Best mic for soprano voice

[sdemott]

Being mostly a classical/ trad. jazz location guy I'll throw in my $0.02.

I'd setup a stereo pair in the room and get a good balance with those (that's what anyone listening to a soprano audition piece is going to expect). The best pair of small diaphragm condensers in ORTF (or A/B if you get omnis) you can get. Then add the ribbons as spot mics as needed. Remember to time align the spots to the room.

If you're looking to get a good set of mics for the stereo pair - for your price cap of $1k, find a secondhand pair of KM184s. They get a bad rap for not being KM84s, but they are amazingly neutral with just a touch (2dB) of peak around 4k, which will be appreciated when you stick these in the free field. Plus, I love these things on stringed instruments...you'll always find a use for them. They may seem a bit light in the low-end at a distance, but add your ribbons to mix as the spots and you'll get some bloom down there to add low-end body.

The ULN8 has amazing, transparent pres with 92 dB of gain. No worries there.

[Frodo]

Great mics, sdemott.

[sdemott]

Great mics, sdemott.

Frodo - I agree. For some reason everyone likes to dump on these mics for not being KM84s (I mean, if they were KM84s they'd be called KM84s). And given the reliability factor of the 84s I've used...the KM184s are a godsend. I do like these mics a bit. They have become my goto for stringed instruments too. I mostly use them for spots with choirs & orchestras and use DPAs or Schoeps for my main pair...but those are way beyond the $1k budget, even used.

[Phil O]

If you're looking to get a good set of mics for the stereo pair - for your price cap of $1k, find a secondhand pair of KM184s.

Although I have bought some used mics, I knew the guy I bought them from and knew that he handled all of his equipment meticulously. Used mics? You don't know where they've been. Buy with caution. YMMMV however.

Phil

[michkhol]

Thanks for the advice guys!
I actually have a pair of KM183's, which I can use as a main pair (I know, I know they are not KM83). For this kind of configuration I plan to use a Fat Head as a piano spot and the second Fat Head as a voice mic. Also I want to try a Lauten Clarion for voice ($699).

[denekawa]

Try a Audio Technica AT 4033. It is one of the best vocal microphones made in it's price range. Also many of the Rodes condenser tube microphones are awesome for vocals, unless you want to spend $3,000.00 on a high end microphone either of the ones I mentioned can be purchased at any reputable music store for less than $800.00. Rent it first, to see if it suits your voice, needs and ears. Good luck!

oh... get yourself a good compressor too!

[BradLyons]

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