Yes, another VOCAL MIC thread...

  • Thread starter Thread starter Myriad_Rocker
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Myriad_Rocker

Myriad_Rocker

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What's the best mic for recording my rap vocals in a metal shed under $30? :D I kid, I kid...



Okay, I've spent lots of time with the search engine and I have read lots of info about different mics but I've come to a point where I need assistance in choosing the mic that I would ultimately purchase.

I need a vocal recording mic that would be a catch all. Something that sounds good on nearly everyone that is in front of it....assuming the person can sing. Due to my interests, it would mainly be for male rock vocalists. I don't have tons of money and I don't do this for a living so that's why I'm looking for the best and most versatile mic I can buy, within my budget, of course. I am more than open to purchasing in the used market and I would actually prefer it since it's a bit cheaper. However, I will purchase new if I don't have an option otherwise or if the price difference makes buying used negligible.

My budget is about $1500. I would like to get out well under that, if I could. My pre is a Great River MP-500NV. Also have the on board RME pre's on my FF800.

Here are some of the mics I am considering, but I'm open to suggestion.

Pearlman TM-1 - Fantastic mic, from what I read.
Neumann U87ai - Would have to purchase used.
Neumann TLM 49 - I've been reading good things about this mic.
Neumann TLM 103 - Yeah, everyone hates it...but it's still a decent mic.
Soundelux U195
AT4050
AT4060
Telefunken R-F-T AK47 - I don't know much about this mic at all.

My current excuse for a mic locker:

Shure SM7b
Audix i5
Audix D2 x2
Audix D4
Audix D6
AKG D112
Senn. e609s
Cascade Fat Head II
Audio Technica AT4033
Rode NT5 x2
Rode NTK (would have to sell to fund above purchase)
 
I would think the Shure SM7b does most of what you want already, no?

As an aside, what's your view of the Cascade Fathead, especially on vocals?
 
have you considered the AKG 414? It's one of my favorite mics, super versatile, multi pattern etc etc etc plus, you can get on new for about 1k
 
Well, between the AT 4033, Shure SM-7B, and the NTK ... you've got just under $1,500 worth of mic right there.

And those three mics should cover most of your bases; they're certainly different enough from one another ... to the point where at least one of them should work on just about any vocalist you'd come accross.

So my advice would be to stay put. You should be set with what you already have.
 
billisa said:
I would think the Shure SM7b does most of what you want already, no?

As an aside, what's your view of the Cascade Fathead, especially on vocals?
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Like I said, it didn't work on the singer.

I haven't tried the FHII on vocals...the guy I'm working with right now would blow out the ribbon.

Daisy said:
Well, between the AT 4033, Shure SM-7B, and the NTK ... you've got just under $1,500 worth of mic right there.

And those three mics should cover most of your bases; they're certainly different enough from one another ... to the point where at least one of them should work on just about any vocalist you'd come accross.

So my advice would be to stay put. You should be set with what you already have.
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Well, that doesn't help matters. The 4033 was the best option and I didn't like how it sounded. It was, as I described, boxy.
 
Hmm. I can see the boxy comment on the 4033 -- it can be that way in some situations (less so in others). Something with kind of a similar vibe as the 4033, but not boxy would be a Shure KSM44. You should really see if you can test that one out.

I still think you're being picky.
 
Daisy said:
I still think you're being picky.
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And I think when it comes to recording, I'm justified in being picky. :D I want the best sound I can possibly get within my budget. The guitars sound good, the drums sound good, the bass sounds good....so why shouldn't the vocals?
 
You may want to add the Peluso 2247 LE to your list to check out. It has some of the same praise as the Pearlman mic's, "full and warm" and you can find them used over at GS.

I went through the same thing you are going through about 6 months ago, so I feel your pain. Good luck in your search.

Charlie
 
cnix said:
You may want to add the Peluso 2247 LE to your list to check out. It has some of the same praise as the Pearlman mic's, "full and warm" and you can find them used over at GS.

I went through the same thing you are going through about 6 months ago, so I feel your pain. Good luck in your search.

Charlie
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Yeah, I'm aware of the Peluso. I've heard some mixed reviews on them, which is why they're not on my list. I don't know, though...we'll see.

Since you went through the same thing, what conclusion did you reach?
 
Myriad_Rocker said:
And I think when it comes to recording, I'm justified in being picky. :D I want the best sound I can possibly get within my budget. The guitars sound good, the drums sound good, the bass sounds good....so why shouldn't the vocals?
Click to expand...

No worries. It's just that you're kind of flip-flopping on this issue worse than Mitt Romney in a tanning bed. You're really asking two very different questions, and it's confusing.

Do you want one, magic do-all mic that works with anyone who steps in front of it?

Or do you want one that works on one specific voice?

Generally speaking, you're probably not going to be able to have both without some notable tradeoffs.
 
Myriad_Rocker said:
Yeah, I'm aware of the Peluso. I've heard some mixed reviews on them, which is why they're not on my list. I don't know, though...we'll see.

Since you went through the same thing, what conclusion did you reach?
Click to expand...

I spent around $1500 for a new vocal mic, only to find out my used $250 T-3 with a NOS tube was just as good on my voice. Sold the mic and I am no longer looking for a newer and better vocal mic.
 
Daisy said:
No worries. It's just that you're kind of flip-flopping on this issue worse than Mitt Romney in a tanning bed. You're really asking two very different questions, and it's confusing.

Do you want one, magic do-all mic that works with anyone who steps in front of it?

Or do you want one that works on one specific voice?

Generally speaking, you're probably not going to be able to have both without some notable tradeoffs.
Click to expand...
I don't want a magic do-all mic. I just want one that can sound good or great when put in front of anyone. With that being said, I mainly work with male rock vocalists. And the guy I'm working with right now just happens to be one of those.
 
if you can find a decent deal on a u87 (not ai), those sound great, though those may be a bit too expensive if in good shape. a friend of mine has two-- one with a swappable innertube mod and they sound fantastic on vocals.
i also like the blue kiwi a lot, liked the blue mouse and blueberry mics for male rock vocals. i definitely regret moving the mouse. mojave audio ma-200 may be one to consider based on the royer modded mic that philgood made for me. also there are other pearlman models the tm-2 and the tm-2 le that have gotten a lot of rave reviews.
 
Modded Oktava MKL-2500. Nice and open, I sing kinda garagey rock n roll vocals, it's a miracle worker on the male voice. And if you hate it you're out maybe $500. It's gotta be modded though.
 
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