Oh please hep' me choose...

[joshj]

Howdy again, everyone. I hope Santa brought you what you wanted!
Well, now that I've decided to record some vox at home, I've been doing my homework on which microphone to buy. I've been doing digital audio (samplers mostly) for many years but never vocals. So I'll admit I'm a bit naive. I live in an EXTREMELY damp/moist area and I am a bit leary of getting a condensor mic. I do have mixer boards with phantom power though. Here's the criteria, what I'd like to know is what YOU would buy in my shoes.
1. Only studio vocals (no live stage or instruments)
2. Male and Female vox
3. $150 to spend
4. I have a little floor noise (from computer mostly)
5. Prefer dynamic (unless moist climate really isn't an issue)

I was considering sm57, sm58, sm58 beta, B1, and unsure about several MXL mics. I respect your opinions as many of you have used these and I have not. Thanks!

 

[mshilarious]

For $180 you could get a Beyer M69.

 

[joshj]

Hmm... thank you but $150 is literally the ceiling. I've just finished spending several grand on computer and software upgrades. As you can tell most of the mics I was looking at was about a $100. If I don't set an absolute limit I'll keep on spending...

So what would you choose for a buck fifty or less?

By the way mshilarious, your previous "ralph" pic was hilarious!

 

[melodiousmonk]

You're looking in the right direction with Shure mics. I own the SM57 and it works very well for me. If you want to record any instruments that is the one I would recommend because it is great. But for strictly vocals, I'd get the SM58 because of the pop filter and since it is mainly a vocal mic. Either way, you can't really go wrong between those two. I hope I helped a little.

 

[mastac]

What's goin on?
Many would recommend the Studio Projects B1 or MXL V67 condensor mics for that price range.

The SP B1 is supposedly more neutral and the MXL V67 they supposedly say sounds darker (although I don't think it's that dark at all - I have two).

I agree with melodiousmonk that if you are looking at the Shure's, don't bother with the SM57 if you are dealing with vocals, but rather take a look at the SM58. I have heard the SM57 is more of an instumental mic (and a very good one of course).

I, however, would go with a condensor like the MXL V67 or Studio Projects B1. It's all bout preference! If you can, you can go try them out - I've never really gotten that opportunity.

And I definitely know how it feels to be on a tight budget with a real ceiling - I've been like that my whole life - shoot!

Anyways, good luck with that.

Peace,
C

 

[joshj]

hey Mastac,
Thanks for your reply. If you are recommending either of those condensors I would have to ask, "What about my nasty wet climate?". I can't get around the fact that this is a very moist and humid area, and I wonder if that would destroy a condensor mic after a short period of time. (Not to mention of course moisture from breath as well.) How well do the MXL or B1 hold up?
Thanks again!

 

[pdadda]

Unless you have very nice pre-amps, I would recommend a large diaphragm condensor. In my opinion, even the cheaper LDC's sound better on vox than dynamics for the studio (unless you have nice pre's). But if you are looking at dynamics, I would recommend the Audix OM2.

 

[melodiousmonk]

don't bother with the SM57 if you are dealing with vocals

I agree. I got my SM57 because I needed vocals and instruments for $100 and it works well with the instruments and the vocals are fair. I'm going to need to get a 58 or Beta 58 soon, though. What is the difference between them other than what I mentioned about the pop filter?

 

[Lambo]

I too would choose a condensor over a dynamic for studio work. I also would try to stretch your budget if at all possible to step up to an SP C-1 or the Beyer M69 as was suggested previously. You'll be glad you did!

 

[AGCurry]

Hmm. My experience runs counter to most of you. For vocals I would always go to a decent dynamic mic over a cheap condensor - especially if the climate is humid. I almost always get better results with dynamics (or ribbons), and I have a Rode NT1000, an AT 4033, a Studio Projects C1 and B3, and a CAD M37.

 

[DJL]

joshj, in your case... if I was you, I'd checkout some dynamic mics first because they sound great and require less care than condensor mics.

 

[grn]

I love my SP B1 and my Shure SM58 for vocals... but depends on the voice. I think the 58 (dynamic mic) would be the first thing to get before a B1 in your case as well.

 

[WinstonCowboy]

Dude, SM58...just do it! Why are we even debating this?

 

[patsplat]

E/V Nd767a

You might have a look at this one... http://www.americanmusical.com/item--i-ELE-ND767A--brand-82.html

http://www.harmony-central.com/Recording/Data/Electro_Voice/ND767-01.html

 

[joshj]

Thank you so much guys!! I think I'll pop for that EV (thanks for the link) or the shure 58 first. I do want a condensor and will probably save for the C1 (that's what tax returns are for ). That way I can record demos or rough vox with dynamic and bust out the condensor for special oocasions. You guys rock, thanks again for EVERYBODY's input.

 

[sile2001]

I'm going to need to get a 58 or Beta 58 soon, though. What is the difference between them other than what I mentioned about the pop filter?

Courtesy of Shure.com:

SM58

Beta 58

Notice the differences in the high-end peaks and low end roll off. The Beta will bring out the mids and highs more but will have less response in the low frequencies. This accounts for the apparent clarity that the Beta has over the SM.

 

[tdukex]

The SM 57 is fine for vocals--depending on style. I wouldn't discriminate against a 57 for vox. If it were me, I'd shop and find either an SM 58 or 57 for around $60-$70 and also shop around for a B1 or V67 condenser (as suggested by mastac) for another $60-$70. Now you have two flavors and are still under budget.

 

[noisedude]

I wouldn't want to use either the SM57 or 58 for any vaguely important vocals unless I had some reason to think they were perfectly matched to my preamp and vocalist. I think these are red herrings in your case.

If you're desperate for a cheaper Shure, pick up a 545 ... I found an old USA-made one for £25 on ebay ($50). That way you have money to pick up another for a different choice for different vocalists.

Another oldie-but-goodie worth hunting out is the Beyer Soundstar MkII ... can be had for peanuts and a superb dynamic IMO and also endorsed by Harvey Gerst.

Otherwise, I'd be wanting to try out an SP C1 and B1 and looking at the equivalently-priced mics by ADK and SE Electronics. I quite like the SE2200 from the latter company, though I've never used an SP B1.

Finally, if you want one brand new dynamic which is going to stand a chance of getting those female vocalists down, you need look no further than the Sennheiser E845. It has the top end that opens out a higher-pitched voice - the problem with the venerable SM58 is that it ignores this completely, and will leave many vocalists sounding like they're singing through a sock without quite a bit of EQing.

Anyway, my opinions. I ditched all my 57s/58s ages ago for the Sennheisers, but my old Shure 545D has pride of place at home because it often works for my voice.

 

[maskedman72]

sm-58!!!!!!!!!

 

[WinstonCowboy]

What the crikey fvck...unless yer fvcking tone deaf...get a damn SM58 already !!