another cheap Vocal mic question

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studiodrum

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Okay, okay, . .don't pounce on me too hard, cause I'm still a newbie with no budget, and audio challenged. But, I need some help with choosing a vocal mic for some demo stuff--

My choices of mics, and budget are The Marshall MXLV-67G, or the Studio Projects B-1.
I realize that both these mics are about the same as far as quality. But, I can use some help with a little input from people who have used them.


The singer is a male voice, fairly broad range, mostly rock/pop stuff-- nothing screamin', or too high range. . .

The recorder is a Tascam 424 mkII, and I will even be purchasing a separate pre-amp, for phantom power. . . any input would certainly be appreciated.
Thanks in advance! Ray
 
I feel the Studio Projects B1 is the better choice.
 
studiodrum said:
Okay, okay, . .don't pounce on me too hard, cause I'm still a newbie with no budget, and audio challenged. But, I need some help with choosing a vocal mic for some demo stuff--

My choices of mics, and budget are The Marshall MXLV-67G, or the Studio Projects B-1.
I realize that both these mics are about the same as far as quality. But, I can use some help with a little input from people who have used them.


The singer is a male voice, fairly broad range, mostly rock/pop stuff-- nothing screamin', or too high range. . .

The recorder is a Tascam 424 mkII, and I will even be purchasing a separate pre-amp, for phantom power. . . any input would certainly be appreciated.
Thanks in advance! Ray
Click to expand...
IMO, the B1 is an ok general purpose type budget mic... but it sucks eggs as a vocal mic... get the MXL V67G.
 
Here's a test I did several years ago comparing the two mics, among other cheapies.
http://www.nowhereradio.com/artists/album.php?aid=1557&alid=-1

It's Unquiet Grave 4 mic test. 3rd two verses are the SP B1, and the last two the MXL V67. These were through an Audiobuddy into an M-Audio Dman PCI card.

They may not be too helpful - I'm not a singer, guitarist or recordist, and they are mp3 files. But it may give you an idea.
 
Between those two and not hearing your voice directly, the B1 would be the safer choice as its response pattern is flatter than the V67.

There is a very nice voice "channel" (mic pre/compressor/EQ) for around
$200 street price in the new Joe Meek 3Q.

IIRC the 424 does NOT have inserts in the mixer, if this is so feel free to confirm this, and I will mention another benefit using the 3Q vs. a typical
mono mic pre. In any event the EQ on the Meek will be far superior to
the 424.

It is also a smart idea to learn more about the option of acoustical treatment(s). See www.realtraps.com for more on that.
This typically makes more of a difference than which mic or pre, once
you get reasonable choices of each.

Chris

P.S. If you're searching for a good reverb/effects unit, the TC M300 is
also very nice and runs about $200 new.
 
The v67 has been a decent choice for my and my brother's voice. Not the best, but pretty good. I did not like the B1 on my vocals.

Your voice could like the B1 better though. That's the tough thing about mics.
 
Yeah the B1 is good if you're a great singer, but it won't flatter your voice. People say its dull, and I guess it wont add any sparkle, so you have to have it already.
 
It's not really that the B1 is "dull", rather that it's not as "hyped" as most of today's condensers. (not inherently better/worse BTW)

This is why something like the Meek's EQ is advisable whichever one is chosen.
Ability to tweak is even more important with limited mic selection.

Chris
 
DJL said:
IMO, the B1 is an ok general purpose type budget mic... but it sucks eggs as a vocal mic... .
Click to expand...

Don, that simply is not true and you know it. It's not the greatest vocal mic, but many voices will sound at least decent on a B1.

Don't put newbies on the wrong track bro.

Love you too. :)
 
Han said:
It's not the greatest vocal mic
Click to expand...
You can say that again.

EDIT: Added... and I use to recommend auditioning mics before buying (and still do)... but then most of the time they say there is no place near them to audition the B1. The V67 can be auditionied and bought at many large and small music stores and I prefer the V67. PS... I love you too honey. ;)

chessparov... how do you know the B1 response pattern is flatter than the V67?
 
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DJL, I've owned/used the B1 and have tried out the V67 which has a somewhat similar sound to the Studio Projects C1. (also owned/used)

The V67 has "scooped mids" like a C1 (like the C1 better though on me),
and a de-esser is needed for either of these choices on my voice.
The C1 sounds better partly because of the different response around 600 Hz.

