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Popcorn
New member
Hi guys.......I'm looking for a mic that will be used strictly for vocals and nothing else. A dedicated vocal mic for home studio at around $200. Any recommedations? Thanks in advance.
Gidge
Lapdance Test Dummy
Do you already have a preamp and phantom power for a condenser?...
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RWhite
Well-known member
I was in a very similar situation to yours not long ago. I had a bunch of SM-57 and 58 mikes but wanted one decent mike for vocals only. I also had the exact same tight $200 budget. I bought a Rode NT-1. It does require phantom power which my mixer supplies (and I have since borrowed a Joe Meek pre-amp to use with it).
Having owned only dynamic mics like the Shure's for years it was quite a ear-opening experiance. It is much, MUCH more sensitive and picks up the quietest sounds with ease - so you need a truely quiet studio space. It sounds a bit fuller than a 58, but I was really surprised that it did not sound better than it does given the high praise it gets here.
I know Sonusman and others here would urge you to wait until you have more money saved up, because you get another big step up in mic quality once you get into the $800 price range. But if your budget is indeed $200, and your needs fit the sceanrio above, then I think the Rode would work for you.
Having owned only dynamic mics like the Shure's for years it was quite a ear-opening experiance. It is much, MUCH more sensitive and picks up the quietest sounds with ease - so you need a truely quiet studio space. It sounds a bit fuller than a 58, but I was really surprised that it did not sound better than it does given the high praise it gets here.
I know Sonusman and others here would urge you to wait until you have more money saved up, because you get another big step up in mic quality once you get into the $800 price range. But if your budget is indeed $200, and your needs fit the sceanrio above, then I think the Rode would work for you.
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Popcorn
New member
cool
Hi RWhite and Gidge,
Yeah...the Rhpde NT-1 sounds like it's probably what i will get unless someone else can point
me to another alternative. I have a Midiman Audio Buddy for a preamp and it has PHANTOM power in it which is great. Suprisingly this little unit is quieter than a mouse. My voice is kind of strange-so i'd like to get a mic that will warm it up a bit and give me some good clarity. I'll take a trip to Guitar Center and just test out a bunch of mics in this price range and purchase the mic that beautifies my voice the best.....hehehehe I've been using the SM-58 and for my voice type it just doesn't work. It gives a quality that is far too open and flat for my taste. I'd prefer something that would narrow and sharpen. How you determine this I suppose can only be accomplished by listening and trying all the mics out. IMHO i believe that "Voice Type" is an important consideration in the decision.
Hi RWhite and Gidge,
Yeah...the Rhpde NT-1 sounds like it's probably what i will get unless someone else can point
me to another alternative. I have a Midiman Audio Buddy for a preamp and it has PHANTOM power in it which is great. Suprisingly this little unit is quieter than a mouse. My voice is kind of strange-so i'd like to get a mic that will warm it up a bit and give me some good clarity. I'll take a trip to Guitar Center and just test out a bunch of mics in this price range and purchase the mic that beautifies my voice the best.....hehehehe I've been using the SM-58 and for my voice type it just doesn't work. It gives a quality that is far too open and flat for my taste. I'd prefer something that would narrow and sharpen. How you determine this I suppose can only be accomplished by listening and trying all the mics out. IMHO i believe that "Voice Type" is an important consideration in the decision.
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dcsteve
New member
Popcorn,
I am in pretty much the same position as you, so I'm really interested to see what other suggestions you get. I've been reading some of the other posts and some people have mentioned that the Rode NT1 has a rather harsh sounding high end. A better alternative (at least in some people's opinions) may be the Marshall MXL-V67. Or, you can get a used AT4033 for around $225 - $250.
I am in pretty much the same position as you, so I'm really interested to see what other suggestions you get. I've been reading some of the other posts and some people have mentioned that the Rode NT1 has a rather harsh sounding high end. A better alternative (at least in some people's opinions) may be the Marshall MXL-V67. Or, you can get a used AT4033 for around $225 - $250.
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Popcorn
New member
Great
dcsteve,
Great....this is the first time i've heard of a Marshall MXL-V67. I didn't know Marshall made mics. Do you know what it sounds like? Have you tried it out and have you tried the Rode NT-1? As far as getting a used mic-that's something i definitely won't do. IMHO a mic is too personal a piece of equipment.
For the last three days i've been trying to recall the name of a company that i know exists out there that only sells mics of all brands and of every price. I just can't remember the name of it. It was like a one stop shop for any and every mic possible in one store. I'm kinda worried of making tne wrong purchase. And i have a feeling that a mic is the one piece of equipment that's possibly the easiest to make a mistake in purchasing. I suppose one reason for my fear is based in my lack of knowledge. Mics are really kind of a mystery to me-there are so many types and with such differing specs. In the final analysis i'm just going to use my ears....if it sounds good regardless of specs...that's all that matters.
dcsteve,
Great....this is the first time i've heard of a Marshall MXL-V67. I didn't know Marshall made mics. Do you know what it sounds like? Have you tried it out and have you tried the Rode NT-1? As far as getting a used mic-that's something i definitely won't do. IMHO a mic is too personal a piece of equipment.
