Help with my Mic dilema.

[NLAlston]

Hello,

I have a Studio Projects B1 (not the newer model w/switches) that I am using solely for recoding vocals. It is an alright mic, considering the money paid for it ($79), but I am looking for something better. This mic picks up everything (slight rustling of sheeted vocal lines; the sound of my AW1600's button pushes if I punch-in while recording, the slightest lip noises - no matter how careful I try to be about it, etc), as well as sounding just a little too harsh at times, and bright.

A friend of mine recently got an AKG-200 for Christmas, and stated that such a mic was what I needed. With the roll-off & attenuator switches, I would not have the problems that are presently affecting me with my B1. If those switches would indeed be the conquering factor for my dilema, then I would step up a little higher and get he AKG-400.

Or is there some type of device that I could get (to use in conjunction with my B1) which would allow roll-off & attenuating features on it?

Advanced thanks.

PS: Oh, by the way, I am not recording in a truly dedicated setup. My recording will be done in a carpeted (but, otherwise, untreated) bedroom.

 

[kojdogg]

Hello,

I have a Studio Projects B1 (not the newer model w/switches) that I am using solely for recoding vocals. It is an alright mic, considering the money paid for it ($79), but I am looking for something better. This mic picks up everything (slight rustling of sheeted vocal lines; the sound of my AW1600's button pushes if I punch-in while recording, the slightest lip noises - no matter how careful I try to be about it, etc), as well as sounding just a little too harsh at times, and bright.

A friend of mine recently got an AKG-200 for Christmas, and stated that such a mic was what I needed. With the roll-off & attenuator switches, I would not have the problems that are presently affecting me with my B1. If those switches would indeed be the conquering factor for my dilema, then I would step up a little higher and get he AKG-400.

Or is there some type of device that I could get (to use in conjunction with my B1) which would allow roll-off & attenuating features on it?

Advanced thanks.

PS: Oh, by the way, I am not recording in a truly dedicated setup. My recording will be done in a carpeted (but, otherwise, untreated) bedroom.

can you just turn the gain down on the preamp and cut the low eq (try under 150 hz or so to start) on the recorder?

 

[kojdogg]

also try maybe cutting a little bit of eq at 5khz or wherever your lip noises, etc. may be most audible.

 

[virtualvisions]

Rolloff and attenuation won't fix your problem any. Rolloff just takes everything below (somewhere between 70-100hz depending on the mic) and, well, rolls it off. The pad on the mics just take the volume down so that it can handle louder sources.

It's just a feature of any condenser to pick up just about everything, its in the design.
If you want to get rid of those unwanted noises somewhat, consider a good dynamic or ribbon mic and you'll have the sound you want.

The AKG (I assume perception?) 200 and the 400, however, are both just another condenser, and you'll have the same unwanted noises in your recordings.

-vv

 

[travelin travis]

For vocals you don't need an attenuator unless you're screaming loudly. Condenser mics are very sensitive and will pickup every little noise. Wear clothing that doesn't rustle so much and edit out what you don't want featured in the track. Don't track hotter than necessary (more gain = more noise). If your mic is too sizzly, experiment to find the best placement. Placing a mic directly in front of your mouth will emphasize the lo's and hi's. Move the mic around until you find the best balance and adjust preamp gain accordingly. If that's not enough, experiment with eq. Rolling off the extreme lows and highs can clean things up quite a bit. If you've done all you can do, start thinking about a new mic. Mics can be hit or miss with different voices. Your buddy's AKG might sound pretty swell on his voice and might completely blow on your yours. Maybe, maybe not. Try his and find out. If you decide your mic is too bright, try to get an overall impression of the mics tonality, not just a single good or bad point. Roll off the highs just enough and reevaluate the mic's overall sound. You might find other flaws or strengths. All this will help in selecting your next mic. Try out as many mics as you can get your hands on. You never know what might work.

 

[NLAlston]

Thanks everyone.

You have imparted some very helpful information, and I really do appreciate all of it. As already stated, it would probably help (a great deal) if I applied myself to properly learning about the 'frequency' aspect of recording. Knowing how to effectively involve ones self, into that respect, can (I am sure) travel a long way towards bringing about a more favorable outcome.

It was also suggested that I should, maybe, look into a good dynamic mic. And methinks that I should move onto that advise also. It's not that I will give up on my SP-B1 now (in light of the suggestions that I have been given), but I would like at least one more mic in my possession, and a really good dynamic mic just might fit the bill.

 

[travelin travis]

The more the merrier. If I could own them all I would.

 

[NLAlston]

The more the merrier. If I could own them all I would.

Yeah Travis, I know what you mean. But if you could zero in on a really good dynamic mic, to suggest for me, which would it be? Also, I am aware that the mic I am about to mention is not of the dynamic design, but do you have any experience/feelings on the Cad-M9 Tube Microphone? It seems like it might not be a bad investment at all - at $300. I don't know if this mic would require a preamp, but I do have a meager one (Presonus single channel Tube Pre).

 

[travelin travis]

I haven't owned any really good (read expensive) dynamic mics. The dynamic for vocals that I see recommended the most is the Shure SM7 (not SM57).

No experience with the M9 either. I'm a low budgeter (read broke). I like the M179 for my voice.

 

[NLAlston]

I haven't owned any really good (read expensive) dynamic mics. The dynamic for vocals that I see recommended the most is the Shure SM7 (not SM57).