Chris
 
chessparov said:
DJL, I've owned/used the B1 and have tried out the V67 which has a somewhat similar sound to the Studio Projects C1. (also owned/used)

The V67 has "scooped mids" like a C1 (like the C1 better though on me),
and a de-esser is needed for either of these choices on my voice.
The C1 sounds better partly because of the different response around 600 Hz.

Chris
Click to expand...
Yeah, I use to own all those mics too... I still own a V67G. How flat is your B1 compared to your Behinger EMC8000? Also for example... the MC319 is a low sounding mic... and the C1 is a bright sounding mic... and the V67G is in-between. The reason why I was asking how you think you knew the B1 is flatter than the V67 was because I was hoping you had a chamber... I'm in the beginning process of (researhing) building a small test chamber and was hoping for plans. Oh well, thanks. :)
 
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Sorry, no Behringer EMC here.
IIRC they have a lower S/N ratio than these other mics though, plus you have to be careful with using omni's in poor sounding rooms. (like mine!)

Actually I think of Oktava 319's as being on the dark side of neutral...

Chris
 
chessparov said:
plus you have to be careful with using omni's in poor sounding rooms. (like mine!)

Chris
Click to expand...

Chris, when you have to record a vocalist with a lousy mic technique and he/she is also unexperienced, you can save yourself a lot of problems by using an omni.

If your room doesn't sound good, you should create a dead space around the mic by putting blankets or sleeping bags around the mic.

I am recording a lot these days with a very nice guy, who is in the catagory I've mentioned above and I use the M149 in omni, which sounds surprisingly good on this guy.

Peace, Han
 
well, i've got a V67 and a B1 and they're really two different animals with different areas where they excel, IMO. let's keep in mind that we're talkin about $100 mics here, too......

IMO, the B1 sounds more on the "neutral" side of things whereas the V67 sounds darker in comparison. neither has what i would call a hyped or bright high-end.

in my uses, i have found the following to be true.

there are very few things that i can stick the B1 in front of and not get at least a usable sound. it's kinda like an sm57--jack of all trades, blends in and contributes to the mix well. it's good on snare, amps, acoustics, my mandolin and some vocals.....i especially like it on amps. the B1 would NOT be my first choice for a vocal mic. it's quite nice on some voices, but in my experience, that number is smaller than the number it's *not* nice on. that's not to say that it sucks on vocals (well, my vocals for sure!), but it's not what i'd think of when i think "vocal mic".

by contrast, the V67 is a very nice vocal mic. significant proximity effect and definitely sits on top of the mix a lot more than the B1 does. i think it's also very nice as a drum overhead (sounds fat and doesn't hype the cymbals) and i find it works better on those bright/trebly plywood-topped acoustic guitars (just had to record one the other day for a friend)--in that, it pairs up with a set of 603's quite nicely for that application.

usually, i would recommend the B1 as the "jack of all trades". but given your signal chain and recording medium, i'd have to recommend the v67. for some reason i think you'd be unhappy with the B1. eventually, you'll find a want/need for both.


cheers,
wade
 
Incidently, I like the sound I get using the B1 on my voice, although that may be just lucky!
 
I don't have a B1, but I do have a V67G.
The V67 is a fine microphone at its price point.
It'll work out for you as a vocal mic, for the vocals you described, but it'll also make a pretty nice instrument mike as well.

Someone here did a solo sax recording with the V67G that was just stunning!
 
chessparov said:
Actually I think of Oktava 319's as being on the dark side of neutral...
Click to expand...
Yeah, "dark" is a better word for the MC319 than "low"... the MC319 is a dark sounding mic... where as the C1 is a bright sounding mic... and the V67G is in-between.
 
I did a quick recording using only an SP B1 for acoustic and vocal. I recorded the acoustic first and then sang the vocal track. No EQ was used on either so you can hear what the mic sounds like.
Guitar = Ovation Balladeer > B1 > DMP3 > Deltal 1010 > n-Tracks
Vocal = Me > B1 > DMP3 > Deltal 1010 > n-Tracks

http://www.nowhereradio.com/artists/album.php?aid=3552&alid=-1

The song is called "I Come To A mountain"

Warning; Christian lyrics

Blessings, Terry
 
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