Poll of mics for the whimpy midranged voice

[shortyprs]

I got a lot of great responses to my earlier thread on a mic for my voice. I've been looking for the next mic to help record vocals with a thinner, not so loud, midranged voice (upper baritone/low tenor). As a reminder, I already have a studio projects B1 and C3 and a Blue Baby Bottle. I'm running through either an RNP, DMP3 or Joe Meek VCQ6 pre to a Korg 1600. I've checked around my area and won't have the ability to listen to several of these mics. So now I'm looking for a majority consensus to help focus what I'm either going to research intensly or just take a chance on. Hey, these are the desperate things people on a budget have to do! In fact, I ruled out mics that were over $700.00 because there's just no chance I could buy it and live.

I'd really apreciate your opinions. Also, if you can post any experience you've had with any of these mics, with what kinds of voices, and any other recommends, I'd be eternally greatful!

 

[chessparov]

shorty, you could start by buying and trying out the dynamic microphones by buying them used.
As dynamics are less sensitive to the past owner's handling of them than condensers, this would be a relatively less financially risky way of getting a first-hand education.
It can take a few months to learn effective placement, etc.
In the event you find out a given mike doesn't work well, you can re-sell it and lose (or make!) just a few dollars.
It's a great way to learn and you can have some fun doing it.

Also, you may really be a (true) baritone, rather than a high baritone/2nd tenor. Sing your vowels less "horizontally"
(think Jerry Lewis ) and more "horizontally" (up & down)
This corrects thin vocals many times-including mine!

The Beyer Soundstar X1N and 421 sound very similar BTW.

Chris

 

[Meshuggah]

If you have a B1, a C3 and a BBB, I suggest you look into the dynamics on your list.

Or..

You could put some trust in your own judgement, try some mics out, and buy what YOU think is the best...

 

[DJL]

Get the pretty one.

 

[shortyprs]

But they're all so pretty! Oh yeah, and the mxl v67g isn't on the list. Now that is one spiffy looking mic! (Did I just say, "spiffy"?)

 

[JuSumPilgrim]

Forget the mics.

Get a distressor.

 

[riley357]

Rode NTV. Check ebay for a used one. About $450-500US.

Darker than an NTK or an NT2.

 

[tigerbomb]

May be you've covered this in the other thread you mention.

I'm kinda skeptical that any of the mics listed would change your basic concerns with your vocal. I've been there myself.

I struggled with my whimpy lackluster vocal for some time.
My singing used to be lifeless, whimpy-soft and shrill at times as I struggled to squeeze air out of me. I went through a bunch of mics I bought off eBay. Yeah, they were all different, but still, I kept sounding just.... 'blah'.

Then I found the use of my diaphragm and learned breath control. It's a night and day difference when you actually have enough air to control your vocal chords with. And with more air control, you can learn how to find resonance and effortless voicing. Now I feel a lot more confident when singing.

And what I'm getting at is that such improvements in my vocal techniques actually changed my whole tone. I'm still not even a decent singer by any means. But I do feel a lot less concerned about my tone.

It sounds like those cheesy cosmetic/hair growth/diet product commercials on late night TV, but it really was an eye opener for me.

YMMV, of course. But a food for thought.


Having said that, a BLUE DragonFly Deluxe (bought used) is the coolest looking mic and I really like it for my vocals so far.

 

[shortyprs]

Yeah tigerbomb, working on the voice is a must. My son is taking voice lessons and its so far of a drive that I just have to sit in and "read"! I'm stealing everything I can and practicing as much as I remember. Well, actually, I had a trained voice when I was a kid and its a matter of building the muscle and brushing off the dust. All that said, more mics are good!!!!

 

[kid klash]

Whimpy voice huh? Try out a Sennheiser 421... it's a large diaphragm dynamic, and has the potential to grow the biggest balls on a thin voice of any mic I've ever used.

I did a session a few years ago with a guy with the thinnest, whispyest male voice I've ever heard. Hey was a really nice guy, a great song writer, paid his bills on time, etc., and I wanted to help him out. So we recorded his vocals with a 421 and - BANG - instant Barry White monster vocal track! Try one and see.

 

[chessparov]

Make sure to try out any of the models that PRECEDED the current
421 MKII, which is brighter/less smooth by comparison.

Chris

 

[jake-owa]

Yep, those old 421s are abso-freaking-lutely incredible. Magic on a woody bass tone too.

 

[shortyprs]

Its amazing how many people have recommended the 421. I never thought of it as anything other than a good cab mic. How short sighted and foolish I have been. Any one know a good source for an older one. I'll look on ebay, but that might take a while.

 

[chessparov]

A couple of internet posters have said they actually prefer the Meek pre
over the RNP for the 421, especially when the compression section is also
engaged. Nice "classic rock" style set-up as the 421 and Meek have an
assertive sound. Most of the 421's will have a bass roll-off dial, and
usually "M" (flat) or one click away is best for most vocalists.

The arch rival of the 421, the Beyer Soundstar X1N, doesn't have as wide of a cardiod
pattern. Has just a bit more high end detail, and even fatter sound.
You can record up to a vocal trio well with a 421 though.

Chris

 

[shortyprs]

I've been very happy with the Meek. You're right, it is a classic rock sound. It can also be really warm and smooth, alla Ragpicker's Dream type sounds.

I'm intrigued by your description of the Beyer. The 421 mkII has made sense to me, in that it has a brighter top end and I often find myself adding some air up there anyway. At the same time, most reviewers of the 421 II have been less impressed with the quality of the sound. What you described about the Beyer seems ideal. Fatter with a more detailed high end could match my vocal pros and cons perfectly. Now, where the hell do you find one of these?

 

[chessparov]

The X1N's come up on e-bay every now and then.
I was lucky enough to pick one up about a year ago or so when they were going
for around $100-$120, now they seem like $180+ depending on condition,
and I expect them to continue to rise in value.

The 421 MKII picks up transients faster, so it's more "condenser-like",
except it's of a kind more suited for instruments (or soprano voice) IMHO.

Chris

 

[acorec]

Its amazing how many people have recommended the 421. I never thought of it as anything other than a good cab mic. How short sighted and foolish I have been. Any one know a good source for an older one. I'll look on ebay, but that might take a while.

Yes, that is why I recommend trying out an Oktava MK-319. They sound so much like the "good" MD421s for alot less $$$

 

[acorec]

"The 319 sounds similar to a Sennheiser 421 with one click away from "M" on the bass roll-off dial..."



Quote from Chessparov.


I agree with him.

 

[chessparov]

O.K. O.K I confess!...

"Stole" that evaluation (219/421) from Ty Ford's review on his website.
Did A/B both mikes after reading it though and agreed with him.
The 319 has a more open sound than the 219 BTW, with the same capsule.

If you want simplicity though, Sennheiser's quality control puts Oktava to
shame, so the 421 is still a better value-along with its inherent ability NOT
to pick up as much negative background ambience when you record at home.

Chris

 

[shortyprs]

Oktava quality contol is daunting. I love my mc012's, but there are plenty of horror stories on the same mic. If I can't find an older model 421, I may have to ear test a bunch of the 319's. At least, I'm more likely to find them so that I can test 'em. The Soundstar X1N is proving very illusive.