What mics are great for female vocals?

[SageMusic]

I am wanting to find out if I can improve the quality and character of lead female vocals, since that is a main element of the commercially distributed music my wife and I create. We are thinking that a more appropriate mic could help. We have been using a Neumann TLM 103, but the sound we are getting has a harsh edgy quality. We also have a CAD E-200, but it tends to have a muffled sound. In the mix I have to do a lot of EQ filtering and various treatments to get it sounding okay. The last mastering guy we worked with complained intensely about the lead vocals being harsh with some high frequency distortion, and he had to work really hard to clean things up.

We are using a Sebatron VMP pre, an FMR RNC compressor (light settings for vocals), and have a Delta 1010 A/D (looking into upgrading to something like an Apogee A/D, but that’s a different topic).

The music style varies, but is kind of a mix that could be classed as folk-rock, world, new age, and pop. You can hear some clips of our latest release at MayaSage.com - Music

Any recommendations of some mics we could audition that could give us a cleaner, silky, warm, smooth sound, while also still having a little air but not harsh? We’d like to keep it in the $400-$1000 range if possible.

Thanks!
Sage

 

[hasbeen]

Shure KSM44 or Audio Technica AT4060. Of course, there will still be 100's of other suggestions, as your milage may vary!

 

[slobbermonster]

you might want to consider a ribbon mic.

 

[SageMusic]

What ribbon mics would be good? My wife is an alto - low soprano.

Sage

 

[Innovations]

If you can afford it either the AEA R84 or the Royer ribbons. If those are too pricey the Oktave Ml52 is a less expensive ribbon.

 

[SageMusic]

What is different about ribbon mics, and why would they be good for this application?

Sage

 

[Dot]

Listened to a track, SageMusic. Nice sound! Better AD would help - but I guess you know that. The 103 is somewhat colored and has a hyped bump of 4dB after 5K - so that might have something to do with it.

I can hear where you're wanting more air and a softer overall vocal sound. The Sebatron is definitely capable of doing that with the right mic.

The ADK TC is a beautiful tube mic with a much more neutral frequency responses. Airy and silky and warm. The ADK TT is an even smoother choice and can be found for well under $1K.
http://www.adkmic.com/

Ribbon mic could work really nicely, too. AEA R84 would be within your budget.

 

[SageMusic]

Thanks for the info Dan, and thanks for listening.

The hyped bump in the 103 around 5K could be the problem as that's where some harsh stuff tends to come in.

Sage