One mic for vocals per song ?

[killbert]

How do you go about using different mics on one song for different parts... I used a sE z5600a, and a sm7b in one of my tracks, one for the chorus/ bridge (z5600a) and one for the verses and backings and harmonies.
There was a bit of Eq-ing going on and usage of same plugins on both mics to make em gel...
Tell us if you've done that in the past and what you've done to achieve ur sound.
Thanx

[Ward Pike]

Use what works for you... but since you've asked for other input...

I choose the mic that works best for a particular singer's voice. And then I stick with it. That could be a U87, U87ai, U89, TLM170, even a 102, a Kiwi, an AKG C12, 414, SM7, RE20, RE27, etc etc etc from my own collection or something else if none of those work.

I've found it best to get a vocal sound, the best sound possible from a singer and then stick with it. But hey, opinions vary!

Best

Ward

[kalle74]

Varying mics? Of course, if the song calls for it. On songs that have varying vocals (for example, verses soft and choruses belted) I do it all the time. I have used up to three different mics on the lead vocal, but mostly two.

The ones I mostly use are a DIY U47 clone, Philips "AKG C12", U87, AKG414 and AT4047 condensers, and Heil PR-30, Senn 441, B58 and M88 for dynamics. I find that dynamics soften the "edge" on the screamier stuff...

Oh, and backing vox usually get picked up by mics not used for the lead voc...

[Boogaju]

With good singers, I sometimes set up two mics: brawner or U87 or C12 + a funky dyn (re15 or older akg dyn)
I compress the LDC only slightly while recording, but then get some nice preamp saturation, and heavy comp on the dyn. It gives some nice options for the mix without needing to much extra processing.

As for backing vocals, I rarely switch mic, but i often ask the singer to step a bit away from the mic, or sometimes change to a wider cardioid or even omni to get more room. I like how it automatically creates depth in the vocals.

[killbert]

Originally Posted by Boogaju

As for backing vocals, I rarely switch mic, but i often ask the singer to step a bit away from the mic, or sometimes change to a wider cardioid or even omni to get more room. I like how it automatically creates depth in the vocals.

True that ! I've done that as well. I gotta admit that the possibilities are endless even if you are stuck with one mic, for recording. Have any of you used a sm57 for backing vocals/ harmonies ?

[Showcase]

Originally Posted by Boogaju

As for backing vocals, I rarely switch mic, but i often ask the singer to step a bit away from the mic, or sometimes change to a wider cardioid or even omni to get more room. I like how it automatically creates depth in the vocals.

I sometimes switch to a small condenser, like Km84 for backing vocals, just to give it some colour and distance to the lead, but never choose other mics for the lead in the middle of a song!

[andychamp]

Last session worth mentionig:
Brauner Phanthera -> Manley Voxbox main (close) mic.
TLM103 in top corner of vocal booth -> GR500NV -> Distressor set to Nuke.
The latter provided about 25% of all vocals on the record.
I suggest setting up as many alternate recording chains as you can think up & have inputs for.

[Ward Pike]

Originally Posted by killbert

True that ! I've done that as well. I gotta admit that the possibilities are endless even if you are stuck with one mic, for recording. Have any of you used a sm57 for backing vocals/ harmonies ?

Yes. And I've done my penance.

[Ward Pike]

Originally Posted by Showcase

I sometimes switch to a small condenser, like Km84 for backing vocals, just to give it some colour and distance to the lead, but never choose other mics for the lead in the middle of a song!

It was once purported that Timothy B Shmidt's favorite microphone for b/vox session work was a Shure SM98. So, having a similar voice, I tried one of mine once in this application and sure enough... it actually works.