Recommend best male vocals mic for 400$

[Digamma]

Hi guys,
I'm looking for a decent large diafragm condensator mic for one purpose, 1 vocalist, male, smooth voice and large range.
Gimme your opinions if u will! Thanks alot.
Cheers!

[NIGHT'SCHILD]

I would recommend you get the Marshall Electronics V67G. It costs $100 but for the price it is as good as anything you would buy for $400.

[Digamma]

Looking into it thanks!
So far am inclined to ADK Hamburg, and Studio Projects C1.
Any1 else?
Cheers

[moon_unit]

Do yourself a favor and get something that will actually sound good and that you won't regret purchasing down the road.

For 400 bucks, you could probably pick up an Audio Technica 4047. Maybe a used 4050. You could even get yourself an Electrovoice RE-20 Dynamic, and have yourself a top-notch professional tool that will always sound good, and that you'll probably never get rid of.

[Ruudman]

A top notch dynamic can certainly
smoke a condenser in that price range.

Make sure to test several mikes.

ADK Hamburg - heard good things about it,
but my vote goes to some of the best of dynamics:

Sennheiser MD441 (used), Electro Voice RE20, Shure SM7, Beyerdynamic M88 + others I've forgotten..



ruudman

[Drumsound]

Don't forget the 421.

[Beauarts]

Shure sm7

[Bob Olhsson]

Virtually every recording you've heard of Sinatra was made with a 57 and most of Presley's were done with an EV RE-15. In both cases there were U-47s and 251s sitting in the mike locker.

[ozraves]

I would tend to agree with the AT4047 call. You might also consider the AT4040.

There are dynamic mics such as the EV RE20 and the Shure SM7.

[Digamma]

Thanks for all your replies!

Somemore info, my project will consist of a very busy mix, lots of instruments, rock, alternative stuff. So i need a mic that sounds upfront and will cut through the mix well.

Right now, im inclined to the 4047, Adk hamburg. Still weary about the dynamics, maybe because i have never used a good dynamic on vocals.
What big diferences will i get between i good dynamic like the re20 or sm7 and a half good condenser like 4047.

One more detail, the vocals will get LOUD, so i want a mic able to handle it well.

Any more opinions?

Cheers

[jbuntz]

Does an SM7b or RE20 count as an LDC?

[Ruudman]

Originally posted by jbuntz
Does an SM7b or RE20 count as an LDC?

Nope, but as GD

-Good Dynamics







ruudman

[Dot]

Digamma, for what you're trying to do, my opinion would be first to take some mics off your list of consideration:

C-1: too colored
4047: too mellow [ much better than a "half good condenser", BTW. ]
4050: could work well
4040: grainy, but will cut through
Hamburg: Not neutral enough
V67: too dark, too colored

Colored mics will thicken a thinner voice., but someone with a full, loud voice that needs it to cut through a dense mix should use a more neutral mic.

Some mics I'd recommend you consider:

AKG 414 [ possibly used ] neutral, bright mic
ADK TL - transparent, clear
ADK Vienna - neutral, top sparkle
AT 4050 - neutral, slight grain
Red5 RV8 - neutral, airy
Shure KSM - the whole line has a neutral, upfront sound

Some of the dynamics are a good suggestion, too, with the Shure SM 7 probably being the best for your applications, IMO.

i need a mic that sounds upfront and will cut through the mix well.

What kind of pre are you using on vocals? Some up that "upfrontness" is going to be determined more by the mic pre than the mic. And also your use of compression.

Dunno if that'll help you pick a mic. Might give you some insight on what not to pick, though. And help you narrow your choices.

[Digamma]

Thanks for your replies.
Good info Dot, I'll be using a Sytek MPX-4Aii, which is very neutral preamp. I don't have a specific vocal mic preamp.
I dont mind a slightly coloured mic. But i don't want a very mellow sounding mic, so thanks for the tip on the 4047.

Of the mics you pointed out, which do you think for go well with this type of preamp?

Also, i don't know the shure ksm's much, can anybody point me out to a mic within the line. Cheers!

[Dot]

OK, the Sytek is very transparent. Do you have the BB's in 3&4? Those'll give you some life on vox.

The KSM44 is out of your price range. Here's a KSM32 for $459
http://store.yahoo.com/humbucker/1060.html

And here's a Shure SM7B for $349
http://www.8thstreet.com/prod.asp?pid=7308

Because of the Sytek you could stand to have a little more robust sound from the mic. The SM7B will give you that and cut through the mix. The KSM32's going to be a bit cleaner but still in your face.

I'd make your choice between those two mics. I'd say if the music is between medium and hard - I'd go with the KSM32. If the music is between hard and brutal - I'd go with the SM7. But either one will do a great job cutting through heavy music in a dense mix. And put whatever's tracked with them at the front of the mix.

[Digamma]

Yeah, i have the BB's on 3 on 4, which will almost certainly be using for vocals.
I've checked some opinions on the sm7, and seems to be alot of people using it, and like it on vocals, and use it for a number of other things too which is always good for experimenting.
Anyway, considering what you said Dot, and considering the ksm's aren't cheap im inclined to check out the sm7.
Thanks alot!

[moon_unit]

Originally posted by Dot
I'd say if the music is between medium and hard - I'd go with the KSM32. If the music is between hard and brutal - I'd go with the SM7. But either one will do a great job cutting through heavy music in a dense mix.

That's really well-put, Dot. Some good advice there.

[toledo3]

The Sm7 is going to be mellower than the KSM32- the KSM 32 will "cut through" a little better when you need boost in the high mid range. The SM7 is more likely to sound good in a wider variety of situations though, and takes eq better. They can both be viewed as utility mics that sound good on pretty much anything.

I happen to have the sytek, the sm7, and the ksm 32 as well. My reccomendation would be the SM7, as it really seems to be a magic combination with the Sytek... it can sound like a million bucks; it is a level of sound quality to where you can't get better- just different. To my ears, the SM7 is more forgiving in general.

The KSM 32 can be killer through the syteks as well, but can also be harsh, and with less depth to the sound, depending on the situation.... It's a hard call though, because you say your singer is very smooth, and the high midrange of the KSM 32 may prove to be more flattering.

BTW, I think that the SM7 is not necessarily only for "hard rock" type situations. The person that turned me onto them was the producer for a famous "folk rock" band.... and he used them very succesfully on their vocals.

[JeffSanders]

I love the Audio Technica 4047, but have more of a Pink Floyd/Beck vocal style.

For what you seem to be looking for, I recommend you try the Audio Technica 4033. Check out some vox recorded with it here:
http://www.pathamm.com/audio.html

Seems to cut through nicely.