my short list: Audio Technica 4033.

[ozraves]

Originally posted by chessrock
I just noticed that 8th street (www.8thstreet.com) is having a sale on the Marshall mxl v77 for $300. That's a pretty damn good deal on what is supposed to be be an impressive-sounding tube mic. I almost cried when I saw it, wising I had the extra funds lying around for it. Still, $300 is almost worth making the funds for it. Time to call the sperm bank. This one is an absolute no-brainer if you ask me.

Other than that, I like ozraves' suggestions a lot. The Shure SM7 has been my go-to vocal mic for some time now. Studio Projects also makes some good ones, and the NTK is just a thing of beauty.

One more I'd add to my short list: Audio Technica 4033.

I'd add the Audio Technica 4033 as well.

On the Shure SM7, the best price I've found is here: http://www.bswonline.com/public/

It's about $100 less than anyone else.

Steve
www.piemusic.com

[Gidge]

Id definitely say the Marshall MXLv77......

[c9-2001]

Studio Projects C1, TB1
AT 4033 and 4040
Used Shure KSM32
Rode nt2 AKA Behringer B2
Pacific Pro audio Ld2ube(great sounding mic for a lot of applications and only $299)

a Few SE Electronic mics sound real good too...(Z 3300, and Z 2200 are both under 400.

[Richard Monroe]

Studio Projects C3. They want you to go to B.L.U.E Baby bottle or Rode NTK- good choices, but *not* generally under $400. For just vocals, Studio Projects C1 (about $250), but for $100 more, still well under $400, you get muti-polar capability with C3. The hard part is no vocal mic sounds good on every singer. You could shell out for a C3 and find out your singer sounds better with an SM57! All you can do is get a bunch of mics and try them on the singer you got.-Richie
P.S.- one weird mic you would never expect sounds very good on quite a few singers- AKG D112, a $200 (give or take) dynamic kick drum and bass cab mic. I recommend buying one of these anyway, 'cause it's a real good bass and kick mic, but make a point of trying it on your singer just for the hell of it. It really works well on some people.-Richie

[Badtz]

With the multi-pattern capability of the C3, does it sound similar [in one of the settings] to the C1?


also, price not being an issue, is it better to invest in a Rode NTK or a C3?

thanks!

[chessparov]

Badtz, see my reply on the C3/C1 comparison on your other thread!
The C3 is a good practical choice over the NTK if you think you would
ever use the other polar patterns. You could also try out the Studio Projects
TB-1 cardiod tube microphone if you're going the single pattern route.

Chris

P.S. The Shure SM-7 needs a mic pre with good gain BTW due to its'
low output. (On my "to get" shortlist though!)

[Rochey]

I spent a lotta time looking into which mic i wanted to use for vocals....

The NT2 is a great mic... just make sure you use it with a pop shield, and not that shitty foam thing that comes with it


Cheers

R