Mic collection additions..need advice

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CJWalker

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Its that time of year again. Colder weather is coming back so I'm taking a break from the cars and getting back into the music/recording hobby. :D Anwyay, I need some advice for mics. I really should begin to add a few high quality end condensors and some speciality mics for specific applications as soon as I upgrade from my 01V to a larger analog console. (I feel that even if I added another 01V and added the expansion cards the routing would be incredibly confusing, especially with a couple of ADATs. I still have no clue which channels go to which busses, but that's another story.) Currently I have the following in my mic cabinet (or on the way):
3 AT4033s, SM81, C418, MD421, 7 SM57s, SM58, CAD
E100, AT PRO25
I would like to purchase at least 2 more MD421s for toms, an RE20/27ND for bass drum and something along the lines of a Rode classic II for vocals. Bass guitar will be using the line out through a bass POD so I will leave that out for now. The SM57s will take care of the toms, and guitar cabs, though I still want the MD421s for toms. :)
My main concern is the vocal mic. Yes, I have an AT4033 for that which is a very clean and tight sounding mic though I would like a deciated tube condensor that will produce from very soft and warm sounds to really in-your-face rock vocal tracks. I'm still very new to recording and have not yet had much opportunity to work with vocals aside from PA amplification such that the sound just needs to be audible and clear. I am willing to drop a rather large bit of change down for a good vocal mic. Lets say around $1500 new or used (I know thats not a lot for a mic ;)).

Can someone steer me in a good direction for a vocal mic and what other mics would be a smart investment for my studio?
 
If you can wait until January, the new Stephen Paul mic may redifne what a $1500 mic sounds like, even without the tubes.

Otherwise, you can try an Audio Technica 4060 and have some money left over. If you can go as high as $2000, check out the Lawson L47mp.
 
Thanks for the info! I am also wondering the makes and models of a few reputable mic pres. I have heard tales of great success with the ART MPs but am again set on something of a higher class since I feel the need to go right for the better stuff.
 
That's the rub- very little point in buying a U87 and plugging it into an ART MP. If that's where you are at, buy a high end pre first, and use the perfectly good mics you already have, you will get a better result with that investment IMHO. When you go for the big vocal mic, I like B.L.U.E. Kiwi, and U87. I agree that Stephen Paul's new mic would probably be an excellent choice. Get a Great River or Avalon pre, at least 2 channels.-Richie
 
Between a MD-421, RE-20 or RE-27, Shure SM-7, and a Beyer M-88, you can have most vocals covered with at least good results, and have a flexible kit for instrument duties as well, a great lifetime investment. These and a good pre will get you pretty far. There are some great condensors in your price range, but it's hard to say that any one will give you the same range and utility, and for the "in your face" rock vocal things, dynamics are usually king.

[Bias disclosure: I'm talking about building a studio mic cabinet for recording whatever voices walk in. If you're only doing your own voice or solely another individual, you might go ahead and pick the killer mic or two for that voice.]

Bear
 
If you're only doing your own voice or solely another individual, you might go ahead and pick the killer mic or two for that voice.
Click to expand...

Great point!
 
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