Opinions sought on a vocal mic

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RWhite

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I am looking to upgrade to a better quality vocal mic. The studio equipment I am currently using is:

A DAW equipped with a Gadget Labs 824 interface
A Alesis Studio 32 Mixer (16 channels each with mic preamps)

I mainly record my band which is basic loud rock'n'roll. I am currently using a collection of Shure SM-58 and SM-57 mics. I have been pretty happy with them, they have been good instrument mics and decent for vocals, but I would like to get one or two better quality mics for vocals exclusively. The way the Alesis mixer works is it turns on phantom power for all 16 channels or not at all, so I think I will avoid condenser mics for now. And since my studio is more of a (money sucking) hobby than a (money generating) business I have to watch my $$$$$$.

After looking for awhile I thought that the Sennheiser MD-421 seems to fit my bill. I would appreciate any opinions - I know computers pretty well but don't have much experiance with different mics.
 
it really depends on what you want this mic for..the 421 is good on some things and really sucky on others..what do you want to do?
 
If you have a lot of 57' and 58's, who cares bout phantom pwr........ as long as your cables are properly wired U will have no probs with it =)

Most of the good low budget mics fer vocal are Condensors,

Sabith
 
Condenser Mic is the way to go....

I have a Rhode NT-3 and I am well pleased with it. A good Mic that uses a 9 volt batery (so you don't need phantom power) It is a condenser mic and I paid $170 for it new. It's great for acoustic instruments and great for vocals, though it does do away with some high end.
 
48VDC

Dynamics wont mind about the phantom power if you are using microphone leads. A Large diaphram condensor mic will give you the most accurate vocal reproduction but if you plan on playing with the band at the same time in a room, then the mic will pick up too much of what everyone else is doing which will more than likely muffle the mix. If you can isolate yourself then you could get some nice vocals down on tape. Thing is, a lot rock music may sound better with a vocal recorded on a dynamic mic depending on what sort of music it is. I would have a look at Beyer Dynamic mics or ElectroVoice Unidynium mics which have a strong magnetic material which produces a strong output. Don't cut off from the Condensor world as this is where the real reproduction lies although you may be happier with a more dropable dynamic.

For what it's worth. My main vocal mic at the moment is the Rode NT2 which is very cheap for what you get, and can be used on all sorts of quiet or loud acoustic instruments. Take a look...


Best Wishes


G...
 
Thanks for the ideas. I'm going to investigate Rhode microphones - I had not even heard of them prior to finding this website. Have found a number of other helpful threads too.

To answer the one question, the mic I am looking for will be for vocals (overdubs) exclusively. Although we do "jam" live sometimes through my large monitor (PA) speakers, when we serously record we do everything direct (except the guitar amp)and use headphones, so instruments leaking into the mics is not a problem. The drummer uses a Roland electronic kit which helps out a lot with that issue.
 
just remember you get what you pay for ;-) If its cheap there is normally a reason it is cheap, and its not because the company is nice and wants to cut people a break.

Shakes,




Have you hugged your JoeMeek today?
 
R... White

Cheap microphones are the flavour of the day due to companies like Rode taking on the big boys and proving that they can make excellent studio Mics. The build quality appears excellent and you will feel most professionla in front a of a large diaphragm Condensor Mic. It sounds like you have a reasonable environment for a condensor but you must consider the isolation issue. It may pick up things you don't want it to if you don't isolate yourself. Remember to curtain yourself in somewhere. I used to pick up my matress and box myself in the corner of a room, gaffer taping it to the walls to get the maximum isolation. With a decent Phantom powered mic pre amp and some decnt engineering skills, you could achieve a pro sound with an affordable mic that would have cost you over a thousand pounds just a few years ago.

Indulge yourself...


Best wishes

Steve...
 
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