What Mic would you use to record Luther Vandross?

[coloradojay]

I am working with a guy who sounds pretty much just like Luther Vandross. He is a Bass/Baritone, but has an amazing upper range and falsetto. I currently have only lower end mics (a v67, an SO C1, and an Octava 319), and will be purchasing something higher end before proceeding with this project.

The two I tried in the rough takes were the C1 and the 67, and the C1 was just two crispy on his voice. The 67 was fairly smooth and detailed but didn't quite pick up the bass the way I'd imagine it should be. I didn't bother with the 319 because, at least the 319 I have, is pretty dark and his voice already is so low that I figured it would probably turn to mudd throught the Octava. Oh, and I was using a DMP3 if you care, better pre is next on my list after another LDC for vocals. I didn't hook the RNC up since this was just test tracks for now and time was limited.

With $1000 being the realistic budget ceiling what mic would you buy to match this voice?

Anyone know what Luther's engineer uses?

I've lusted for a tube mic for a while, so that is a potential option, maybe an AKG4060 or Rode K2? I also have heard good things about the sure KSM44 and SM7B. I've always wanted an RE20, and that seems like a good mic for a Baritone. Too many freakin choices...

Thanks in advance for any useful advice.

-J

 

[Big Kenny]

You will get 'em all eventually, the sm7 or RE20 would be great (probably)
The 4060 is very promising
I just ordered a Brauner Phantom C (Should be the cat's ummmmmm, should be the BOMB!)
Oh and don't rule out a nice AEA ribbon

 

[coloradojay]

You will get 'em all eventually

Yeah, I hope so!

That actually brings up an interesting tangent thread. Do you make singers do test takes on several mics when you've got options? This guy was a little annoyed because previous engineers just picked one they liked and went with it. I wanted to hear his voice translated by a couple of mics first and see which one sounded better. What do you do when you've got 5 ot 6 that might be the best one...? It seems fairly easily justified with "you want it to sound the best, right?" Hehe, yeah, someday too many mics will be a problem.

As for a ribbon mic, could the high SPL of a dynamic (loud) vocalist potentially damage a ribbon? It seems I've read somewhere that a kick drum could mess one up, so I'd be a little worried sticking a $1000 ribbon in front of a guy with pipes like this for fear he'd shred it to ribbons, literaly.

 

[Big Kenny]

Throw up a pop screen and he'll do fine. Ribbons are heartier than that but they do need more special care and placement. I audition everyone with my mics which are all middle of the road. Most common so far is the NTK, Groove Tubes 1B tube, SM7 (or RE 20) and AT 4033.

 

[paranoid]

me 2

AT 4047, AT 4060, Rode K2....any one of them will be an improvement. Plus, I second "auditioning" mics before cutting keeper tracks. I do this with every singer on every sesision before proceeding...unless they bitch too much.
In that case I just use a PZM....he he he he

 

[distortedrumble]

i'd use a tin can tied to a string from the tree house in the backyard

 

[chessrock]

If I was recording Luther Vandross, I would call Andy's Music and RentFX here in Chicago, and tell them I needed to rent 3 to 4 of the nicest microphones they had in stock for the day ... pronto.

I'd also call in a maid to tidy the place up really good the day before. And I'd probably call the exterminator, too, and see what could be done about the rat problem.

I might even buy some new clothes or somethin. Wanna' look good for Luther, ya know.

 

[scrubs]

If I was recording Luther Vandross, I would call Andy's Music and RentFX here in Chicago, and tell them I needed to rent 3 to 4 of the nicest microphones they had in stock for the day ... pronto.

I'd also call in a maid to tidy the place up really good the day before. And I'd probably call the exterminator, too, and see what could be done about the rat problem.

I might even buy some new clothes or somethin. Wanna' look good for Luther, ya know.

Sounds like someone has a little man-crush!

 

[hasbeen]

I've lusted for a tube mic for a while, so that is a potential option, maybe an AKG4060 or Rode K2? I also have heard good things about the sure KSM44 and SM7B. I've always wanted an RE20, and that seems like a good mic for a Baritone. Too many freakin choices...

I think you mean AT4060, not AKG?

I have both an AT4060 and KSM44. I love them both, but if you have a limited budget and mic cabinet, the KSM44 is more versatile with switchable options.

However, the AT4060 is a supreme mic and a good choice for your first tube mic, as it can be had for a decent price if you watch ebay for a bargain.

I also have an AT3060, which is their "budget" tube mic, and works on phantom power, but I was dissapointed. It's applications are limited.

 

[chessrock]

Sounds like someone has a little man-crush!

Don't you think he's pretty hot?

 

[scrubs]

Don't you think he's pretty hot?

Yes, I suppose he is a handsome fellow.

 

[chessrock]

Yes, I suppose he is a handsome fellow.

I might make out with the guy. If he wanted to.

 

[scrubs]

I might make out with the guy. If he wanted to.

Alright, that's more than I wanted to know.

I did have a friend once who so worshipped lou barlow, he claimed that he would let lou f*ck him in the ocular socket. That always cracked me up. He finally met lou at a sebadoh show, but, as far as I know, nothing happened between them.

 

[peopleperson]

I'd use an AKG 414.

And not plug it in.

 

[xstatic]

This may be a little outside the budget, but you may want to look into it. Frist, a Blue Mouse seems like it would fit the bill really nicely. Kind of a nice compromise between the smootheness of a ribbon and the air of a large diaphragm condensor. Also, and AEA R84 may be another nice option for that style of vocal. The third thing I can think of in that price range would be a Soundelux U195. Quite possibly the U195 in the "fat" setting may do the trick. It's really hard to guess in advance. It helps to know the style of vocal that you are trying to achieve, but there is a lot more to it than that. We all know how Luthers voice sounds on tape, but who knows how it sounds acoustically. If he was using something like a vintage tube 47 through a Neve 1086 or something, that may really fatten the lows on the recording which could mean that his actual voice is a little different than we are used to hearing. Even a low toned voice however can greatly benefit from some smooth airy highs. In fact, I usually shy away from dynamic mics (PL20, sm7 etc...) if a singer already has a really deep voice. Often times a deep voice through a mic like that becomes too muffled on a dynamic that already shaves off some highs and adds to much "richness" to the lows.

 

[sloop]

Mic

I wouldn't rule out an older ribbon mic. Something like a Altec 639B. They have a great sound for voices like that. Of course you would need a killer pre-amp for it which would blow the budget.

I think an RE20 would be a good bet. It will give you great vocals with just about anyone.