One very good all around microphone

[Jack Hammer]

I have been considering puchasing a good microphone becuase that is a waek link in my system. I do not record live instruments here except an occasional guitar, possibly a horn here or there but that is about is. For the most part, it is for vocals. I aleady have an SM57 and a Rode NT1. What I need is a very good mic. By the way, the preamp is an Universal Audio 2-610 to which I plan to add an 1176 compressor.

I have thought about a Newman TLM 103 but I am not sure. I have heard good t hings about smething called a Studio Electronics 5500 and the Studio Projects models as well.

I have begun to think that I might as well break down and spend the 2k it costs for a great mic since I will have it for a lifetime and, if I cut corners, I will still want a great mic and will ultimately spend the money anyway.

Maybe a Soundelux, I am not sure.

the first hing would be to identify what type of mic to get. Tube? FET? Transformer? Tranformerless? Figure 8? What does all t his mean and how does it effect such a decision????

[foo]

Jack,

This is a link to a great article by Harvey Gerst about how microphones work and what they do for you.
It has had all the fluff taken out and will keep you thinking for a while.


http://home1.gte.net/opunwide/MicPri...onePrimer.html

Enjoy.

foo

[Gidge]

if you are looking for a vocal mic for just yourself, you have the ultimate advantage.....just take your preamp around and audition them until you find the one that fits your voice perfect......

if others will be using it, you may be better offer splitting the 2K and getting a few different flavors, a C1, and C3, and 4033, a TLM103.....

maybe even wait around for the Studio Projects mic Stephen Paul is working on.......

[BasPer]

Well, you already have a dynamic and a LD condenser (arguably not the best one though). Why don't you look into some ribbons or LD dynamics or SD condensers? Stepping up from an NT1 to a $2k LD condenser seems like trying to run before you can walk to me. Get a nice $1k one and a few Beyer ribbons or perhaps a LD dynamic instead!

[BradD]

I may not be qualified to make this statement, but that never stopped me before. I think if he's looking for one good vocal mic, a ribbon is probably not the answer. In the pricerange you're looking, I'd definitely wait to hear the Stephen Paul mic since it sounds like it is going to turn things upside down.

[tubedude]

I agree with Brad about the Stephen Paul mic.. wait and see about that one, and in the meantime, pick up a new or used Sennheiser 441 or a Beyer M88 since you dont have a good dynamic yet. Both mics will set you under $2000. Cant beat that can ya?

[littledog]

Originally posted by tubedude
... pick up a new or used Sennheiser 441 or a Beyer M88 since you dont have a good dynamic yet. Both mics will set you under $2000.

$2000 for a 441 and an M88? Sounds to me like tubedude is financing some dealer's kid's college education.

[BasPer]

Yepp I think he is, I got my M88 new for $260. But then again I bought it in Germany. Suckers!
(And I have of course never tried, but he said "possibly a horn" and I seem to remember my kid brother saying sometime that his horn sounded quite agreeable through some sort of aluminum ribbon transducer. )

[PhilMckracken]

What and who is Stephen Paul and why does it matter to someone contemplating purchasing a microphone. (I realize this may seem incredibly naive or stupid but humor me...)

[BasPer]

He is a legendary engineer, guitar player and microphone guru. (Not necessarily in that order. ) Go talk to him on http://recording.org !
He is, like almost everybody achieving legendary status in their lifetime, a bit wierd but he is also a really great guy and a fountain of knowledge!

[tubedude]

Goofballs! I meant a Stepehen Paul mic AND one of the other two, preferably the 441, for less than $2000. Much better buy than just one $2000 mic, IMHO.
If you have ever listened to those big budget albbums where the vocals sound like they are right there in your ear and super intimate, then you have heard a stephen paul mic. Until this coming Christmas, his mics were only available for about $4000 and up and only done as mods to mics that already costed over $2000... soon you can have a production model of his design for around $1100 I think.
Peace!

[chessparov]

If you'll be recording a variety of voices, the Studio Projects C3 or T3,
and the EV RE20 work well on most voices, based on end user reports.

