best mic for hiphop(rap) vocals

  • Thread starter Thread starter Mizchif
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Mizchif

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anyone know what the best mic (probably under 200) would be for the aggressive style of a hiphop/hard rock vocalist?

I am curretnly workin with 2 artists
1 with a really low voice
reallly low almost barry white low

and the other artist has a somewhat higher voice

I wouldn't think it would be possible to use the same mic for both of them or could I ?
and if not which two mics would best help me out in this situation??
any help would be great
 
Well, for the rap crowd, may I recommend a tin can with a string attached to the middle of the diaphragm? That'll do it. J/K :)

SHURE SM 58.........and don't move in next door! ROFL!!!
 
Not the best choice, not a real recording mic, but there is a bunch of Chinese large diapragm condenser mics out there that are copies of the real thing that are damn good. The Studio Projects line, Marshall mics, AKG, ETC. Just use the search function on this board and check out the archives. Then, when you are done examining all of those posts, (in the year 2009), you will pretty much have an idea what folks are using and are happy with. Good luck
 
The BLUE Mouse is phenominal on deep visceral voices. Imagine someone like Etta James singing soul: That would match the mic to the application perfectly.
Oh, damn! I'm sorry, you said under 200 (just re-read your post)
yeah, ok, go with the 58 then.:D
 
For under $200...

Sometimes, rap stuff sounds good on an Oktava such as an MK219 or MK319. If you get them from anyplace but the Soundroom, then make sure you test a bunch to get the best one you can. Oktavas are not the same from mic to mic.

An SM57 or SM58 can be awesome if you have a very expensive pre like a Summit.

You might try the Audio Technica AT3035. It's about the best thing I can suggest in your price range for what you want to do.
 
I second the sm57, or 58 for rap vocals simply because of the Plosives that are generated.
 
well so far i've been checkin out the AT3035 so its good to see that someone replied with that and i already own an sm58
i guess i might be on the right track

I was thinkin of having a two mic/two track setup
where i would hook up the studio mic and the sm58 to record at the same time on seperate tracks

is this a good idea?
 
not a great idea becuase you won't be able to have the ideal vocalist position for both mics at the same time.

at3035 should work really well on both for the singing parts of it....for the rapping though, don't underestimate the 58...lots of character.

In terms of it being a recording mic - all depends on who's doing it. Bono from U2 has been recording all of his vocals on sm58 for years.
 
The shure 57 amd 58 ARE recording mics. :) Darn good ones, too.

For rap vocals, though, since they are so prominant in the mix, I'd go with a large diaphram condensor with a pop screen. The screen will take care of the plosives and the LD mic will make the voice sound bigger- if you get the right mic.

In that price range check out the Marshall v67 and the Studio Projects line. There are many other inexpensive LD mics around these days - check out some of the threads in this forum for all kinds of info on them.

It may be a new experience for the rapper to sing into a LD mic if they are used to performing live (just like with any other vocalist). Its a skill learning to sing with energy while standing relatively still.

Have fun!
Chris
 
2 Adk A-51's for $199
mxl67 would work, studio projects mics...
 
C9-be quiet, man...the less people that know about those, the better off we are...:-)
 
H2oskiphil said:
C9-be quiet, man...the less people that know about those, the better off we are...:-)
Click to expand...
;) ;) i knew about them a long time ago... they actually males some mice mics.. they even have mics they are up there around $1400... right now i'll stick with my se5000, then get the new z series...then maybe save for a u87ai
 
"For rap vocals, though, since they are so prominant in the mix, I'd go with a large diaphram condensor with a pop screen. The screen will take care of the plosives and the LD mic will make the voice sound bigger- if you get the right mic."

alot of the hip hop i've been hearing has poped P's, no d-s'ing, and a pretty gritty vocal sound (like maybe they are overdriving the mic pre a bit)

one example of that is the new Kid Rock album "cocky". its a very well recorded album. the bass guitar, guitars, keys, drums, and background vocals are 1st rate....smooth warm and detailed. but on Kid rocks vocals most of the p's are poped alot of "s" sylable hiss, and like I said an overall "distortion" like you get when you clip the mic pre. SO, it looks to me like this is a "desired" effect. On the songs that are sung not rapped and on the passages of the rap tunes that are sung, the lead vocals are smoother, no plosives, and no distortion.

I really like that album by the way....and im not a big fan of rap by any stretch of the imagination
 
I like the RE-20. You can get a used one for under 200.00.
 
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