Vintage Sounding Vocal Mic

[Golden]

Ok, maybe there’s no such thing… Maybe there is… I’m not educated enough to know… But, here goes…

Gentlemen, I need a good vocal microphone to top off my collection. This is a very important decision, and I would really appreciate any suggestions.

- Anyway, my budget is $800 max.
- I want a microphone with color. (That vintage sound?)
- For male vocals like say Nick Drake, Beck, Ron Sexsmith…

I have my eye on the AT 4047.

Well, guys. That’s the best I can describe it. Hope that gives you an idea.

 

[Golden]

Oh, I'm using an MPA Gold and a PRO VLA...

 

[mshilarious]

$800 is a lot of change, but could you swing a bit more for an AT4060?

 

[scrubs]

"Vintage" sound with "color" can mean a lot of things.

A ribbon mic will generally give you more of the "Sinatra" type vintage sound with a very smooth, slightly rolled-off top end and good proximity effect. AEA R84 might work for you. There are less expensive options now, from Cascade, Nady, Shinybox and others.

A good dynamic, like the Shure SM7B or Electrvoice RE20 might work (think Stevie Wonder & early Michael Jackson). Smoove. Heil has also come out with the PR-30&40, which might be worth a look.

More colored tube mics may give you a sound reminiscent of the AKG C12, Telefunken ELAM 251 and Neumann M49 or U47 (which all sound different). Less expensive mics that may sound similarly colored would include Studio Projects T3, MXL V69m, etc.

My advice at your pricepoint would be to either:

a) get one out of each category (ribbon, large dynamic, tube condenser). If you shop wisely, you could get a used SM7B/RE20 plus a tube condenser and cheap chinese ribbon mic for under $800. That would give you lots of options for tracking vocals.

b) go audition as many mics in your pricerange as possible and buy the one that suits your voice best. That will only work if you are just planning on recording your own voice, though.

You could always go with option (a) and, when you've decided which one you like best, sell the others.

 

[jdier]

"Vintage" sound with "color" can mean a lot of things.

A ribbon mic will generally give you more of the "Sinatra" type vintage sound with a very smooth, slightly rolled-off top end and good proximity effect. AEA R84 might work for you. There are less expensive options now, from Cascade, Nady, Shinybox and others.

A good dynamic, like the Shure SM7B or Electrvoice RE20 might work (think Stevie Wonder & early Michael Jackson). Smoove. Heil has also come out with the PR-30&40, which might be worth a look.

More colored tube mics may give you a sound reminiscent of the AKG C12, Telefunken ELAM 251 and Neumann M49 or U47 (which all sound different). Less expensive mics that may sound similarly colored would include Studio Projects T3, MXL V69m, etc.

My advice at your pricepoint would be to either:

a) get one out of each category (ribbon, large dynamic, tube condenser). If you shop wisely, you could get a used SM7B/RE20 plus a tube condenser and cheap chinese ribbon mic for under $800. That would give you lots of options for tracking vocals.

b) go audition as many mics in your pricerange as possible and buy the one that suits your voice best. That will only work if you are just planning on recording your own voice, though.

You could always go with option (a) and, when you've decided which one you like best, sell the others.

This info above is the advise I wish I had been given/listened to when I was buying mics.

While I still do not have a ribbon so I cannot comment there, I would agree whole heartedly with the suggestions to get an RE20, SM7. To that list I would also add an AKG 414 (but that would be expensive.)

You should be able to get an RE20 and an SM7 within your price range. I would hold off on a chinese condenser and instead save for the AKG 414