Neumann, AKG, AT, CAD SE EV ....Vocal Mic Suggestions please

detroitdiesel · Post by **detroitdiesel** » Thu Mar 16, 2006 3:16 pm

Been using AT 4033 and Rode NT-1 for years on vocals. I like the top end of the 4033 though at times it can be a bit too toppy. The Rode is thicker sounding but not as silky. Thinking of going for a TLM 103 or something like that. $$ for a top end Neumann is NOT in the budget. Looking in the $500-$600 range to gain a little more "silk" in recordings.

I record many different styles. Blues, rock, hip hop, folk etc. Never know what's gonna walk in the door.

I've also tried C1000, beta (and regular) 57 mixed with a Large D condenser. Old AT11s as well.

Ready to make things sound a bit more expensive.

Anybody got any faves?

Thanks, DD

draudio2u · Post by **draudio2u** » Mon Mar 20, 2006 3:25 pm

I hate to say it but if you are looking to make things sound "a bit more expensive", then you need to spend more than $600. Having said that, I have heard good things from Blue. But if you really want to step up to the mic, (couldn't resist the pun), best go with a neumann 170, 87 or somthing from Geffell. OK now you have doubled if not tripled, but coming off of a session where I had the 4047AT with me and the 170, guess which one won the shoot out HANDS DOWN as in - "are you kidding me" that much difference. (interesting when I did that test with the DPA and the Neumann as well - teaches you a lot about microphones).

Seriously, if you want high end sound - you need high end microphones, and mic pre's, and converters. DP is good, but high end consumer at best.

Cheers.

lwilliam · Post by **lwilliam** » Mon Mar 20, 2006 4:00 pm

detroitdiesel wrote:I've also tried C1000, beta (and regular) 57 mixed with a Large D condenser. Old AT11s as well.

Ready to make things sound a bit more expensive.

Anybody got any faves?

Thanks, DD

I've never liked C1000s on vocals. On acoustic guitar, they're OK. With a top-flight preamp an SM58 might work (it worked for "This Masquerade" on George Benson's voice).

I've heard good things about the 4033, but a TLM103 would definitely be a step up. I either use that or my 414B-ULS - both about $1000. They both sound good, just different.

You don't mention what preamp you're using. That will also help you get that "expensive" sound. A cheap preamp will not give you the "air" and depth with that effortless quality about them.

detroitdiesel · Post by **detroitdiesel** » Tue Mar 21, 2006 3:55 pm

Thanks for the suggestions: I am primarily using the Focusrite octopre. Sometimes a Bellari RP220. Not as tight in the bottom end, though. Doughy but not truly low.

Leaning towards the tlm 103. I bought a MXL V69 to try for fun. We'll see what that does.

Thanks for the input, DD

Resonant Alien · Post by **Resonant Alien** » Tue Mar 21, 2006 7:12 pm

Mojave Audio MA200 - get it thru Sweetwater - made by David Royer (as in Royer Ribbon mics) - modeled after a U47 I believe - sweet sweet mic and just under $1000

BradLyons · Post by **BradLyons** » Wed Mar 22, 2006 11:52 am

Yes, the MA200 is KILLER! Originally it was thought this was based on the U47, but to me it sounded very much like a U67. I'm a big fan (and user) of the Soundelux U99 which is based on the U67 and sure enough, it was based on the sound of the U67 so I know my ears are working. But honestly, WHO CARES how close to the real thing it comes or not...the fact is, this mic sounds GREAT--and it is only $995 for it. But as good as this microphone is, it means little if you don't have a good pre to match it. Likewise having a good pre with not such a good microphone doesn't cut it either. So my question is, what pre(s) do you own? If you're not using anything notable, my suggestion is to make this a two-step process and plan for a microphone now and a pre later.... or vice versa.

detroitdiesel · Post by **detroitdiesel** » Wed Mar 22, 2006 2:47 pm

Thanks to Brad for the input. Bought a TLM 103 yesterday. Excited to put that to use. 1 killer mic and 1 killer pre might be a problem. I record many projects live (not in front of an audience, but tracked all at once) 12- 16 tracks at a time. Trying to test the waters to see what I've been missing. Buying 16 of each would put me in the poorhouse. I'd be sounding sweet but wearing a barrel ala depression-era cartoons. I do intend to keep gatering what I can piece by piece.

Thanks for all the input,

Cheers, DD

BradLyons · Post by **BradLyons** » Wed Mar 22, 2006 3:25 pm

Try to keep a wishlist for the future and look at a good pre next... remember, Rome wasn't built in a day and neither will your studio be

Check these out as a good mix with that mic for down the road:

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/Robbie/ yeah it looks funny, but very clean sound that has a rich sound without drastically coloring the signal

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/ME1NV/ BEAUTIFUL tone, good mid-range presence to it.

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/M610/ RICH sound, but dark. However nothing EQ can't fix. This isn't a good choice if you aren't looking for coloration, however.

