Darker toned mic $200?

[dickiefunk]

Thanks for the posts. It's possible to get the KEL Audio mics shipped to the UK. I've noticed that they've got a new mic called the HM-2d. Has anyone tried this one?
Am still trying to decide between the MXL V67g or the KEL HM-1 or HM-2d?

 

[dickiefunk]

Well I just had an email from KEL Audio and they said that the new HM-2d sounds less like the RODE NT1a and Studio Projects B1 than the HM-1 so it's now down to the HM-2d or the MXL V67g?

 

[The Axis]

I already have a Rode NT1a and Studio Projects B1 which are nice mics but on certain vocals they can sound slightly harsh and piercing.

Yeah...the boosted highs of these mikes sounds exciting when you first hear it, but it gets old really fast. Just too unnatural.

The AKG C3000B, AKGC2000B, or AT 3035 are one step towards more natural (darker ?) sounds, while still being very reasonably priced.

 

[chessrock]

Comparatively speaking, I think you'd find most of the Audio Technica mics to be much less strident than the Rode and SP mics you're usded to. A v67 is just more of the same; cheapo Chinese condenser with cheap electronics. yippee.

Other than that, why not just look at a good dynamic?

.

 

[HeyHeyMyMy]

Comparatively speaking, I think you'd find most of the Audio Technica mics to be much less strident than the Rode and SP mics you're usded to.

Other than that, why not just look at a good dynamic?

.

I agree with chessrock. Something like the AT4040 can be had on eBay for around the $200 mark. I've got a 4050 and it's pretty neutral sounding. But if you're recording someone that wails like Aretha I would think that a good used dynamic might be a better way to go.

 

[jonnyc]

Comparatively speaking, I think you'd find most of the Audio Technica mics to be much less strident than the Rode and SP mics you're usded to. A v67 is just more of the same; cheapo Chinese condenser with cheap electronics. yippee.

Other than that, why not just look at a good dynamic?

.

It works for Harvey, why not you? Oh and I already mentioned a dynamic, the OP didn't seem interested. I actually prefer dynamics, you stupid bastard.

 

[dickiefunk]

Thanks for the replies. I'm tempted to hang on for a few weeks till the KEL HM-2d is released and try it out. They have a 21 day return policy so if it doesn't suit I can send it back. I might even just be able to squeeze a SM57 aswell

 

[fova]

Darker mikes in your price range that are worthy to try:

Oktava MK319
used ADK Hamburg
MXL V67 and V69
KEL HM-1
Shure SM57/58
maybe also used Sennheiser MD421

 

[dgatwood]

If you're looking for dark, yeah, you might look for a used ADK Generis GT-2 like this one. They're pretty hard to find, and at least mine is quite dark.

I take that back, actually. Listening to it more, I'm not quite sure how to characterize its tone, but probably not "dark".

Contrary to what several people have posted, I definitely would not classify the Hamburg as dark, either. With a tube pre, it's usable. With a FET pre, it's downright bright to the point of being harsh, IMHO. Specifically, the upper mids have a presence peak at a lower frequency than the Vienna, but it is boosted more. Its highs are rolled off more than the Vienna. This makes the mic an ideal choice for brightening up a dark male vocal. If you don't want a bright mic, you do not want the Hamburg.

Hamburg: good for brightening a male vocal. Cuts like a razor blade on tenor.
Vienna good for brightening a female vocal.

Of course, the mics the original poster is using for comparison have very hyped highs, so compared to those, most mics will be darker, but I wouldn't call any of the mics mentioned in this thread "dark". I'd call them "flat"... or in the case of the MK-319, possibly "muddy" like an SM57.

(Note: the SM57 is one of the few mics that is both muddy and hyped. I'm not sure how Shure managed that, but somehow, they pulled it off.... No, really. The SM57 has a very significant boost in the highs. It is a very, very bright mic up to about 10 kHz, and then it stops responding, thus making it sound simultaneously hyped and very dull and lifeless.)

 

[Lectric_Lab]

since the threqad sez $200 and under...and most of the mics offered for suggestion ain't....I've used a often unknown dynamic mic for fifteen years or more, used them live and an in the studio, they are darker, huskier sounding and even the armed forces use them, I have two of them V-Tecs.

 

[giraffe]

yea, mk-319

 

[fova]

I Contrary to what several people have posted, I definitely would not classify the Hamburg as dark, either. With a tube pre, it's usable. With a FET pre, it's downright bright to the point of being harsh, IMHO. Specifically, the upper mids have a presence peak at a lower frequency than the Vienna, but it is boosted more. Its highs are rolled off more than the Vienna. This makes the mic an ideal choice for brightening up a dark male vocal. If you don't want a bright mic, you do not want the Hamburg.

Hamburg: good for brightening a male vocal. Cuts like a razor blade on tenor.
Vienna good for brightening a female vocal.

You are right. Hamburg should not be in my list.

Note: the SM57 is one of the few mics that is both muddy and hyped. I'm not sure how Shure managed that, but somehow, they pulled it off.... No, really. The SM57 has a very significant boost in the highs. It is a very, very bright mic up to about 10 kHz, and then it stops responding, thus making it sound simultaneously hyped and very dull and lifeless.)

I did not know that. My experience from live performances is that it does not have heights but there are strong basses so I clasified it like darker mike especially in comparison with Shure Beta 58. Maybe I should listen it again.

 

[dickiefunk]

Another mic that seems to get recommended a lot is the Heil PR20. Anyone had any experiences with one of these? Would this be a better option than the MXL V67g and KEL HM-1?

 

[daav]

Another vote for the Oktava MK319, or if you get a really nice deal, used EV RE20 or RE27.

Daav

 

[Harvey Gerst]

Another mic that seems to get recommended a lot is the Heil PR20. Anyone had any experiences with one of these? Would this be a better option than the MXL V67g and KEL HM-1?

The Heil PR20 for voice or acoustic guitar? No. For miking guitar amps, yes, it's a great mic for that.

 

[RandyW]

Thanks scrubs. I like the look of the KEL HM-1 but can't find where to buy it in the UK? I've also seen the Audio Technica 2020 which is also meant to be darker?

I would not think of the AT2020 as being dark
An AT4040 might feel that bill. You could probably get a used for $200.

 

[giraffe]

I would think of the AT2020 as being dark
An AT4040 might feel that bill. You could probably get a used for $200.

neither is dark.

 

[dickiefunk]

What do you think about the Rode M3? I had a very experienced reviewer recommend one of these. Would this be a better option than the MXL V67g or KEL HM-1?

 

[Big Kenny]

Groove tube MD1b, used around your range, don't come up alot but really a nice mic

 

[deadleafecho]

...and check out the info on the Karma K6 which happens to be on sale right now for $199...
https://homerecording.com/bbs/showthread.php?t=244042

...ribbon mics tend to have a "darker" tone that works well on a lot of sources...the K6 is unusual in that it is phantom-powered, which heightens the mic's sensitivity...thus you get a bit more detail in the higher end than with a lot of the other inexpensive ribbon mics at that price point...and they ship internationally as well...worth a look...

Ill second the K6. I used it recently on some vocals that need a mic that wasnt overly bright. I dont think I would use a conventionel ribbon though (i.e. non-phantom powered as most are) as they would probably require way too much gain to do vocals.