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BurnBarfield
New member
Although this is different for everyone, what would be the best, most versatile vocal mic, under $310?
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chessrock
Banned
Normally, you will get chided for asking such a question . . . 
And obviously, it's going to depend on the voice, etc. etc. But honestly, if there is one, it's probably the Shure SM-7.
And obviously, it's going to depend on the voice, etc. etc. But honestly, if there is one, it's probably the Shure SM-7.
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Big Kenny
New member
Your voice? CAD M179 or Rode NTK with Enchiladas tube upgrade. And why $310?
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jtienhaara
New member
I guess I'm on a CAD E-100 kick today (just recommended it for kick drum ) so... E-100 is great on a deep male voice. I don't know how versatile it is for voices, but it does have very flat response. And it's cheap (~ $150 used). And it sounds great on other instruments (especially drums and acoustic guitar).
It does use a proprietary rechargeable battery. And of course it's a LDC (requries phantom power), in case that's a consideration.
I keep hearing about the Shure SM-7s. Gotta try one out one of these days...
Cheers,
Johann
) so... E-100 is great on a deep male voice. I don't know how versatile it is for voices, but it does have very flat response. And it's cheap (~ $150 used). And it sounds great on other instruments (especially drums and acoustic guitar).It does use a proprietary rechargeable battery. And of course it's a LDC (requries phantom power), in case that's a consideration.
I keep hearing about the Shure SM-7s. Gotta try one out one of these days...
Cheers,
Johann
Innovations
New member
Tempting choices would be the AT4040, NT1000 or V69M
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OneArmedScissor
New member
Almost all of the Studio Projects condensers are in that range.
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paranoid
New member
hi
either/or SM-57.....NT1-A
Could get both for under $310
either/or SM-57.....NT1-A
Could get both for under $310
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bazzlad
New member
Don't use the SM57. I use one, great for amps, shit on voices. (Or maybe thats just inexperience)
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Han
New member
My vote is for the MXL V77, which is indeed very versatile on vox and it has kind of an expensive German sound.
Warhead
Jai guru deva om
bazzlad said:
I'd chalk it up to hit or miss rather than inexperience...but also depends greatly on what's in the mic locker. Many people find the 57 useful on all kinds of stuff, but if you have a decent mic collection it will maybe place 1st to 3rd on snare, anywhere from 1st to last on guitar cabs, and 1st to last on vocals. I never reach for a 57 on vocals anymore with the mic collection I have, but have had mixed results in the past.
Sometimes the 57 takes up the perfect amount of sonic space in a mix on guitar cabs. It sounds good on snare and can take a whack or 300...and it's cheap which is why it has a good rep there.
As for the $310 vocal mic question, man there's a lot for us to know about the voice and application before nailing anything down.
War
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cgm
New member
I have a SM57. It does the trick, but I bought it for guitar/amp recording. I've tried several but was blown away with Sennheisser product. In store I tried the e835, e845, but when I tried the e855, I knew I hit the mic that really brought out my voice. This puppy has clarity galore and great presence. It shone over the 'ol standard Shure SM58, and was definately better than the SM57.
Most important thing (well at least to me). There are several excellent mic's and several recommendations. The only true test is trying them out in store - several different mic's, your voice. What one mic does for one voice is not necessarily what it will do for someone else. This held true in my "testing" with the Sales guy. The Senn didn't make much difference to him, but big time for me. We have different vocal timbre's.
good luck...
Most important thing (well at least to me). There are several excellent mic's and several recommendations. The only true test is trying them out in store - several different mic's, your voice. What one mic does for one voice is not necessarily what it will do for someone else. This held true in my "testing" with the Sales guy. The Senn didn't make much difference to him, but big time for me. We have different vocal timbre's.
good luck...
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jtienhaara
New member
What's the 855 like for off-axis rolloff?
I used to use an 845 for vox, but I found that if the singer moved 1/64" away from centre, the voice level would drop off big time.
(For the same reason I quite liked using 845s for overheads -- no need to do XY configuration etc, just put 'em a mile apart and you won't have any phasing issues.)
I used to use an 845 for vox, but I found that if the singer moved 1/64" away from centre, the voice level would drop off big time.
(For the same reason I quite liked using 845s for overheads -- no need to do XY configuration etc, just put 'em a mile apart and you won't have any phasing issues.)
MrZekeMan
New member
There's lot's of good suggestions here, but if you're looking for the "most versatile" mic, the 57 isn't a bad choice. It might not be the best for anything, but probably won't suck on much of anything. Or you might consider the SM7. You can find one for within your price range.
I don't have an SM7 but Harvey swears by them. They are the same capsule as the 57, and Harvey says they are a very versatile vocal mic. Michael Jackson used one on the Thriller album...
Tom Petty is said to use an SM-57 on vocals at times. I like them better on my vocals than some condensors I have.
Taylor
I don't have an SM7 but Harvey swears by them. They are the same capsule as the 57, and Harvey says they are a very versatile vocal mic. Michael Jackson used one on the Thriller album...
Tom Petty is said to use an SM-57 on vocals at times. I like them better on my vocals than some condensors I have.
Taylor
JohnnyMan
New member
I read that Bonnie Raitt used a SM57 to record her voive on an entire album. I believe the article was an interview with the recording engineer and he said that "we tried all our mics on her and the best one for her voice was the SM57."MrZekeMan said: