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One story, read recently, is how Tom Dowd was having a discussion regarding the SM57, with other AE's. After some of them dissed it, he deliberately miked a track COMPLETELY with 57's. Lead vocal, all instrumental backing, the whole nine yards. The recording then won the Grammy for best...

How about the lo-tech solution that Chess Records used? Use an EV 635a on stand-up bass or electric. Just like they did on Willie Dixon. Seems to have worked "pretty good":). Chris

Bet the "15.00" mic was the EV 635a, my "go to" for Blues or 50's style rock 'n' roll vocals. Supposedly it was used on a few of Elvis' early RCA hits FWIW. Also on many 60's/70's classical albums as a paired set... Chris

Actually the SM57 was used on "Billie Jean". Check the Shure website. SM7 was used for other tracks on the album. BTW the SM7 is a pretty standard vocal mic in Nashville now, besides being suited for R&B, Blues, or rock style material. Chris

Yes to all your questions. Chris

Actually it's NOT subjective, the RE20 is nowhere near that fussy about what pre you use compared to a Shure (SM7, '57,545, etc.). Same goes for other classic dynamics, like your 441 or a Beyer M88. Nonetheless if your source, for example a singer, sounds great that'll overide the pre concerns...

While listening to samples is an intelligent idea, unfortunately it won't help you much. Everyone has a different sonic signature (frequency charateristics) with their voice. Always best to "sample" each one with your own voice. Therefore, can you test any of these directly in person first...

The starved plate stuff can make interesting sounds. Even top AE's have run things through them as an effect. You just don't want 24 tracks of ART toob!:) Chris

In a live situation, you'll probably do better with the Sennie. While a well placed/EQ'd SM57 would provide a high quality studio vocal for me, in the less meticulous live setting, the 835 would beat it-hands down. Recorded an excellent bass-baritone on an 835 once, and the 835 sounded...

Sold my Neuman U87 because you couldn't tell the difference between it and a SP C1. Someone HAD to say that. Seriously... Mics I downright didn't like; 1) AKG C1000S 2) AKG C3000B 3) Rode NT1 (original model) Excellent LDC's sold due to not acoustically treating "Home Studio A":); 1) SP C1...

Always a smart idea to try out your SM57 too. What kind of parametric EQ are you using? That'd be very helpful in tone shaping... Chris

I'll have a ThreeQ on the way shortly, and already have a M-Audio Duo (has DMP2 pre's) for comparison. The DMP2 and DMP3 sound almost identical. The DMP3 has much better headroom than the DMP2 BTW, with hotter mics. Plus the DMP3 has full 48 volt phantom, and the DMP2/Duo does not. Only...

True...true. Just try to mention them now only to those with limited budgets, not George Masenburg! The truth is there are so MANY excellent vocal mics now for "under $200".:) It's mainly just a choice of what engineering challenge you want to get involved with (de-essing, EQing,etc.)...

Between those two, get the SM7, especially because you mentioned VO. If you want a less $$ alternative to the SM7, get a Beyer Soundstar MKII (aka Model 400). Tighter pattern than the SM7, but it requires better mic technique, like a M88. Plus side is that it's not as finicky about what pre you...

Since you said "handheld", another option is to try various neodymium offerings (like a used Shure Beta 57 or 58). They're hotter than a SM57, and handle faster transients like a condenser. Chris

Studio Projects T3, or the Electro-Voice RE20 (even though it's a dynamic). With all due respect, however, getting quality vocals on what you already have is an engineering issue. The B1 and 3035 are both nice vocal mics to begin with. They won't inherently prevent someone from getting a good...

Add a Beyer M88 and/or the Sennheiser MD421 to your shortlist. The M88 is the brighter of the two, unless you get a 421 MKII instead. The MD441 has a flatter response, different than your parameters BTW. Chris

FWIW I fall into the group that the B1 does well on vocals. Try all these before buying, if you can. Chris

rok, although I respect the 737 highly, to dismiss other options is unwise IMHO. Tony Visconti, for example, is tracking his latest record on a (less expensive) Toft unit, and he can use anything he wants to. It's the carpenter, not the tools, if you know what I mean. He also has a 737 in his...

It's a shame when prospective clients care more about what you "have' vs. what YOU can do. IMHO you'd be smart to get some other great lesser priced microphones first, like the EV RE20 and/or Shure SM7. It also seems the EV RE16 is getting discontinued so this may be close to "last call" for a...