Time to actually buy a vocal mic. Here are the options

  • Thread starter Thread starter Jim Soloway
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Jim Soloway

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I'm at the point where I'm finally about to buy a mic. The sole function is to record my vocals, a very smooth deep baritone singing mostly jazz standards. I'm recording on a Tascam 788 and using an Audio Buddy Pre-amp.

After looking and listening for quite a while, I've pretty much narrowed it to the following contenders at the indicated prices.

Studio Projects B1 ($80), B3 ($160), or C1 ($199)

CAD E100 ($175), E200 ($275), M37 ($130)

I'd like to get a good value, but not at the expense of lousy performance. These are all within the budget, although the E200 is just a bit of a stretch.

Any comments?
 
Smooth, deep Barritone?

My guess is you'd probably get a lot of good mileage out of the C1. Very flattering on that kind of voice.
 
You sound great, Jim. Why are you lookin' for a new vocal mic?

Yea, I think you'd like the way the C1 can flatter that kind of voice.

If you have a little extra cash, I would also go to your nearest guitar center and test drive the Shure KSM32. It has a very tight bass response; handles the "growly" stuff very smoothly. Just beware of the sales weasles. Bring spare kleenex along to wipe off any stray weasle juice that may infect you. :D

Lastly, if you can swing it, try and test drive an Electrovoice RE20. Better yet, just go buy one like right now. :D Run, don't walk. That mic was made for voices just like yours.
 
Thanks for the kind words. The sample is from my first CD and was recorded at a commercial studio using some VERY expensive gear. If it's possible, for my second CD I'd like to be able to get something close to this quality on my home stuff and then mix and master it at a commercial facility.
 
Jim
The E200 is not a large diphram mic. Don't be fooled by it's physical size. The E100 is not generally used on voice.

The C1 would do the job quite nicely. Also the MXL V67 is very similar.

Check out the Rode NTK also.

Mark
 
"MXL V67 is very similar" (to C1)

Be careful if you test the V67 on the "low mids" of your voice.
The deeper the voice, the V67 might sound somewhat muddy,
The C1 has a (nice) scoop at about 600Hz (per Harvey Gerst),
that causes it to work well with smooth "bari" voices IMHO,
based on personal experimentation.

I ALWAYS have to cut 2 or 3 db around 600-800 Hz on a Shure SM57 and it really opens it up on my voice, which is a smooth lyric baritone/2nd tenor, though probably not a deep as yours.
If your limit is $300, I'd be tempted to try out the Studio Projects
tube cardiod condensor, TB-1, in addition to the Rode NTK.

Or...
You could sell the Audio Buddy, and upgrade the mic pre with something like the Studio Projects VTB-1 ($200 or less).
A VTB-1 + Studio Projects B1 would probably sound better than
a more expensive microphone + Audio Buddy IMHO. YMMV.

Chris
 
Essentially, I agree with Chessparov. My best use of the money would be MXL V67 (currently dirt cheap, like < $100), and Studio Projects VTB-1. This gets you under $300, gives you an Audio Buddy to sell off (it will not stand up to a VTB-1 anyway), and gives you one credible vocal channel. BTW, you have paid some vocal dues- on pitch, very nice.-Richie
 
I couldn't get the mp3 to play on my laptop for some reason I need to look into.

Anyways, if your voice sounds like I think is described here, I'll second Chess' recommendations on the KSM 32. Or the KSM 27? It's cheaper but seems to have good reviews, although I haven't heard it.

There's a few Audio Technica mics that may work as well. Every one I've heard is colorful in a useful way.
 
Mic for the Baritone

I listened to your clip and liked what I heard although I think your voice would sound nice with a warmer "TUBE" sounding mic. I am a bass singer with a very low range, low G, lowest G on the piano. I recorded using a Rode studio quality tube mic, I forget the model but it was the nicest mic I ever used. Very warm and sensitive to the low frequencies. There are many ways to do it right. that what makes the choice difficult.
 
Richard Monroe said:
Essentially, I agree with Chessparov. My best use of the money would be MXL V67 (currently dirt cheap, like < $100), and Studio Projects VTB-1. This gets you under $300, gives you an Audio Buddy to sell off (it will not stand up to a VTB-1 anyway), and gives you one credible vocal channel. BTW, you have paid some vocal dues- on pitch, very nice.-Richie
Click to expand...

I would hold on to your audio buddy for now, and put all of your money in the best possible mic you can afford, first. I think you'll be disappointed if you're expecting to get a noticeably better mic pre at the $200 price point. Hell, even if you were talking about a Grace Design, I would still recommend getting the best possible mic you can afford first.

The difference a better mic will make can be measured in feet and miles. In contrast, the difference a preamp will make can be measured in millimeters.
 
Vocal Mic

check out the pacific pro audio LD2ube. $300, 30 day money back guarantee, metal padded carrying case, 25 foot mic cable, power supply, shock mount (a good one too), a variable pattern selection. Sounds awesome too. Check it out, you can always return it.
 
First I'll agree a KSM32 would likely be a good vocal mic for you (and it works for just about anything). The C1 would also likely work well (but the Shure is a much better mic).

I don't know if I agree with the MLX67 - it can get muddy sounding on the low end.
 
you might want to check out a nice ribbon mic also. Really smooth and used on almost every Jazz record well into the sixties. AEA is coming out with a ribbon mic in the near future for less than a grand. It will be top quality. Might be something you'll want to look into and save a little more for. It's definitely got me interested.
 
Chessrock, must respectfully disagree with the idea that there's
that much disparity between relatively how important the
quality of the microphone compared to the quality of the pre is.
Just ask Al Schmitt on his forum and this will be seconded.
His viewpoint is that the microphone AND mic pre are the TWO
most important factors in the signal chain, other than who's
in front of the microphone and who's behind it!
If it's good enough for Al... well you get the idea.

Chris
 
Oh, oh! Chess vs. Chess?

In a game like that, I'm not betting against a Fool's Mate! :D
 
My "pro" (Al Schmitt) can beat up his "pro"=checkmate!

Of course, not THAT long ago I was defending the acoustical
virtues of MINIDISC to none other than Fletcher on his forum.
So go figure...

Chris
 
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