Help me spend my money, please.

  • Thread starter Thread starter Ted Bell
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Ted Bell

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I need a new vocal mic. As of now I am using a Rode NT-1 which is ok, but I need to take a step up.

I have $600 to spend.

I've been looking at the AT 4047 and it seems like a very nice mike for the price. I also hear a lot of talk about these Studio Projects mic's like the C1 but I figure my NT-1 is probably about as good anyway.

Any suggestions would be GREATLY appreciated.

Thanks.
 
Here's the thing: money does not necessarily buy you a better vocal mic. Everyone has a unique sound, and it'll take some searching before you find the mic that sounds right to you.

My advice: try before you buy. Go to some kind of superstore and try a whole bunch of mics, or spend a while in a recording studio, trying some stuff in their collection, or rent a mic or two from a rental place.

If you'd rather not take my advice, take a look at this page, courtesy of the FAQ, to see what mics have the most value in your price range (NOT necessarily the best sound, BTW).

http://www.hr-faq.org/micbuying.htm#II
 
grahamware said:
Here's the thing: money does not necessarily buy you a better vocal mic.

My advice: try before you buy. Go to some kind of superstore and try a whole bunch of mics, or spend a while in a recording studio, trying some stuff in their collection, or rent a mic or two from a rental place.

If you'd rather not take my advice, take a look at this page, courtesy of the FAQ, to see what mics have the most value in your price range (NOT necessarily the best sound, BTW).

http://www.hr-faq.org/micbuying.htm#II
Click to expand...


That's good advice and thanks much for it. My problem is that I live in the boonies and there aren't any decent stores within a 200 mile radius so it's hard for me to do this.

I'll definitely check out that link, though.

Thanks
 
How good are you at saving?

At $1000 a Soundelux u195 will probably be the last mic you'll ever need.

If not, then I hear great things about Senn 441s, Shure SM7s, the Shure KSM series, pretty much all of the BLUE mics...

Do a few searches or go to that FAQ, I'm sure you'll find quite a few mics in that price range or lower you can use.
 
I thought of something that might help any of you guys with some suggestions...

If you click on my "www" button you will go to my make-shift website. There you will hear some clips of my music. I hate my voice!! It seems too thick and nasally to me, but others say it's just fine. I guess I would bee looking for a mic that would better suit my thick voice. Something a bit more airy and open sounding with maybe a little less bottom. Does this make a bit of sense?

Thanks,

Greg
 
Hi Ted, I listened to some of your tracks. Sounds like you need a neutral mic. The SP C1 would be too colored. I think the AT 4047 would be a good choice. The 4047 is the best mic in the 40 series, IMO. The downside for general application is that the 4047 is cardioid-only.

Other mics that would work well: ADK TL - neutral, not too bright w/ 4 patterns. Works really well on instruments as well.

I think a really good mic would be an AKG 414. B-ULS version if you can find it, or a TL II version. Look around I'm sure you could find one used or on Ebay for $600 or under. As for other applications, the 414 is a real workhorse mic, and sounds great on instruments, too.

BTW, the kind of mic pre you're using can make a big difference. What kind are you using? You might want to allocate some of the $600 for a mic pre.

You can listen to an AKG 414 on a rock track on track #4 on Session 7 here.
http://www.thelisteningsessions.com/session7.htm


Dan Richards
Digital Pro Sound
The Listening Sessions
 
cad

for not lots of money try a CAD microphone. a lot of folks like them.
 
Dot said:
Hi Ted, I listened to some of your tracks. Sounds like you need a neutral mic. The SP C1 would be too colored. I think the AT 4047 would be a good choice. The 4047 is the best mic in the 40 series, IMO. The downside for general application is that the 4047 is cardioid-only.

Other mics that would work well: ADK TL - neutral, not too bright w/ 4 patterns. Works really well on instruments as well.

I think a really good mic would be an AKG 414. B-ULS version if you can find it, or a TL II version. Look around I'm sure you could find one used or on Ebay for $600 or under. As for other applications, the 414 is a real workhorse mic, and sounds great on instruments, too.

BTW, the kind of mic pre you're using can make a big difference. What kind are you using? You might want to allocate some of the $600 for a mic pre.

You can listen to an AKG 414 on a rock track on track #4 on Session 7 here.
http://www.thelisteningsessions.com/session7.htm


Dan Richards
Digital Pro Sound
The Listening Sessions
Click to expand...

Thanks, Dan.

Actually, I'm not sure exactly what mic pre I have. I buy the equipment and my buddy records me. I have limited knowledge of recording...I'm just the musician, but all the gear is mine. I know it's a newer Berhinger. We actually compared it to one of those little Presonus 99$ jobs and it was way better.

I was also thinking about the 414. It seems like that mic is good for so many things too.

Speaking of mic pre's...I was also considering buying a really nice one like a Vintech 1072.
 
Ted, the Vintech Dual 72 [ Neve 1272 emulator ] is very colored, and the sound is probably too big and too thick for your vocals - especially if you're wanting your vocals to cut through the mix. The Vintech also does not stack well if you use it on a lot of tracks.

Some pres to consider:
Brent Averill's reproduction of the API 312. API is a great rock and general-purpose pre that sounds great over many tracks.
http://www.brentaverill.com/312a/

If you have more budget available, consider the API 3124+
http://www.mercenary.com/api314chanmi.html

For anything in the 1272/1073 family, the Great River NV pres are the most versatile - and the NV does stack well over many tracks.
http://www.mercenary.com/greatriver.html
See ME-1NV and ME-2NV

Dan Richards
Digital Pro Sound
The Listening Sessions
 
Dot said:
Ted, the Vintech Dual 72 [ Neve 1272 emulator ] is very colored, and the sound is probably too big and too thick for your vocals - especially if you're wanting your vocals to cut through the mix. The Vintech also does not stack well if you use it on a lot of tracks.

Some pres to consider:
Brent Averill's reproduction of the API 312. API is a great rock and general-purpose pre that sounds great over many tracks.
http://www.brentaverill.com/312a/

If you have more budget available, consider the API 3124+
http://www.mercenary.com/api314chanmi.html

For anything in the 1272/1073 family, the Great River NV pres are the most versatile - and the NV does stack well over many tracks.
http://www.mercenary.com/greatriver.html
See ME-1NV and ME-2NV

Dan Richards
Digital Pro Sound
The Listening Sessions
Click to expand...


Thanks a million for the advice!! I guess I could have ended up making a pricey mistake.

Greg
 
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