Microphone to de-emphasize midrange? Rode NTK?

[LarissaSkrimsli]

Hi,

I wanted to buy some equipment so that I could record at home, but seeing as I'm a bit of a noob, I don't really know which microphone to buy.

My voice has a similar texture as Amy Lee's from Evanescence (It doesn't sound like hers but it feels similar if you get what I mean, it resonates in the same way) I don't want to sound like her I just need a mic that picks up that kind of texture. So I've been told that means I need one that de-emphasizes midrange. Here's something to give you an idea:

http://limelinx.com/files/89476fc5ef0d016024581ae19d28162f


My price limit would be around 300-400EUR which is about (absolute maximum) 500USD.

After several people giving me advice, and another post on another forum site, I'm about to buy a Rode NTK but I just wanted to make sure one more time. Apparently the best mic would be Blue's Kiwi but that's way beyond my price limit.
I've also been suggested the Kel Song Sparrow but it's impossible to find in Europe


Does anyone have any additional suggestions or does anyone think I should get the Rode NTK?

 

[moresound]

The rode should be ok. The midrange fix would be obtained during tracking and the mixing with proper EQing.
Do you have the opportunity to audition different microphones?
What about Oktava brand microphones?

 

[LarissaSkrimsli]

thanks for the reply moresound,

No, it wouldn't be possible for me to audition different mics because I live in Luxembourg which besides not having a great selection, isn't very keen on allowing people to try things out, meaning whatever I get it'd have to be from the internet and it would be a bit tedious and costly to keep sending back mics all the time

The only Oktava that I knew about was the MK-319 but someone told me that would be no good for me. Besides that, I haven't found it here. Do you think Oktava would be a good idea?

 

[mixsit]

..After several people giving me advice, and another post on another forum site, I'm about to buy a Rode NTK but I just wanted to make sure one more time. ...

..The rode should be ok. The midrange fix would be obtained during tracking and the mixing with proper EQing.

Add to that, the differences in mics are (typically) important but rather small and fixed tweaks, and don't necessarily represent the final solution. 'Deemphasize mid' where exactly? and for which song/arrangement density.
The track posted has resonance and room problems all over it that swamp 'mic color for example.

 

[moresound]

thanks for the reply moresound,

No, it wouldn't be possible for me to audition different mics because I live in Luxembourg which besides not having a great selection, isn't very keen on allowing people to try things out, meaning whatever I get it'd have to be from the internet and it would be a bit tedious and costly to keep sending back mics all the time

The only Oktava that I knew about was the MK-319 but someone told me that would be no good for me. Besides that, I haven't found it here. Do you think Oktava would be a good idea?

Not necessarily.... But I thought that you being in Europe the Oktava models would be something available for you to audition.

 

[LarissaSkrimsli]

'Deemphasize mid' where exactly?.

ooh I'm learning to answer questions like this, about 1-3 kHz.

and for which song/arrangement density.

I'm not sure what you mean by song/arrangement density? sorry I'm a noob! Just starting to learn about all of this...

The track posted has resonance and room problems all over it that swamp 'mic color for example.

Yeah that was just an example and wasn't recorded with proper recording equipment, I just thought it was good enough because despite the bad quality, it gives a pretty clear idea of what my voice sounds like

Not necessarily.... But I thought that you being in Europe the Oktava models would be something available for you to audition.

oooh ok I'll check it out!

 

[NL5]

The NTK is slightly hyped in the 3k range IIRC.

I'd go with an SM7.

 

[moresound]

The NTK is slightly hyped in the 3k range IIRC.

I'd go with an SM7.

Shure microphones can be quite expensive in Europe.
But maybe an e-bay sale on a used one would be just the trick.

 

[Shadow_7]

Perhaps something in a Sennheiser or Gefell or Neuman, not exactly the cheapest options, even without the EU factor. Oktava being russian made should be more accessible the Kel being canadian. Or Shure being American. AKG C414? Perhaps a bit out of that budget, but I'm assuming in your neck of the woods.

