How do I get that sound ?

[DonF]

I however am interested in what omni mic you use and how you use the eq to get to the sound you want

Unfortunately, all I have right now is a cheap large-diaphragm condensor, the MXL 1006. It has a single capsule, so it's strictly a cardioid. To get the sound I want, I use a shelving EQ around 100Hz, and just cut until the boominess goes away. This is definitely not ideal; the best approach is to start with mic selection and placement, as you are trying to do, and only use EQ to fine-tune the sound.

DonF

 

[mixsit]

The RE-20 is another no proximity effect mic. Unfortunately, this may not be what you want. From what I've experienced, it can have a distinct lack of weight on the lower half. (As always, it depends... I still think we're looking for a 'hump', but of the right shape.
At least omnis are inexpensive to try out.
Wayne

 

[chessrock]

Re: Wait a minute!!!

I was after a particular sound that obviously a mic captured.

I totally understand your question, it's a good one to ask.

However, I think you may have misunderstood my answer.

And my answer is that, yes, the mic captured a particular sound. But Elvis is the one who delivered it.

Did it ever occur to you that mics will exhibit different characteristics depending on the source? Elvis might have the type of voice that doesn't sound as boomy as you or I, no matter how close he gets to the mic.

Some folks just know how to sing with so much natural technique, that they can make a mic sound better than it is.

That's all I'm saying.

 

[cjacek]

Re: Re: Wait a minute!!!

I totally understand your question, it's a good one to ask.

However, I think you may have misunderstood my answer.

And my answer is that, yes, the mic captured a particular sound. But Elvis is the one who delivered it.

Did it ever occur to you that mics will exhibit different characteristics depending on the source? Elvis might have the type of voice that doesn't sound as boomy as you or I, no matter how close he gets to the mic.

Some folks just know how to sing with so much natural technique, that they can make a mic sound better than it is.

That's all I'm saying.

Ok, I see what you're saying. Yeah I must say that never occurred to me. I thought that pretty much all people will exhibit "boominess" when close to a mic. Thanks chessrock

Daniel

 

[darnold]

I think the cardiod vs. omni is very valid in this discussion. Of course alot has to do with elvis's voice, but isnt he like only a couple of inches from the mic? From what i remember, most mics back then were omni, although im unsure of the U47 having omni. This is why you can still buy large condensors that are omni and claim to have that "classic sound".

danny

 

[cjacek]

I think the cardiod vs. omni is very valid in this discussion. Of course alot has to do with elvis's voice, but isnt he like only a couple of inches from the mic? From what i remember, most mics back then were omni, although im unsure of the U47 having omni. This is why you can still buy large condensors that are omni and claim to have that "classic sound".

danny

Yeah, I too am a bit perplexed by the fact that IF Elvis was indeed singing into a cardioid mic that no proximity, no boominess, was heard. And when you indeed take a listen to the clip (now taken down, sorry), that you will notice Elvis almost touching his mouth to the mic. That no proximity effect (boominess) was present has little to do with mic techinque, I believe, and less even so with Elvis' voice as he DID have a low enough voice to notice a bass proximity effect. I heard that in other, later, recordings. I'm talking about 1957 vs early '60's. Ok, so then I ask .. did they have cardioid mics in 1957 ? Or was it the omnis that were used ? Thanks.

Daniel

PS If anyone wants to hear the mp3 let me know and I'll upload it again.

 

[shortyprs]

Hey cjacek,

I haven't recorded with the Sennheiser 845 yet. I've just finished my research on mics for the whimpy midranged voice and am in the testing stage. I'm not as techno savy as Dot, but I'm working on being able to post sound samples from several mic's using three lower cost pre's. I know I can burn the test to disk and would be glad to send out a copy. Should be sometime in mid June. The test will include:

sm57
sm58
beta 58
Sennheiser 845
Sennheiser md421 (4 years old & haven't got my hands on it yet to know the exact model)
SP B1
SP C3
Beyer Soundstar X1N (Thanks Chessparov)
mxl v69 ME
BLUE Baby Bottle