What is the best vocal microphone I can get for around $100

[runforrestrun09]

I am currently using a GOLDEN find- a Shure SM58 Beta mic that I got for $40 from a used music shop- to track vocals...

But I am looking to add an actual vocal mic to my arsenal...

Which one(s) would you reccomend that are good for around $100 dollars??

Would it be better to stay with the SM58 or are there good options out there??

Any feedback is greatly appreciated!!!

-Forrest

 

[mshilarious]

A Beta 58 is an "actual" vocal mic. Whether or not it is suited to your voice is a different question.

 

[ghetto3jon]

yeah, you might not beat a 58 for $100...depending on what type of music you're recording. by "actual vocal mic" do you mean a LDC? in that case, you could try a whole bunch of MXLs for around $100 (used and new). the v67g is a good place to start.

 

[hairylarry]

At 4054

Forrest,

If you don't mind used and you have phantom power I recommend the Audio Technica AT4054. They aren't easy to find but they can usually be had under $150. If you have a $100 budget it's well worth stretching it for this mic.

This is a genuine 40XX series mic that is intended for stage use. People on this board love the 40XX studio mics but this one is the only one I've got. I'm uploading a clip later today with my voice and harmonica through the 4054 and I will add a link when I get that done.

Thanks,

Hairy Larry

 

[BudgetMC]

If it works for your voice, the MXLV67g would be a likely choice. Nice mic, and available <$100 any day of the week on ebay.

 

[pohaku]

Forrest,

If you don't mind used and you have phantom power I recommend the Audio Technica AT4054. They aren't easy to find but they can usually be had under $150. If you have a $100 budget it's well worth stretching it for this mic.

This is a genuine 40XX series mic that is intended for stage use. People on this board love the 40XX studio mics but this one is the only one I've got. I'm uploading a clip later today with my voice and harmonica through the 4054 and I will add a link when I get that done.

Thanks,

Hairy Larry

Great mic. The AT-4054 capsule is based on the AT-4050 LD mic, except it is cardioid only and in a handheld format. Has built in bass roll-off. For purposes of comparison, the current model is the AE5400 (which has a roll-off switch).

 

[hairylarry]

Ride Me To Heaven - vocals and harp with AT4054

Forrest,

If you don't mind used and you have phantom power I recommend the Audio Technica AT4054. They aren't easy to find but they can usually be had under $150. If you have a $100 budget it's well worth stretching it for this mic.

This is a genuine 40XX series mic that is intended for stage use. People on this board love the 40XX studio mics but this one is the only one I've got. I'm uploading a clip later today with my voice and harmonica through the 4054 and I will add a link when I get that done.

Thanks,

Hairy Larry

Forrest,

As promised.

Ride Me To Heaven - hifi vbr mp3

And here's the link to the whole CD where you can download .flac files identical in quality to the .wav files burned on the CD.

http://www.archive.org/details/hip_sexagenarians

The vocals and the harp were recorded on the same take. I was six to eight inches from the mic and I had to reduce the volume on the harp parts slightly. This was done the old way by manually moving the slider during the mixdown.

The 4054 is practically the only mic on the CD that isn't vintage or vintageish. I did use AT Pro37 mics for the drum overheads. I think everything else including all other vocal mics are dynamics. I even sang one song through my beloved Realistic 1070b.

I have started posting the session logs at my audio and video blog, MixRemix.

http://mixremix.com

I will finish posting the logs when I get a round tuit.

Thanks,

Hairy Larry