<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by CyanJaguar:
Hi, I am into home recording as a vocalist |<----snipped---->| I would like to know if there are any better mics out there for vocals.
I am also looking for info on the earthworks qtc1 at $855 but I have not heard it. I live in rural arkansas and the best mic for sale 300 mile of here is a shure stage mic.
thanks.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Hi CyanJaguar,
How far are you from Nashville, or Memphis?
I'm going to suggest something that others might not:
Since you are a Vocalist, You need to figure out your exact BUDGET for the Mic, (If you can spend $1,000 can you go $1,250? or so)
In a minute you'll see why I'm asking.
What happens if you spend $1,000 on the mic, and decided that you hate it?!
Just because it's expensive doesn't mean crap.
I personally am not a big fan of Tube Mics on my own voice.
I have a very "Strong/Masculine" voice, and sometimes the tubes make my voice sound,well "thicker" than I want them to...I'm not sure if I can explain it.
I suggest you look around on the Internet for some Studios in Memphis and Nashville. I'm including the URL for Sound Kitchen.
I suggest Sound Kitchen studios, because it is the laresgt Recording Complex in the South. It's in Franklin Tennesse, which is right outside of Nashville. It's owned by Dino & John Elefante (John was the lead Singer for Kansas when Steve Walsh left in the early 80's).
They have a MONSTER Mic selection.
You could contact them, and possibly get into the smallest studio for say $100 or so, and do a litle "Vocal Shootout"; you'll need to have already made a lits-because their Studio's normally rent for $1,000 a day!!
Many times-studios will do this on an off day. I mean, there are local studio charging $75 an hour-and I can get in fr as little as $25.
Tell them exactly what you are doing-that you are a singer, and you're trying to find a mic in the $1,000 range that will be best for your voice-so you would like to try a few mics.
Look for mikes in the $1,000 range-and then look on their list and see what you come up with. That way you don't waste your time or theirs.
This way you'll find what you like, and what you don't like, And make your self some sheets up on the computer (to save time in the studio) with all of the Microphones listed, and a little area for any comments.
Also, make sure that everything is flat, No E.Q. no Tube Preamps (What good is the shoot out if you wun the mic through a $10,000 Custom preamp that you'll never see in your lifetime again?)
It might just be the best $100 to $250 bucks you'll ever spend.
Alot of guys will say, "
Well, It's a $1,000 dollar mic! It will HAVE to sound great!! If it sounds great on acoustic guitar-Awesome, but you're a singer! You're not looking for a mic that sounds great on guitar, you're looking for a Mic that sounds great on your voice.
I like Ovation Acoustics (all attack, and no "body"-what if you like a real "Woody/honky" acoustic sound?
Are you seeing the point that I'm making?
Many
professional singers have their own Mics that they take to sessions, because they find wat their
voice works best with-and they get their own.
But many home recrding advocates will say-I spent this $1,000 so it Must sound good-when in reality they might hate it.
Go take alook a Sound kitchens mic Selection (man it's HUGE!!!), also look at their studio layouts.
When the Elefante's put this place together, they did it right.
http://www.soundkitchen.com/
Tim
ps. Check out the BIG BOY studio! It's awesome!
[This message has been edited by Tim Brown (edited 07-13-2000).]