Please Help Me Decide Which Mic To Buy!

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Knopfler Fan

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My vocal style is that of Mark Knopfler's. I'm currently using a Sherman (which apparently nobody has heard of). I went into the local music store and asked for a SM58 and the salesman suggested the following instead:

Audio-Technica ATM41HE
AKG D880

Knopfler has a deep voice and his vocal style is very laid back and soft. So, I would like a mic that can capture the clarity and brightness despite the low vocal range that Knopfler sings in.

Can someone please help me decide?

Thanks in advance.


KF
 
"Clarity and "brightness" sounds more like you'll be happier to select a condenser over a dynamic, although something like a
Sennheiser 441 could be an exception in the dynamic type of vocal microphones since it has a clear top end. Do you have mic pre or mixer with phantom power right now for a condenser?

In the end, expect to test them out directly to find out what's sounds good on you.

Chris
 
Thanks for the reply Chess, my budget is actually under $200CDN (approx. $150US). Given that scenario, my options are rather limited. In any case, I still cannot decide whether I should go with the Shure 58's or the Audio-Technica ATM41HE or the AKG D880.

BTW, I'm currently using the Fostex MR-8, which does not have phantom power.

Any suggestions for the mics mentioned above?


KF
 
I'm one of those people who thinks that everyone who records music should own at least one SM57, so you should consider that mic too.

I sing into a 57 all the time, and like it a lot, (even though I hate the sound of my own voice :D ).

You, of course, will have to decide if it is appropriate for your voice.
 
In your price range I'd seriously consider either the Shure Beta 58a or the Beta 57a. You'll have a bit more flexiblity with the Beta 57a if you might record instruments and it's a little cheaper in cost. There are some of each on e-bay right now that are priced well under your budget.
The Beta's will sound clearer and brighter than a SM57.
The other factor is that they're "hotter" than a '57 or '58 and
don't need as much pre amp gain which will help you when using the Fostex pre's particularly resulting in less noise.

SM57's work very well on my voice and I love them!
It's just that they won't have as much high end detail as a Beta.
I don't like SM58's as much for recording due to their foam pop screen that screws up the polar pattern somewhat and mutes the
high end frequencies. You're better off with a pop screen instead.

Chris
 
I'm not a fan of the Marshall v67, but that might be a better option than a lot of what's out there for that price point. I'd save a little more untill you can afford a nicer mic; I think a Studio Projects C1 might fit the bill, but if you have to have one now, then I'd probably go with the v67 or just get an sm57 for now.
 
Good suggestions, however, he doesn't have phantom power yet.

Should have mentioned a "sleeper" vocal dynamic microphone...
The Peavey PVM 520i, a fine sounding large diaphram microphone.
Somehow it's been unjustly forgotten and it ranks right up there with the Sennheiser 421 MKII's.
There's one for sale at e-bay right now.
You can read about the PVM 520i at www.prorec.com
Go to the articles section and enter "True Love".
Interesting article.

Chris
 
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