Which Vocal Mic should I get?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Aled_King
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Aled_King

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Hello all.

I've been using the AT2020 for both acoustic and vocals - getting good results for the acoustic, however, vocals haven't been the best quality.

Was thinking about investing in a vocal mic, but can't decide which is best for my situation:

Dynamic or Condensor? My room is untreated, for mainly acoustic rock/folk music, budget up to £150 (which unfortunatly these days doesn't get you as much as it used to!)

Thanks for your help
Aled
 
I think it should be illegal for anyone recording vocals not to own a Shure SM7b. One of the greatest vocal mics ever designed, at any price, period.

I even keep one here. And this is a mastering facility. Why there is a vocal mic at a mastering facility is for another thread.
 
Massive Master said:
I think it should be illegal for anyone recording vocals not to own a Shure SM7b. One of the greatest vocal mics ever designed, at any price, period.

I even keep one here. And this is a mastering facility. Why there is a vocal mic at a mastering facility is for another thread.
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I've no doubt the SM7b is a great mic, but he did say his budjet was £150. Most of us are hobbyist with a passion for playing and recording music. €500 on a mic is hard to justify when in reality there will be very little if any return from such a purschase. Apart from close friends and the other musicians that we play with, along with the odd forum member that checks out such threads in the MP3 Clinic most people will never even hear the mic in action.
 
Aled_King said:
I've been using the AT2020 for both acoustic and vocals - getting good results for the acoustic, however, vocals haven't been the best quality.
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What, specifically, don't you like about your 2020? In the price range you suggest, there are a lot of other mics that sound rather like a 2020. Knowing what differences you're looking for would be helpful...

Off the top of my head, the Shure KSM-27 is in that range (but I'm biased because I own one). The aforementioned sE2200 is a good choice. Sterling Audio ST55 (or 59 if you can find one). Maybe a used GT66. Can't go wrong with a used SM7b.
 
The main problem with my current AT2020 is it seems to be lacking on the low end.

Yeah, I was wondering whether an SM57/58 may be the best bet as my room is untreated, and also they are good for micing guitar amps aren't they?

Any preferences between those 2 mics?

As the SE2200a is a LDC, is it likely to sound poor due to the fact my room is untreated?
 
The AT 2020 is certainly not lacking in the low end, especially for vocals. In fact its low end response is far better than strictly needed for vocals.

Why not post an mp3 and let's have a listen. It could be another problem with your gear or the way you are using it.

Cheers Tim
 
1. My room is untreated
2. The main problem with my current AT2020 is it seems to be lacking on the low end.
3. The AT 2020 is certainly not lacking in the low end, especially for vocals.

I dont have an AT2020, but if #3 is true, then #2 might be fixed by changing #1. Try moving the mic to different locations in the room, maybe your 2020 is sitting right in the middle of a huge low end void or null.
 
Aled_King said:
The main problem with my current AT2020 is it seems to be lacking on the low end.

Yeah, I was wondering whether an SM57/58 may be the best bet as my room is untreated, and also they are good for micing guitar amps aren't they?

Any preferences between those 2 mics?

As the SE2200a is a LDC, is it likely to sound poor due to the fact my room is untreated?
Click to expand...

My room has only the barest of treatment and the mic is a gem, works great on alot of applications.

I reckon that because your room is untreated it wont relly matter what mic you get, best bet is to spend your dosh on some treatment and fix the problem rather than throwing money at mics that might have 0 effect.

There a plenty of great threads on treatment and even one with step by step instructions on diy absorbers, pics included. There easy to make, cheap and well worth it.
 
If this is for your own vocals you may should take into account what vocal type you are (Baritone, tenor, etc.) I agree that the sm7b is a great mic but for my own vocal I really, really, like the at4040. Since I am a baritone that sometimes reaches into tenor range if the bass doesn't show up enough on a mic my voice will sound somewhat weak, and than when I stretch into a higher register - without any bass presence - it sounds nasal. The 4040 gets it done though.Besides those two mics the only others I have used for vocals are the Rode NT1 (not recommended), the 58, 57, mxl990 (I'm not sure why people on these threads keep plugging this mic - maybe mine's defective), and neumann tlm103 (not in the price range you are looking for, but another recommended mic).

The other thing to keep in mind is that you need a preamp with lots (I mean lots) of clean gain for the sm7b.
 
What was your issues with the Rode NT1? All I seem to see are positive reviews for it...

Yes, I think some room treatement, base traps etc would certainly help; just because I am a student renting a flat, I can't make anything too permanent :D
 
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