Help with new vocal chain

[guitar zero]

Any recommendations for a studio in the Portland/Salem, Oregon area for auditioning some new mics and pre's. I want to upgrade, but I'd really like to hear what I'm buying first, so I thought it would be worth spending the money for an hour or two of studio time to test out some of the gear. Current vocal mic is a SP B3 and AT3035. Current preamps are RNP and ART MPA Gold. I'd like to hear some better mics in the $500-800 price range like maybe Shure SM7, possibly a tube mic, or whatever mic the engineer feels would be a good fit.

Also, second in priority, would like to upgrade my mic pre's. Thinking about api, great river, grace, or things in that price range.

So is this something a studio would be interested in helping out with? If so, any recs for a good sound guy in the Portland area?

Thanks,

GZ

 

[Daisy]

Do you have an ebay account?

Here's what you do:

1) Buy two mics, used.

2) Play around with them for a while. Do some extensive comparisons. Then go back and re-sell the one you don't like as much. Then buy another one to take it's place.

3) Continue to repeat step two ... until you're pretty sure that you've got "the" mic ... or until you feel that you have two mics that you can't decide between because you don't feel like you could part with either.

If you're a smart buyer and seller, you may even net a profit from the sum total of the transactions. Particularly if you favor the "buy off Craigslist - sell on ebay" route. You'll be building your buyer/seller status along the way, and it's pretty damn fun, to boot.

 

[NL5]

Well, I have the following mic's -

AT 4033
Rode NTK
Shure SM7
Gefell UM92
Royer 121
Various other non "vocal" mic's

And, the following preamps -

GR MP-2NV
API 3124
Peavey VMP-2
Fearn VT-2


You are welcome to come take them for a spin.

 

[guitar zero]

Thanks for the replies. Daisy, I like your idea. Unfortunately, for this particular purchase, time constraints won't allow it.

NL5, I would love to have a chance to try out some of your gear, and would be happy to pay you standard studio rates for your time. Thank you for the offer. I'll be in touch via PM.