Chessparov: Help with Beyer Soundstar MkII

[hognogger]

A couple of weeks ago, I bought a Soundstar MkII from Ebay. I'd been using an SM58 for backing vocals, and an LD condenser for main vocals. When I saw what people on this site, and on other sites, were saying about the Beyer mic, I thought I'd take a punt on it.

Recently, I saw a quote from chessparov:

"The most flexible microphone has turned out to be the Soundstar MKII for me, however, this was only after a LOT of experimenting.
Like the SM7, it has an "expensive" sound on my voice type."

Since I'm about to start a recording project, and I have various mics, it would be interesting to hear the results of these experiments...

e.g. how did the mic sound when you first tried it? How does the way you use it now differ from the way you used it initially? How would you describe your voice type?

I mean, obviously, my voice is not your voice, but any general tips you might have about how to use this mic profitably, would be greatly appreciated...

If it helps, I'd describe my voice this way: tone = slightly trebly, range = baritone/tenor. Not a really deep, rich voice, but not a thin voice, either.

And, um, this goes for anyone else who has used the mic. I'd be really grateful for your thoughts!

 

[ozraves]

I have this mic. I just stick a Stedman popfilter in front of it. I plug the mic into a quality mic pre and I'm there.

 

[chessparov]

Somehow my detailed post got "lost".

So...

Shortened version is to play with distance from the mic to help figure out how much bass response you like.
Then experiment with angling it towards your mouth to adjust the "treble".

BTW my voice was evaluted by several top operatic coaches
as a high baritone (2nd tenor) with deep baritone low notes. Technical level is just that of a better than average Top 40 singer though, not legitimate theater level with
proper vibrato-not yet anyway.

So it's probably in the same ballpark as yours as far as
voice type. Once you get used to it, I expect it'll become
a favorite vocal mic.

Chris

P.S. If you're voice is naturally bright like mine, "trebly" is
cool. Yet you may want to have a good vocal coach
check it out in case the "placement" is off just in case.
When not paying attention, I can get a bit nasal/tinny.

 

[hognogger]

Thanks guys... pity Chris' detailed response got lost. Oh well...

It may be that the tonal quality of my voice is a little similar to yours, Chris - baritone, bright-ish, light, but not really thin...

I'm recording a song for a demo this weekend, so I'll have a play around with the Soundstar then.

 

[chessparov]

You didn't miss anything important on the "lost" post.
It just takes some time for me to "ramble on".

If it turns out to be a great vocal mic for you, also try out the Shure 545 series BTW. Try to get one of the older "Made In USA" Unidyne III's though.

Best of luck with your recordings.

Chris

 

[noisedude]

Yes indeed, I have the Soundstar MkII and a USA 545 on Chris's recs, all I need now are some decent pres to make something of 'em!!

 

[Rossi]

I have a Soundstar II, too, and like it a lot. But the Beyer M300 is also nice. It sounds similar but the proximity effect is less pronounced, which makes it easier to handle. Too bad both were discontinued.

 

[chessparov]

Noise, IMHO the Soundstar is more forgiving of budget mixers/pre's
because of its smoothness.

Chris

 

[noisedude]

Absolutely - it works better than the 545/SM57s/58s I have used with my cheap mixers.