Or just use what Amy uses.

Audio Technica AEW-T5400 or BSS901II or AE2500

http://www.audio-technica.com/cms/happenings/d8e35d1e3aa785d3/index.html/

Made in USA though. It should provide some comparative information anyway. In terms of basic specs. You might find an EQ option the does what you need done. The cheaper in terms of gear options.

 

[mshilarious]

Uh, I'm going to take a wild guess that OP probably doesn't want a wireless system (likely made in Japan, not US) or kick drum mic for studio vocal recording

 

[LarissaSkrimsli]

Wow thanks guys, you're all so helpful!!
I think you'll be surprised to hear that Oktava is pretty hard to find around here, harder than Shure. The shops here have basically nothing anyway and they all want me to get AKG simply because it's Austrian, and they think that Blue is some bad quality made in china crap

AKG C414? Perhaps a bit out of that budget, but I'm assuming in your neck of the woods.

way too out of budget Unfortunately the Audio Technicas are a bit beyond budget as well, sorry I'm complicated!

The NTK is slightly hyped in the 3k range IIRC.

yeah it seems ok to me though, I'd really need something that would 'smile' in that range you know? but that wouldn't be beyond my price range, which is the hard part


How about the MXL V69? it rises a bit after 1K but then drops around after 2...I just thought the NTK would be better cause it's quite low at 1 and only rises after around 3? So I thought steady is better? I dunno you guys are the experts Those were my two competitors initially anyway.


Just in case you're all wondering how I'm going to find anything at all and what's available around these wastelands, here's the best place for instruments and the place where I'll be getting the mic (it's in french but hey): http://www.thomann.de/index.html?partner_id=97926&page=lu/index.html

 

[LarissaSkrimsli]

Uh, I'm going to take a wild guess that OP probably doesn't want a wireless system (likely made in Japan, not US) or kick drum mic for studio vocal recording

this is true

 

[LarissaSkrimsli]

wait how about the blue baby bottle?

sorry about multiple posts

 

[mshilarious]

wait how about the blue baby bottle?

sorry about multiple posts

That mic is all midrange. You might try the Bluebird from their range instead. Ultimately you're going to have to try them for yourself, even if that means a day trip to somewhere in Germany or wherever . . . or just buy used stuff and resell until you get what you want.

 

[LarissaSkrimsli]

That mic is all midrange. You might try the Bluebird from their range instead.

oops I thought it was the other way around!

Ultimately you're going to have to try them for yourself,

Yeah I guess that's true, just trying to avoid too many troubles and frustration.

Thank you so much for your advice!!

 

[mixsit]

How about flat(ish) in the 'trouble range, and have the lift well above?

What mic was in that track?

 

[LarissaSkrimsli]

How about flat(ish) in the 'trouble range, and have the lift well above?

Yeah that would be fine as well, I mean I'm not looking for some kind of super mic from another dimension, just something that works and where I don't have to EQ very much if I do at all.
Were you thinking of something in particular?

What mic was in that track?

just the regular sm58

 

[Shadow_7]

How about something ruler flat and apply EQ to taste? They're all mics, they pick up sounds. Unless you need it for live use and can't apply effects in realtime. But you're probably not going to be using the high-er end gear live anyway. Too much risk.

 

[witzendoz]

Are you sure the mid range problem is not the space you are recording in? The acoustics of the room very much effect the way a mic sounds. I see people on the forum spending $500, $700 $1000 on microphones and nothing on acoustics.

Cheers
Alan.

 

[mshilarious]

How about something ruler flat and apply EQ to taste? They're all mics, they pick up sounds. Unless you need it for live use and can't apply effects in realtime. But you're probably not going to be using the high-er end gear live anyway. Too much risk.

Because there are aspects of microphone performance that cannot be reduced to frequency response, including proximity effect, noise, and impulse response. Even if it were possible to control for those factors (it's not), given that some microphone must be purchased, it's much more efficient to buy a microphone suited for a single purpose where that is what is required.