Ready to record my sweet, low, loud, and quiet vocals.

[endserenading81]

I am ready to buy a vocal mic. I have been using my Oktava MK012s for some time now cause their the only condensers I have. I usually do instrumental music anyway, but when I hear HUM, or Radiohead, or Coldplay, I think to myself, "I think I'd like a vocal mic now". As for my vocals, I truly am ALL OVER THE PLACE. I sing quiet and deep(like HUM or Arab Strap) and also loud and soaring (Like Mineral and Appleseed Cast). My budget is around $500. Any suggestions?
Thanks guys,
Rob

 

[Fab4ever]

It would help if you give us just a tad more information. Are you looking for a certain kind of vocal sound? Airy? Dirty? What kind of a preamp do you have? How about a room - is it quiet? Acoustically treated?

This info might spark some responses.

Without knowing anything, I can say in the $500 range you could get a nice tube mic - NTK, ADK TC (I think), CAD M9, Marshall V77, Marshall V69... each has its own characteristics - and backers on this board.

Another way to go would be a nice dynamic, like a Shure SM7B or EVRE20 or RE27.

Finally, you could get a super nice condenser FET type design, like an AT4050 (multipattern), AT4047, Blue Baby Bottle.

Again, each mic here has its unique characteristics and backers - and there are plenty more.

 

[chessparov]

Don't forget a compressor and most importantly Autotune!

Seriously, you'll probably want a compressor.
An excellent choice to start out with is the Fmr. Audio RNC.
www.mercenary.com sells them and they double the 1 year warranty to 2 years. Plus Fletcher is very supportive of these forums and it's a nice way
to return the years of good advice he's given us IMHO.
The RNC's cost under $200.

You already have a good vocal microphone in the Oktava (assuming it's a "good" one), so you could take steps to improve the sound of your room.
One way is to go to www.realtraps.com and check out their products like
a pair of MiniTraps, around $150 IIRC.

I think it would be a good idea with the other $150 or so, to include the Studio Projects B1 in the condenser shortlist.

Other dynamics to consider would be the EV RE15, RE16,or RE18 and the
Shure's like the SM57 (perferably a "Made in USA"-Unidyne III), or one
in the 545 series (again "Made in USA"-Unidyne III).
The EV's sound better on Mackie's/Behringer mixers, and cheap budget pre's
than the Shure's due to loading issues BTW.
All these Shure's that share the Unidyne III capsule are smart to try as they
can rival or exceed an expensive Neumann on many pop singers on a good
(or better) mic pre.

Do you already have a good parmetric EQ?
Those are very handy also.

Chris

P.S. Fab you got a "good" 545 from me, the concern with the "Mexican"
Shure's is that some are not made with as good tolerances from one
another.

 

[Fab4ever]

Yes, I really like that 545 Chessparov sold me. Also, Chess sold me an RE16 with the foam stuff removed, and it sounds sweet to my ears.

So, a quite good vocal mic can be had for far under $500, and it would leave you money for room treatment, compressor (I love the RNC!) or preamp.

 

[chessparov]

Thanks Fab.
The removal of the foam on those RE's is an old AE trick for recording purposes to enhance the clarity.

Chris

 

[endserenading81]

Thanks guys

Like I said, I have lots of singing styles, so I guess I'm looking for just a damn good vocal mic. I speak low, I sing loud. I have 2 types of preamps. The ones that came with my M-Audio Omni Studio, and an ART TPS II Tube unit. I get some sick bass with that thing (sick meaning fat)(fat meaning bomb). And YES! I NEED a good compressor, that would make so much difference in my recordings, especialy with snare and vocals. Sometimes it's hard to spend serious cash on stuff cause I only have an OMNI box (very happy with it). You guys tell me, is it worth a $500 mic and a VERY good compressor when I have a OMNI breakout box that costed $300?
Thanks,
Rob

 

[chessparov]

The Shure's and EV's suggested above have been used on records that have sold millions of copies, so they're fully capable of capturing a performance well.The RNC is highly respected by many top AE's.

You may also want to try out some condensers to find one you like.
Personally, I like the ones from Studio Projects, although other makes
like Audio-Technica, Rode, etc. have customers that think well of them.

Chris

P.S. Your Omni has nice pre's, I have a Duo which have the same ones.

 

[endserenading81]

thanks

yeah the OMNI box is really amazing. Granted it's the only recording system I've ever owned. I played around with one for years at my friends house and thought I should stop using his and get my own damn Omni. I've been doing some experimenting with the pres between the Omni and the Art Tube unit. Ya know, which ones best for which application, vocals, snares, whatnot. Haven't come to a conclusion yet, will post soon if interested. Having some trouble getting a strong snare sound though. Been thinking about using 2 mics for the snare. One on top, one on bottom.
Thanks everyone,
Rob