mic upgrade for studio

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goroomstudio

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Hello, i currently have been using a studio projects b1 for vocals. it was the first mic i bought when i started recording. I want to get a significant upgrade.

What would be a good choice for a vocal mic, that also has some variation from the b1 as far as recording different vocal types go? thanks for any input.
 
I really like my Rode NTK, and it's a departure from the relatively neutral tone of the B1. Do a google search on NTK and read all the raving reviews it got when it came out. It's a little essy on heavily compressed vocals, but if you play around with placement, it's possible to minimize the esses.
 
How much can you spend?

A shure SM7 or SM7B will make you throw rocks at that B1. ;)
 
i have heard good things about the ntk. i can spend up to around 350. id prefer to get used on ebay to save money. i could even get a few mics if i found ones i like
 
Mikes I have in that range (and like ) are
at 4033
at 3035
stedman c15
groove tubes mb1
sennheiser 421
couple more bucks
NTK
baby bottle
sennheiser 441
ev re 20
In His Name
Big Kenny
 
Big Kenny said:
Mikes I have in that range (and like ) are
at 4033
at 3035
stedman c15
groove tubes mb1
sennheiser 421
couple more bucks
NTK
baby bottle
sennheiser 441
ev re 20
In His Name
Big Kenny
Click to expand...

BK, what is your opinion (comparison/contrast) on the RE20 and MD441 strictly as vocal mics. Male vox vs female vox, rock, pop, country, R&B, etc. Which is the most versatile vocal mic?
 
thanks for the suggestions. ive been researching the AT4033 . whats the difference between the CL and the SC model, what do those letters stand for, its probably a stupid question.
 
theres a couple places where you have to email for the price, but you can get the NTK for around 350
 
I did a Goodle search & couldn't find a reference to SC; apparently CL refers to the "Classic" designation they gave the reissue. I bought a pair of 4033s a couple of years ago and just sold one of them for what I paid for it. I am getting terrific results with female & male vocals in a good-sounding room (25X15, angled ceiling) & only sold the second 4033 because I could tell I needed another sound signature for multiple overdubs to avoid a bump from the characteristic 4033 freq response. [I just ordered a Rode NT1000 and an Audix SCX25 to take the place of the 4033.) My clients LOVE the 4033s. One lady, who had recorded at a local studio into a U87, told me she had never heard her vocals sound as natural as when recorded with the 4033. Be aware that this mic is not "accurate"; it is flattering, and there are some sources that are not well served by it. It bulges out the mids on acoustic guitar (I use an SM81 instead) and is not the first choice to mic a speaker cab. As noted above, if you use it for the lead vocal and the backups, you'll start to hear a buildup in certain frequencies, but that's true whenever you use the same mic. The guy I sold my No 2 4033 to was delighted to get it, as he has a voice that can sound harsh on the wrong mic. I expect to be using this mic for a long time.
 
441 is excellent for clean colorless signal, this gives whatever signal chain you use a lot of room
re 20 is as clean but much deeper and bassier a tone
You could use either of these mics for any vocal styling which requires definition or, being dynamic, they handle high spl (scream, rap, metal, punk) just fine
If you want some distortion or dirt go elsewhere
--the letters on the 4033 mean nothing
the 4040 is the redesign of the 4033 with whatever complaints they were getting, resolved. not quite as bright, not a big difference to my ears but I've been playing rock and roll all my life
In His Name
BK
 
hey is the 4040 considered "better" than the 4033, or do they both serve their own purposes?
 
like BK said, the 4040 was simply a "redesign" of the 4033 in which they attempted to address the "complaints" some people had with the 4033.....namely that it was "too bright" or "harsh" on some folks' vocals.

of course, that makes the 4040 a different animal than the 4033 and should be viewed and treated as such. voices and guitars are very subjective. i've used a 4033 in the past on my acoustic and feel it did an ok job--not enough to make me run right out and buy one, but hey, if it works for you..... :D


cheers,
wade
 
You'll have to listen. The 4040 uses the same body and a similar capsule and was intended to "replace" the 4033...but right after the 4040 came out the 4033 was reissued! Maybe the 4040 didn't quite do what the 4033 does? If there's a dealer around who'll let you borrow both maybe you can tell...but it's probably a pretty fine distinction more likely to come out over extended use. The 4040 got good reviews, but then I bought my 4033 based on who was using them and what they were using them for, rather than on reviews. For what's it worth, the 4040 sells for about US$50 less than the original 4033 and the reissue 4033 for about US$50 more.
 
The AT4033 is an electret, medium diameter condensor. The AT4040 is a large diameter, true condensor (externally polarized) type.

The MDC diameter is 16mm compared to 25mm for the LDC.

The AT4033 appears to have a slightly tighter pattern, toward hypercarioid, than does AT4040 the AT4040. Having not heard the AT4033, my guess is it is a different sound than AT4040 the AT4040.

I'd be more inclined to think of AT4040 the AT4040 is much closer to a single pattern AT4050, than the follow-on to the AT4033.

What about an AT4047 if you want something different for voice?
 
bgavin said:
The AT4033 is an electret, medium diameter condensor. The AT4040 is a large diameter, true condensor (externally polarized) type.

The MDC diameter is 16mm compared to 25mm for the LDC.

The AT4033 appears to have a slightly tighter pattern, toward hypercarioid, than does AT4040 the AT4040. Having not heard the.
Click to expand...

This is true. I think saying the 4040 is a redesign of the 4033 is a little too general of a statement. Inside, they are completely different mics. I've only heard the 4033 and it is favored by many on acoustic instruments--less favored for vocals.

BK, thanks for the info on the MD441 vs. RE20
 
tdukex said:
BK, what is your opinion (comparison/contrast) on the RE20 and MD441 strictly as vocal mics. Male vox vs female vox, rock, pop, country, R&B, etc. Which is the most versatile vocal mic?
Click to expand...
If I may jump in there ... I had an MD441 for a while and liked it a lot. It really has that "silky sound" its famous for. And of course, since it's a dynamic, it can handle almost any abuse, extremely high SPL and has no proximity effect. In terms of sound on vocals, I found it between other quality dynamic mics (like a Shure) and a condensor mic. It sounds very good on vocals of all sorts, but it doesn't have the "airy" quality of condensors, even though it gets close. Also, the level is fairly low, so you need a really good pre to make it shine. Awesome mic, really.
 
Giganova said:
If I may jump in there ... I had an MD441 for a while and liked it a lot. It really has that "silky sound" its famous for. And of course, since it's a dynamic, it can handle almost any abuse, extremely high SPL and has no proximity effect. In terms of sound on vocals, I found it between other quality dynamic mics (like a Shure) and a condensor mic. It sounds very good on vocals of all sorts, but it doesn't have the "airy" quality of condensors, even though it gets close. Also, the level is fairly low, so you need a really good pre to make it shine. Awesome mic, really.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the input, Giganova.
 
Rocket Boy said:
theres a couple places where you have to email for the price, but you can get the NTK for around 350
Click to expand...

A new NTK for $350?

Wow. Where? I just bought a used one that pretty much looks new for about $365 shipped on ebay.

Let me know where because I know some other people looking for one.
Thanks.
 
Giganova said:
I had an MD441 for a while and liked it a lot. to make it shine. Awesome mic, really.
Click to expand...
And now I have it!:D
 
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