For the last three days i've been trying to recall the name of a company that i know exists out there that only sells mics of all brands and of every price. I just can't remember the name of it. It was like a one stop shop for any and every mic possible in one store. I'm kinda worried of making tne wrong purchase. And i have a feeling that a mic is the one piece of equipment that's possibly the easiest to make a mistake in purchasing. I suppose one reason for my fear is based in my lack of knowledge. Mics are really kind of a mystery to me-there are so many types and with such differing specs. In the final analysis i'm just going to use my ears....if it sounds good regardless of specs...that's all that matters.
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dcsteve
New member
Check out this thread for some discussion about Marshall mics. (BTW, this is not the same company that makes the guitar amps).
https://homerecording.com/bbs//showthread.php?threadid=22062
I agree with you on just about everything you said about the importance of mics, not wanting to buy the wrong one, etc.. However, the difference is that I really don't trust my own ears. I don't think my listenening skills are well-developed enough to really tell the difference. I'm afraid that something that sounds good to me in a music store today might sound like crap to me 6 months from now. Especially, since all the recording I've done so far is with an SM-58, I have a feeling that any condenser mic is going to sound incredible in comparison. So, to answer your question, no, I haven't tried either the Rode or the Marshall yet.
That's why I was hoping some of the experts on this forum would give their opinions. Most of the other threads I've read seem to deal with people looking for a decent "all-around" mic, rather than one that is strictly for vocals.
https://homerecording.com/bbs//showthread.php?threadid=22062
I agree with you on just about everything you said about the importance of mics, not wanting to buy the wrong one, etc.. However, the difference is that I really don't trust my own ears. I don't think my listenening skills are well-developed enough to really tell the difference. I'm afraid that something that sounds good to me in a music store today might sound like crap to me 6 months from now. Especially, since all the recording I've done so far is with an SM-58, I have a feeling that any condenser mic is going to sound incredible in comparison. So, to answer your question, no, I haven't tried either the Rode or the Marshall yet.
That's why I was hoping some of the experts on this forum would give their opinions. Most of the other threads I've read seem to deal with people looking for a decent "all-around" mic, rather than one that is strictly for vocals.
Tekker
New member
I haven't tried it but I have heard nothing but praises about the Audio Technica 4033 and how you CAN'T GO WRONG WITH IT, I don't think I've heard a bad comment on it yet. And if you can get a used one like cdsteve said for around $250-250 (new $350) that in my opinion would be the one to get.
Do some searching around here, and I think you'll see what I mean. There's a lot of talk about it (and the more expensive AT4050), and I don't think you'll be dissapointed if you get it.
I hope this helps
-tkr
Do some searching around here, and I think you'll see what I mean. There's a lot of talk about it (and the more expensive AT4050), and I don't think you'll be dissapointed if you get it.
I hope this helps
-tkr
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charger
New member
I use an AT 4033. It is a very good mic for the price, and the difference between it and an SM58 is pretty incredible. However, I also use a Beta 58, which is kind of a higher output, slightly more present SM58.
With the 4033, the first thing you'll notice is how you hear "more" of everything. Next you'll notice more highs, and that they sound sort of smooth, as opposed to the way the high highs in an SM58 just sort of taper away. Also, the proximity effect is a lot more noticeable with the 4033, and probably any large diaphragm condenser. Get close to it, and your voice gets that super phat low end. Even female vocalists can benefit from this, if they have sort of thin, airy voices, and you want them to be a little thicker.
That said, the 4033 is not a perfect mic. It can sound a little crunchy to me (and not in a tube distortion way) especially because i often record very loud rock singing. Also, on mroe distant recording or quieter vocals, the sibilance can be a little distressing, I often find myself de-essing afterwards. But for a $350 mic, it's one of the best out there. Although, now that it's out, you may want top check out the Rode NT1000, which has been getting nice reviews...
With the 4033, the first thing you'll notice is how you hear "more" of everything. Next you'll notice more highs, and that they sound sort of smooth, as opposed to the way the high highs in an SM58 just sort of taper away. Also, the proximity effect is a lot more noticeable with the 4033, and probably any large diaphragm condenser. Get close to it, and your voice gets that super phat low end. Even female vocalists can benefit from this, if they have sort of thin, airy voices, and you want them to be a little thicker.
That said, the 4033 is not a perfect mic. It can sound a little crunchy to me (and not in a tube distortion way) especially because i often record very loud rock singing. Also, on mroe distant recording or quieter vocals, the sibilance can be a little distressing, I often find myself de-essing afterwards. But for a $350 mic, it's one of the best out there. Although, now that it's out, you may want top check out the Rode NT1000, which has been getting nice reviews...
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Popcorn
New member
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Thanks Charger, Tekker, dcSteve-for your latest replies-
I'll definitely be looking into all of these suggestions at the music store-hopefully this weekend and I'll bring back my findings at reposrt them here. Same time-same BAT channel...............popcorn
Thanks Charger, Tekker, dcSteve-for your latest replies-
I'll definitely be looking into all of these suggestions at the music store-hopefully this weekend and I'll bring back my findings at reposrt them here. Same time-same BAT channel...............popcorn