Budget vocal mic? For some 'warmth'

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Benreturns

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My Samson CO1 condenser isnt really cutting it for my vocals. My tracks dont give you that you-are-there feeling even when compressed loads. And there is a fair amount of background hiss in the top end. My vox just aren;t 'warm' enough. COuld anyone reccomend a good mic to remedy this? For under £/$200? Obviously i cant afford high end stuff yet but what would be the best in that range? Im looking at the Shure SM58.

Anyone?
Cheers
 
hi,
as far as the sound of your vocal tracks, let me just say that the signal chain (mic pre, comp) has a lot to do with the sound.
that said, i think a good budget condensor is the oktava mk319, if you can find a good one (their quality control is questionable). i have one ($49.99 on sale), and it sounds pretty warm and smooth. i don't have much experience with the budget chinese condensors (others on this forum have), but i've heard they can be on the more present side. once again, signal chain has a lot to do with it.
as far as an sm58 goes, it's a good live vocal mic, and many people have used them on records, but with good mic pre's, since it is a dynamic mic. a beta 58 would probably do a better job for you, as far as dynamic mics go (a little hotter, more detailed), and i actually prefer a sm57 to an sm58 for vocals, but that's just me. sennheiser, ev, and beyer also make very good dynamic mics in the same price range.
if you gave a little more info on your signal chain, and recording medium, it might help get you the answer you're looking for.
hope that heps - jv
 
$359.60 = 200pounds


id say the Marshall MXLv69 or v77
 
It's really tough to understand what people mean when they say "warm," because it's such a subjective term. But based on the mic you're currently working with -- a cheaper condenser with what I would imagine to be a harsher high end -- we can probably point you in a few directions that might be helpful.

The MK319, as John mentioned, is probably going to give you a much smoother treble response, based on what most of the users I talk to have been saying about it. Another budget mic that I particularly like that doesn't have a lot of that cheap Chinese-assembled jacked-up treble response on speed sound to it is the CAD M177.

If you've got the extra money to spare, I implore you to check out the Shure SM-7. It's a very mellow mic which still has plenty of presence to spare to help a voice stand out without ever being too strident. Probably one of the 10 best vocal mics ever made, if you ask me. You might also want to check out some ribbon mics by Beyerdynamic. Particularly something like the M-160, which can be had, used, in your price range. Ribbons are known, basically, for being about as mellow as you can get.

You might also think about some tube mics like Gidge suggests, but honestly, from my experience I don't consider anything by Marshall to be particularly "warm." It would be a lot like sticking a tube on your Sampson, which is really more like trying to cover up the problem rather than dealing with it head-on.

This is where I might say something like your mileage may vary, but I'm sick of that damn saying, so just use your own ears and good judgement and don't expect miracles.
 
Thanks guys...

I cant believe i forgot to mention my current equipment.
For a start Im not using a comp and induvidual pre-amp, im using a Portastudio, 8 track using its own mic pre's (its a Tascam 488mkII). Ive read here alot that dont waste money on the best pre-amp until the mic deems it necasary to, what would peoples thoughts be on that? Can anyone reccomend a good mic/pre-amp combo? A friend of mine got taught in a music class that the SM58 was the industry standard, best vocal mic a home recording artist could use on vocals....
Any thoughts?
 
Your friend was taught wrong. Industry standard? Yes, for live work although there are certainly better mics for that purpose. For recording? No way.

Blessings, Terry
 
Re: Thanks guys...

Benreturns said:
Ive read here alot that dont waste money on the best pre-amp until the mic deems it necasary to, what would peoples thoughts be on that?

Without going into detail (I just mentioned similar on another thread), "SM-58" takes on an entirely different meaning through a good mic pre...

John Scrip - www.massivemastering.com
 
Industry standard vocal recording mic? I'd say U87(Neuman), but that's way way out of your budget. I have one of the afore mentioned Oktava Mk-319's, and I wholheartedly recommend it. I own a few "real" mics now, but I'll never give the 319. It such an honest and even sounding mic. Some call it a dark mic, but I think that's a little skewed, as if not hyping out the upper mids equals dark.
After that, I'd suggest picking up an inexpensive preamp, maybe one of the little tube jobbies. Then you'll have several combinations of mics and pre's to choose from for a givin track...think more colors on your pallet to paint with.
Cheers, RD
 
On second thought, the SM58 will probably be warmer sounding than the Samson. I would also recommend a Studio Projests B1. It is relatively warm as well.

Blessings, Terry
 
Benreturns said:
My Samson CO1 condenser isnt really cutting it for my vocals. My tracks dont give you that you-are-there feeling even when compressed loads. And there is a fair amount of background hiss in the top end. My vox just aren;t 'warm' enough. COuld anyone reccomend a good mic to remedy this? For under £/$200? Obviously i cant afford high end stuff yet but what would be the best in that range? Im looking at the Shure SM58.

Anyone?
Cheers

The best mic that I can recommend would be the TLM103. It is a great budget mic that has many uses. I use it all the time on acoustics, vocals and some elec cabs.
 
Did you just say a $1000 Neumann TLM 103 was a budget mic?
 
I would second the vote for the oktava MK-319...I bought one a few months ago, and thought it was a great deal at 100 bucks...well, now guitar center has 'em for 50. In my opinion it's pretty much a no brainer. But it is suggested that you try a few out before you pick 'the one'.
 
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