Dynamic for soothing and scream vox?

[Cult_Status02]

I am thinking about a metalish punk band like Destruction Made Simple or Death By Stereo. Both will go from heavy screams to a soothing (not emo...but natural) voice. I was wondering what mics you guys prefer for these situation. I'm mostly wondering about dynamics, would you guys say SM7, SM57/58, EV 15, or EV 20? These are the few I am thinking about. What do you guys think?

 

[wx3]

I think most people would agree that the SM 7 is a great mic for this application. Is it better then a 57 or 58? No.

A general thing to remember is that most mics aren't better just different.

(don't start screaming into your ribbons or condensors please)

 

[Yoda117]

(don't start screaming into your ribbons or condensors please)

Oh dear god... I cannot agree with this statement more. It frightens me a lot when I see certain VO industries (anime is a good one) where the main companies really encourage this. There's actually a good story where one well-known VA managed to destroy a U87 by using poor studio techniques.

Personal recommendation on dynamic mics? Re-20, Re-27 (the latter is my preferred choice for VO and some vocal). For vocal, I like the EV x67 series and the Sennheiser line.

I'm also going to agree with the SM7, it's built like the EV mics, that is, like a brick! That said, I think that the 57/58 are better overall choices for this application. Depends on what you're looking for.

 

[Cult_Status02]

I think most people would agree that the SM 7 is a great mic for this application. Is it better then a 57 or 58? No.

A general thing to remember is that most mics aren't better just different.

(don't start screaming into your ribbons or condensors please)

I disagree with this, partially. Condensor mics can work very good for this and can be safe as well, as long as they are LDC. As far as the 57 and 58 for studio vocal applications, I find the response to be a bit too dark for my taste, however, using an LDC in conjunction with a 57 mixed a bit quiter works pretty damn good I find.

 

[bigtoe]

i have people scream into both ribbons and condensers with no harm to the mics... the sm7 or re20 usually just sound better to me.

something like a 414 or an AT 40 series can take as much punishment- easy. a B+K 4011 can handle it as well it's just kinda sensitive to plosives...

off the top of my bald head, i cannot think of a mic i wouldn't put up for fear of blowing with a vocalist and a pop filter.

Mike

 

[soundchaser59]

Yeah, as long as the mic doesn't get spit inside of it, I cant see why the mic would care one way or the other if the "singer" (and I use that word very loosely!) is whispering or screaming......as long as it stays clean, the mic just sees "SPL" and that's all. And I dont know anybody who can scream loud enough to distort a good mic diaphragm. Most people cannot stand to hear 130db, let alone be able to scream that loud!

That being said, I would show some respect for my quality mics and keep them away from the death screamers. Stick a SM57, a ND967, an AKG D770, and a Sennheiser 835 in front of him and let him choose which one he likes best. He will feel honored to be given a choice, and you wont be risking more than $150 on the mic if anything goes wrong.

 

[bigtoe]

no offense - all in fun - but sort of being serious.

"I would show some respect for my quality mics"

show your respect by using them! by this means of thinking you'd keep a ribbon mic away from a roaring guitar cab...which is where it belongs...just not shoved up against the grill maybe but you know.also small diaphragm condensors RULE on toms...and can rule on snare!

i'm no technician, but volume is a part of the game for these things...use em. i used to regularly use my 414 for snare...i'm sure it's still kicking tail today. the 012's i used on toms last week one a really heavy player worked beautifully on overheads two days later.

i'm not sure how loud a human voice can get but i would doubt it's anywhere near shutting a mic down...maybe some ribbons...but i'd think mainly on the wind factor. i've got a 77 i've used in front of a kick...just becareful and use them appropriately...don't shelf 'em though...that's kinda falling into a myth and shooting yourself in the foot.

funny - i'd still use the sm7!

Mike

 

[soundchaser59]

no offense - all in fun - but sort of being serious.

"I would show some respect for my quality mics"

show your respect by using them! by this means of thinking you'd keep a ribbon mic away from a roaring guitar cab...which is where it belongs...just not shoved up against the grill maybe but you know.also small diaphragm condensors RULE on toms...and can rule on snare!

i'm no technician, but volume is a part of the game for these things...use em. i used to regularly use my 414 for snare...i'm sure it's still kicking tail today. the 012's i used on toms last week one a really heavy player worked beautifully on overheads two days later.

i'm not sure how loud a human voice can get but i would doubt it's anywhere near shutting a mic down...maybe some ribbons...but i'd think mainly on the wind factor. i've got a 77 i've used in front of a kick...just becareful and use them appropriately...don't shelf 'em though...that's kinda falling into a myth and shooting yourself in the foot.

funny - i'd still use the sm7!

Mike

But all of those examples are using the mics on instruments. I said I would not use my best condensors on a death screamer.......I dont care how loud they scream, I care about all the head thrashing and arms lashing out and chains flying around and spit and hair gel and whatever else those guys think they have to wear to be the coolest thing in the studio.

All in fun? Get your 414 bashed "accidentally" by some screamer's fist who was warned not to thrash his arms and head around in front of your mic, and then see how willing you are to get it out next time another screamer wants to record. When we told him he destroyed our mic, his response was, "Dude.....it was all in fun!"

"Dude....you owe us a thousand bucks!"

Yeah, I know your point is valid, and for the ordinary talented musician I woudl agree, but aint no thrashin death screamer ever gonna set eyes on my condensors again.

 

[timboZ]

As far as the 57 and 58 for studio vocal applications, I find the response to be a bit too dark for my taste.

For hardcore/screaming vocals dont you want a darker sound?

 

[Cult_Status02]

One would think so, I personally can't stand darker sounds. It'll come down to the artist's choice of sound, but personally, I like 'em bright, seems to give the voice more presence.

 

[Big Kenny]

RE 20
SM7
Heil pro 40 http://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/mics/3886.html
Any of those will sound great

 

[bigtoe]

hey that wasn't intended to be a flame under your ass there. my apologies if it came off that way.

when i do run into a guy who is flailing about as a part of his performance- i'll give em a handheld to eat...they seem more comfortable.

Yeah, I know your point is valid, and for the ordinary talented musician I woudl agree, but aint no thrashin death screamer ever gonna set eyes on my condensors again.

i hope you don't take this the wrong way - but it sounds like you don't really respect the genre or the people in it.

Mike

 

[Yoda117]

When we told him he destroyed our mic, his response was, "Dude.....it was all in fun!"

"Dude....you owe us a thousand bucks!"

I would have loved to have seen the look on his face for that one. Probably didn't have the $ either, lol!

And THIS is why I break out the NT1A when dealing with inexperienced/irresponsible talent.