Vocal mic/s $500 to spend

  • Thread starter Thread starter still4given
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Re: Re: Re: Vocal mic/s $500 to spend

still4given said:
That's a good point. This is what I have.

Mics;
Shure KSM32
Shure SM58 - 4 each
Shure SM86 - 2 each
RODE NT 1000
Studio Projects B1
Oktava MK319
Marshall MXL 603 - 2 each
Oktava MK-012-01 - 2 each
MXL V57M

Mic Preamp/Mixer;
M-audio DMP3
Mackie 1604 VLZ

Compressors;
DBX 266xl - 2 each
Behringer Multicom Pro MDX4400

P4 1.7
Delta 1010

I was thinking about getting a better pre but for the money, folks seemed to think that I couldn't really improve that much over my DMP3. Some folks said I was lacking a good vocal mic. That is what spurred this thread.
I can probably swing the money for a KSM 44 or Dragonfly but trying to convince my wife that I need a $2000 mic when I already have all the mics I have is, well, let's not go there.
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Maybe your ready to upgrade and replace the DMP3 with something like a Great River MP-2-NV... and replace the MK-012's, MXL603S's and etc with Josephson C42's, AKG C451's and etc... or how's your room acoustics?
 
Re: Re: Re: Re: Vocal mic/s $500 to spend

DJL said:
Maybe your ready to upgrade and replace the DMP3 with something like a Great River MP-2-NV... and replace the MK-012's, MXL603S's and etc with Josephson C42's, AKG C451's and etc... or how's your room acoustics?
Click to expand...

Well, the Great River MP-2-NV is $2,150. Waaaaay over $500, so thatsin't happening. I just got my 012 and my 603's so I'm not quite ready to upgrade those.

Like I said earlier, I'm looking to "add to" my gear list not exchange things.

To try and be real clear;

I have around $500 to spend to add something to my gear list that will make a sensible addition to what I have. I'm not looking to spend even $1,000.

Room acoustics are something that I know I need to address but since I build recording studios at times, I will not be using any of this money for that purpose. If none of you see a hole in my gear that I can fill with something in the $500 price range, then maybe I should take darrin's suggestion and buy myself a guitar. :D

I can hear her now, "How many guitars can you play at one time?" :D

Blessings, Terry
 
still4given said:
Wow, you threw me a curve ball. Have you used an NT1000? I love that mic. The B1 is the best all around mic I have IMO. Really seems strange to me that you would suggest keeping the MK319 and getting rid of those two, except that the MK319 wouldn't be worth selling. Can you tell it's my least favorite mic? :D
I think I would like to have an AT 4047 and an SM7, but I don't know that for sure, since I've never heard either. I know I don't want to sell any of my mics and I think I alrady explained about why I won't be getting any +$1000 mics.

As far as the SD mics I have, I don't think they are the same at all. Can be used for similar things but I think they sound different enough to warrent having both and I got them for $50 each. I'm keepings them for sure.

I think my KSM32 is a nice mic and seems well built, but I haven't found one voice that I prefered it on to at least one of my other mics.
Click to expand...

I'm just describing the approach I'd take. Maybe the 4047 and the SM7 isn't exactly the right combo for you, but I'd rather have three "great" mics (SM7, 4047, KSM32) that as a group both excell at specific applications and offer versatility than a locker of 6 or 7 "good" mics. I only suggested keeping the MK319 because it offers a different sound. Also, I still feel the MC012s and 603s sound similar enough that I wouldn't own a pair of both (I do own one of each) unless I needed two pairs at once. But I guess your needs/preferences are just different than mine. :) Anyway, whatever you decide, take your time and good luck.:cool:
 
still4given said:
I really just want to learn what I can about all of this so that I can make good recordings of friends and myself while I can still stand to hear myself sing. :D
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If that's all you need it for, then you could get by with just the B1, the mc012's, and a couple of 57's. The only time I'd think having a lot more would be if you were doing this professionally -- or if you were really serious about this stuff and wanted to record a CD for an independent label or something.

Not to bust your chops or anything, but your wife must be really miffed at all of this. :D :D :D

That's okay. Next time she asks how many you can play at once, you can just ask her how many shoes can someone wear at once (?) :D I swear, in a past life my girlfriend must have had like 12 feet.
 
Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Vocal mic/s $500 to spend

still4given said:

Room acoustics are something that I know I need to address but since I build recording studios at times, I will not be using any of this money for that purpose.
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I recently spent about 400 bucks and WAY too much of my personal time building a small tracking room. The noise floor is very low now and the acoustics are very controlled (at least above 600 k they are :) Personally I think the money you spend on room treatment will give much better return than fancy new preamps, mics and compressors. I tracked a female singer in there last night with a 58 (with the grill off) and a joe meek vc3. That's less than a 300 dollar chain and it sounded awsome. Of course she's a very talented singer but still, the quality of the recording had me scratching my head a bit. But then I remembered, if the source is bad there ain't no microphone, preamp, plugin that's gonna fix it and the room is a huge factor in the source.

I think my goals are similar to yours in that I'm not making money, I just want the recording to be as clean as I can get it without taking out second mortgages and stuff like that. Seems like the mics you got should get you by. Go buy your wife something with the dough and maybe she'll let you spend more time recording!
 
How about an Electro-Voice EV RE20 (or PL20 if you can buy a used one) from a trustworthy source?
Very underated (here at least :))

"Good enough" for Stevie Wonder, Paul Mc Cartney, Bob Dylan,
and Bonnie Raitt on many of their studio vocals...

