Quality Dedicated Vocal Mic

[jbegood]

Greetings all,

My first post but I've been lurking here a while...

Currently I'm looking to purchase a mic dedicated to vocal recording at my apartment home "studio." I've done the research and have received lots of varied opinions, and thus now I turn to you...

Right now I'm using an MXL v93m...I've gotten some nice vocal tracks with it but I'd like to make a significant upgrade. I realize the 93m is a bit bright, and it does help the vox to stand out a bit...sometimes too bright though.

Can anyone suggest a LDC around 500 bucks or so that I should check out?? Again, this mic should be solely judged on vocal performance.

Some of the mics I'm considering include the AT's (4040, 4033, 4047) the BLUE baby bottle, and the Audix scx25...

Thanks all, nice to finally post here!

 

[chessrock]

Can anyone suggest a LDC around 500 bucks or so that I should check out?? Again, this mic should be solely judged on vocal performance.

Shure SM-7B

Some of the mics I'm considering include the AT's (4040, 4033, 4047) the BLUE baby bottle, and the Audix scx25...

Not sure about the Audix (not familiar with it), but the others you mention are good, solid options. Best bet is to figure out a way to audition some/all of them, and get the one that sounds like the best fit.

 

[Michael Jones]

Ditto on the Shure SM7B.

 

[tdukex]

For $300-$500 I'm looking at:

SM7-B
RE20
AT4047
Shure KSM44 (see them new on ebay for $550 all the time)

 

[chessparov]

Besides the previous (excellent) suggestions also consider and
TRY;

1) Beyer M88
2) Sennheiser 421 (probably not MKII version-quite bright)
3) Electro-Voice RE16 or RE15
4) Electro-Voice EV 635a
5) Shure SM57 or Shure 545 series (do you have a GOOD pre?)
6) Beyer Soundstar MKII (similar tone to SM7)
7) Studio Projects T3 (perhaps with free SP tweak for flatter
response-I was fine with normal version)
8) Beyer M160, M260, or M500 with Stephen Sank "DX" ribbon
mod.

That should help keep you busy for a while!

Chris

 

[chessparov]

Should have added..

Regarding "judged by on vocal performance", keep in mind that how a microphone interacts with a specific vocalist will determine its value. On my own voice as is typical, changes in the key and/or type of genre will greatly influence what's the "best" mic.

Chris

 

[Rev E]

Ditto the Shure KSM44. Also consider the Sennheiser MD441 (not a condenser, but sounds like one and is one of the best dynamic mics on the planet...plus you'll have $100 to $150 left over for dinner from your budget)

 

[noisedude]

Chris, where are you thinking of finding the Soundstar? I've been hunting round since your reccomendation but can't find any trace of 'em!

 

[still4given]

RODE NTK

 

[DJL]

Geez jbegood, with all the different replies above it looks like your right back where you started... if your not going to audition any mics before you buy one... you might as well just buy the pretty one or flip a coin and take your chances. Good luck.

 

[Chris Meck]

I recently purchased an ADK Hamburg, and am very pleased with it so far.

It's not a 'bright' mic; I'd rather characterize its' sound as 'rounder' than most of the budget LDC's I've heard. It's not wooly at all, though. If you've got a mic that's sort of bright already, it'd be a good one to offset that.

Chris

 

[bgavin]

Chessparov,

What do you know about the Beyer M400 Soundstar? I've got a line on one, and thought maybe this is the same one you and Harvey own.

 

[Teacher]

justa FYI on the SM7 it takes the character of the preamp so your gonna need a good one. I was surpirsed when I a/bed my RNP and my A-designs mp2r using the sm7 how different they sounded, i mean big difference an almost deaf person could hear the difference...ymmv

 

[noisedude]

Geez jbegood, with all the different replies above it looks like your right back where you started... if your not going to audition any mics before you buy one... you might as well just buy the pretty one or flip a coin and take your chances. Good luck.

are you saying that he needs to go and listen to them ... or that people shouldn't give advice??

 

[jbegood]

Hey all,

Lots of nice tips that I will look into...thanx!

I hear about the sm7b all the time...and I probably will get one at some point. I've done some vox with an sm57 which sound pretty good...I'm guessing the 7b would be similar to that but "better".

My preamp is decent (presonus eureka) so I'm not real worried about that part...

I would like to grab a condensor before the 7b though...I really like the "feel" of my mxl condensor, I just want something more "pro"....


Keep em comin!!!


jbegood

 

[bgavin]

I see a lot mentioned elsewhere about the SM7 being low output, and having the same capsule as the SM57.



Other than all the EQ switching in the SM7, why is this desireable?

 

[chessparov]

Noise, the Soundstar MKII's pop up now and then on ebay.

bgavin, the M400 IS the same model as the Soundstar MKII.

They are "hotter" than a SM7, so it's a more practical pairing for many mic pre's with less than optimal gain IMHO.

I like the idea of keeping the option of bringing mine if the
mic has to go into "thin" sounding mixer pre's ala Mackie
for live use. Plus it's a hand held, the SM7 isn't as practical for that.

Much of the SM7 sales go to radio broadcasting and they are worked close up by the announcers commonly to take advantage
of the proximity effect in order to have a fuller sounding voice.
So sensitivity's not a major issue for its intended usage.

My money would be on the SM7B being preferred by most "pro"
AE's vs. the MXL Marshall's for general vocal recording.

The SM57 has beaten out high end condensers on many voices
in major studios, so I have high respect for it, along with the SM7.

Another potential giant killer is the Shure 545 series, which has
a Unidyne III capsule like a SM57, but sound a little different.

Brian Wilson used the 545 for all his solo vocals on "Pet Sounds".
Sinatra used the same model I have at home (546) for most of his
Reprise vocal recordings. Both could have used anything else they wanted.

Chris

 

[chessrock]

I see a lot mentioned elsewhere about the SM7 being low output, and having the same capsule as the SM57.



Other than all the EQ switching in the SM7, why is this desireable?

Because it sounds good.

 

[chessparov]

Noise, on ebay there's a Soundstar MKII for sale in the UK right now.

Chris

 

[noisedude]

i'm there ... how much is it worth ....?? i.e. not how much does an SM7 cost, but what's silly money for this mic??

please no-one steal this, i'll buy all you brits a pint.