Blue Bluebird, KEL HM-2d?

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dickiefunk

dickiefunk

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Hi. I'm interested in possibly buying one of these mics to record a mezzo soprano gospel, jazz, soul singer.

http://www.richnley.co.uk/audio_clips.html

I have tried a Rode NT-1a, Heil PR-35 and Studio Projects B1 on her voice and found the Studio Projects B1 the best suited. The B1 was prone to sound a little harsh and sizzly in the high end but had a nice tone to it.

She recenty tried an AT4033 in a pro studio and they sound it didn't suit her voice either.

I would like something similar to the B1 but with a smoother less harsh and sizzly high end without sounding dull.
My budget is £200. I would also like to be able to send the mic back if it doesn't suit her voice.

I've heard good things about the HM-2d and Bluebird. I'm unsure which would be the best option to go for?
 
Don't have both... I've got a Bluebird, and it's a great mic. Strong lows and clean highs... but a bit scooped in the mids.

the Kel is a VERY different mic, from what I hear... much more of a high end roll-off. So you might be discussing apples and oranges, here.
 
I just put my Bluebird on ebay..great mic, I love it but I just got a new house and need money to get through the month!! I know in the middle of next month Ill be sorry..but..gotta sell my baby!!! PM me for a good deal...I have the cool pop screen and shock mount!!! also the reg. papers and manuel..in original box!!!
 
dickiefunk said:
She recenty tried an AT4033 in a pro studio and they sound it didn't suit her voice either.
Click to expand...

...are you saying she went to a "Pro" studio and they couldn't put up a mic that was flattering to her voice?...you have at least three threads currently going on this site, all trying to find a mic that would flatter your client's voice...hard to believe a "Pro" studio of any credibility couldn't provide at least a few options from which to chose for tracking just about any voice...:confused:
 
kidvybes said:
...are you saying she went to a "Pro" studio and they couldn't put up a mic that was flattering to her voice?...you have at least three threads currently going on this site, all trying to find a mic that would flatter your client's voice...hard to believe a "Pro" studio of any credibility couldn't provide at least a few options from which to chose for tracking just about any voice...:confused:
Click to expand...

They ended up using a Neumann instead and I definitely don't have a budget for that.

I posted this thread as my other thread was originally asking about the Heil mics. Since these didn't work, I'd like to find out some more info on how the mics I listed sound.
 
The Kel is certainly a strong contender for that sort of voice, as is a decent ribbon.

If she were at My place I would definately reach for the Kel and at least try it.
I would agree the 4033 would be too crisp, the B1 if like the b3 would be better but a little strong in the upper mids.
The Kel is not a "Dull" mic, simply smoother on the top end, and quite a bit heavier on the lower end.
I have had good sucess with the Kel from distances as far as 7 feet from the singer because it does have some low end reach. It helped with a really strong singer to be able to back it off a bit.

A TLM49 would probably be good, but that is expensive. A good (not a cheapo) Ribbon would compliment a high voice.
 
tmix said:
The Kel is certainly a strong contender for that sort of voice, as is a decent ribbon.

If she were at My place I would definately reach for the Kel and at least try it.
I would agree the 4033 would be too crisp, the B1 if like the b3 would be better but a little strong in the upper mids.
The Kel is not a "Dull" mic, simply smoother on the top end, and quite a bit heavier on the lower end.
I have had good sucess with the Kel from distances as far as 7 feet from the singer because it does have some low end reach. It helped with a really strong singer to be able to back it off a bit.

A TLM49 would probably be good, but that is expensive. A good (not a cheapo) Ribbon would compliment a high voice.
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Thanks T.Mix.

I contacted KEL audio and found out that if the mic didn't suit her voice it would be pretty expensive for me to return it! This has put me off a little.

I am considering the AT4040 aswell as the Bluebird and Kel HM-2d.

How does the AT4040 compare to the Bluebird and HM-2d?
 
