What is a good vocal mic to buy?

[FattMusiek]

I am thinking of buying a vocal mic soon. I don't want to spend any more than $400. Can you recommend something good?

Thanks a lot!

[chessparov]

There are many "good" choices under $400.
Here are a few questions that will help you get better replies;

Is the microphone just for you, or are you recording others too?
What kind of mixer or mic pre are you using?
(most condensers require a separate phantom power source)

Is there a local dealer who'll allow you to try some out, and/or
are you comfortable working with a dealer who has a liberal
return policy ala Internet sales?

Chris

P.S. $400 is enough to get a few different ones BTW.

[FattMusiek]

I record myself often but I want to record some friend as well. I have a Delta 44 soundcard, Behringer 4 mic input mixer, 2 Oktava MK012 cardioid condender mics, a Shure Beta 52, and a Shure SM57. I record rock songs and am looking for a good condenser vocal microphone under or around $400.

Hopefully that helps!

[chessparov]

Since the Oktava MK012's are relatively neutral sounding, you
may want to check out something with more "sheen", like most
of the Studio Projects microphone line. In addition to sounding
"good", they have terrific customer service, including helping you with questions regarding microphone applications.
Of course, there are many other choices that can be found by doing a "search" here at this BBS.

They also have a much better mic pre than the Behringer you're using right now, and its model name is VTB-1.
A pre like that one will breath new life into your SM57 BTW.
That can be important since the '57 works so well as a rock
microphone for many vocalists, especially when you trying to punch through a heavy mix.

In short, getting a nice LD condenser, and a better mic pre should
make a noticible difference.

Chris

[chessrock]

*Rode NT1000
*AT 4040
*Studio Projects C1

[theletterq]

Rode NTK

[DJL]

Originally posted by FattMusiek
I record myself often but I want to record some friend as well. I have a Delta 44 soundcard, Behringer 4 mic input mixer, 2 Oktava MK012 cardioid condender mics, a Shure Beta 52, and a Shure SM57. I record rock songs and am looking for a good condenser vocal microphone under or around $400.

Hopefully that helps!

Your a drummer aren't you? lol. Another mic worth hearing is the Marshall MXL V67G. http://www.8thstreet.com/product.as...ory=Microphones

[Speeddemon]

Studio Projects C1 AND Audio Technica AT3035?

No, choose one of those 2 (they're both $199 each) and add a M-Audio DMP-3 (2 channel pre-amp, MUCH better than Behringer pre's )

if you don't, the Røde NTK (maybe 2nd handed) might be VERY good...

[chessrock]

One more . . .

Shure SM7-B

[FattMusiek]

"Your a drummer aren't you? lol. Another mic worth hearing is the Marshall MXL V67G."

You bet! I was thinking about mic preamps but I'll wait until I get a soundcard with more inputs.

Keep the recommendations coming! Thanks to those who replied!

[alanhyatt]

Well at $400.00 there are many more mics to look at, if $400.00 is the price you want to spend. Which is the right for you will depend on what your after. Music styles, mic amps, room conditions all have something to do with a choice. Blurting out a brand name is a crap shoot at best.

On another note...Brent and I just got back from China visiting the factory. Our numbers are very good and the factory is quite happy with us, so we increased our production quantities.

As a result of our new orders, they gave us some very good news and we can now pass that along to you. We thought of keeping the extra money...but hey, it's not just about the money anymore...We had a very good trip to China guys

Look for the C3, T3, TB1 and VTB-1 to come down in price soon!!!!

[DJL]

Originally posted by FattMusiek
"Your a drummer aren't you? lol. Another mic worth hearing is the Marshall MXL V67G."

You bet! I was thinking about mic preamps but I'll wait until I get a soundcard with more inputs.

Keep the recommendations coming! Thanks to those who replied!

Also there is the Shure KSM32 and don't forget if you buy secondhand (used) you have a bigger selection. You may want to ask about the preamps on the "Rack Forum", but some popular ones are the Grace Model 101, Great River MP-1NV, and etc.

[tdukex]

Originally posted by alanhyatt
Look for the C3, T3, TB1 and VTB-1 to come down in price soon!!!!

C L!

[DJL]

Originally posted by alanhyatt

Look for the C3, T3, TB1 and VTB-1 to come down in price soon!!!!

Is that because those mic's aren't selling as well as the B1, B3, and C1, and if not why aren't the prices of the B1, B3, and C1 coming down also? Thanks

[alanhyatt]

Originally posted by DJL
Is that because those mic's aren't selling as well as the B1, B3, and C1, and if not why aren't the prices of the B1, B3, and C1 coming down also? Thanks

The B1, B3 and C1 are non profit items for us. They will never get any lower. In fact, I wish I could raise the prices on them by 15%. Sure, they outsell our other models, but the other models sell quite well. Try and find a C3 or T3 in stock at a dealer!

