One all-around mic

[mherrane]

Hi highenders.

I've been reading this forum a lot recently and am learning very much. I do recording and producing for living and all this gear freaking has become an important part of my life .

I am a freelancer and don't have a studio of my own. Anyway, since only a few studios here in Finland have decent mic and preamp collections, I've started to collect my own.

Currently I can't spend thousands of euros on every single thing that I want / need. Anyway, I think it's better to spend more money on something you can use for the next 10-15 years than buy something cheaper that's more OK than great and that probably will loose it's value during the next years.

So finally to my question. I want a single all-around condenser (or tube) mic that I can be happy with for the rest of my life (or at least for many years). I do mostly harder rock and metal but am also recording acoustic guitars, cello and other acoustic instruments quite often. I just ordered a Shure SM7 (thanks to gearslutz forum ;D) which I will be using on many vocals but I think that I also need a mic for softer and "bigger" vocal sounds.

I've been reading a lot of posts here about what mics are good but it seems to me that most of todays mics are worse than they used to be 10-20 years ago. That makes me uncertain of what's wise and what is not . Of course I know I should be testing the gear I want myself. But all the mics I'm interested in are not too easy to find here so I just can't test everything...Also there are so many possibilities that I can't test them all anyway.

I had a Neuman M147 for a while and didn't like it too much, somehow too dark and "lifeless" for my taste (tried with a bunch of preamps so for me this is not a question of preamp). I've been considering a Pearlman TM1 or some Brauner. None of these can be tested here in Finland (AFAIK). Any opinions or other suggestions?

In most situations I would need cardioid polar pattern only, so the mic being cardioid only is not an issue for me but of course I could find use for others as well. I currently have a Neve Portico, SPL Gain station and am considering some API for preamps.

Hope I've explained my situation enough. Oh and please don't tell me to use the search-option...I'm doing that all the time with good results but still feel that I can't find the answer.

Thanks a lot and once again this is a great forum with great and talented people. Keep up the sluttiness .

-- Mikko

[powercord]

my 414 tl2 isa215 combo works for everything i have ever used it for....i know this isnt crazy "high end" but it honestly sounds great on everything to me as far as versatility goes.

[mherrane]

Thanks for the quick answer ...

I forgot to mention...I have 2 AKG 414-XLSs and am quite happy with them but am still searching something extra...The AKGs (IMO) are great overheads, great ambience mics and good for most vocalists...But I want something better that I know really exists .

-- Mikko

[Svein]

Hi Mikko!

I'm in the same shoes as you.
I'm searching for the ultimate vocal mic.
It's expensive but i'm leaning towards a wunder CM7.
I think it's to risky finding an U47 on e-bay in good condition.

Svein
(from norway)

[Blenn]

This comes down to budget mostly. THere is no such thing as the ultimate one mic but there are some mics that come damn close to claiming that crown. I have to say, for me IMHO, the best most versatile mic would be the Brauner VMA. It sounds fabulous.

The second one , for me, but it's fixed cardioid only, is the Soundelux E251C!

Hope this helps guys.

Paul Blenn

[AlexLakis]

If you want an "all around" mic, you're probably looking for an omni.

[Fletcher]

Originally Posted by Svein

I'm in the same shoes as you.
I'm searching for the ultimate vocal mic.

Yeah... me too!!

I'm also searching for the perfect woman, the best car, the finest guitar and while I'm at it, the Holy Grail and Bigfoot.

Best of luck with your search!!

[TheArchitect]

Originally Posted by Fletcher

Yeah... me too!!

I'm also searching for the perfect woman, the best car, the finest guitar and while I'm at it, the Holy Grail and Bigfoot.

Best of luck with your search!!

Why didn't you say so? The Grail is in my Basement......

[warhead]

The perfect woman's in mine.

War

[warhead]

Sorry, couldn't resist above.

To the original poster, a Red Type A with several capsules tucked away in the case could be a step in the right direction for ease of use (capsules are hot swappable) and at least having one place to reach for a great mic with some great capsules.

War

[ozraves]

There's a myth about the all-around mic. It's got to be a large diaphragm condenser. It's got to cost you.

Think about it. Is there a meal you want to eat three times a day for the rest of your life? Is there a car you'd want to drive everyday for the next 10-15 years? Have you ever heard this statement: "No matter how good looking a woman is there's some poor guy out there tired of..." I'll let you feel in the rest.

Anyhow, if you want a versatile mic and a quality mic, then I'd suggest something like the AEA R92.

[chadly]

This probably isn't the "slutty-trend-of-the-day" thing to say, but. . .

If the studios that you're working in don't have a U87, you owe it to yourself (and clients) to have one. Works great on ton of things.

Oh yeah, and there's a bit of the "bling" factor too.

Used ones (from the 80's) seem to be quite reasonable.

[doorknocker]

Originally Posted by mherrane

I just ordered a Shure SM7 (thanks to gearslutz forum ;D) which I will be using on many vocals but I think that I also need a mic for softer and "bigger" vocal sounds.

I don't think so, the SM7 is an amazing vocal mic.

Originally Posted by mherrane

I currently have a Neve Portico, SPL Gain station and am considering some API for preamps.

The Brent Averill 312A would be a great choice in the API-territory. SM7 thru 312 is often my choice for vocals and also guitar amps.

