where to start??

[Mitchmuzicman]

Guys, there are so many mics out there, and the guys at the big box stores are always pushing the big price tag items therefore are no real help. Here's the deal. My voice doesn't resonate very well. I pitch great, I just don't have a "big-voice". I am building my own home studio and have it about finished. Now I am down to the mics and final little details. I have about a $300 budget for this mic. What do you recommend, and are used mics a good way to go?? Thanks in advance.

 

[keilson]

Is the mic only going to be for vocals? Have you tried researching on your own. There have been many many posts on this already. Try searching google for reviews of different mics. Need more info for a solid answer. Like what kind of preamps you got.

 

[chessparov]

A good general suggestion would be to plan on getting;

1) A dynamic microphone like the Shure SM57 (about $50) at e-bay used.
2) A condenser microphone like one in the Studio Projects line.
They start from about $80(!) new.
www.studioprojectsusa.com
3) A "pop" screen for about $30 (or the old panty hose/coathanger trick)

You'd have enough money left over to consider getting a Joe Meek VC3Q
(used) at e-bay that has a mic pre/phantom power/compressor/EQ!
All this would make a nice home recording set-up for about $300 IMHO.

Chris

 

[chessrock]

My voice doesn't resonate very well. I pitch great, I just don't have a "big-voice".

With so many good new ones out there, I don't see any reason to go used.

If I were looking for a vocal condenser right now, I think it would be a pretty easy choice. This one is still on sale for like $300 so it's just a no-brainer. Tube mics just don't normally sell this cheap, let alone good ones. Even if you don't like it, hold on to it and sell it on ebay for $100 more when the price goes back up to normal. Or sell it to me.

http://www.8thstreet.com/product.asp?ProductCode=4626&Category=Microphones

For your budget, I think the Studio Projects C1 is also worth a look. I've always thought it has a certain aggressiveness in the low-mids that adds some beef to a male voice if that's what you're after. Althought the v77 kinda' does that, too, from what I hear.

Anyway, another good rule I heard somewhere is this: dynamic mics can sound aggressive, condensers can sound more accurate, and ribbons can sound big. So if "big" is your thing, then have a look at a good ribbon, too, while you're at it. Beyer makes some very worthwhile ones in your price range, and it might not be a bad idea to scour the used market for one, despite what I said earlier.

Large-diaphragm condensers are not the end-all solution for all vocal chores. Whatever your choice, I hope you can tame your expectations. A mic can't make a smaller voice sound big. One mic might make it sound bigger in relation to another one, but you won't be satisfied untill you study proper breathing technique or whatever it takes to give your voice the size you're looking for naturally.

 

[Axis]

I agree with Chessrock on the breathing thing. go here http://forum.marsmusic.com/postlist.php?Cat=&Board=UBB5 Go to the threads "to sing or not to sing" pt1 and pt2 They're advice on how to improve your singing, like your stabablity your pitch, your strength, and alot of other things, i printed them out and they have helped me quite a bit.