Favorite Vocal Mic

[VesuviusJay]

Greetings fellow audioheads! I am going to be in the market soon for a good vocal condensor mic. I just wondered what some of you veterans would recommend. Price range is $1000.00 tops. Right now I am using an Oktava MK-219 with decent results. The Oktava actually does a great job for me so far, but I would like to make a sound investment that will continue to perform for years to come.

Thanks as always!

Jay

 

[Michael Jones]

Wow, Jay, that's a question that's WIDE OPEN to opinion and speculation.
I guess I could respond in vague and say that the best vocal mic is the one that sounds best on that particular vocalist. But that doesn't really help does it?

I'll give you an example:
I was recording a guitar/vocal demo last weekend. I threw up EVERY vocal mike I have in front of this guy, which consists of:

BLUE Mouse
RCA 77DX
Senheiser MD441
Shure SM7
MXL V67
TLM 103
SP T3
I even put up an SM57

In the end, I chose the TLM 103 - a mike not necessarily considered to be great for vocals, but on his voice, in this room, under those conditions, it was the best choice.

Point is, there's never going to be ONE mike that'll be the right choice all of the time.

If I had a $1000 in my pocket, and were shopping for vocal mikes, I think I'd buy a few different mikes, rather than just one.
Some obvious choices would be: (assuming you have a decent pre-amp)

Shure SM7 ($399 retail)
Senheiser MD441 ($450 used)
MXL V67 - V67G ($99 retail)
You could get ALL 3 of those for under a grand, and still have money left over for a nice dinner with your sweetie! (Or a new mic stand and pop filter. )
And the first 2 will likely blow you away on the smoothness and richness of the sound!

 

[Richard Monroe]

B.L.U.E. Dragonfly deluxe,Shure SM7B. You could come pretty close toi the pair for $1000.-Richie

 

[chessrock]

B.L.U.E. Dragonfly deluxe,Shure SM7B. You could come pretty close toi the pair for $1000.-Richie

That's some damn good advice, there.

 

[VesuviusJay]

Thanks guys I think Ill look into the latter. Sounds like a great pair.

 

[fonts]

Shure SM7 ($399 retail)
Senheiser MD441 ($450 used)
MXL V67 - V67G ($99 retail)
You could get ALL 3 of those for under a grand, and still have money left over for a nice dinner with your sweetie! (Or a new mic stand and pop filter. )
And the first 2 will likely blow you away on the smoothness and richness of the sound!

...thanks Michael, I just might take that route as well...