Best vocal mic around £1000? ($2000)

[al1]

Fellow gearslutz, I'm looking to invest around £1000 ($2000 ish) on a new Vocal Mic.

I currently have a Neumann TLM193, which is an ok mic, the only thing I found is I don't quite get enough clarity from it and can cause some harsh siblance on certain vocals (I have played with mic placement, with varying results).

I'm looking for a fairly neutral/flat sounding mic, but with enough clarity so I don't need to do too much eq'ing in mixing.

I also have access to an SE Gemini, which is nice on certain vocals (especially thin sounding female voices), but again I've found it can be quite a sibilant mic and being valve can be a bit gritty sounding when hooked up to other valve gear.

Vocal chain is usually just straight into UA LA-610, which yields nice results, sometimes a Phoenix Audio pre into a Thermionic Culture Phoenix Comp, although I may also be getting a Tubetech MECA channel strip when I can afford it.

I've heard good things about the Blue Blueberry. I've used a U87 a couple of times, which is slightly better than the 193, but a bit overpriced in my opinion.

Any advice would be majorly appreciated!

[wildpark]

non tube :a lot like old u87

mostly m7 or ck12 capsules will follow the line

tube : you now this expensive huge bodys (u67 um57)

thx patrick

[Andrew Kinsey]

If i were you id hold off a little longer for a Peluso 2247 or a Wunder CM7-GT. The price difference isn't that much more, but the improvement over many of the chinese mics 'including SE' is huge.

[Studiophonics]

Difficult to say without saying what style you're going for, but you can ship Peluso's over the pond for under a grand, P12's weigh in at under £600 with shipping included from some companies. But as with everything, it's better to try things first!

Good luck though!!

[vernier]

If 193 is only slightly better than 87, I'd spend the money on food and drink ..Mortons or Ruth's ..some fillets and a bottle or two of Duckhorn Three Palms.

[1monkey1]

red type b.
not chinese, tube you can get into their capsule system.
i really like mine.

[Old Cane]

Uh, I think the Type B is not a tube body. At least mine isn't. I think you mean type A. I love my type B. Excellent value. I use the R6 and R7.

[SpiderM69]

Lawson?

[al1]

Thanks for the advice guys, will look into those!

[miqer]

I'm about to go for a AEA R84 Studio Ribbon Microphone, 1100$ ..

Al Green/Elvis sound... ?!

here: AEA R84 Studio Ribbon Microphone – Products – AEA Big Ribbon Mics™

[mrkz1974]

Mojave Audio MA-200

[zlna]

in my studio i have u87 ai
i try the violet vintage mic
and it was amazing sound with big present .
i think its a great mic for vocal .

[Fuel]

I have a Neumann U87 I want a Mic that sounds richer with more clarity and nice air for under $2000.. any choices?

[jensenmann]

Microtech Gefell M930

[Sonic Lush]

Originally Posted by Fuel

I have a Neumann U87 I want a Mic that sounds richer with more clarity and nice air for under $2000.. any choices?

a quiet voice from the back of the room says:

"Lawson L47MPmkII" for $1995.00
done and done.

[Jack Ruston]

Brauner Phantera.

J

[qpress]

Telefunken AK47
It has nice airy sound.

[JMc]

Pearlman TM-1. You'll have enough money left over for some ice cream.

[kirkbross]

Originally Posted by JMc

Pearlman TM-1. You'll have enough money left over for some ice cream.

Bought a TM-1 about a year ago... love it. I live in LA so I went out to Dave Pearlman's house in Burbank to pick it up personally... got to see his workshop (in a second bedroom). Great guy, great mic. I like the personal touch.

That said, I'm wanting an alternative vocal mic in the $2-$3k range.

[miguelmrq]

Originally Posted by al1

I'm looking for a fairly neutral/flat sounding mic, but with enough clarity so I don't need to do too much eq'ing in mixing.

For that price, the anwser is Brauner Phantom.

Brauner - Phantom Classic

[Elof]

Originally Posted by Sonic Lush

a quiet voice from the back of the room says:

"Lawson L47MPmkII" for $1995.00
done and done.

+1!

It´s a really nice mic, especially considering the price.

[EddyR]

Try to get demo of JZ - The Black Hole. Let me know if you are interested to arrange a demo for you.

[geeek]

Originally Posted by EddyR

Try to get demo of JZ - The Black Hole. Let me know if you are interested to arrange a demo for you.

Awesome mic! thumbsup

I demoed it against a plethora of large diaphragm condensers/tube condensers/dynamics and it was a close second to the vintage Neumann we ended up buying.

The Black hole was well under the £3K price tag for the Neumann

Try it.. It's mint and affordable!

Very very realistic sound.


Mark at Funky Junk can sort you out with a demo. Really top guys too.

[kittyboy]

Originally Posted by Sonic Lush

a quiet voice from the back of the room says:

"Lawson L47MPmkII" for $1995.00
done and done.

+1, love mine.

[sctt_stone]

Pearlman TM-1 !!!
Just got mine and it is wonderful!
Do a search and you will find vocal examples of the mike.
Dave Pearlman hand makes the mics and offers two versions.

The American tube version is 1,600.00 and the German tube version is 1 ,750.00.
There is a thread here called "What's Your Favorite Vocal Mic?"
It is a well conducted shootout between the Pearlman TM-1 and several other mics including two different U47s.
I think you will find it informative.

[Iain Hutch]

+1 for trying out a ribbon...

I tried an R92 on a male vocal last week and I couldn't believe it - sounded so rich and full, yet very clear... definitely worth a look...

Iain