Chris
 
Consider Studio Projects T-3 vs. NTK. You really do need a tube mic, especially if you don't like the KSM32 on your voice. If you don't like accurate, you won't like more accurate (TLM 103 C414 and up). Try some color. I do, however see the point of the guys who say you've got some fair mics, certainly the beginning of a respectable cabinet. Maybe you should consider a preamp. That seems a weaker point than your mics. Grace Design 101 or an RNP would be good choices.-Richie
 
Richard Monroe said:
Consider Studio Projects T-3 vs. NTK. You really do need a tube mic, especially if you don't like the KSM32 on your voice. If you don't like accurate, you won't like more accurate (TLM 103 C414 and up). Try some color. I do, however see the point of the guys who say you've got some fair mics, certainly the beginning of a respectable cabinet. Maybe you should consider a preamp. That seems a weaker point than your mics. Grace Design 101 or an RNP would be good choices.-Richie
Click to expand...

I was thinking about a tube mic. Maybe even a ribbon since I own neither. That's why I asked about the two Oktavas. I figured they would be something other than what I have. Very few folks seem to think they are any quality so I should probably look elsewhere.

I have been interested in the NTK. Just don't know how much different it is than my NT1000. I love the build quality of the NT1000, I imagine the NTK is no different. I haven't looked at the T-3. Don't hear as much about the Studio Projects mics now that Alan isn't here anymore. Bad thing is, no store seem to carry them where I live, so I can't really go and hear one. I didn't mind that so much with the B1 since it was only $80 but I really would like to hear a $500 mic before I buy it.


Just want to say that I appreciate all of the suggestions. I especially want those who have suggested I work on my acoustics to know that I do hear what you're saying. I didn't mean to imply that I don't think it's a worthy investment. What I meant is that I can basically get the materials I need for that for free and I am able to do the work myself. I just don't have the time right now. What I do have is a few bucks to spend on a piece of equipment that will be useful once I do have the time get everything else tuned up.

There have been some really useful suggestions here. Hopefully others will be able ot benefit from them as well. I will definately look into the tube mics and I'll try and give a listen to the SM7 and some of the other LD dynamics.

Blessings, Terry
 
Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Vocal mic/s $500 to spend

erichenryus said:
Personally I think the money you spend on room treatment will give much better return than fancy new preamps, mics and compressors.
Click to expand...
Amen!!!
 
Well, considering some of the nice things that I have been hearing about the Oktava ribbon mic I would be real tempted to get it. But a ribbon requires both a good high gain/low noise preamp (because the mic itself puts out a weak signal) and good room accoustics (because the figure-8 pattern picks up more of the room than a cardoid).
 
Are all ribbons Figure 8? Does a DMP3 have enough oomph to drive a ribbon?

Originally posted by erichenryus
Personally I think the money you spend on room treatment will give much better return than fancy new preamps, mics and compressors.

Amen!!!
Click to expand...


I know I need to deal with the acoustics in my room. Like I said, when I have the time to do the work I will. I have access to the materials I will need so this thread is about buying equipment, not acoustic materials.

I want toys, TOYS, TOYS I TELL YOU!


Whoa, I almost lost it there. :D

Blessings, Terry
 
Well I bought an NTK. One of the folks here pointed out that BPM was selling them for $389. I was able to get GC to match that price so now I have one. I was surprized at how similar it is to my NT1000. A little more body but very similar. I'm looking forward to getting to know it better.

Blessings, Terry
 
New Mic

It sounds like your are looking for a mic to fill out your collection AND expand your knowledge of and interest in studio equipment. Personally, I think that intellecual curiosity is a valid goal--certainly as legitimate as purchasing equipment in order to improve quality or acheive professional results. With that in mind, take a look at the following list of mics:


Manufacturer/Model Number of Mics

Shure Sm57 119
AKG 414 115
Sennheiser MD 421 109
Neumann KM84 84
Neumann U87 82
AKG D112 75
Shure SM 58 66
Electrovoice RE20 65
AKG 451 62
Neumann U47 49
Shure SM81 46
Sennheiser MD 441 39
AKG D12 39
Neumann U67 32
AKG C12 26
AKG 460 25
RCA 77 25
Audio Technica 4033 24
AKG 1000 21
Audio Technica 4050 20
AKG Tube 20

TOTAL 1,143

I pulled this list together from a sample of well over 100 professional-level studios on the internet (I’ve posted this “survey” elsewhere on this BBS). Take the list and subtract the mics you already have and eliminate the expensive ones (a Froogle search should do this). The do some research on the remaining mics and, viola, go shopping! I’m not sure what you would end up with perhaps one of the Sennheiser mics or the EV RE20 or AT4033. Just a thought.....
 
Stereo miking vocals?

I'm sorry if what I am asking has been covered elsewhere, but I have tried looking and haven't found anything. I have recently purchased a second AT-3035 which are large-diaphragm cardiod condenser mics. I purchased it because I wanted 2 similar mics for stereo miking acoustic guitar. I had read that stereo miking acoustic guitar was better than using a single mic. I have found this to be true.
My question is: Do people stereo mic vocals as well? I am talking about a single vocalist here. If so, what kind of mic placement do you use? I have done searches on stereo miking on the net but have only come up with info on miking acoustic guitar. Any experience you have with this would be appreciated.
Thanks. Brian.
 
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