Just got $300 to spend on a mic, and I'm lost!

[DJRubio]

Hey everyone =) You all were so helpful with helping me choose great nearfield monitors (Yorks), but now I need help with upgrading my microphone (currently an sm57), since I've recently started getting into vocal work.

I've been helping my friend Jet produce his original songs (pop/rnb/reggae/hawaiian style) and he just gave me $300 bucks to spend on a mic. I want to make sure I make a good choice for his style/voice, but all the choices have been overwhelming.

My main considerations have been the Studio Projects C1 or TB1 because of the price/performance factor and all the reviews I've been reading, but I'm not sure which would be more suitable? I think the TB1 would be nice since it will warm up his voice, which I think would benefit from it, but really, I'm open to anything at this point...

If it helps, feel free to listen to one of his songs to hear his voice on the sm57:

http://www.myspace.com/jetdreamin (sorry, link has been updated)

Thanks so much!

 

[dalley]

you could try a used Audio Technica 4033 ... may not be the warmest choice, but still a decent vocal mic and versatile

 

[up-fiddler]

Mic FAQ

Don't mean to be rude but....Have you tried here first? Dave

 

[DJRubio]

Yes, thanks, I've spent a lot of time reading that FAQ and on various searches on the BBS. I've got lots of open ended "it's really your preference" answers which still left me wondering, so I was hoping for more focused suggestions based on this singers voice/style.

 

[Big Kenny]

Tell me about the rest of your setup.
Preamp?
compressor?
eq?
computer?
room treatment?

 

[ljmaxx]

Check out an ADK Vienna or Hamburg. From what you described as his style out of the 2 mics the Vienna would probably be best. I clicked on the my space link but all I got was this page could not be found. Good luck.

 

[DJRubio]

Kenny, thanks for the questions... my current setup is very barebones:

Preamp?

Currently using the one on my audio interface (Aardvark Direct Mix USB3), but I am planning to buy the Studio Projects VTB-1 or some other lower-cost preamp.

compressor?

None. I am just doing this after recording the vocal.

eq?

None. Again, only after recording.

computer?

A fairly fast PC with an external audio interface.

room treatment?

None right now (bedroom), but plan to after I get the mic.

Yeah, so I have a very bare-bones setup for vocals: sm57 + aardvark audio interface. I figure if I get the Studio Projects C1 ($200) + VTB-1 preamp ($100), then the vocals will be a lot better. I've mostly done electronic music in the computer until now.

 

[DJRubio]

Thanks for the suggestions! I'm sorry, I posted the wrong link... it should work now.

I'll look into those mics.

 

[chessrock]

In that range, I like the Shure KSM-27.

.

 

[ljmaxx]

Thanks for the suggestions! I'm sorry, I posted the wrong link... it should work now.

I'll look into those mics.

I listened to Jet and after hearing his vox listen to the Hamburg first. Good vox and the song is as well.

 

[Big Kenny]

Hamburg is very nice, You got phantom?
CAD M179
Audio Technica 4040 or 4033
Shure 27 is nice too

 

[DJRubio]

Wow, the Hamburg (and the Vienna) looks very tempting. Looks like it has a warmer sound than the Studio Projects C1 too. I was wondering.. why the Hamburg and not the Vienna? Thanks for listening maxx!

I will have phantom power soon. I'll research those other mics too.

 

[jkokura]

Wow, the Hamburg (and the Vienna) looks very tempting. Looks like it has a warmer sound than the Studio Projects C1 too. I was wondering.. why the Hamburg and not the Vienna?

I like the C1 on vocals. I have moved up from there though...

I also wonder what the difference between the ADK mics is? Can anyone tell us?

 

[Big Kenny]

http://www.studioreviews.com/vienna-hamburg.htm

 

[jkokura]

http://www.studioreviews.com/vienna-hamburg.htm

thanks again Ken

Jacob

(nearing post 500)

 

[Warhead]

It is my personal opinion that you cannot really EQ a Vienna to sound like a Hamburg, in that the Hamburg's midrange to my ears is "creamier" if that makes sense. There is a smoother response there in the mids that I am hearing. But the short story is, Vienna for more of a present "pop" sound, and the Hamburg for a smoother more mid-pleasing sound with a somewhat attenuated top end by comparison.

My $0.02

War

 

[ljmaxx]

Wow, the Hamburg (and the Vienna) looks very tempting. Looks like it has a warmer sound than the Studio Projects C1 too. I was wondering.. why the Hamburg and not the Vienna? Thanks for listening maxx!

I will have phantom power soon. I'll research those other mics too.

I was thinking the Hamburg would smooth out Jets vox a bit but if you want a pure pop style vox then go with the Vienna. The main reason I thought the Hamburg would be more fitting is because you listed R&B as one of the genre's of music. I guess to be fair since the vox were done with a SM57 the best way would be to try both mics. Maybe you can find an on line vendor who will let you exchnge the mic if it doesn't work on Jets vox. Soundpure comes to mind but I'm not sure if they will exchnge mics.

If you'd like to hear a Hamburg go to the link below where the Hamburg is one of 4 mics in a shoot out. The second link is for a seller on ebay that has a 30 day return policy so that may be an option. Good luck.

https://homerecording.com/bbs/showthread.php?t=187002

http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-ADK-HAMBURG...ryZ41466QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

 

[tadmaz]

I recommend the Hamburg or the Vienna. On ebay, you might get lucky and snag one for $235. I did.

 

[DJRubio]

I ordered the ADK Hamburg

Thanks for all the help! I finally decided and ordered the ADK Hamburg from Front End Audio, as well as a Studio Projects VTB-1 preamp (i didn't have much more to spend on a preamp). That mic shoot-off really helped too. I've listened to some recordings of both the Hamburg and the Vienna, and the Hamburg did sound warmer.

Once the mic comes in, we'll re-record most of the songs and I'll post the difference. Thanks guys!