Vocal Mic

  • Thread starter Thread starter Doug H
  • Start date Start date
Doug H

Doug H

I'll be there
I think I'm going to buy myself a vocal mic for christmas, since I know nothing about mics I was hoping someone may help point me in the right direction. Right now I'm recoridng through an old sure. The mic isn't that great and my singing technique sucks to say the least.

I'd like a mic that

1) isn't as dynamic or snesitive to distance as the one I'm using so I have a better chance of getting a hot signal onto "tape" without clipping. As I said before, my vocal technique sucks, and I'm working on improving it, meanwhile I'm sick of doing 17 takes and don't want to sing into a compressor if I can help it.

2) has either a flat or warm freq response. Currently I'm still getting too much verb off the drywall in the guest room. I know a vocal booth is the only real solution, but I think my current mic is picking up too many highs.

Any ideas?

Thanks

Doug

[EDIT] oh, price range around $200 CAN
 
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Doug, what kind of mixer or mic pre are you currently using?
What model is the "old sure (shure)" you're using?
Many times a vocal booth is NOT need BTW if you can close mike vocals.

Chris
 
I'm using a bottom of the barrel behringer 8202a. The cheapest thing I could find to act as a preamp for my audiophile. I have no idea what the sure is other than it's from the 60s and can't deal with a lot of sound presure, not that that's a problem for vocals

I was just reading some of the other threads and called the local shop for a price on a Studio Projects C-1. $395 CAN and back ordered (ouch!).
 
man i just bouht th studio projects c1 for 199 off of humbuckermusic.com and it is INCREDIBLE! with any mic its hard to avoid using a compressor on vox dude, but this mic will get you the best sound possible for sooooooo little money. its made by the same people that make so many german mics. it comes with a flightcase, windscreen, and shockmount. it saved the vocals on my most recent project with my band.
 
ya, the C-1 is making a good case for itself. I was looking at some Apex mics which are nicely priced here in Canada, but haven't seen a solid recommendation for them anywhere.

It sounds like my biggest problem is trying to track vocals without a compressor/limiter tho. Maybe I should look into that first.
 
Right, but $200 CAN = about $125 US.

The MK-319 is warm, but very sensitive to placement. Plus, given the state of their QC (i.e., lousy) the one you get might not be warm at all. You can find 319s for $100-$150 US, usually. I'd recommend auditioning though, rather than buying online.

Have you tried a 58? My vocs sound better through that than through a lot of better mics, because I sing like a crow. As a matter of fact, my best vocal take so far has been on a Green Bullet. Or get a 57 and keep it as an instrument mic when you move "up".

Check out the MXL-990 while you're at it - it's reputed to be warm, and is less than $100 US.

Good luck,

Jay
 
yikes, I just phoned a local music store for a price on a Marshall mxlv67 thinking it was the best "budget buy" and they quoted me $380 CAN. That's only $10 cheaper than a C-1 here. I was expecting to hear $190 and drive over and buy it.

<sigh>
 
Doug, there are two lines of Studio Projects microphones,
the "C" series, and the "B" series. If you e-mail Alan Hyatt, the
owner, at www.studioprojectsusa.com there are CD's available for you to listen to each type. The company's customer service
(he hangs out here BTW!) is top notch, and they would be able
to guide you on what dealers to contact.

The Oktava's, unless you REALLY know what to listen for,
are not the best game in town anymore "bang for the buck"-wise.
For the money you'd spend to get a reliable one at www.oktava.com ,you could try out the Studio Projects stuff for
less $$.

I have a Behringer 802A as a knockaround mixer for rehearsal use. A Studio Projects C1 or B1, etc., should work fine with it.

Keep at the singing though!
Whatever your level of talent, a well directed plan of warming up,
and vocal exercises will do wonders.
And you may be a "late bloomer" (like me!), which tends to be more common with men than women. Contrary to popular belief,
the voice actually IMPROVES with age, assuming your in good
health (don't smoke/not too much alcohol/no yelling etc.).

Chris

P.S. Dynamics are much more fussy about their pre-amplification.
A good condenser will sound leaps and bounds better
usually than how the Shure microphone sounds right now
through the Behringer.
 
Gidge said:
Mars has the Marshall MXLv67B for $89 US.......
Click to expand...

Mars is history -- but Sam Ash has the same mic for the same price, and it's a great deal.
 
"P.S. Dynamics are much more fussy about their pre-amplification.
A good condenser will sound leaps and bounds better
usually than how the Shure microphone sounds right now
through the Behringer"

Thanks for the fyi.

I have no real need for a particular quality level, but I'd like to get something that is a bit more than just an entry level version of something better. The Apex mics seem like good value here in Canada, I can get the 410 for half the price of a SP C-1. But I'm a little worried that it may not have the longevity that another mic may bring and I'm willing to go a little higher.
 
The Studio Projects B1 should probably be half (or less) of the cost of
the C1 for you up in Canada.
It's more important relatively speaking, for you to keep improving your
recording and performing skills, than being concerned what microphone
you'll be using (been there /done that).
The "entry level" Shure SM57 has been used on many hit lead vocals,
and sounds better on me than the classic "standard" AKG 414B/ULS
condenser that costs about 10X more new.

Chris
 
I've got a 57 but I don't like it for vocals. Of sourse I don't really know what I like yet. I agree with you about fussing over equipement. I definatley want to get another mic and I'm working on the assumption that a decent condenser/diaphragm mic is worth picking up and having in the studio, er...guest room.

I am starting to lean towards the cheaper ones as the dust settles (since I decided I was buying a new mic). However, I already own a cheap mixer and want to avoid ending up with $700 worth of gear I just am going to want to replace in a year.
 
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