Yep. I remember an engineer tracking my lead vocals with one around that time period and it sounded decent. I have to wonder if what made it work back then is that people were still recording onto 2" tape so the tape medium tended to smooth out and warm up the sound. It may be that mic started falling out of favor for lead vocals as digital took over and tape saturation and warmth was no longer taming some of the brittleness?EMRR wrote:I When I had schooling in the late '80's they were popular vocal mics, but not really by 2000.
suggestions needed from those using AKG C 414 XL II
Moderator: James Steele
Forum rules
Here's where to talk about preamps, cables, microphones, monitors, etc.
Here's where to talk about preamps, cables, microphones, monitors, etc.
- James Steele
- Site Administrator
- Posts: 21242
- Joined: Fri Oct 15, 2004 10:01 pm
- Primary DAW OS: MacOS
- Location: San Diego, CA - U.S.A.
- Contact:
suggestions needed from those using AKG C 414 XL II
JamesSteeleProject.com | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
Mac Studio M1 Max, 64GB/2TB, MacOS 14.5 Public Beta, DP 11.31, MOTU 828es, MOTU 24Ai, MOTU MIDI Express XT, UAD-2 TB3 Satellite OCTO, Console 1 Mk2, Avid S3, NI Komplete Kontrol S88 Mk2, Red Type B, Millennia HV-3C, Warm Audio WA-2A, AudioScape 76F, Dean guitars, Marshall amps, etc., etc.!
Mac Studio M1 Max, 64GB/2TB, MacOS 14.5 Public Beta, DP 11.31, MOTU 828es, MOTU 24Ai, MOTU MIDI Express XT, UAD-2 TB3 Satellite OCTO, Console 1 Mk2, Avid S3, NI Komplete Kontrol S88 Mk2, Red Type B, Millennia HV-3C, Warm Audio WA-2A, AudioScape 76F, Dean guitars, Marshall amps, etc., etc.!
- mikehalloran
- Posts: 15235
- Joined: Sun Jan 25, 2009 5:08 pm
- Primary DAW OS: MacOS
- Location: Sillie Con Valley
Re: suggestions needed from those using AKG C 414 XL II
I never think of an SM7 as a large diaphragm dynamic. I suppose it is close to that unless one insists that a "large diaphragm' be 1" or larger. The SM7 uses a Unidyne III capsule like the SM57/58 but modified to give better low end response.sdemott wrote:I have to agree with those that suggest a different mic. My wife is a soprano & I find most modern condensers just far too bright for her voice.
I'd go with a nice large diaphragm dynamic (Shure SM7) or a ribbon mic. I don't think a different preamp will get you what you want.
Like the SM7B, the SM57 performs a lot better with a CloudLifter.
http://recordinghacks.com/2011/07/02/cl ... l1-review/
Since I got a CL-z, I've pressed my SM57 back into service as a VO mic for certain things although my ribbons get more use when I sing.
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/CLZCloud
I have some homemade mics from the '70s made with Unidyne III capsules and no transformers, essentially, an SM7 without the response shaping circuitry but with the same -8dB lower output compared to an SM57. I stopped using them when I had money for higher output mics and they've sat in a box for 40 years. Just for kicks, I put my Cloudlifter CL-Z on one and a large foam screen about the depth of an A9W ... The sound is surprisingly close to a vintage SM7 in the flat position. I need to rig a shock mount for this thing before it's practical for my studio (The body is a piece of stainless steel pipe)... don't know that I'll ever do that.
I may pick up a used S7B the next time I run into a bargain. The replacement foam windscreens are cheap.
DP 11.31; 828mkII FW, micro lite, M4, MTP/AV USB Firmware 2.0.1
2023 Mac Studio M2 8TB, 192GB RAM, OS Sonoma 14.4.1, USB4 8TB external, M-Audio AIR 192|14, Mackie ProFxv3 6/10/12; 2012 MBPs Catalina, Mojave
IK-NI-Izotope-PSP-Garritan-Antares, LogicPro X, Finale 27.4, Dorico 5.2, Notion 6, Overture 5, TwistedWave, DSP-Q 5, SmartScore64 Pro, Toast 20 Pro
2023 Mac Studio M2 8TB, 192GB RAM, OS Sonoma 14.4.1, USB4 8TB external, M-Audio AIR 192|14, Mackie ProFxv3 6/10/12; 2012 MBPs Catalina, Mojave
IK-NI-Izotope-PSP-Garritan-Antares, LogicPro X, Finale 27.4, Dorico 5.2, Notion 6, Overture 5, TwistedWave, DSP-Q 5, SmartScore64 Pro, Toast 20 Pro
- sdemott
- Posts: 691
- Joined: Mon Oct 25, 2004 10:01 pm
- Primary DAW OS: MacOS
- Location: Connecticut
- Contact:
Re: suggestions needed from those using AKG C 414 XL II
The cloudlifter is a great piece of kit, especially if you don't have a good pre with a good amount of gain for a dynamic (or ribbon) mic...and by a good amount of gain I mean 60-70dB of clean gain.mikehalloran wrote:Like the SM7B, the SM57 performs a lot better with a CloudLifter.
http://recordinghacks.com/2011/07/02/cl ... l1-review/
Since I got a CL-z, I've pressed my SM57 back into service as a VO mic for certain things although my ribbons get more use when I sing.
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/CLZCloud
-Steve
Not all who wander are lost.
Not all who wander are lost.
- sdemott
- Posts: 691
- Joined: Mon Oct 25, 2004 10:01 pm
- Primary DAW OS: MacOS
- Location: Connecticut
- Contact:
Re: suggestions needed from those using AKG C 414 XL II
Also - for those complaining about the C414 TL II (or the B/ULS), I suggest trying out the Warm Audio W14. It's modeled after the "EB" version of the C414.
-Steve
Not all who wander are lost.
Not all who wander are lost.