brash female vocalist; mic choice?

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CMEZ

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Yet another budget mic thread-I know, I know. I rarely post here, but I lurk a lot.

I'm on real limited funds; in fact, I've sort of overspent already at the moment.

Just for reference: I'm recording some demos for pre-production for an upcoming album and also doing some booking demos for a soul combo. Both feature a big voiced dynamic female singer. BIG voice. BIG range. HUGE dynamic range.

The pre-production demos are a rootsy rock and twang combo. Think Lucinda Williams fronting the Exile era Stones (2 guitars, bass, drums). The soul combo is primarily Stax era stuff, one guitar, hammond, bass, drums, vox.

I'm using an Allen & Heath System 8 (8 buss) console into a Teac 80-8 and then mixing stereo to DAT.

I've got a couple of decent compressors (RNC, Symetrix 501) for outboard gear and some lesser stuff. I can borrow a couple of mics, but would be interested in getting something on the semi-cheap so I won't have to (say, $200?).

What I'm hoping is that some of you may have worked with a female singer that fits this description and have some experience to draw from as far as mic choice for this type of singer. I am unable in KC to audition many mics since all the chain stores closed and the mom-and-pops don't really carry recording gear. Will a C1 be too harsh? Would a V-67 maybe work? If I go to $300, should I look into an SM7 or a V69?

This girl can REALLY sing. Like a young Aretha. What do you think?

Thanks!
 
I really like my Rode NTK on brash female singers, and they're on sale right now (at least they were two days ago) for $350.
 
Will a C1 be too harsh? Would a V-67 maybe work? If I go to $300, should I look into an SM7 or a V69?

Yes, a C1 will be too hyped and too present. A V67 is not a mic to use on a really good voice. I'd say go with an MXL V69ME or a Shure SM7B. And I'd probably lean towards the SM7B. But either of those two will do a great job.

Dan Richards
The Listening Sessions
The Project Studio Handbook
 
421, 441 or re20
nice roll offs too
In His Name
Big Kenny
 
Thanks, guys.


I have access to an NTK, I'll try it, but I'm a little sceptical about whether that mic is gonna cut it as my experience with the mic would indicate to me that it's a bit too brash itself in the upper mids.

I was thinking that perhaps a large diaphragm dynamic might be the way to go; seems that might just be the ticket.

Thanks!

Chris
 
CMEZ said:
I have access to an NTK, I'll try it, but I'm a little sceptical about whether that mic is gonna cut it as my experience with the mic would indicate to me that it's a bit too brash itself in the upper mids.
Click to expand...
I personally think its upper mids are fairly smooth, especially compared to a mic like the V67.
 
I would think a good ribbon would work well, too, though I don't have a lot of experience with a good ribbon.
 
An SM7B would be fine, but for around $200, I would consider an Oktava ML-52 ribbon. I've had very good luck with it on just such sources.-Richie
 
Well, I may be leaning towards an SM-7 for the following reasons:

It'll work on a lot of other stuff as I rebuild my mic locker later. It'll really never need to be 'upgraded' as I'll always find uses for it.

It's a dynamic; my rehearsal/recording studio is downtown and outside noise is often an issue.

Thanks for all your input guys-I think me mind is made up.

Chris
 
I love SM7s....

Other candidates:

Beyer M500, Beyer Soundstar, RCA Varacoustic, or an RCA BK5....
 
Yo CMEZ! I think your reasoning about the SM7 is right. It never does go out of style, and it has a bunch of uses.-Richie
 
Hey, thanks for the input; I'll post some results later this month when I have some things down.

Chris
 
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