Buying 2nd LDC, upgrade for SP B1 needed, help please

  • Thread starter Thread starter LemonTree
  • Start date Start date
LemonTree

LemonTree

Suck 'em and see!
I've had my SP B1 for about a year now. I'm very happy with the results on the different voices I've recorded with it but it's time to take a step up for me I feel.

I've noticed the SP B1 to be a bit sibilant on some of the voices I've recorded, so maybe something a little darker to give me a bit of a contrast. I want to keep it *budget but not crap* if that's at all possible.

Bring on the suggestions please
 
Just go for the T3. You won't have invested any better in your music than that -- for a mike.
 
For something different (darker) but still cheap, try the Oktava 319. You can probably get one at Guitar Center for under $100 (they'll haggle at some GC's.)
Edit: (Oops, I see you're in the UK - sorry about that.)

You can listen to it (and many more) compared to the SP B1, at least on acoustic guitar, here:
http://www.thelisteningsessions.com/session5.htm
 
LemonTree , some great mics from a Scottish company in the UK http://www.red5audio.com

The Red5 Audio RV8 is a nice, open and airy neutral mic. Their RV15 tube mic would be an option that would give you warmer tones.

Another option is the Studio Projects C1. The B1 is more neutral. The C1 is colored and hyped with a German/Berlin Neumannish "sheen". Great vocal mic. The B1 and C1 complement each other very well.

MXL V69 ME is a great choice for a dark, colored "classic"-sounding tube mic.
 
There are advantages to having a stereo pair.

What other mics do you have?
 
After that mic test I'm completely sold on the Shure KSM44. Lose the yellow fever - if you didn't hear those mp3's, you ought to. :D
 
T3

Bodhisan said:
Just go for the T3. You won't have invested any better in your music than that -- for a mike.
Click to expand...


Got my T3 a few weeks back, and the results have been varied but amazing, due to the obvious fact that not all singers sound the same on any mic. I prefer the T3 for women singers; it absolutely needs no EQ in my opinion due to the slight bump in the HF. I am using it with an old, maybe the very first Joe Meek VC1, which has to be about 7 or more years old, but still sounds just perfect for the T3.

I think the T3 loves compression, the more I put on, the more the bump reacts beautifully to it. It actuallys smooths out the peak in that area of it's frequency, but I don't overdo the compression, I just adjust the slope control to a higher number, and listen....

Anyway, just my 2 cents...


Larry
 
For about the same money you might spend on a mid level LD condenser, you could have a Shure SM7B or EV RE20. Both are world class LD Dynamic mics, and can usually be found on ebay for less than $300. The only caveat is they require a lot more gain from the mic pre.

The SM7 will make virtually anyone sound like buttah.
 
OK, we are looking for a step up from the B1 and darker...

MK319 -- I think it's sort of in the same ballpark sonically.

C1 -- Can be brittle on the top end with certain sources. Generally, this is not the thing when you are looking to control sibilance.

AT4040 -- If you get this then you'd probably not get the B1 out very much. However, it's in the same ballpark in its own way. It's hotter and more musical than the B1.

RE20 -- I think this would tend to be a great choice to put up on someone putting out sibilance with a B1.

Chessrock has pointed out at times that a great one, two combo for a small studio is a large dynamic mic such as the EV RE20 or Shure SM7 coupled with a quality mic with a good accentuated high end such as the Blue Dragonfly.
 
I love the RE20, but the T3 is more handy as it's a quality mic with
multiple patterns IMHO. The omni or figure 8 would be great, for example, on BGV's.

Tried out the SM7 a bit and it always seems to need some top end EQing for most singers, whereas the T3 seemed to fit pretty much like a glove for me.
(the Beyer M400 mentioned below also fits more off the shelf.)

BTW the lesser priced RE15 (or RE16) can be as good or better on a specific singer vs. the RE20 also. All three share a certain "family sound".

You could score a Beyer Soundstar MKII which has SM7'ish tone for under $100, then put the rest of the $$$ on any other mics.
Plus it's a hand held, and some singers prefer to have that instead.

Another smooooth cheapie is the Shure 548, although they don't come up as much for sale on ebay. Was quite lucky to get one.

Chris

P.S. Maybe-eventually the V69ME might sound good to me.
Initial impression was that it OD'd on "vintage" style tone.:)
That was only soloing it vs. sitting in a mix though.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top