I need a new vocal mic

  • Thread starter Thread starter Greg_L
  • Start date Start date
The MXL 2003A is getting great reviews all over this site. Why I got one. I've heard Neumann's live, they're amazing mics, way above the others, but I aint got that kinda dough. Saw people saying the SM7B and the R20 are the cat's nads. Saw I could get the 7B for nearly a C note less than the R20, decision made. All done without the need of a new thread, cool aint it?

There really are lots of suggestions here on this thread if you actually read it.
 
Greg_L said:
Are yall gonna offer any suggestions?
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SM7B, RE-20, or MD-441. Used. Whichever you can get cheapest on the 'bay. You sing pretty loud, right? If so, you won't need any additional equipment. If I recall correctly, you use a firebox for an interface. You'll have to apply digital gain after recording. If you sing quietly (which would be a genuine surprise) then you might get an undesirable S/N ratio.
 
antichef said:
Greg - if you want to borrow any of them that you see in the list in the otherdog link in my sig, let me know. We're not too far from each other. I'm thinking one of the dynamics, like Shure SM7b, EV RE-20, or Senn MD-441.
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Thanks dude. I might take you up on that and we'll hit Freebirds burritos, my treat. :drunk:

antichef said:
SM7B, RE-20, or MD-441. Used. Whichever you can get cheapest on the 'bay. You sing pretty loud, right? If so, you won't need any additional equipment. If I recall correctly, you use a firebox for an interface. You'll have to apply digital gain after recording. If you sing quietly (which would be a genuine surprise) then you might get an undesirable S/N ratio.
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I sing loud, I guess, but not with a lot of dynamics. I think I have pretty good control, almost like a self-compressor. I use a Firepod.
 
I'm not really sold on the idea of purpose specific mics. Shure used to make a mic called the SM 91. Boundary microphone. Designed for surface mount applications. The literature for it talks about using it for recording instruments and vocals. Turns out people really liked what it did inside a kick drum, even though most people don't typically suggest putting a condenser inside a kick. So Shure discontinued it but then came out with the Beta 91. Same mic, but now they're marketing it as a kick drum mic. Except now it's the Beta 91A which apparently has an updated capsule.

I guess the point is that conventional internet wisdom suggests that there are purpose specific mics built for vocals and instruments. It's built on the foundation laid down by the marketing divisions of a few manufacturers. Unfortunately, people that have been making records for the past 60 years or so don't see it that way. They distinguish mics in categories more like "good" and "other". They use KM 84 and Schoeps SDC's for vocals. And ribbons. And moving coil mics. And they use LDC's for instruments.

Crazy old buggers...

Having said that, there are certain mics designed with vocals in mind. You can spit and slobber all over an SM 58 all night long and then remove the ball from the end and wash the thing so it doesn't smell like bad breath. Try that with a PZM!

Anyway, the Crown PZM is supposed to be a really nice device. If you have one, try it as a vocal mic. Or your kick drum mic. Or any other mic you might have.

As for recommendations, I like the high quality dynamic mic suggestions that have been coming up. RE 20, SM 7 and M 88 have all been suggested already.

RE 20: Cardioid, but behaves a lot like an omni. Excellent off axis response, almost devoid of proximity effect. Smooth, flat and detailed. Forgiving in terms of placement. Great for photoshoots! Not the best lavalier mic.

SM 7: Thick midrange. Has a bit of proximity effect. Not as detailed as the RE 20. Not even close to flat.

Between the SM 7 and the RE 20 you should be able to get pretty decent results on just about anything. Where one of them doesn't work, generally the other one will.

M 88: Hypercardioid. Huge proximity effect. Very sensitive to placement. Massive bass response with extended high end and a fair amount of detail. Said to have sibilance issues with around 10% of vocalists. Has been substituted for a U87 (pre- ai version I'm assuming...) in the middle of a song and nobody can tell where exactly.

All of these mics are good for vocals and excellent for kick drum and other instruments.

Now if you're going to go and spend money based on internet recommendations alone (which is a bit silly), don't buy a mic. Buy an AEA TRP.

Good luck.
 
I've allways liked the MXL V67 its only around 100$, I generally like Condensors for my vocals.
as mentioned perhaps the SM7 would be a good choice for you as your vocals tends to be leaning more towaards screamo then soft and delicate.

I would advice you to look into a new pre for your vocals, the firepod pre's are decent but with a good pre like UA 610, Focusrite Isa One or something simular you should experience joy:)
 
I'm sure that once you audition the EV RE-20 you'll get that microphone .... hey can I come to freebirds with you guys? :D







:cool:
 
SM7B is mentioned a lot, just want to throw out there that the SM7B needs a good bit of gain to get it to where you want it. 60db at least. I've heard your tracks, I don't think you'll have a problem getting good levels... but it does eat gain up.

KSM27 will piss you off eventually, just throwing that out there too... Think I saw someone say they're boring... that is correct. Haven't tried the newer model KSM series... think I'll go search that now...
 
Greg_L said:
Thanks dude. I might take you up on that and we'll hit Freebirds burritos, my treat. :drunk:
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Awesome - I knew all that G.A.S. would pay off some day - just PM me whenever - weekends are easier, fwiw.
 
GASious Clay said:
SM7B is mentioned a lot, just want to throw out there that the SM7B needs a good bit of gain to get it to where you want it. 60db at least. I've heard your tracks, I don't think you'll have a problem getting good levels... but it does eat gain up.

KSM27 will piss you off eventually, just throwing that out there too... Think I saw someone say they're boring... that is correct. Haven't tried the newer model KSM series... think I'll go search that now...
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Hey GAS ...... check out the new SM beta 27!







:cool:
 
Didn't read thru all this but wanted to toss a couple out there.
The AT4050
or the V67G

good results with either but the 67's cheaper.
 
moresound said:
Hey GAS ...... check out the new SM beta 27!







:cool:
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I will. Specs look good... man I so want one of those Nuemann TLM 102s... it's around $699 though... too bad I've already sold the valuable organs... anyone in need of a possibly diseased liver? Or perhaps a lung you could use to scare kids away from smoking? $699 and it's yours! Act now and you get a 2gb memory stick or a diabetic foot, whichever is in stock.
 
SO Greg what microphone did you go with or haven't you gotten around to make the purchase yet?








:cool:
 
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