Now at $499.99, it will be a very tough choice between a fixed cardiod NTK, and Multi-pattern T3 for the same money, especially when we think the T3 is a better mic. The NTK is a darker sounding mic. Now for some that is better, but the control of the T3 an it's nine patterns make it not only a better value with way more flexibility, but we think the sound of the T3 is better for vocal and acoustics than the NTK.

Both mics are good, but at the same price now, the T3 should be the clear winner. What this does now is force RODE's hand. Who knows, maybe they will drop their price in order to compete. If this happens, guess who the winners is guys....YOU!!!!!

We will continue our quest to bring out the absolute best quality mics we can at the absolute lowest price to give you all the tools you need to make great recordings without having to go broke.

The VTB-1 looks like it will come down to $129.00, the TB1 to $249.00, and the C3 to $299.99..... Not just yet guys, maybe in 4 to 6 weeks.... All other models do not change.

[DJL]

Originally posted by alanhyatt
The B1, B3 and C1 are non profit items for us. They will never get any lower. In fact, I wish I could raise the prices on them by 15%.
<snip>

I'm having a hard time uderstanding the business advantage of this?

[DJL]

FattMusiek, I'm sorry your tread got hijacked and turned in to a Studio Projects advertisement thread.

[alanhyatt]

Originally posted by DJL
I'm having a hard time uderstanding the business advantage of this?

[DJL]

Originally posted by alanhyatt

Quote
"Sure, they outsell our other models, but the other models sell quite well."

Quote
"The B1, B3 and C1 are non profit items for us"

If your B1, B3, and C1 are your biggest selling mic's and the B1, B3 and C1 are non profit items for you ---- can you see how I'm having a hard time uderstanding this? Please explain it to me as if I was a stockholder/investor?

[theletterq]

Originally posted by alanhyatt
Now at $499.99, it will be a very tough choice between a fixed cardiod NTK, and Multi-pattern T3 for the same money, especially when we think the T3 is a better mic.

For any one that does 30 seconds of research, you will find the NTK for substantially less than $499. I'm also betting (but of course don't know for a fact) that if you took the two apart the NTK would win hands down in the quality of engineering department. The thing is built like a friggin tank. As for it being darker, I'm sick of "bright", "hyped" mics.

My opinion of course.

[alanhyatt]

Originally posted by DJL
Quote
"Sure, they outsell our other models, but the other models sell quite well."

Quote
"The B1, B3 and C1 are non profit items for us"

If your B1, B3, and C1 are your biggest selling mic's and the B1, B3 and C1 are non profit items for you ---- can you see how I'm having a hard time uderstanding this? Please explain it to me as if I was a stockholder/investor?

Uhhh, that would be no, I don't, and my company is not public, so I don't have to explain anything I do. Just take the reductions as a good thing, or start a mic company and do things your way...

I am sure eveyone else is happy to be able to buy mics at a better deal!!

[Recording Engineer]

Originally posted by theletterq
I'm also betting (but of course don't know for a fact) that if you took the two apart the NTK would win hands down in the quality of engineering department.

I'll take ya up on that bet going the other way...

[DJL]

Originally posted by alanhyatt
Uhhh, that would be no, I don't, and my company is not public, so I don't have to explain anything I do. Just take the reductions as a good thing, or start a mic company and do things your way...

I am sure eveyone else is happy to be able to buy mics at a better deal!!

Oh well, it seemed like a logical question and I was just curious, I'm sorry if I offended you.

[alanhyatt]

Originally posted by DJL
Oh well, it seemed like a logical question and I was just curious, I'm sorry if I offended you.

No offence taken! No one ever questioned why a mic was being reduced in price before as if it was a bad thing to do!

Believe me, we know what we are doing here...just understand that you don't know my motives or why I do things, and for me, money is not my motivation.

To know me is understand me. I was able to retire 5 years ago, but I want to leave my mark on this industry and set my company up for my sons to take over. For me, its about being the best I can be and offer our customers the best there is for the price they pay.......

[alanhyatt]

Originally posted by theletterq
[B (but of course don't know for a fact) that if you took the two apart the NTK would win hands down in the quality As for it being darker, I'm sick of "bright", "hyped" mics.

My opinion of course. [/B]

The NTK is not built any better, nor does it use better components. The capsule quite frankly is an exact copy of a Neumann edge terminated capsule which happens to have a dark sound. I know because our factory builds them for RODE!

We intentionally did not want another dark sounding mic, as we are sick of "dark, hyped" mics... that need to be EQ'd all the time...

No disrespect, the fact is you like a dark sound, while others like something else. All you need to say is you prefer darker sounding mics..., but you know nothing about the designs or build of them, and as such you should not comment on what you do not know.

Of course you can comment, but then you would be wrong..