At www.bswonline.com you can pick up a new RE20 for $400,
including shipping. It's a good microphone to use with inexperienced
singers due to the "variable D" design mitigating proximity effect.
Having one each of the above would cover much ground IMHO.

While the Sennheiser 441 is a great dynamic, my concern would be
twofold-they're quite prone to popping, and the singer needs to stay
on-axis for the best sound as it has a tight hypercardiod pattern.
(the Beyer M88 is also a hypercardiod)

Chris

P.S. Sell the Rode NT1! (mine's long gone)

[crgman]

1) The Shure KSM44 is a GREAT, beautiful, warm mic. Three patterns: cardioid, omni, fig-8. So warm, and comes with awesome shockmount. $550 to $699, depending on where you shop.

2) PPA LD-2ube - wonderful tube mic, incredibly warm. 9 patterns. Best part: only $299!! http://www.pacificproaudio.com

Incidently, Pacific Pro Audio is one place I have found the KSM44's for $550.

Good luck. Ain't mic's great?!?!

-c

[Sennheiser]

While the Sennheiser 441 is a great dynamic, my concern would be twofold-they're quite prone to popping, and the singer needs to stay on-axis for the best sound as it has a tight hypercardiod pattern.

I agree, except that the 441 is a Supercardioid. Not Hypercardioid.

I know you said that just to see if I was paying attention, huh?

[chessparov]

I promise my mistake will not become a pattern!

The Sennheiser 421 is more forgiving for singers with little or no
microphone technique. (Yeah I'm still lusting for a 441 though)

Chris

[Sennheiser]

I promise my mistake will not become a pattern!

At least not a hypercardioid pattern.

Seriously, you are right about the 441. You really have to stay on it while performing. It has a low output to begin with, and the tight pattern is quite noticable if the vocalist strays even a bit off axis. It ain't an omni, that's fer sure.

That's why I like this mic so much. I don't exactly have a great room, but the 441 isolates it quite nicely. I can also set up the mic in the same room I track in with the monitors on. No feedback, ever.

I don't track with the monitors on, just to set up the mic.

[tubedude]

One thing I've noticed with well made mics, like my 441 and my MD-504's... they really have good rejection, even from the rear.
The cheaper ones I've tried are only down about 3db from the rear, where as my little $60 Sennheisers are down like 12db. Really big difference there, and pretty important to me given crapball acoustic spaces we deal with.
I think (I KNOW) there is a Beyer or Sennheiser mic out there in everyones price range and there is no reason to go guying iffy stuff when you can buy tried and true professionally designed (and sounding) microphones. Dont waste your money.
I would snag a Beyer M88 for $200 before I considered a cheapo LD condensor from Timbuktu....

[chessparov]

The M88 also offers excellent isolation-if you're 6" or less away.
The proximity effect on my voice though is simply massive.
I have to be at least 8+ inches away before it sounds like normal.
As a result, it wouldn't be a viable choice for live performance or
live recording. Supposed to be a killer microphone for tenors for
live though. (think Brad Delp from the group "Boston"!)
Best use for me are deep baritone/high bass rock vocals,
ala Eric Burdon (Animals) or Jim Morrison.

Chris

[Sennheiser]

Best use for me are deep baritone/high bass rock vocals,

I don't know what's up with the copy function on the board, but it only got part of your post.

Jim Morrison has a cool voice. The guy can sing too.

Have you tried an RE-20 on your voice?

[chessparov]

Sennheiser, I never have, however, after learning to use the microphones
better already in my "collection", it's planned to try one out next year.
If I ever start recording other people on the side for $$, the RE20 and
the Studio Projects C3 or T3 would be great selections IMHO.

Yes Jim Morrison had an excellent baritone voice.
He certainly had the vocal talent to be a fine operatic singer if he'd have
ever wanted to do it. (assuming he quit drinking/drugs of course)
The size and tone quality of his voice indicated this, and Eric Burdon's
voice is right up there too.

Chris

[Freudian Slip]

Originally posted by tubedude
Dont waste your money.
I would snag a Beyer M88 for $200 before I considered a cheapo LD condensor from Timbuktu....

Shit I just ordered a Timbuktu model 385 But it was so cheap I couldn't help my self.


Later

F.S.