No experience with the M9 either. I'm a low budgeter (read broke). I like the M179 for my voice.

I, too, am a low budgeter , but my lovely wife gave me the go ahead to pick up another mic. Depending on the seller's return policy, I just may give that Cad-M9 a shot. Oh, and it is a large Diaphragm Condenser Mic - but with 'Tube' properties. Well...thanks again, my friend, and I hope - for you - the near-future realization of all your musical equipment desires.

 

[travelin travis]

I still have a diy tube mic on my to do list. One of these days............in the mean time, the mic is gathering dust.

 

[kojdogg]

Yeah Travis, I know what you mean. But if you could zero in on a really good dynamic mic, to suggest for me, which would it be? Also, I am aware that the mic I am about to mention is not of the dynamic design, but do you have any experience/feelings on the Cad-M9 Tube Microphone? It seems like it might not be a bad investment at all - at $300. I don't know if this mic would require a preamp, but I do have a meager one (Presonus single channel Tube Pre).

here's a used one from a reputable ebayer:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=330078373002&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=014
w/ buy it now and shipping it'd be $210. maybe you could put the rest into a good, inexpensive clean pre such as the rane ms-1b, m-audio dmp-3 or a tube/not tube one like the sp vtb-1

 

[jdier]

Rolloff and attenuation won't fix your problem any. Rolloff just takes everything below (somewhere between 70-100hz depending on the mic) and, well, rolls it off. The pad on the mics just take the volume down so that it can handle louder sources.

It's just a feature of any condenser to pick up just about everything, its in the design.
If you want to get rid of those unwanted noises somewhat, consider a good dynamic or ribbon mic and you'll have the sound you want.

The AKG (I assume perception?) 200 and the 400, however, are both just another condenser, and you'll have the same unwanted noises in your recordings.

-vv

This guy is 100% right.

I would suggest either working on controlling noise (I have the same problems with my B1, my C3, and my AKG 414 (note: all LDC's))

The other thing you could try is buying a nice Dynamic mic. A short list of high quality dynamics which have worked for vocalists (from least to most expensive):

Shure SM58
Sennheiser 421
Beyer M88
Shure SM7

But that guy is right... buying another LDC mic (tube or not) will only recreate the problem (but with a more expensive mic.)

 

[jdier]

Yeah Travis, I know what you mean. But if you could zero in on a really good dynamic mic, to suggest for me, which would it be? Also, I am aware that the mic I am about to mention is not of the dynamic design, but do you have any experience/feelings on the Cad-M9 Tube Microphone? It seems like it might not be a bad investment at all - at $300. I don't know if this mic would require a preamp, but I do have a meager one (Presonus single channel Tube Pre).

If you are going up that high... Go for the Shure SM7 or the Beyer M88. I am not familar with your preamp... The SM7 needs some nice clean gain to work well so if you are going that route, do a search on the SM7 and your preamp.

Either can be had for under $300 if you have persistance and patience on the bay or on the used equipment forum here.

You might post a: WTB Shure SM7 or Beyer M88 - Total Budget: $300

I would be surprised if you did not get a hit with that.

 

[nukeitout]

Have you tried a pop filter? That might help you out a bit with some of the noises (and force you to keep a safe distance from the mic).

 

[Yareek]

Get an SM7!

If you've got $300 to spend on a mic, and you have problems with background noise, this mic is perfect.

 

[daav]

Get an SM7!

If you've got $300 to spend on a mic, and you have problems with background noise, this mic is perfect.

Agreed, you probabaly will get create results from the SM7 or an EV RE20 (or RE27). These are great large diameter dynamics that will be MUCH less sensitive to room noise, and give pretty smooth and flattering recordings.

I have the RE27, i use it for vocals, kick, bass cabs, guitar cabs, floor toms occasionally and although i don't have a ton of mics to choose from, i can use just about any track i record with this.

Add to that a at or beloww $300 used proce and you have a great mic for the $$.

Dave.

 

[dgatwood]

It's just a feature of any condenser to pick up just about everything, its in the design.
If you want to get rid of those unwanted noises somewhat, consider a good dynamic or ribbon mic and you'll have the sound you want.

I'll second the ribbon suggestion. They tend to be a good compromise between being too detailed (condenser) and getting almost no detail (moving coil dynamic).

That said, no matter that mic you use, you probably should A. turn down the gain and move closer to the mic to bring out the desired sound relative to the noise, and B. fix the noise problem itself by wearing clothing that doesn't make as much noise, replacing or oiling chairs that squeak, adding doors where needed to isolate your recording room from outside noise, etc.

IMHO, switching to a dynamic mic to fix a noise problem is like applying a blur because the supermodel you hired for your ad turned out to be in her 90s. Sure, if you blur it enough, people won't be able to see the wrinkles, but then again, they won't be able to see much of anything....

 

[TragikRemix]

also the RE20 is a good one too, correct?

i'm looking at the SM7 myself though.

 

[flatfinger]

Although they pick upless room noise ,there are plenty of dynamics that accenuate the presence upper frequencies. not all siblance issues come above 10k. muy chinese condensors are bright. no one can accuratley predict what will work on a given voice. try them out first if you can. remember the room, don't forget the ceiling, use more baffles to kill all reflections.Don't get to close (6-8")
good luck