Versatile handheld unidirectional mic.

[rollydog]

I'm looking to stay under 500 bucks on this one, though cheapest is obviously preferable. The most important thing is it has to be able to block out sounds from the rear and sides, not so much feedback, since it's being used in studio where everyone is using headphones. But yes, I don't want it to pick up drums or various other room noise. So I guess hypercardiod or supercardiod (though I'm not really sure about the distinction between these two).

It would be used for vocals, but also a lot of other instruments (guitar, percussion) and non-instruments (eg household objects). This is why I'd want to avoid prominent proximity effect, since I'm not going to be able to keep a consistent distance from the mic. Also handling noise must be low since I'm going to be moving it around.

Also durability is something I need, since I'm too clumsy to trust myself. I've dropped thousand dollar mics.

I am considering:

Shure SM87a
OM5
OM7

 

[Weasel9992]

None of those mics will block out sounds from the rear or sides. Cardiod mics have good rear rejection characteristics, but they don't totally block it out. If you're recording more than one instrument at a time you'll still have to think through your set up to minimize sound leakage; buying or making gobos is even better, but you'll never eliminate it unless you use separate rooms that are isolated from one another. You'll still get a proximity effect from all of those mics as well.

For under $500 the Shure SM7b or EV's RE20 are hard to beat. They aren't any better than any of the others you listed in terms of rear-rejection, but I don't know what would be.

Or am I misunderstanding your question...?

Frank

 

[rollydog]

Obviously I'm not going to find something that can get everything, but I want to reject as much unneeded sound as I can. The only mics I have right now are an SM57 and a AT3035 (Omni), so almost anything would be drastically better, no?

Does anyone have any experience with an Audix Vx5? Looks interesting.

 

[Weasel9992]

Nothing you're looking at will do that job any better than an SM57. A cardiod condenser will be worse.

Mic bleed isn't necessarily a bad thing...the trick is making it work for you.

Frank

 

[rollydog]

What's the proximity effect and handling noise like on the SM7? I want to use this as a traditional vocal mic as well.

 

[Weasel9992]

It's about the same as an SM57, but it comes with some EQing filter in the form of a couple of switches on the back, so you can alter that a bit. Handling noise is almost nothing.

Frank

 

[santiu]

My band uses OM5's in our practice setup (we also practice with headphones). Nice tight pattern with pretty good isolation. However, I believe they are hypercardiod, which means they pick up stuff directly behind the mic.

But, like these other guys have said, working with the bleed, or doing something physical to isolate the sounds is probably a better approach than finding a solution in the microphone.

Not picking up the drums is nigh impossible if you're in the same room. Even if you point the mics away, the drum sounds bounce all over the room, so unless you're practicing in an anechoic chamber or playing outdoors, the vocal mics will pick up the drums regardless of the mic your using.

 

[rollydog]

I was told that since I have bad pre-amps (MBox-2) using a good quality dynamic like the SM7 won't be worth it. How true is this?

 

[omtayslick]

Obviously I'm not going to find something that can get everything, but I want to reject as much unneeded sound as I can. The only mics I have right now are an SM57 and a AT3035 (Omni), so almost anything would be drastically better, no?

Does anyone have any experience with an Audix Vx5? Looks interesting.

The Sm57 and AT3035 are actually two pretty good mics, and can cover a lot of recording needs. The 3035 is not omni, BTW.

To reject "unneeded sound", consider something like these.


http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/sE-Electronics-sE-RF-Reflexion-Filter?sku=270353

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/SMPro-Audio-Mic-Thing-Microphone-Isolation-Panel?sku=421589

http://www.realtraps.com/p_pvb.htm

 

[santiu]

To reject "unneeded sound", consider something like these.

or this: http://www.homerecording.com/bbs/showthread.php?t=264081

 

[mixsit]

Heil PR22. Low proximity/distance tone change, fairly neutral, dynamic cardioid, inexpensive.
We have the '35 and '20 (which preceded the '22 but had more handling noise) and OM5's. The 20/22 does not have the typical high mid cut-through-live boost, but is very sweet to sing in, and the traits make it versatile I believe.
http://www.heilsound.com/pro/products/pr22/index.htm
Too soon for me to comment on the '35 but to say it's more mid forward (in a nice way) on my voice.
(Cool tone switches..
Wayne Smith
___________
Monitoring just fine at CathouseSound SP Tech Continuum AD

 

[mixsit]

or this: http://www.homerecording.com/bbs/showthread.php?t=264081

..To reject "unneeded sound", consider something like these.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/sE-Electronics-sE-RF-Reflexion-Filter?sku=270353

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/SMPro-Audio-Mic-Thing-Microphone-Isolation-Panel?sku=421589

http://www.realtraps.com/p_pvb.htm

Yes. A little baffling does wonders.

 

[Paj]

The obvious choice for all the requirements you mentioned is the SM57.

Paj
8^)