[AmekGuy]

Originally Posted by ozraves

There's a myth about the all-around mic. It's got to be a large diaphragm condenser. It's got to cost you.

Actually, the U47s would be my choice for an all-around-mic and it isn't a myth, as they are phenomenal.

[Andreas G]

Hi Mikko,
as you are a freelancer traveling from session to session, I wouldn't recommend you an U47. Keep in mind the tube goes for around 1K if you have to replace it. Yes the VF14 is a really strong tube, the cover made of metal not glass, constructed also for the acceleration in german warplanes back then but also this tube can be broken. I also found this mic a bit problematic with sibilant singers, especially with the M7 capsule, the later k47 capsule sounds darker but can still be difficult with sibilance.

An U67 in good conditions would be the mic of my choice in your situation. The tubes are relatively cheap and it really works on a lot of sources. As an allround mic, it was and IS a kind of industry standard. It should also complement your AKG mics very well.

Good luck with your search

Andreas

[pete murray]

hi mikko

if your moving from studio to studio them the korby kat4 is a good choice
most singers /instruments are going to suit one of the 4[5 withe 800 head]
heads .the power supply has multi pattern selection so it's pretty versatile

pete murray

[insomnio]

Originally Posted by Fletcher

I'm also searching for the perfect woman, the best car, the finest guitar and while I'm at it, the Holy Grail and Bigfoot.

LOL!!!!!!!!!! Good one.

insomnio

[insomnio]

Oh, my vote for two "all around" mics: SM57 and U87
Sorry, I couldn't find only one...
Peace...

[d_fu]

Originally Posted by insomnio

Oh, my vote for two "all around" mics: SM57 and U87

As a slight variation of the above, I'd say Beyerdynamic M201 and C414...

[The Swami]

Without a doubt the one mic should be an sm57.It wont cost much and can be used for everything involved in hard rock and metal.Paul rodgers recorded his vocals through them handheld in the control room.That should say enough.I don't think there is a better all around mic available.It will last and doesn't require much.

[TanTan]

414 ULS or EB (i don't find the TL-II to be an all around mic)
U87 or U67

[T.RayBullard]

Audio Technica 4050 or Gefell um900 or m930 , gefell um70s(Just sold my u87s because these are much better)

[kats]

Without a doubt the one mic should be an sm57.It wont cost much and can be used for everything involved in hard rock and metal.Paul rodgers recorded his vocals through them handheld in the control room.That should say enough.I don't think there is a better all around mic available.It will last and doesn't require much.

The reason 57's are good is because their cheap & tough. But I can't think of one application where there isn't a better mic than a 57 to do the job. Now since he's already ordered a SM7 (which is a much better mic) why in the world would he need a 57 for? In case the studio he travels to is out of them?

[The Swami]

Originally Posted by kats

The reason 57's are good is because their cheap & tough. But I can't think of one application where there isn't a better mic than a 57 to do the job. Now since he's already ordered a SM7 (which is a much better mic) why in the world would he need a 57 for? In case the studio he travels to is out of them?

What is a better guitar amp mic(in general) than a 57? Why have top engineers with every mic possible at their disposal always gone back to the 57 when recording page hendrix and Eddie Van Halen because it reflected the sound of the amp.He said he was doing hard rock and metal and the 57 can work great for these vocal applications.I reccommended the 57 because as a single mic it might not do everything best but it does do alot of things very very well.Name a viable alternative ?

[gwailoh]

Second the U67.

I know you've already rejected the 414, but my B-ULS has been in pretty much everyday use for 20 years. At one time or another it's been in front of every instrument I can think of and done a creditable job. IMO it's a first choice for many women singers.

Fletcher: I live in the Santa Cruz mountains alongside a creek with a long history of Bigfoot sightings. Actually just a few miles from the Bigfoot Museum. Bring some beers and you're totally welcome to hang. Although I fear you might frighten the Bigfeet...

[kats]

Why have top engineers with every mic possible at their disposal always gone back to the 57 when recording page hendrix and Eddie Van Halen

I dunno. But I know that in the case of Page & Hendrix a Beyer M160 is more commonly refered too as the mic used to record them.

I reccommended the 57 because as a single mic it might not do everything best but it does do alot of things very very well.Name a viable alternative

a U67?

I am a freelancer and don't have a studio of my own. Anyway, since only a few studios here in Finland have decent mic and preamp collections, I've started to collect my own.

I just have this image in my head of this fellow walking into a studio and saying "Since few studios in Finland have a decent mic, I brought my Shure SM57!"

Anyhow, I know what your saying, I'm just busting your balls

[The Swami]

Originally Posted by kats

I dunno. But I know that in the case of Page & Hendrix a Beyer M160 is more commonly refered too as the mic used to record them.



a U67?



I just have this image in my head of this fellow walking into a studio and saying "Since few studios in Finland have a decent mic, I brought my Shure SM57!"

Anyhow, I know what your saying, I'm just busting your balls

Dude that is too funny. I thought he was recording in a personal studio or something.
Maybe if he got a deluxe plush case and had the 57 plated and a telefunfen badge put on it would be more impressive.That would be funny to do if I had some old badges for mics.Anyway I didn't read the traveling part sorry. My bad.We're trying out Olivers v78m on some heavy guitars next week I hope he gets done with my v76 so I can try that out soon.I think were going to try the 57 and maybe an e409 or royer on them.
Thanks