Need specific advice on what mike to buy for a male voice

  • Thread starter Thread starter Baritone Bob
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Baritone Bob

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Am a new member, and just spent a few evenings doing my homework on the forums without finding the info. I need. So thanks in advance for any experienced input you can give me for the following scenario:

1. Need to choose a condenser mike primarily for vocals and in the $200-$400 range. Planning on recording demos for my steel string acoustic guitar /vocal duo, good enough to burn a demo CD that I can send off to college booking agents, etc. with my head held high!

Going to use the winning mike with a SUN mixing board for my preamp and phantom power, and record digitally w/ cakewalk and a made for purpose audio card.

2. Saw a lot of advice on testing mikes before buying, but the real world shops ("Guitar Centers, etc.") told me they're just not set up for side by side comparisons. So, all you experts out there, please help me with my "virtual sound check":

My voice is very close in range and tone to James Taylor. I have more nasal resonance than I'd like, which I control live through lower mids in the EQ. when using my SM58.

3. Which mikes have given you the best results for singers with the characteristics I've mentioned?

From my research in the forums and at the manufacturer's sites, have a particular interest in the Studio Projects C1, C3 (will the extra pad, 3 settings, etc. on the C3 help me?), the Rode NTK, Shure KSM27, Marshall MXLV67, or the Oktava MK319.

Which is most likely the best sounding mike for me? Thanks for helping me to pick the right one up front- don't want to start collecting mikes-very expensive hobby!
 
Hi Bob! Welcome to the board!

I haven't used any of the mics that you have mentioned, but I do have one mic that has the same switches and settings as the C3.

I had the thing for years and never used anything other than the cardiod pattern. Then I found that the bass roll-off switch made for cleaner vox with less need for EQ in my not-so-soundproof "studio." The 10dB pad came in handy when I suddenly had the opportunity to record live drums.

Then I learned about middle/side micing and thanked heavens that I already have a mic that has a figure-8 pattern. I never knew what I'd use it for when I got it but I concider it money well spent now.

I'm not meaning to push the C3, just sharing my perspective on those switches and settings. It may well be that for your needs one of the other mics will sound better and that's way more important.

Take care,
Chris
 
In that price range I would consider the SP C1 ...I have a engineer friend who thinks it comes fairly close to a U87 for vocals...

OR...

Check out the Audio Technica 4033. I purchased one and have been very happy. You can really lean on a 4033 and it still sounds good...I think it can handle 145dB...

zip >>
 
to fir your voice, you should really audition the mics in person....

definitely try out the

Marshall mxlv67
rode ntk
 
Agree...

There's nothing like an A/B...

At the big music stores (Mars etc) you can talk or sing into the mics through the same amp-headphone system. That's what I did before I bought the 4033...
 
Thanks for all your helpful replies!

Thanks again, everyone, for the well thought out replies. Looks like the experience based concensus is that I should definitely try out the mikes I am interested in before I buy one, no matter what the obstacles!

Didn't know that MARS had a good Mike tryout setup- They're right down the Road from me, in Somerville, MA- I'll definitely be making the pilgrimage!
 
It's not ideal but it beats a blank. Basically they feed all the mics into an amp connected to headphones.

Since they all have the same signal path it gives you a basic idea anyway...

Happy mic shopping!
 
Like Gidge and zip said, you need to do a comparison test. If you are a close associate or a close friend with the head salesperson (read: take him/her to lunch) at your local electronics store, they should, "set things up", to give you an in store test comparison.

:)
 
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