Backround vocal condenser for cheap

  • Thread starter Thread starter nuemes
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nuemes

nuemes

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Looking for a cheap ($150 max) vocal condensor for backround vocals that can be used for stacking vocals in a mix.

To me this would mean extended high frequency with rolled off bass. Prefer breathy to crunchy and prefer it to sit back in the mix more than upfront, if that can be done given the budget. Hah.

Here's what I'm working with now; none of them have the extended treble/presence to to the job well - at least not that I've done well with in trying to EQ to death:

AKG C414 ULS
Blue Baby Bottle
Audio-Technica 4033
MXL V67
Shure SM7
 
I gotta say, my current fave for BG vox is the CAD M179. The sound is fairly neutral and it stacks well without getting too "essy" or "clicky" -- call fullcompass or someone and see if they'll haggle with you about the price.
 
I'm a bit of a novice, but I've had good results with a C414, get the singers to back of from the mic for ambience... If it's not working for you then I guess it's a dumb suggestion, but I've always liked the results.
 
For what you're looking to do ... honestly one of the best mics for this task is the Marshall mxl-990. It always just works outstanding for the airy, breathy, stacking of backing vocals thing. And it's dirt cheap, which is a bonus. Cheapest mic I own, in fact, but gets used more than the others on backing vox.

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Thanks Chess. I ended up getting the MXL990/991 pack and will track backing vocals this week with the 990. I'm also going to test between the 603 & 991 to see what (if any?) difference there is.

A GC story for you. I go into GC to buy the MXL990/991 pack ($99) after calling all the other local music shops first to find out if they carry it - non of which did. So I ask the salesperson at GC to throw in shockmounts which he reluctantly does, all the while cursing me under his breath while ringing it up. He then tells me loud and clear in front of the other sales people that I'm buying a POS and there are much better mics for $99.

So.

I ask him what other mics for $99 are good for backing vocals in the sense that they have bass roll-off and extended HF. He says they exist, but he can't think of any off hand, nor could any of the other sales reps.

What a turd.
 
It would seem to me as a previous poster stated, that a 414 should be able to do bight vocals just nicely, and they do have a bass roll off. I some times get too bright of vocals useing the 414, so I don't know...

Yeah, not much help, I know. :(
 
For what it's worth, I've never had backing vocal tracks that were recorded with a mic with a strong top end sit "behind" the lead vocal track. For me, I've had much better luck with backing vocal tracks recorded with a mic with a smooth or rolled off top end when I wanted those backing tracks sitting behind the lead vocal track.
 
kid klash said:
For what it's worth, I've never had backing vocal tracks that were recorded with a mic with a strong top end sit "behind" the lead vocal track. For me, I've had much better luck with backing vocal tracks recorded with a mic with a smooth or rolled off top end when I wanted those backing tracks sitting behind the lead vocal track.
Click to expand...

Try recording layers of backing vox that way though; it will likely build into mid-muddy overpowering distortion as you add voices. Check out Def Leppard's Hysteria; tons of vocals and they don't overpower the mix. Cheesy, nonetheless a lot of audio information is on those Def Leppard songs and recorded in a way that the EQ separation allows for a clean mix.
 
nuemes said:
Try recording layers of backing vox that way though; it will likely build into mid-muddy overpowering distortion as you add voices. Check out Def Leppard's Hysteria; tons of vocals and they don't overpower the mix. Cheesy, nonetheless a lot of audio information is on those Def Leppard songs and recorded in a way that the EQ separation allows for a clean mix.
Click to expand...

I'm fairly familiar with the "stacks-o-harmony-tracks" method... ;)

That's why I suggested a more neutral mic. You'll want to try triggering the stacked, compressed harmonies through a gate too, using the lead vocal as the trigger...
 
kid klash said:
You'll want to try triggering the stacked, compressed harmonies through a gate too, using the lead vocal as the trigger...
Click to expand...

That's brilliant - thank you. I'll try the gate as well. Maybe a mix of the C414 & 990 will be the answer.
 
Why not tyr a Shure Beta 58A? Or a regular 58 even. Not a condenser I know, but... could be the ticket. I keep a 58 in the control-room just for quick BGVs. I'll come up with a part, put on a pair of phones, (or not even, just stick my head between the nearfields), jam the 58 in my face and lay those backup tracks down, quick and dirty. They always sound just fine in the mix.
 
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