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/ISA220/ IMHO, the best bang for the buck on the market! Nice sound, some slight coloration--rounded tone. EXCELLENT EQ and Compressor, top-notch de-esser. The TLM103 will be fairly neutral through it, this is where I recommend a good tube mic.

jaffi · Post by **jaffi** » Wed Mar 29, 2006 10:28 pm

Ahh, ever the salesman you are Brad. But I do agree with you. I just now realised it was you who did the follow up call when I ordered a few mics. It is good to know that my sales rep is on the same site that I frequent.

mhschmieder · Post by **mhschmieder** » Thu Mar 30, 2006 1:43 pm

The comments about having to spend more than $600 to "sound expensive" are just plain wrong.

Some of the greatest vocal recordings were made with a mic I would never again use: the Shure SM58!

If one works with many projects, as I do, it makes sense to buy at least a mid-range mic or two (I recommend a condensor and a dynamic), or a high-end mic if one has the budget.

Otherwise, you must match the mic to the voice, and there is no guarantee that a "better" mic will make a particular singer sound their best.

If you need general-purpose vocal mics that are also good for other purposes, I recommend the Shure KSM32 (which also stands in as an EXCELLENT acoustic guitar mic) for the condensor (great bang for buck).

The Sennheiser evolution series (take your pick of models, based on male/female, live/studio, and how much boost you need -- I recently switched from the e835 to the e935 and find the extra rejection and the extra boost help a lot on stage as well as during live all-at-once tracking sessions) or the Sennheiser MD 421 mk II are great for the main dynamic mic (the latter is a great all-purpose mic for guitar/bass cabinets and close-miking drums).

If this is just for your own voice, or a singer you work with all the time, the best thing is to go to a store that carries a wide variety of mics and allows customers to try them, and audition as many as possible.

detroitdiesel · Post by **detroitdiesel** » Mon Apr 10, 2006 6:03 pm

Thanks to all for the input. Went with a tlm-103 and mxlv69 for now. Compared these to the rode nt1 and the AT 4033. The jury is still out. One thing is for sure...I'm not gonna reach for the rode anymore. I'll have to run a few more tests. Leaning towards the grace 101 or the True p solo to get rolling.

Been relying on (and making a decent living with) consumer grade pres and mics for 10 years so I don't want to go crazy all at once on equipment that I may or may not LOVE. Slow and steady growth. It's a poor workman who blames his tools. It is really all about what comes out of the performer. I once had a guy come in with drums that looked as if they had floated around in soapy water in a basement for 5 years. He knew how to hit them. Sounded incredible. True story. I've also seen the other side of the coin.

Keep the preamp opinions coming.

Cheers, DD

mikebeckmotu · Post by **mikebeckmotu** » Mon Apr 10, 2006 9:12 pm

Well, I"m late to the thread regarding the mics, but I recently got a Studio Projects C1, and I think it sounds great. For only $200, and it sounds closer to a thousand dollar mic to me. I've only used it on acoustic guitar and some quick vocals so far, but it's already a favorite.

mhschmieder · Post by **mhschmieder** » Tue Apr 11, 2006 1:58 pm

Although your budget probably won't allow for an octal mic preamp, I suggest you go that route if at all possible, as it saves you a tremendous amount of money in the long-run and avoids the endless upgrade cycle.

You're probably better off with the True vs. the Grace in terms of single-channel or dual-channel mic preamps though. At the octal preamp level, it's more a question of taste (I went between the two for six weeks before finally settling on the True), but at the "lower" end of the market there have been many problems reported with the Grace and none with the True.

Quite simply, Grace made some unfortunate decisions in cost-cutting and form-factor-squeezing for the half rack unit; whereas True went instead for the non-rackable vertical form factor (presumably with an IEC cable connection vs. a wall wart?).

gzsound · Post by **gzsound** » Wed Apr 12, 2006 2:59 pm

Ah.. Mic preamps.

The greatest "grey" area in professional audio.

I have been researching mic preamps for a couple of months and find that there is no agreement on anything when it comes to mic pre's.

Buy a multi thousand dollar pre, or buy a Seventh Circle kit and build one, or buy a used Symetrix SX202 off ebay for a couple hundred bucks..or get an RNP or a Grace, or a DAV or a Vintech, or an Avalon...and "the Brick" is not bad..

Confusion and more confusion. And no matter what you plan on buying, someone will always suggest you get something else that is just a "little" bit more but better..always better.

I'm still waiting for some kind of an agreement....any kind of an agreement..on microphone preamps before I get rid of my RNP's.. Everyone says they work well.

jerkrecords · Post by **jerkrecords** » Mon Apr 17, 2006 6:44 am

hold on a sec:

"DP is good, but high end consumer at best"

is the "DP" in that statement Digital Performer?

-pete

MOTUnation.com

Neumann, AKG, AT, CAD SE EV ....Vocal Mic Suggestions please

Neumann, AKG, AT, CAD SE EV ....Vocal Mic Suggestions please

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Re: Neumann, AKG, AT, CAD SE EV ....Vocal Mic Suggestions pl