new album, so new mike?

[dobro]

For the last couple of albums I've done, I've used a Rode NTK. I like it just fine, although I have to be careful how I work it - too straight on and I get more sibilance than I want to have to deal with.

Okay, new album coming up, and I want a better sound. What mics are a step beyond the NTK range price and quality-wise that I should know about?

I live in Singapore btw, so I don't get to try out mics here and return 'em if I don't like 'em. It's money down, or it doesn't go out of the store here. So I need to be more than half-sure about any mic I buy.

 

[tom18222]

anything from blue

 

[Scinx]

It'd be helpful if you said what you are doing with the mic you need - Im assuming you are looking for another vocal mic?

 

[maskedman72]

although i have not used one, i have not heard a single bad thing about the soundelux u195.

 

[chessrock]

I'd have to agree with both of these good suggestions -- A BLUE Dragonfly (or just about anything else on up from that) would be a nice next step up from an NTK. And Soundeluxe is also an excellent suggestion.

I would also ad the Audio Technica AT4060 to that short list. Very nic tube mic with a lot less sibilance issues than what you're likely experiencing w/ the NTK.

And one more possibility I might throw in to the foray: Shure KSM44.

 

[dobro]

Yeah, sorry, forgot - primarily vocals, yeah, but I work with other acoustic instruments - plucked and blown - as well.

For example, the NTK is great on my nylon-string guitar if I want a s-m-o-o-t-h sound; although it's respectable on flute I wouldn't describe it as wonderful however.

So if a new mic worked not only on vocals, but also took a good impression of acoustic guitar and flute, that would be a bonus. But it's mainly for vocals.

 

[Henri Devill]

What preamp are using?Like Chessrock,I will echo the KSM44 and the AT4060..



Don

 

[dobro]

I know you can't believe what the manufacturer says about a mic's frequency response, but the soundelux graph is interesting: flat as the prairies then a tiny boost 4k-5k, then a bigger dip around 7k, and then a big boost about 10-12k.

This is exactly how I've been EQing a lot of my vocals.

 

[chessrock]

So if a new mic worked not only on vocals, but also took a good impression of acoustic guitar and flute, that would be a bonus. But it's mainly for vocals.

You might want to take the KSM-44 for a spin. Sounds like that might work for you. It's a small step -- about $200 difference, but it's different enough, and I still think it's a step up.

 

[chessrock]

I know you can't believe what the manufacturer says about a mic's frequency response, but the soundelux graph is interesting: flat as the prairies then a tiny boost 4k-5k, then a bigger dip around 7k, and then a big boost about 10-12k.

This is exactly how I've been EQing a lot of my vocals.

This is also a similar response to the Dragonfly.

And yea, the graph does say something about it's sound. The dip around 6-7 khz will usually translate as less sibilance and/or grain. It also translates as a little less up-front immediacy or aggressiveness, so there's a small tradeoff there.

If that's the way you tend to EQ your vocals, then it's probably a good sign that you should try that mic out and see what you think. Graphs are usually far from reality, but they can help point you in the right direction.

 

[dobro]

My pre's a Mindprint Envoice.

What I'd like is a Grace 101 or why not? a Davisound pre. But that means things start getting seriously expensive. So it's a case of live with the Mindprint. Which is not so bad.

 

[Henri Devill]

My pre's a Mindprint Envoice.

What I'd like is a Grace 101 or why not? a Davisound pre. But that means things start getting seriously expensive. So it's a case of live with the Mindprint. Which is not so bad.

The KSM44 has never really paired well with a Grace for me Its too clean and the 44 is on the cleaner side also..The AT4060 is better thru the Grace..However the KSM44 is wonderful thru a Great River..I've never used a Mindprint..but Im sure you could get very good results with the 44 if you were doing good work with the Rode ..It won't be as silibant as a Rode and might have a more "even" sound for you..Best of luck

PS The Blue mics are very interesting..Baby Bottle although not a first choice for vox might be a good one for a silibant vocalist..Its kinda like a ribbon in its tonal aspects..Dragon Fly might be cool also{I've never used on}




Don

 

[dobro]

Loads of ideas to think about here, and all of it useful.

Thanks, you guys.

 

[cavedog101]

If you buy a Soundelux U195, chances are you'll never look at another mic again.They are simply tremendous.

 

[dobro]

Chances are you're right, cuz I'll never be able to *afford* another mic again. LOL