A condenser mic without presence hype?

triez · 12th March 2006

I am looking for advice on finding a good condenser mic without too much of a presence boost at the top end. I often record a female vocalist who is operatically trained, so when she belts out rock songs in full chest voice things can get a little harsh. I am picking up an EV RE20 to try as an altenative, but what I really prefer is a condenser. I have a good range of preamps.... Does anyone have any suggestions for mics that can handle loud bright female vox without adding too much hype? So far the best I have is a Milab DC63, but I am looking for any other ideas.

mixerguy · 12th March 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by triez

I am looking for advice on finding a good condenser mic without too much of a presence boost at the top end. I often record a female vocalist who is operatically trained, so when she belts out rock songs in full chest voice things can get a little harsh. I am picking up an EV RE20 to try as an altenative, but what I really prefer is a condenser. I have a good range of preamps.... Does anyone have any suggestions for mics that can handle loud bright female vox without adding too much hype? So far the best I have is a Milab DC63, but I am looking for any other ideas.

Try a shure KSM 32

gwailoh · 12th March 2006

The 414-BULS has a little bit of a dip at 3-4k, that might be what you're looking for.

Are you absolutely sure it has to be a condenser? Would a ribbon be right for your singer?

Hope this helps!

RCM - Ronan · 12th March 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by mixerguy

Try a shure KSM 32

What Mixer guy said!!!

Adebar · 12th March 2006

The Neumann U89 has even a small dip in the frequnecy range about 4k to 8k.
I find the U89 to be the better mic compared to the U89 regarding resolution and less graininess. Reslly good for lot of female voices.

dokushoka · 12th March 2006

Neumann M49 or Sound Delux E49?

#19 · 13th March 2006

The Royer 122 ribbon mics have great transient response and can simulate a condenser mic beautifully with a little hi freq boost if desired. Plenty of NATURAL sounding top end with NO hi end hype.

The R122 although figure 8 have amazing null points (sides and top) and are quite directional at reasonable distance. I take advantage of these null points as they allow me to isolate other intruments, drums or ambience.

I own 4 and consider them among the bset sounding mics being made today.

If you need a condeser mic for other reasons consider a Shoeps. They do not have a hyped hi end. Very defined yet warm.

murp · 13th March 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adebar

I find the U89 to be the better mic compared to the U89 regarding resolution and less graininess. Reslly good for lot of female voices.

I assume you're talking about the U87 here?

12th March 2006	#3
gwailoh Lives for gear Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 812	The 414-BULS has a little bit of a dip at 3-4k, that might be what you're looking for. Are you absolutely sure it has to be a condenser? Would a ribbon be right for your singer? Hope this helps! __________________ "Go back and re-mix your fav test mix making sure that at every place in all chains (including between all plug-ins) level never gets bigger than -6dBr. Make sure your final output also never peaks beyond -6dBr. Now do the comparison between this ITB mix and a similar OTB mix. You might have a big surprise." - Paul Frindle

13th March 2006	#7
#19 Gear interested Joined: Feb 2006 Posts: 16	Why not a Royer ribbon? The Royer 122 ribbon mics have great transient response and can simulate a condenser mic beautifully with a little hi freq boost if desired. Plenty of NATURAL sounding top end with NO hi end hype. The R122 although figure 8 have amazing null points (sides and top) and are quite directional at reasonable distance. I take advantage of these null points as they allow me to isolate other intruments, drums or ambience. I own 4 and consider them among the bset sounding mics being made today. If you need a condeser mic for other reasons consider a Shoeps. They do not have a hyped hi end. Very defined yet warm.

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12th March 2006	#1
triez Lives for gear Joined: Apr 2003 Location: Australia Posts: 1,316 Thread Starter	A condenser mic without presence hype? I am looking for advice on finding a good condenser mic without too much of a presence boost at the top end. I often record a female vocalist who is operatically trained, so when she belts out rock songs in full chest voice things can get a little harsh. I am picking up an EV RE20 to try as an altenative, but what I really prefer is a condenser. I have a good range of preamps.... Does anyone have any suggestions for mics that can handle loud bright female vox without adding too much hype? So far the best I have is a Milab DC63, but I am looking for any other ideas.

12th March 2006	#5
Adebar Lives for gear Joined: May 2005 Posts: 798	The Neumann U89 has even a small dip in the frequnecy range about 4k to 8k. I find the U89 to be the better mic compared to the U89 regarding resolution and less graininess. Reslly good for lot of female voices.

12th March 2006	#6
dokushoka Lives for gear Joined: Sep 2004 Location: San Francisco / L.A. Posts: 1,092	Neumann M49 or Sound Delux E49?