getting a vocal mic as a gift.......need help!

[avedic123]

ok, i'm sure you all get this question all the time, but even so, i need help.
i'm currently recording vocals using an sm57 straight into my computer. it's good for what it is, but i'm not crazy about how it sounds. if you click below you can hear some songs i've recorded using that mic for vocals.

http://www.myspace.com/seancannon1983

so....i need an upgrade. i want a fairly professional sounding dedicated vocal mic. something clear and bright, but not so bright it sounds metallic. but also not warbly and muddy. just a great sound. lol

click the link below and listen to the song titled "English Garden." that is the vocal sound i want. the song is by Silverchair. the well balanced presence of the vocals is superb and exactly what i'm after.

http://www.myspace.com/thegeorgecostanzatrio

my budget is around $250....$300 at the very most. and i'm looking to buy online....so if a mic retails for 500 but is $275 online, that's fine...obviously.

any help? i'd greatly appreciate it. this is actually going to be my girlfriend's gift to me this christmas, so i'm looking to settle on something today so we can place the order asap.

thanks for the help!

 

[Track Rat]

I can understand you wanting to upgrade your mic but if you're going straight into your soundcard, your less than stellar sound is probably due to a lack of a mic PREAMPLIFIER. That alone may take your 57 to the next level. For one thing, if you wanted to step up to a condensor mic, they require phantom power that your soundcard certainly won't provide.

 

[avedic123]

yeah, i definitely need a pre amp. i am getting the vocal mic though, so i'm going to go ahead and concentrate on that right now. i plan on upgrading everything over the next 3 months or so. the vocal mic is the first step, so i need help with that right now.

 

[Ridickolas]

you dont understand. you NEED a preamp with phantom power if your going to get a condenser, or if your getting a better dynamic mic to go straight into your soundcard, it will still not be good results, and your soundcard probably wont provide enough gain for a good dynamic.

 

[avedic123]

i know....

i just said "yeah, i definitely need a pre amp"

it's just that i am getting a mic for christmas so i need suggestons now.

i will get a pre amp without a doubt....probably next month....but not right now.

 

[dgatwood]

Hope you're getting her a ring. Any girl who would buy her b/f a mic is a keeper.

P.S. I'd also try less reverb. As opposed to real life, ringing isn't always desirable in a mix.

 

[Harvey Gerst]

The "English Garden" clip you posted sounds like one of the better Rodes mics. Why not email the group and ask them what mic they used on the main vocal?

 

[avedic123]

any of these look good?

http://www.zzounds.com/a--2676837/item--RODNT1A




i need help with specifics within my price range. i can't really email the group....

 

[avedic123]

here are 2 clips of silverchair recording diorama....any idea what that mic is?
i just need a really good vocal condenser in the $250 range.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=TICLmUsS5yU

https://youtube.com/watch?v=2FjQ2PPhxcI

 

[Harvey Gerst]

here are 2 clips of silverchair recording diorama....any idea what that mic is?
i just need a really good vocal condenser in the $250 range.

Forget it, it's a Neumann; way outta your price range.

 

[avedic123]

right.........so i need something in my price range.

what about the Audio Technica AT4050 condenser? i've heard alot of good things about it. it's a bit more than my price range, but i could pitch in to cover the rest.

any thoughts on this mic?

 

[Ironklad Audio]

the 4050 won't work without...shit...what are they called?

oh yeah - a preamp...and with 48v phantom power.

 

[pohaku]

Alternatively, you may be able to land a new Audio Technica AE5400 for that amount. Check around. I got one last year for my secretary who sings and paid around $300 for (with a cable to boot). Capsule is based on the AT4050, but in a handheld mount. Excellent vocal mic. It will require phantom power however.

 

[dickiefunk]

You could get a decent mic and preamp for $300:-

Rode NT-1a or MXL V67g or CAD M177/179

M-Audio DMP3

 

[avedic123]

the 4050 won't work without...shit...what are they called?

oh yeah - a preamp...and with 48v phantom power.

good lord....i get it. how many times do i have to say that i AM indeed buying a preamp AFTER i get the mic. i realize quite well that you need a preamp. this is my first day on this forum, and the hostility right off the bat is making me wonder why i came here in the first place. i figured an online community of musicians would be a fairly easy going bunch. i guess i was wrong.

 

[avedic123]

would the M-Audio DMP3 be able to supply the phantom power needed to use the CAD M177/179?

 

[dickiefunk]

would the M-Audio DMP3 be able to supply the phantom power needed to use the CAD M177/179?

Yes. The DMP3 has phantom power. It is an excellent preamp! It is very clean and uncoloured. You would have to spend a lot more to see any significant improvement in audio quality!

Another mic to check out is the MXL 960.

 

[avedic123]

thanks! appreciate the suggestions

 

[fuquam]

If you want a dynamic mic for vocals go with the 58 instead of the 57. My favorite vocal mic I have is the AT 4030. However other posters here have stressed this, it doesn't matter how great your mic is, if your preamp is crap then the mic will never sound great no matter what it is. I'd take a crap mic with a nice preamp over the best mic in a lousy preamp any day.

 

[dickiefunk]

No worries. Hope you get something sorted!