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wshaw · 28th December 2009

I think you'd have good results with a Sontronics Sigma. It's a phantom-powered ribbon, with good output level so no need for an ultra-high gain pre.

Sonically, it's got a really strong proximity effect and gentle top. I recommend singing into it at a distance of one foot. You'll still get some proximity boost, but the total sound pickup is clear and very coherent, with no sibilance trouble.

I've used it to record spoken word for myself with very good results, and my voice has a midrange bump not too unlike yours. For a sample, please go to the following link and click on the lecture on entitled "The New York City Origins of the Disability Rights Movement" -- Audio

The signal chain on that recording was Sigma -- Hamptone HJFP2 -- FMR RNC (shaving about 2-3 db). No EQ at all. Of course, the MP3 conversion adds a little crunchiness, but even with that it's a good representation of the Sigma.

They are within your mic pre budget, and you may not need to replace your pre at all.

28th December 2009	#9
wshaw Gear addict Joined: Feb 2005 Posts: 497	I think you'd have good results with a Sontronics Sigma. It's a phantom-powered ribbon, with good output level so no need for an ultra-high gain pre. Sonically, it's got a really strong proximity effect and gentle top. I recommend singing into it at a distance of one foot. You'll still get some proximity boost, but the total sound pickup is clear and very coherent, with no sibilance trouble. I've used it to record spoken word for myself with very good results, and my voice has a midrange bump not too unlike yours. For a sample, please go to the following link and click on the lecture on entitled "The New York City Origins of the Disability Rights Movement" -- Audio The signal chain on that recording was Sigma -- Hamptone HJFP2 -- FMR RNC (shaving about 2-3 db). No EQ at all. Of course, the MP3 conversion adds a little crunchiness, but even with that it's a good representation of the Sigma. They are within your mic pre budget, and you may not need to replace your pre at all.