mic choices for an edgie female voice

[old crow]

Does edgie make sense? Her voice is not real raspy like some blues singers. It's fairly clear and a bit on the lower range but with a bit of edge to it.
Some I'm considering are: Beyer M500, Marshall V67, Shure SM7, I'd really like feedback on my thoughts.
I'm fairly new at this and will be recording onto my Tascam 2488. I'm also considering a preamp, possibly a G.T. Ditto, but only if it's necessary

 

[rdozz]

I tried many different mics and finally settled on the AT-4047. My wife is a high soprano with extreme volume. The AT-4047 captures her voice beautifully. I am using a RNP-RNC preamp compressor... I had to test several mics before we settled on this one.

On a side note, I was able to test a BLUE kiwi on her voice. I was amazed a mic could capture so much detail and not sound harsh. Way out of my budget…for now.

Rob

 

[Richard Monroe]

For cheap, Oktava MK319. For not so cheap, AKG C414, any model. I use C414B-ULS, but EB or TLII will work just fine. I own a Kiwi, and it hasn't worked out that well for the girls in my life, although I use it as a main vocal mic, and it works fine for me. I've also had pretty good luck with Rode NTK.-Richie

 

[Warhead]

How about a good ol' SM58? Worth a shot anyhow.

War

 

[chessparov]

For under $100 you could settle this with a EV RE15 (or RE16), or a
Beyer Soundstar MKII (also called Model 400 or M400).

The first option above is "ribbon-like", the second has SM7-ish tone.

Chris

 

[spoonie g]

For cheap, Oktava MK319. For not so cheap, AKG C414, any model. I use C414B-ULS, but EB or TLII will work just fine. I own a Kiwi, and it hasn't worked out that well for the girls in my life, although I use it as a main vocal mic, and it works fine for me. I've also had pretty good luck with Rode NTK.-Richie

I find the 414 to be a bit bright of a mic to be used with female vocalists.

 

[old crow]

I have a 57, 58, Beta 58 and 421 Sennhieser. I find so far that the 421 rolled off a notch sounds the best but still too harsh. I realize it's not the mikes fault So I guess what I'm tryining to find is the magic mike that will thicken her voice w./o. sounding muddy or muffled, like the 58's do.
Thanks for the tips on 414's. They are more than I want to spend and I'd also read that they may not thicken up the sound the way that a tube mike can.
I also really want to thank everyone here for all the time and effort they expend.
Maybe the ribbon Beyer would be worth a try?? What do you all think?? I'd like to find something for less than $300. but if was really worth it I'd go $500.

 

[baekgaard]

I have a 57, 58, Beta 58 and 421 Sennhieser. I find so far that the 421 rolled off a notch sounds the best but still too harsh. I realize it's not the mikes fault So I guess what I'm tryining to find is the magic mike that will thicken her voice w./o. sounding muddy or muffled, like the 58's do.

One simple thing to try (now that you have a 58): Have you tried removing the ball, and using a normal pop filter instead? It will probably sound rather close to a SM57, so you may try that instead... but if you like the 58 except for the muffling, try removing the ball (i.e. the grill) -- just screw it out).


-- Per.

 

[old crow]

Tried the 57 tonite and it had lots of presence and was plenty hot enough. Then I tried the 58 w./o. the screen. Still mud Then I went back to the 421 and it was the best. Almost as much presence as the 57 with a nice full warm sound.
Now for the interesting part. Turns out that her voice sits better in the mix with less warmth and bottom. It's one of those voices that sounds kind of "edgie" (Think Emy Lou, only a step or 2 lower) but unlike Emylou, also has quite a bit of bass, which tends to get muddy real easy, especially with the 58.
Would a mike with bumped up mids and dipped bass make more sense?
Now I really need more suggestions

 

[ozraves]

i think the ev mics suggested by chessparov are a good choice for the price.

 

[Bowisc]

EV 635a is a good starting point for your application.

 

[baekgaard]

Then I tried the 58 w./o. the screen. Still mud

Do you mean too much bass? Have you tried working on placement -- in this case, moving the mic further away from the source?

Would a mike with bumped up mids and dipped bass make more sense?

This sounds like many of those dynamics, including the SM57/SM58 -- just make sure you don't get too much bass from the proximity effect, so make sure you have the mic at a distance.


-- Per.

 

[deepwater]

Best mic period for that problem is -

Audix OM3

 

[old crow]

Seeing as I can't use the search feature would you pls. elaborate a bit more on the 635a and Audix OM3...
In the meantime I'll put a spit screen up and try various distances back from the SM's and the 421. Although the 421 has a rolloff so I'll try rolling it back too.
I think the 421 as nice as it is,may be a bit weak in the mids though on her voice.

 

[petimar]

I've had very good results on edgy female vocalists with a Beyer M500 through a John Hardy M1 pre.

 

[Harvey Gerst]

Even though it sounds like the female voice has more "edge" to it, sometimes a "bright" mic may be a good choice, since that "edge" really occurs under the frequencies where the mic sounds very bright. Also, having the singer sing into the side, or across the front of the mic (rather than directly into the front) can reduce harshness.

 

[old crow]

Thanks Harvey. btw I 've been plowing thru your post on mikes and really learning a lot. Thank you so much for going to all that bother , especially when you're having back problems.
I think I discovered last nite what you mean about the edgyness being under the bright ness of the mic and I found that I prefered the brighter sounding mic in the mix.
I'll try again tonite having her sing accross and back a bit more probably thru the 421 with it rolled back.