$500 to Spend on a Vocal Mic

  • Thread starter Thread starter BeniRose
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BeniRose

BeniRose

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So I'm in dire need of getting a good vocal mic. I have two Rode NT1a's and an M-audio Nova that I feel comfortable using on pretty much every application except vocals. They're quite a bit too harsh for vocals and make them stand out of the mix a bit too much.

So I'm looking at a few mics in the 500 dollar range. The Rode NTK, Blue Baby Bottle? I'm trying to keep it under 500-600, because any more and I feel like I should just keep saving up until I can get a Mojave MA-200 or something of that quality. I also figure at 500, getting a tube condenser isn't going "make the mic" the way it would on a 2 grand mic, so I'm open to all suggestions. The only thing I'm not really open to is obscure mics I'd have to find on ebay or order from overseas or build myself. I'm looking at buying used, but only if it's easily available to find used.

Other than that, any mic that's under 500 (but let's stay above 250) is fair game. I'd appreciate all suggestions as well as applications and any stories, I love reading mic stories :D
 
A PE modded mk319 from oktavamod.com is a great sounding mic that is not at all harsh. Would be a safe bet that you would still use it even after you get your high falootin Mojave.:D
There are other great options though.
 
Rode NTK is a great mic that is in your price range.
 
Sorry, should've mentioned that. I'm mostly doing rock and pop music. I've been looking at the NTK, not sure if it's going to give me similar problems i'm having with my NTK. I'll try to read up more on that modded mic.

Keep in mind, right now I'm only running a firepod, so that's the best pre I have (I can colour it with my ART Tube MP if I'm feeling it needs some spunk I guess). Not sure if that really justifies getting a middle tier mic or not, but I'm saving up for a Focusrite Saffire Pro as well, which should be a bit of an upgrade on the preamps.
 
If harsh condensers are the disease, Shure SM7B and Electrovoice RE20 are the cure.
 
See if you can find an MCA SP-1 on the web.

$39.95 never sounded this good.

Regards,

Ty Ford
 
Everyone talks up the SM7 a lot. I'm confused how a dynamic mic can get so much props for vocals. I know that's probably pretty noob of me, but I was just wondering how it's so well recommended.
 
I don't have expierience with the sm7b, but a dynamic can work great as a studio vocal mic. the sm7's and the re20 are braodcast vocal mics and are preferd for alot of vocals (especially male vocal)by the likes of u2 and mettalica among many others. you can evan see the sm7 in action on the movie mettalica did on the making of black.
I just recently got a re11, and recorded one of the best vocal tracks we have laid down yet.
 
BeniRose said:
Everyone talks up the SM7 a lot. I'm confused how a dynamic mic can get so much props for vocals. I know that's probably pretty noob of me, but I was just wondering how it's so well recommended.
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Because of the reputation it has in the industry. It has been used on countless professional recordings as the MAIN vocal mic. That's why. :D

If you're hell bent on getting another mic, go for the SM7. Otherwise, keep saving for the Mojave MA-200. From what I hear, that's a fantastic mic.
 
BeniRose said:
So I'm in dire need of getting a good vocal mic. Blue Baby Bottle? :D
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I LOVE the Baby Bottle on my voice, and a friend now won't use anything else on his... But some people hate it. You'd probably want to try one, if possible, before purchase. Still, for less money, the SM7b is a mic that's almost universally loved. If you have a preamp that can put out decent, quiet gain, you probably can't miss with the SM7...
 
BeniRose said:
Everyone talks up the SM7 a lot. I'm confused how a dynamic mic can get so much props for vocals. I know that's probably pretty noob of me, but I was just wondering how it's so well recommended.
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It depends on the voice and what you're trying to do. I have a modded Oktava MKL-2500 which just plain works for my voice, but our bass player's sounded just drier and thin through it. I tried an M-260, nope, for fun I plugged in my SM-7 (which I had only used for male vocals). Yup, that fixed it, nice and thick and warm. A great dynamic mic is a different animal than condensers and ribbons.
 
What Preamps?

What kind of Preamps do you have?

I've used the SM7 and I agree its a good mic. However, Ive also used an MXL 990 and its done well. It depends on what kind of music you're doing. I'm a big fan of the KSM 32 through a UA 610, offset by doing a guitar with a ribbon on an acoustic. Again, it all depends on the feel you want from the song.
ND
 
Please allow me to beat a dead horse. SM7. Not much I can add to what other folks have said, but I'm one more to the add to the numbers. It's my main vocal mic for vocals. I love it.
 
WhiteStrat said:
Please allow me to beat a dead horse. SM7. Not much I can add to what other folks have said, but I'm one more to the add to the numbers. It's my main vocal mic for vocals. I love it.
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Count me in on this beating, too. The SM7 is by far the most useful microphone I own for vocals. A while back, I saw this massive list of major label albums that had vocals recorded with an SM7....I might dig that up here in a little while.
 
Nice on the ART :).

If you're down on the money, Go with the MXL. Rhode NT1 is always good as well. Beyond that I cant really think of anything else that Ive personally worked with, though i have heard good things about AKG Perception. Just make sure to look at frequency response charts:D
 
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