Dynamic or Ribbon on Vox... Your Opinions...

[Muyukiguki]

I know what I can get out of condensers for vocals, or at least what I can get out of an at4033cl. Just wanted to get some feedback from people who have used dynamics or ribbons for vocals. I'm trying to get a less airy but not dead sound. I know which ribbons and dynamics people prefer, just trying to get an idea of which would work out better. Thanks!

 

[antichef]

Based on my limited experience with a modest collection that has some of both - I can say generally that low end (sub $200?) ribbons without significant modifications don't sound that good for vocals, but the same isn't always true for dynamics, depending on the voice. As you go up-range for ribbons (or, in my case, add better transformers, etc.) then it's not as clear cut - and I guess it's hard to generalize, since the various mics are different from one another. They both tend to benefit from high impedance preamps - dynamics maybe moreso.

Wait a minute... ribbons are dynamics... anyway:

Get both

 

[dgatwood]

I've generally found that long ribbons (e.g. Nady RSM-2, Apex 205) with a Lundahl transformer upgrade sound pretty good on a lot of things, including vocals.

The nice thing about ribbons is that their output tends to take EQ pretty well. For my own voice, I usually add a small shelving boost going upwards from... oh, jeez, I forget... maybe 3k, maybe 5k... I sort of do it by feel.... It helps make it just a little brighter and more airy sounding.

For each vocalist, you'll probably tweak it a little differently. The nice thing is that it is so easily sculpted, unlike the output of condensers.

 

[Big Kenny]

which dynamic...
which ribbon...
which singer....
which distance from the mic....
which Hazel.....

 

[Supercreep]

I use an EV RE-20 for my vocals and couldn't be more pleased. IMO it is a very condenser-like sound, not muddy or fuzzy at all. I've had moderate success with an MD-421, but it seems to like much louder source material to really shine. I love it on snare and guitar cabs...

 

[Muyukiguki]

which dynamic...
which ribbon...
which singer....
which distance from the mic....
which Hazel.....

Dynamic- md421, re20, sm7

Ribbon- CAD Tritan, Cascade Fathead, Karma K6, PPA R1

Singer- Mostly louder, rock-based vocals.

Distance- 1"-6"

Possibly for electric guitar as well....

 

[soundchaser59]

Dynamic- md421, re20, sm7

Ribbon- CAD Tritan, Cascade Fathead, Karma K6, PPA R1

Singer- Mostly louder, rock-based vocals.

Distance- 1"-6"

Possibly for electric guitar as well....

Well, if this were a poll, I'd say both SM7 and a modded Fathead. Those two will cover 98% of all the vocals and elec guitars you will ever record.... I gave up using RE20 on elec guitar. You have to audition the EV sound on a guitar cab, and it needs to be played back side bvy side with identical tracks done with other mics. If you dont do that you'll never really know the truth about the EV sound. It is a very distinctive sound, I'll give it that. But after a couple years of loving it I grew to dislike it after I did side by side with a few of its peer mics. I sold the RE20 after I got an SM7. In fact I sold all of my EV mics after I got the SM7 and the AT2035.

 

[Seafroggys]

Want an SM7 so bad, but I have a modded Fat Head II, its so beautiful on electric guitar. Blows a 57 out of the water in tone.

 

[kidvybes]

...if you can't afford an SM7, or your preamp(s) are a bit anemic (less than 65dB output)...get yourself a Kel HM-2d...it's a condenser mic that thinks it's a dynamic (as in SM7 dynamic)...thick and full of bottom!...hmmmm, tasty!

http://kelaudio.com/hm2d.html

 

[Sonixx]

Dynamic- md421, re20, sm7

Ribbon- CAD Tritan, Cascade Fathead, Karma K6, PPA R1

Singer- Mostly louder, rock-based vocals.

Distance- 1"-6"

Possibly for electric guitar as well....

I'm working with an acoustic artist now we've tracked the guitars with R92s and the vox with a Trion7000 and 4033. IMO it's working out very well.

I'm a big fan of ribbons and especially on heavy gtr. I have quite a few different ribbon gtr clips in sig.

 

[fraserhutch]

What mod are you guys referring to on the Fathead?

 

[Seafroggys]

I have a Lundhaul transformer in mine. Makes it a bit brighter.

 

[fraserhutch]

I have a Lundhaul transformer in mine. Makes it a bit brighter.

Is it possible to add that after the fact, or did you have to get it that way from Cascade?