Mic question - for loud singers and rap vocals

[villeman]

Hi All,

I´ve been having some trouble getting the sound I like from my current setup.

Seems like I´m having distortion problems when working with loud rap vocals and loud singers. The "S" sounds sound very gritty and totally lack smoothness. I´ve tracked down the problem to the mic I´m using, an ADK A51TC(valve), which sounds wonderful on female vocals and soft singers, but seems to dislike loud volume.

My chain:
A51TC>Gold Channel>Distressor>AD

I´ve tested the following: Exchanged the Gold Channel to a ISA430 (pre only) and changed the Distressor to the STC8, with no apparent difference. My conclusion is that the mic can´t cope with the levels and it lacks a pad switch.

So, I´m looking for a good quality alternative mic for my A51TC.
It doesn´t have to be valve.

I´ve looked at the following:

1. U87AI
2. Blue Kiwi
3. Blue Dragonfly
4. MG UM92
5. Rode Classic

Has anyone tried any of these out?

Any suggestions for a "vocal mainly" alternative for approx $1500?

Thanks!

[e-cue]

Originally posted by villeman
I´ve looked at the following:

1. U87AI

Should be the winner there. The gold channel doesn't exactly do backflips for me, so I'd change that out too, after you change the mic. Any of the "I'm a Neve, but I'm not a Neve" mic pre's would be a decent starting point.

[toolstudio]

Hi,

the U87 is best out of your list.
Sometimes on very loud rappers or adds and doubles, it compresses a bit. I don't know if it is the capsule or the electronic.

I also had good experience with an EVoice RE20, just to have an alternative, not a condensor, but could handle much spl and isn't that expensive to have at hand.

A distressor should be fine, had good results on rap vocals and it`s very versatile.



wolfgang

[Bobalou]

Villeman,

the Shure SM7 was (and is) used quite a bit on those rangey Metal singers in the day. no one sang any louder or harder than those cats!....you certainly cant beat the price $379.00 and it would still leave you around $1,1000.00 to purchase a real nice mic for any delicate/"normal", female/male vocalists who come through your place.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/.../base_id/55948

[Jason Poulin]

Have you tried any pop filters by any chance? They may help the esses...

I'd say a new mic. The Soundelux is a good line of mics.

I've never tried my Gold Chan. on anything really loud but I wouldn't think that it would be a major problem. It's a decent pre.

Change mic, change the position of the signer (back him away a few inches)

How is your room? are you getting alot of reflection? That might also give you an annoying tone to your vocals.

Just my opinion.

good luck!

Jason

[villeman]

Thanks all!

I guess I´ll give the U87 a shot.
BTW. I am using a pop-filter and it doesn´t help.

Which pre would you recommend?
1. Chandler LTD1
2. Vintec X73
3. Aurora Audio GTQ2

for vocals mainly.

Thanks again!

[Kris]

On my voice a AT4060 sounds better than a U87 to my ears... you probably should do a shootout with a few mics and pick the one that best suits your application...

[ROBB007]

Try a shure sm7 !Really I think for your application it really is the best bet!A u87 or tlm 103 really gets a bit brittle in the top for your kind of situation It has been a valuble work horse for alot of us for years!give it a go.

[thethrillfactor]

Originally posted by villeman
Thanks all!

I guess I´ll give the U87 a shot.
BTW. I am using a pop-filter and it doesn´t help.

Which pre would you recommend?
1. Chandler LTD1
2. Vintec X73
3. Aurora Audio GTQ2

for vocals mainly.

Thanks again!

Iwould chill on the Vintechs right now.

A little birdy put it in my ear that at AES Vintech would debut a new preamp EQ based on the 1073(or their X73), with a more flexible 3 band EQ(totally sweepable), for a cheaper price.

This will of course drive down the price of the X73.

By the way, you didn't hear it from me.