In Need of some real advice on microphone choice All the support would be appreciated

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jperfect2485

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I’m sure this question has been posted in some fashion however I am just curious if anyone out here with experience can give me some practical steps to finding a solution to my problem. I am a rapper with a mid range voice, an aggressive type voice I will say and am looking for a vocal mic for my voice. My rap style is kind of border line yell aggressive very similar to eminem. I have been in a search for a microphone high and low and have read so many different opinions/articles on microphones. I have tested at least 10 different microphones, each microphone that I have tested has some sharp grainy frequency quality that in my subjective opinion is undesirable or some serious sibilance issue mostly around the f sounds which have produced a hollow nasal sound in my environment. I have also used micriphones that are just to warm almost foggy sounding. I would say that I am very critical about the sound that I’m after. I am recording through a presonus pre amp studio channel into a lexicon omega, real budget gear and use standard xlr cables. I record also with a pop screen about 3, 4 inches away. I understand room acoustics can play a role in the vocal recording however what I am hearing in my vocal is undesirable hi frequencies that break up my vocal instead of just giving a smooth solid clean vocal. Could it be my gear that I have is not up to par to get that professional sound that I’m looking for? I have been at this for months now and I’m curious if I just have to upgrade equipment. Mics that I have used have been in the $100-$600 price range. I have used both dynamics and condensers. List of mics tested, at 4040, akg c214, sm7b, mxl 69, blue bird, baby bottle, SM58 beta a, Samson C03, at 4047. akg c4000. It seems that each mic has responded better than others in regards to proximity effect and sibilance issues. I’m not knocking any mic here just looking for Insights, tips, suggestions would be appreciated!!
 
If you're getting harshness out of an sm58 beta I would look into a preamp, converter, or monitor deficiency rather than mics.
 
In V.O. applications it's not uncommon to have a shotgun mic aimed at your chest, but if you're idea of being a V.O. artist is to have an RE-20 a foot away from your mouth you'll think the setup weird and non-intuitive. Think outside the box. Maybe you need two mics... one close, one farther away. Maybe a Apex 460 modded by Michael Joly will hit your sweet spot. Certainly I'd do everything possible to get your recording space as good as possible before I dropped any serious coin on a mic and if your monitors suck it doesn't matter what's going in because you can't hear it coming out.

Luck.
 
wheelema said:
in v.o. Applications it's not uncommon to have a shotgun mic aimed at your chest, but if you're idea of being a v.o. Artist is to have an re-20 a foot away from your mouth you'll think the setup weird and non-intuitive. Think outside the box. Maybe you need two mics... One close, one farther away. Maybe a apex 460 modded by michael joly will hit your sweet spot. Certainly i'd do everything possible to get your recording space as good as possible before i dropped any serious coin on a mic and if your monitors suck it doesn't matter what's going in because you can't hear it coming out.

Luck.
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a+ 1
 
I would try another pre. Something without a tube, maybe something with a transformer output but you may not like the transformer saturation any more than you are liking the grain of the presonus tube.

Another solution is straight-wire-with-gain. In that type of preamp all would would hear is the mic characteristics and whatever you are putting through it.

You might also try backing off the mic if your vocal is that aggressive. Could be you are overloading the mic's input and hearing that in your takes.

To lessen the high-frequency stuff you need to dampen your room with treatment. Could also be something as simple as moving your mic to another spot in the room because you may be using it in a particular place where undesirable room modes are being over-emphasized.
 
Pahtcub said:
If you're getting harshness out of an sm58 beta I would look into a preamp, converter, or monitor deficiency rather than mics.
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I disagree. The big upper mid presence peak on the SM58 is a recipe for harshness on lots of voices--doing live sound I have do some EQ to get rid of it more often than not.

In live situations when the SM58 has that undesirable harshness, my go to mic is the Audix OM 5 or OM 6, depending on the vocal style and required pattern. From your description, I'd try the OM 6 first.

...and, if you like it, you can use it for live as well as in the studio!
 
I agree with Pahtcub, it's probably something else in your chain and not the mic. What pre/AD are you using? How's the acoustics in the room?

Based on what you're saying about your vocal quality, I'd recommend a Sennheiser MD 421. We've had the 421 beat expensive large condensers in a lot of sessions for male vocal mic.
 
Bobbsy said:
I disagree. The big upper mid presence peak on the SM58 is a recipe for harshness on lots of voices--doing live sound I have do some EQ to get rid of it more often than not.

In live situations when the SM58 has that undesirable harshness, my go to mic is the Audix OM 5 or OM 6, depending on the vocal style and required pattern. From your description, I'd try the OM 6 first.

...and, if you like it, you can use it for live as well as in the studio!
Click to expand...

Maybe we are talking about something other than harshness then, my Sm58s and 57s beta or otherwise have never come across as anything but smooth and soft even when using them live through amps peaking their limiters the entire time. Now my 87A can be harsh or my Co2s can be but never my 58/57s
 
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