Studio Projects B3 for vocals?

[SMX_Dizzy]

Well, just micing a drum set won't have you covered for vocals and amps. I was looking at some mics and I found the SP B3. It looks awesome since it has the 3 different patterns to choose from. Would this be a good mic for vocals and amp micing? For $150 it seems like a steal.

Any input?

 

[giraffe]

just a guess, but the b1 is a bit bright, so it probably is too.
but hell for 150 you probably won't be dissapointed.

heck, for 150 i may get one just to have another mic with a fig 8 option.

 

[SMX_Dizzy]

Yea, that's mostly why I'm considering it...cardioid, omni, AND figure 8 for $150. I'm pretty sure I'm going to get it, but I just want more input and opinions.

 

[kid klash]

FWIW, I wouldn't characterize the SP B3 as a "bright mic", or, for that matter, the B1 either. At least mine aren't. The SP C1 and the Rode NT-1 would fall into the brighter catagory IMHO, based upon the ones I own. YMMV.

 

[kid klash]

Yea, that's mostly why I'm considering it...cardioid, omni, AND figure 8 for $150. I'm pretty sure I'm going to get it, but I just want more input and opinions.

An SP B1 and B3 in an M-S configuration for overheads or any other stereo pair situation sounds mightly sweet.

 

[SMX_Dizzy]

Yea, I'm thinking about the B1's for overheads, but there's a b-stock matched pair of Joe Meek JM27's I might get since they're $100. Still not sure though.

...But would the B3 mic be good mainly for vocals and some amp?

 

[surgediadem]

FWIW, I wouldn't characterize the SP B3 as a "bright mic", or, for that matter, the B1 either. At least mine aren't. The SP C1 and the Rode NT-1 would fall into the brighter catagory IMHO, based upon the ones I own. YMMV.

yes this man would be right they are no where as bright as an NT1 or the NT2. cant comment on the SP C1 not used it.

 

[kid klash]

Yea, I'm thinking about the B1's for overheads, but there's a b-stock matched pair of Joe Meek JM27's I might get since they're $100. Still not sure though.

...But would the B3 mic be good mainly for vocals and some amp?

That's difficult to say... a lot depends on the vocalist, the music style, and what you want for a finished track. Some folks want a mic with a somewhat "contoured" response to make a vocal appear to "pop out" of the mix. Others don't want or need a mic with a countoured or somewhat bright tonal characteristic. The best thing to do is try out the mic(s) you're interested in and buy the one(s) that you like the best. In the meantime, the JM27 pair for $100 might be a great place to start for drum overheads, stereo acoustic guitar, acoustic piano, and lots of other acoustic instruments.

 

[SMX_Dizzy]

Well, to start, do you think that the B3 would be good? Or is there something better for $150? I honestly can't spend $200 on a mic until later...I plan on upgrading and adding some things.

So would you recommend it at least to start, and if it works well enough to keep it? I'm really intrigued by the 3 pattern ability, but like I say if there's better for $150 let me know.

 

[thajeremy]

Yea, I'm thinking about the B1's for overheads, but there's a b-stock matched pair of Joe Meek JM27's I might get since they're $100. Still not sure though.

...But would the B3 mic be good mainly for vocals and some amp?

I had a pair of JM27's and I used them as overheads and on accoustic guitars and such...however...I wouldnt recommend getting the B-stock. I bought my matched pair brand new for only $130....spend the extra bucks and get good mics....I have never had any luck with B-stock items.

 

[SMX_Dizzy]

Where did you get a matched pair for $130 new??

EDIT: Nevermind, found one on eBay.

Do you have samples of your JM27's?

 

[LDT2]

SMX_Dizzy,

The B3 is relatively neutral with some sheen to it. Where the B1 is just neutral and dryer sounding. I think, for what you're trying to do, the B3 would work well.

Realize that no mic will sound great on everyone, but I feel that the B3 would be a great place to start because it will work in many areas. I doubt you'll find a "better" mic at this price.

I personally have 2 B3's and 2 B1's (either are great on overheads, amps and acoustic guitar) and whatever other mic's that I may buy for vocal use, these mic's will always have a use because they're that good.

Just my $0.02 from my experience and many others.

Hope this helps,

Lucio

 

[SMX_Dizzy]

Thanks for the advice. What do you mainly use your B3's as?...overheads? I'm getting a stereo pair of MXL603's as overheads, but when I start upgrading and adding to my studio I'm probably going to buy another B3 and make them both overheads.

 

[cavedog101]

I will use my B3 as a supplemental mic to a vocal. Sometimes right up close with the U87 or the Mk319 or whatever . The B3 has a good solid low-mids response to it . Sometimes I'll use it in omni up high in the vocal booth. It works very well on thinner voices. Its a very good drumkit mic placed out in front of the kit about 5' off the floor and 3 to 4 feet away from the kit. It is a more 'complete' sounding mic than the B1 (Studio Projects).

 

[LDT2]

The thing is that, the 603's will probably do great for the cymbals but won't give you much fullness with the toms. The B3 will pick up the whole kit much better.

I've been using small diaphram condensers for the past 6 years as drum overheads and used individual dynamic mics on toms and all was good. Then I tried a pair of B1's for overheads and couldn't believe how much better they sounded. My drummer was blown away, too. The B1's sound amazing on individual toms also. Night and day. The B3's just have a bit more sheen to them where the B1's are very accurate. Just depends on what sound you're after.

From what I've read about the 603's, most prefer them on acoustic guitar than overheads as they're very bright, unless you have darker cymbals. And still some prefer the B3 to the 603's on acoustic guitar. I'd have to say that the B3's will definately take you farther.

One thing to remember when ordering the Studio Projects stuff.... on the boxes there is a certain colored circular sticker (red, green, black). This signifies the output of the mics (sp seperates them this way), so if you want a matched pair make sure that you get 2 mics with the same colored sticker.

Did you already order your 603's?

Lucio

 

[SMX_Dizzy]

Well, I can't really spend $300 on two overheads. My limit is pretty much $200 for overheads. While I found a stereo pair of 603's for $125, would a better deal be two 603's and two (MXL) 2001's for $200? While they wouldn't be a stereo pair anymore, they'd come with two 2001's for $75 pretty much, and I could use the 2001's to mic my toms: 10" (once I have it) + 12" and 13" + 16" (see the link in my sig for pictures of my setup...it'll only really change when the 10" goes where the 12" is now, and the ride will move over).

If the 603's really wouldn't do that great of a job micing the toms, do you think that for $75 more it'd be worth it?