What's the Best Vocal Mic Available to Rent

  • Thread starter Thread starter laj35
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laj35

laj35

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I'm just starting to use my modest studio to help out a collaborator of sorts put together a two-three song demo. She sings gospel/hip-hop and I want to try and record with her on consecutive days, maybe in a weeks time, because I don't have a suitable mic and will definitely need to get one, almost definitely rent one as I don't really know anyone out here who's into recording. I'm pretty ignorant in regards to what's a good mics for a certain job as well as recording vocals, I've only been recording for about two years and have laid down very little vocals (so any tricks of the trade/tips, ie EQ, compression tech, etc. would be great too!). I was just wondering what you guys thought might be the most suitable for really nice sounding vocals that will be treated only slightly. I am recoring with a PIII, using Cubase and have a mackie 1202 VLZ w/ Phantom Pres. Oh and what do you think I'll be lookin at for rates /day or /week.

Thanks a ton in advance.


Laj
 
You need to get out the yellow pages if you don't have contacts there already. Locally, you need to find out what is available to you. It may be alot, or it may be very little. You can make your decision based on what is actually available to you.

H2H
 
Do you mean that I probably won't have alot of options?

Thanks H2H


Laj
 
Well, it depends on what is actually around there to rent or not, and your credit or backing. There is not a single decent gear rental place in Cincinnati, so it doesnt metter. But some places with very nice gear ask for alot of background before they will rent their high $ gear to people they don't know. The best thing is to get in with the local studio guys and occasionally they will let you rent or sometimes just use stuff...once they know you that is.

But who knows? Maybe in Seattle there is a place that rents high end gear and is great to work with! :)

If I was going in blindly, I would want 2 mics for a female vocalist....the old standard Neumann u87 and a tube mic... something like an AKG Solidtube or Rode Classic, to get a variation. You will be better off is you have the option of renting a class A mic pre, also. A really good vocal sound, especially female, needs class A circuitry up front.

H2H
 
Hey Laj,
Im pretty sure both Guitar Center and American Music both offer rentals on certain equipment, its usually a meatly deposit and a daily fee of 10 to 20 percent of the list price of the thing youv'e rented. I usually prefer American Music at Fremont, better qualifications and attitudes. Check the phone books as well, there used to be a pro audio rental place that was decent but I can't recall the name. Depending on what kind of sound your looking for a greatly effect your budget, you may not need a U87i but maybe something more modest. Like H2H said, pre amps need to be considered, a U87i thru the wrong pre can counteract any benefits from the U87...Try a balanced system of decent mic and pre amps....Ask for advice too....

Peace,
Dennis
 
Try Morgan Sound on 164th in Lynnwood. OK to rent from but I would not buy new stuff there.
 
Got ya H2H, I was thinking that an AKG tube was probably going to be appropriate, will definitely consider a class A pre, thanks.


Thanks alot NW chums, will definitely check out both those places, aside from my usual GC residency, thanks again.




Laj
 
I would also see about getting better a pre amp. A good vocal mic would be fairly wasted going throught the Mackie pre's especially if they are not the pro version. They can be pretty sterile and mackies tend to do something with the top end that I don't really care for on vocals.

Personaly I like the Akg 414 for vocals.
 
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