anyone know of a great "warm" mic around $100?

[bell222]

I'm looking for a tube mic if possible but a mic that is warm and sounds good for around $100. I'm going to guitar center this week so I need a heads up on this. Thanks. We are only doing vocals on this mic, not instruments.

[James Steele]

I don't think you're going to get near anything with your budget... especially not new at guitar center. I got a used Groove Tubes GT-66 that I really like for $250 once. If you have craigslist in your town, search there and try before you buy. I'm not trying to rain on your parade but $100 isn't much to work with.

[James Steele]

Well normally I'd suggest dealing with Sweetwater, but since you're going to Guitar Center, I checked something online. You might see if they have this:

http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/pr ... sku=271090" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Guitar Center owns Musician's Friend and they'll generally price match that web site... at least they used to. Sterling is their own house brand. They bought out some of the designs of Groove Tubes mics. That mic might get close to what you want for $99... then again maybe not? It's getting good reviews.

[bell222]

Hey Thanks! This might be the choice for right now.

[James Steele]

No prob. It's not a tube mic. They make one of those that's 400 called the ST-66 which I think is the rebranded version of my GT-66 which I love on guitar cabinets believe it or not.

[Phil O]

I think the Audio Technica 2020 is around $100 as well. I don't know how it compares to the Sterling, but it might be worth checking out.

Phil

[kassonica]

Not tube, not a condenser but for around $100 get a humble shure SM58..... Warm and designed for Vocals, Bono has recorded most of U2's albums with one.

[mhschmieder]

The Sennheiser e835, when on sale, is a better bet than the SM58, all-around. More detail, hotter SPL (i.e. more dynamics), and flatter response (SM58 was designed for male rock vocals, so I first discovered the Sennheiser evolution series while hunting better stage and on-the-cheap studio mics for female vocalists that I work with).

You can add warmth in the signal chain, but the e835 is warmer than the SM58 out of the box, if you define warmth as being smoother and not exhibiting harshness in the high end.

After my e835 was stolen at a gig, I replaced it with the e935, which is a much better mic, but I worked with a female jazz vocalist last weekend who brought her own e835, and we got a very smooth and warm/natural sound (I plugged her into an E/V ZA1X active monitor).

[bell222]

Thanks everyone for the advice. I did however need a condenser for the sensitivity factor and ended up buying the Sterling Audio ST51 which sound really nice. I also bought a Focusrite Saffire Pro 14 which seems like it's going to be a great interface from what I have been hearing about it. Just came out to.

[i7user]

Not tube, not a condenser but for around $100 get a humble shure SM58..... Warm and designed for Vocals, Bono has recorded most of U2's albums with one.

That's funny you say that because some of my better stuff was done on a dynamic.
Tubes are fantastic but they have their place as with all mics... just have to try it and see if it's the character your after.
Also, try a chinese mod... usually they are well over $100 but for $500 you can get a very nice mic.

[kassonica]

The Sennheiser e835, when on sale, is a better bet than the SM58, all-around. More detail, hotter SPL (i.e. more dynamics), and flatter response (SM58 was designed for male rock vocals, so I first discovered the Sennheiser evolution series while hunting better stage and on-the-cheap studio mics for female vocalists that I work with).

You can add warmth in the signal chain, but the e835 is warmer than the SM58 out of the box, if you define warmth as being smoother and not exhibiting harshness in the high end.

After my e835 was stolen at a gig, I replaced it with the e935, which is a much better mic, but I worked with a female jazz vocalist last weekend who brought her own e835, and we got a very smooth and warm/natural sound (I plugged her into an E/V ZA1X active monitor).

I have one but have never liked it on VOX, both in the studio studio or live, but it's my go to Floor tom mic.