What Vocal Mic?

[Jack Russell]

O.k. So, let's say hypothetically that I have $500 burning a hole in my pocket. I need the best all-around mic for recording vocals first, and acoustic guitars and pianos second. I am recording Rock, but not screamer rock. I'd like to use it also in combination with other mics to record percussion from time to time, but primarily I want it for the all-important vocals first.

What to buy?

If your answer depends on what style of music: well, then, think Radiohead, the Who, Rush, Bowie, Kinks, Three Dog Night, Yes, Genesis. Male vocalists who can sing not scream.

 

[justharold]

Well, the first one that comes to my mind would be the Shure KSM44. It is pretty close to your price range and it does a good job as an all around mic. It certainly impressed me on vocals...

Another possibility would be a used C414 B-ULS. I don't think it is any accident that it became a "studio standard".

 

[hasbeen]

Shure KSM44 for sure...

 

[cavedog101]

Both excellent suggestions ..I would add an Audio Technica 4033 to that list.These can be had for around $300 used and are a Swiss Army kinda mic...

 

[Big Kenny]

Those rockers tend to have kind of a hyped high end...that would narrow it down to anything but a SM7, RE 20, or a Neumann. If you want that sound try out the SPc1 or c3, Rode NTK, Shure KSM 32 ( not as high endy), I don't use Marshalls but maybe Han or Harvey will advise.

 

[tollbooth]

awh - for once let's see if i can get a price right from UK to US!!!!!!!

ok - i checked on GearBlaster and for a dollar short of $500, you can get my favourite mic of the moment which is the Baby Bottle from Blue

FANTASTIC on acoustic instruments. interesting though a bit colourful on some vocals (it's sometimes a little too 'airy' on female vocals i find - might just be me) it always turns in a great performance, and very good as a general all rounder.

i have AKG C414, Rode NT series and GrooveTubes (can recommend the GT67 but don't know what deals there may be in the US - got mine in UK for apx £340) - but my first go-to mic is now the funky looking baby bottle. it gets swapped out if it's not the right sound, but it more often than not stays up on the stand.

usually greeted with a "what the hell is that???!???!" from vocalists, but then it makes them sound nice!

focusrite claim it has an extended high frequency response (above 20K) - which they also claim you can hear - trouble is, now they've told me that.....

word of advice - the Blue accessories are really expensive - just buy/make a bog standard pop shield and buy any generic shock mount - i've not found one yet that the bottle won't fit in, though watch out - with it being quite slim it may fall through some!

hope you find something

paul d

 

[Richard Monroe]

Good advice above. Audition C414B-ULS, KSM44, and B.L.U.E. Baby Bottle. I do a lot of the same music you're talking about, and the 414 is my versatile weapon of choice. Although I've mostly switched to B.L.U.E. Kiwi for lead vocals, the 414 is my mic of choice for backing vox, toms, Djembe, and especially acoustic guitar. I still use the 414 for lead vox when I want brutal honest. The Baby Bottle is right in your price range, but for about a hundred dollars more, you get the versatility of multiple polar patterns, pads, and bass rolloff with the KSM44 and the 414. Those two mics get my vote for the 2 most versatile mics on the planet under $1000.-Richie

 

[Jack Russell]

Great! Thanks all for the tips. This forum is gold mine of info for us moderately tech-challenged types. There are so many mics on the market, and all the manufacturers claim they do great things, so it is good to have an insider's opinion.

-JR