Does anyone have any audio clips of either of these mics on female vocalists? (preferably not through a high end preamp)
 
...again, I suggest a "ribbon"...or SM7B (dynamic)...or a (used) Studio Projects T3 (tube condenser)...three choices that should diminish the "sizzle" and "bite" factor that would create a harsh edge with her voice...any of those with minimal/careful EQ should do the job (IMHO)...
 
Just ordered the Bluebird. I'm also borrowing an AT4040 and Shure SM7b and will be doing a minor shootout with the three mics this Friday afternoon.

I've also just sent my MXL v67g back to MXL to get replaced.

I managed to pick up an SE Electronics SE1000 for £10 aswell. Might come in handy for something!?
 
Well I tried the mics out today!

Firstly, the Bluebird was too thin and bright compared to the others!

I really liked the AT4040. I sounded fuller and slightly smoother than the B1.

I also liked the SM7b. This sounded less harsh than the others with similar fullness to the AT4040 but was possibly a fraction on the dull side?

What surprised me though was I am now realizing how good the B1 is.

I am going to listen to these takes of each mic tomorrow with fresh ears.
 
Yeah I'll mess around with EQ etc on these later.

I'm trying to find a mic that will give me as close to the sound I'm after with as little processing as possible!
 
Has any owners of the AT4040 or Studio Projects B1 had any experience with either the Oktava MK319, Kel HM-2d or CAD M177?

I'm looking for something that has the fullness of the AT4040 but with slightly smoother top end.
 
Just for future reference, you can hear lots of samples of different mics at this site: http://www.studioauditions.com/jamroomsessions_home.php. I've been listening around to some of them, they have on average clips of at least 4 different applications of each mic (male vox, female vox, guitar, snare, overhead, etc), however, listening to the clips between the bluebird and the AT4040, the bluebird sounds a lot clearer, so I'm not sure how to judge it now.
 
BeniRose said:
Just for future reference, you can hear lots of samples of different mics at this site: http://www.studioauditions.com/jamroomsessions_home.php. I've been listening around to some of them, they have on average clips of at least 4 different applications of each mic (male vox, female vox, guitar, snare, overhead, etc), however, listening to the clips between the bluebird and the AT4040, the bluebird sounds a lot clearer, so I'm not sure how to judge it now.
Click to expand...

Thanks for this link. I've been listening to the clips over on this site and I am impressed by the Oktava MK319. It sounds like it has a lot less high end fizz to it compared to the B1 and Bluebird.
 
Listen the the Kel HM-7U over at JoWillie's site.

Now, before you do listen to various mics, the Kel is not JoWillie's voice, which is an awesome, gigantic VO voice. The person doing the Kel has a smaller voice, still good.

I have only heard the Kel from this site....just tonight. That said, I have heard a lot of mics and think this mic sounds really good.

http://www.vocalimpactmedia.com/SoundStorage.html

FWIW, I love the MK319 for it's lack of sizzle.
Still, if I had to pick one of these mics blind, I'd certainly pick the Kel HM-7U.
it seems to have that larger than life sound without the eshiness/sizzle of other mics in it's class. While the AT404 is a clean, clear mic it doesn't not have the richness of the Kel. Nice, very nice.
 
Thanks for the reply.

I contacted KEL a while back and they recommended the HM-2d over the HM-7U for the singer I'm working with.

I'll be sending the Bluebird back today. I'll probably then be ordering either the Oktava MK-319 or KEL HM-2d.

I've also just seen the SE Electronics Z3300a for a good price so am going to do some searching on info.

Anyone use it on here?
 
I would NOT consider any of the SE mics for that singer except the ICIS.

Kel's advice is interesting. Obviously they know their mics better than some guy listening to MP3s of them on the web (me :) ). I can understand their point too, the HM-2D is a bit mid forward without eshiness. Still, that HM-7U sounds sexy.......
 
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