Preamp that will give more clarity and sheen

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oooo, I like the price on this unit used, and you really think I'll notice a difference from my current preamp?
 
Seriously, start with a different mic if you want clarity and sheen. The SM7B is, to my ear, woolly, lifeless and lacking in detail. It's designed to give the classic AM radio announcer voice, not clarity and sheen.

Elsewhere on the forum there's a thread by a buy asking opinions of 3 different mics on his voice--one was an SM7B and it was so obvious just how lacking in detail the mic is. To my ear it was a distant third in a blind listening test of 3 mics.

Don't tinker with a pre amp--get a mic that STARTS with clarity and sheen rather than spending money on a pre amp in an attempt to polish a turd.
 
highriser said:
oooo, I like the price on this unit used, and you really think I'll notice a difference from my current preamp?
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Yep, even an SM57 along with the DBX286A will blow you away in that price range....its all I need even if I were cutting records with anybodys voice seriously........:eatpopcorn:
 
I think this is the thread that Bobbsy was referring to:

https://homerecording.com/bbs/general-discussions/recording-techniques/blind-test-best-vocal-mic-348543/

The thread is worth reading for all the other issues it brings up. Maybe you're not satisfied with the "clarity and sheen" of your SM7b, but it may not be just the preamp. In fact, it may not be the preamp at all. There are so many other things that can affect the sound, and you need to be sure that these aren't applicable in your situation before you get another preamp. Unless, of course, you really really want to get it.
 
Bobbsy said:
Seriously, start with a different mic if you want clarity and sheen. The SM7B is, to my ear, woolly, lifeless and lacking in detail. It's designed to give the classic AM radio announcer voice, not clarity and sheen.
Click to expand...

Keeping in mind that the track is a Chili's track. I can't speak for that song in particular, but I know Keidis used an sm7b on B.S.S.M at least.
Fair enough, they say it was used to tame that slight lisp thing that he has going on, but I wouldn't consider B.S.S.M to be wooly, lifeless or lacking in detail.

There's is a difference Bobbsy, I can't say you're wrong, but I'd say it's a preference thing.

I do agree with what you're saying though. Buy a mic that you like from the get go.
I just happen to think that the mic could be an sm7b. :p
 
lol. if you notice I posted that thread. That is me singing. I am trying to find a mic that pairs well with my voice and have had a hard time finding one. If the sm7b is not the way to go for me then what mic would you suggest based on the clips in that thread. there you will find I have gone thru a kel song sparrow, kel hm1x, rode NTK, sm7b, at 2020 and at4033. On second thought, I'll make it easy here are the clips of all the mics I've gone thru..
4033- Alabamacon3 by Adam Mishan on SoundCloud - Create, record and share your sounds for free
NTK- conmicmix by Adam Mishan on SoundCloud - Create, record and share your sounds for free
at2020- microphonemix by Adam Mishan on SoundCloud - Create, record and share your sounds for free
sm7- farmicmix by Adam Mishan on SoundCloud - Create, record and share your sounds for free
song sparrow- Mic 2 in mix by Adam Mishan on SoundCloud - Create, record and share your sounds for free
hm1x- Mic 3 in mix by Adam Mishan on SoundCloud - Create, record and share your sounds for free
 
Steenamaroo said:
I do agree with what you're saying though. Buy a mic that you like from the get go.
I just happen to think that the mic could be an sm7b. :p
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Alright, maybe this is one of those times when it couldn't be an sm7b. :facepalm:

I didn't really get involved with the other thread but I do think anything that I'd alter or fix is common to all three recordings.

What I'm saying is, I sorta feel like any of the mics would do (sure, you may still have preferences), but maybe the sound of your room or some other factor is the problem?

You seem to be on that road yourself with the preamp hunt, but I'm more inclined to think about the room.
Do you have any treatment up?
 
lots I'll post pics up, soon.

Its a 12x10x7.5 room and I have two bass traps at the front and lots of acoustic panels all along the walls as well as a gobo behind me while singing
 
here is my room!
 

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Bobbsy said:
Seriously, start with a different mic if you want clarity and sheen. The SM7B is, to my ear, woolly, lifeless and lacking in detail. It's designed to give the classic AM radio announcer voice, not clarity and sheen.
Click to expand...

This.

--Ethan
 
Hi Ethan, do you have any suggestions of mics that may work for my voice?

How does my recording room look to you?
 
My guess: too much of the high-frequency content is being absorbed by the quilts. Will result in a very unevent sound. Try it without the quilts.

Yes I know a small reflective room, which you would understandably want to tame. But you don't want to do this at the expense of your high frequencies.
 
highriser said:
...any suggestions of mics that may work for my voice?
Click to expand...

IMO (and I'm only listening on my computer)....but I think you want a mic that will give your voice more body without sounding boomy and dull.....whil at the same time adding just a touch of sparkle on the top end, but not a whole lot of high-end content.

ADK Microphones - Audiophile Series Microphone Catalog

Vienna Mk 8 or the Hamburg Mk8....it's a toss up.

The Vienna has more top end sheen, the Hamburg is smoother with more body.

If you want to drop much more cash, then I would say the TT will cover it all, and being a dual-diaphragm tube mic, you can dial in all the polar patterns and also stuff in between...so it's a mic that will adapt to almost any situation.
This is my go-to vocal mic.
 
At the risk of sounding like a broken record, my go to mic for a lot of vocal recording is the sE2200A (I now have 3 of them). It has a nice smooth response and just enough warmth to my ear but with lots of mid and upper mid detail. There are now two versions--a multipattern switchable and a fixed cardioid. For vocals only, the cardioid is likely the best value. If this is more expensive than you like, the sE2000 and sE X1 both have most of the good points for lower prices.

Yeah, I know, I know. I'm an sE fan--it stems from living about 5 minutes drive from their original UK headquarters before I moved to Aus--I got to know the guys and try out most of their mics! (I have a few mixes on file done with nothing but borrowed mics--wish I could still do that!)

Outside the sE range, I'm also a fan of the Rode NTK which is also worth a listen.

As for the room effect, unless I have a properly acoustically treated studio, I'm a big fan of close miking and simply dropping the room out of the equation as much as possible. I agree that the quilts etc. may be attenuating the HF--but this only matters if you mic is far enough from the source that the room is a factor. Get up close and personal via a pop screen and the room matters a lot less.
 
Bobbsy said:
Outside the sE range, I'm also a fan of the Rode NTK
Click to expand...

Microphone anonymous club. MAC .......

Hi am Bob.
Hello Bob.
I have a microphone problem.
We are here for you Bob.



I go to these meeting every week. :listeningmusic:
 
Just listened to the Alabama track. My first impression is the backing track is well done, possibly professionally produced, and has carefully controlled dynamics - some might say too controlled. But in comparison, your vocal seems to have no dynamics control of its own and alternates badly between too loud and too soft in the mix. That more than anything else needs to be fixed.

This is not a microphone or pre issue, but a dynamics one. Do you know how to use a compresser?

Note I havent listened to the other tracks.

Cheers Tim
 
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