M
Mad Silly
New member
First off, I record hip-hop vocals, but I'm not looking for what most in my position might. What I want is a natural sounding mic. Something which doesn't change my voice, just picks it up the way it actually sounds in a beautiful manner. Accuracy. Impressive. I do, however, believe that my excessive use with the Rode NT1 has negatively altered my judgement on my voice.
I've only been recording for a few years, but, see, my mic history may give off a good idea. When I started off, I was told by an older studio owner I knew to get a Shure SM-58, and that it was a world standard. Got one, but recording was held back by lack of a recorder. Then I was given advice to get a large-diaphram condenser microphone for recording, and to use the SM-58 for performance. I got a Nady SCM-900. I recorded with it into a cheap computer, which hindered the quality. Then I got a digital 4-track and shortly after, a Rode NT-1. I was told this was the best mic under $1,000, and that it was amazing.
From there I worked excessively on delivery and adjusting my voice, sometimes for 7-8 hours straight. I would absolutely GO AT IT night after night. I HATED that nasty sh*t high end sound in my voice. I learned HOW to eliminate nasal sound and purify sound, didn't think I did it, though. I even studied the voice box and how the larynx works. I still couldn't get rid of the sound I hated. The sound I hated was my voice. I thought I sounded good and powerful anywhere except in my studio. D*mn.
THEN I got a Shure Beta 58 for live applications. I recorded with it to compare it to my SM-58 and I actually LIKED my voice. Heard it through loud speakers. LIKED it. What happened here? In the back of my head I was convincing myself that that annoying sound was still there, but thaere was something wrong with that...I didn't hear it. I even tried to hear it. My voice had authority. It was pure and warm rather than thin and "tinny".
Remember, I never did get accurate/proper use out of any mic until I got my Rode NT-1, which I used from that point on. I think my use of it has altered my judgement on my voice for what seemed to be permanently. I have myself programmed to think I HATE my high-pitched voice. HONKy, nasal sh*t.
Because of this I changed the way I handle things. As a result, I've now been told I talk loudly and have a lot of bass, so I should "keep it down a little bit". My point? Well, is the NT-1 the "truth"? Some people may like a very bright-sounding mic. Personally, I am a perfectionist, and I believe because of that, the slight brightness of the NT-1 was enough to make me actually HATE my voice. It was all I had so I trusted it and stood by it. The few people I've recorded with have, in the end, preferred the $70 SCM-900 over my deeply loved NT-1. I tend to love my mics, but I am coming to a realization. I like my voice and work it well under well-balanced mics. I've heard it, performed it, recorded it, played it back time and time to make sure. Don't mind it at all. Other people "like it". The NT-1 experience greatly improved every aspect of my sound, I just trusted it too much. I think I got the so-called "upgraded" version(yeah,). You know what I'm talking about.
OR, am I wrong here? IS it the truth, should I NOT look elsewhere for a recording mic? Wishful? AM I F*CKING TRICKING MYSELF AGAIN?
This has made me "fiend" dark mics. I need a large-diaphram condenser mic that is natural and $200 or less. I want to sound the way I REALLY do, but I'm afraid if it is too similar to the NT-1 it will convince me I was right before. Just a reminder will set it off. I OBVIOUSLY need help with mic suggestions before I chop my head off after I make the wrong move, so ANY comments or information ANYONE could give me on the actual SOUND of following mics, and suggestions of others $200 on down would be GREATLY APPRECIATED. No access to try-outs. I need a studio recording mic. Large-diaphram condenser. I'm thinking of these, should I steer away from any based on my situation? Am I missing any bang/buck "dark" mics? THANK YOU ALL.
Oktava MK-319 : "dark" mic, right?
Studio Projects C1 : natural is what I really want, me and only me
Behringer B2 : wonder if the B1's close? heard behringer's not reliable?
I've only been recording for a few years, but, see, my mic history may give off a good idea. When I started off, I was told by an older studio owner I knew to get a Shure SM-58, and that it was a world standard. Got one, but recording was held back by lack of a recorder. Then I was given advice to get a large-diaphram condenser microphone for recording, and to use the SM-58 for performance. I got a Nady SCM-900. I recorded with it into a cheap computer, which hindered the quality. Then I got a digital 4-track and shortly after, a Rode NT-1. I was told this was the best mic under $1,000, and that it was amazing.
From there I worked excessively on delivery and adjusting my voice, sometimes for 7-8 hours straight. I would absolutely GO AT IT night after night. I HATED that nasty sh*t high end sound in my voice. I learned HOW to eliminate nasal sound and purify sound, didn't think I did it, though. I even studied the voice box and how the larynx works. I still couldn't get rid of the sound I hated. The sound I hated was my voice. I thought I sounded good and powerful anywhere except in my studio. D*mn.
THEN I got a Shure Beta 58 for live applications. I recorded with it to compare it to my SM-58 and I actually LIKED my voice. Heard it through loud speakers. LIKED it. What happened here? In the back of my head I was convincing myself that that annoying sound was still there, but thaere was something wrong with that...I didn't hear it. I even tried to hear it. My voice had authority. It was pure and warm rather than thin and "tinny".
Remember, I never did get accurate/proper use out of any mic until I got my Rode NT-1, which I used from that point on. I think my use of it has altered my judgement on my voice for what seemed to be permanently. I have myself programmed to think I HATE my high-pitched voice. HONKy, nasal sh*t.
Because of this I changed the way I handle things. As a result, I've now been told I talk loudly and have a lot of bass, so I should "keep it down a little bit". My point? Well, is the NT-1 the "truth"? Some people may like a very bright-sounding mic. Personally, I am a perfectionist, and I believe because of that, the slight brightness of the NT-1 was enough to make me actually HATE my voice. It was all I had so I trusted it and stood by it. The few people I've recorded with have, in the end, preferred the $70 SCM-900 over my deeply loved NT-1. I tend to love my mics, but I am coming to a realization. I like my voice and work it well under well-balanced mics. I've heard it, performed it, recorded it, played it back time and time to make sure. Don't mind it at all. Other people "like it". The NT-1 experience greatly improved every aspect of my sound, I just trusted it too much. I think I got the so-called "upgraded" version(yeah,). You know what I'm talking about.
OR, am I wrong here? IS it the truth, should I NOT look elsewhere for a recording mic? Wishful? AM I F*CKING TRICKING MYSELF AGAIN?
This has made me "fiend" dark mics. I need a large-diaphram condenser mic that is natural and $200 or less. I want to sound the way I REALLY do, but I'm afraid if it is too similar to the NT-1 it will convince me I was right before. Just a reminder will set it off. I OBVIOUSLY need help with mic suggestions before I chop my head off after I make the wrong move, so ANY comments or information ANYONE could give me on the actual SOUND of following mics, and suggestions of others $200 on down would be GREATLY APPRECIATED. No access to try-outs. I need a studio recording mic. Large-diaphram condenser. I'm thinking of these, should I steer away from any based on my situation? Am I missing any bang/buck "dark" mics? THANK YOU ALL.
Oktava MK-319 : "dark" mic, right?
Studio Projects C1 : natural is what I really want, me and only me
Behringer B2 : wonder if the B1's close? heard behringer's not reliable?
