Vocal Mic Poll for home studio: best for under $500

[grunter]

I'm looking for opinions on some of the better mics used primarily for recording vocals in a home studio setting.

[Releaux]

I suspect you're going to get a ton of "you really need to test the mics yourself" and that's definitely valid... not only does every mic have its own characteristics, those characteristics change with each individual voice.

A lot of people may disagree with me, but I'm still partial to both my Shure SM58 and my AKG C3000 (Original model). The AKG has a spotty reputation with some, but it works really well with my voice.

The Røde NT series mics are pretty highly regarded if you're looking for an inexpensive condenser mic. I recently helped my brother set up a home studio and my Sweetwater rep recommended the NT1A. I don't have direct experience with the mic, but my brother is happy with it running through an MBox. Street price on that mic is around $200.

My primary microphone now is a Neumann TLM-103, but I still break out the Shure or the AKG from time to time. It depends largely on the project's needs.

You might want to add what pre-amp you're using and whether you're looking for a condenser or dynamic microphone. That will help people make recommendations.

<small>[ March 02, 2005, 12:25 PM: Message edited by: Ray Toler ]</small>

[jon]

Originally posted by grunter:
I'm looking for opinions on some of the better mics used primarily for recording vocals in a home studio setting.

Blue Baby Bottle for 499.00...Nice!

[dabness]

Neumann U87

[Tritonemusic]

Originally posted by dabness:
Neumann U87

For UNDER $500???

[dabness]

well, you can always offer them $500...

Didn't see that before, my crack pipe was in my eyes...

[fokof]

Studio Project C1

[donreynolds]

Rhode NT2 works good for me

[maintiger]

Can't go wrong with a Rode K2- Great on vocals- then I tried on percussion and liked it so much that I had to get a second one for stereo

[maintiger]

oh, and you can usually get a K2 for just a bit under $600- IMHO is worth the xtra bucs

[surrenderband]

myself and my wallet are satisfied with the beta 87 someone gave me. i was wondering though, can any pop screen work on it? and this might sound stupid, but what is yalls opinion on those foam wind screens you just put over the mic. (you know the kind that are usually an ugly purple or yellow)

[shankyboy]

I have had a Rode NT2 for a few years and it is great for the price. Another really sweet one for under $500 is the AT5047. I borrowed one from a friend and it was nice & warm.

[Henry Robinett]

You can get an AT4050 for just under 500. One of the best all arounders.

[sdemott]

I second the AT4050 - a really nice vocal mic, plus you'lll find lots of other uses for it (one of my favorites for mandolin, btw). I have 3 of them - and use them for just about everything from vox to drum overheads to you name it.

HTH

[chaim]

Yes, the 4050 was my first mic. I paid then (5 years ago) $600.

Works good on every thing I tried, and it is multi pattern, has low cut & pad.

Good value.