Male Hip-Hop Vocal Mic

[Jenre]

Currently using a Rode NT1-A but I'm looking for something a bit smoother and warmer. I get quite a bit of sibilance right now which I think is mostly my voice but the mic seems to just make it worse. I've heard these cheap chinese built mics can be a bit harsh on the highend.

I have an SM57 as well and I will keep the NT1-A too. I'll also be using the mic for acoustic guitar and female vocals, but the male rap vocal is the main thing here. Only have one decent pre in the Groove Tubes Brick. Looking to spend up to about £800 really. No more than that.

[Junkie]

The rode nt2a is a better version of the nt1, i suffer the same problem with my nt1a but you get what you pay for.
The nt2a has more presence in the high mids and can brighten up guitar no end, as well as vocals.
Of course there is the AKG C414 (try and get a matching pair as well!), depending on the model you can switch frome a virtually flat repsonse or, again some presence in the higher mids.
I use the SM57 quite alot for vocals, straight forward no messing, good mic.
Also look at the Neuman TLM103.

800 quid is plenty of money for a decent mic, go test some out.

Nice

[tidalbomb]

Sure SM7's are pretty nice for hip hop...$350 here in the states.

[Junkie]

Thats well expensive for an SM57. We can get them for around $125 in UK (even cheaper on ebay).

[nathanvacha]

Originally Posted by Junkie

Thats well expensive for an SM57. We can get them for around $125 in UK (even cheaper on ebay).

SM7, not 57... way different beast. If the brick has enough gain for it, that would be a great way to go, esp. for aggressive style vocals.

They don't look as fancy as a neumann or blue or anything which seems to be really important to artists a lot of times in hip-hop or rap from what i can tell... But it should help your sibilance definetely. I don't have one, but i have a sennheiser 421 and i definetely love it for vocals (not always, but ykwim) nice and smooth.

[con?one]

i agree with the sm7, or even upgrading to another rode (like nt2 or the nt1000).
if it's in the budget, go neumann

[Jenre]

Yeah I was looking at the Neumann TLM103 but I've read some bad things about it - that its a bit thin sounding and quite bright which I'm not after. It seems people generally don't like the AKG C-414's on vocals.

I'll check out that Shure SM7.

[Jenre]

Originally Posted by con?one

if it's in the budget, go neumann

Which Neumenn would you recommend?

[funkynuts]

Don,t go tlm 103 for male rap vox,its seems too polite and lacking in beef which this style craves.
I tried a friends on a rapper i work with and neither the rapper or i were impressed
A tlm 193 would suit better and is the same sort of price as 103 but has a chunkier less sterile sound.

http://www.dolphinmusic.co.uk/page/s...roduct_id/5806

Or try for a 2nd hand u47 if you have the funds!

[TonyBelmont]

SM7 or RE20....

[Jenre]

Thanks for the suggestions. I must say I'm also interested in the new Sontronics Sigma ribbon mic. Haven't seen a lot about them though as they're relatively new still, anybody had any experience with these? I understand that ribbon mics in general are quite rich and warm sounding? Good for vocals?

[azwun25]

if you're looking at a TLM103 i would look at a Soundelux U195. Great mic for hiphop vocals

[azwun25]

if you're looking at a TLM103 i would look at a Soundelux U195. Great mic for hiphop vocals IMHO

[Eric Dahlberg]

Originally Posted by Jenre

Thanks for the suggestions. I must say I'm also interested in the new Sontronics Sigma ribbon mic. Haven't seen a lot about them though as they're relatively new still, anybody had any experience with these? I understand that ribbon mics in general are quite rich and warm sounding? Good for vocals?

Great mic but, like all ribbons, it's figure 8 so don't get it unless you've got the booth for it. Also, active ribbons like the Sigma sound sort of like a ribbon meets a condenser & don't necessarily have the same qualities as other ribbons.

From all you've said, I'd recommend the SM7 over any other mic, regardless of price.

[Jenre]

This is the SM7 you're all talking about right?
http://www.dv247.com/invt/28981/

I saw it on Sweetwater for $350 just now but it's like £460 in the UK which is about $800. I can't believe that. Ridiculous.

[Eric Dahlberg]

Plenty of US dealers will ship to the UK.

[MSR74]

Rode K2 with A Mullard NOS tube replacement.

[chicogloco]

i have a sterlling audio st77 it works really good on male vocals it cost 499 i use a beranger tube pre amp to warm it up and it sounds realy good

[badmark]

Originally Posted by Eric Dahlberg

Plenty of US dealers will ship to the UK.

There may be import taxes. Have bought cables in from the States without trouble, but there is a price point above which these kick in.

[countrylac]

The TLM103 sucks for hip hop vocals, the TLM193 is much better.

If you're on a budget look into the GT55(or GT50) or the CAD m179 ($199 new).
The GT55 will give you a nice high presence boost to cut through a thick mix and will sound very nice paired with your brick. It sounds very good on acoustic also, may not always work very well for female vocals.

The CAD m179 is pretty flat or neutral and captures a full tonal range. It also sounds great on acoustic will be more usable on broader range of sources. However this mic responds very well eq and you will appreciate it more has your skills grow. Also you can switch it into a Omni pattern which is useful for recording multiple people at the same time, which you will probably do when stacking vocals for some choruses and hooks.

[Chaellus]

Originally Posted by Jenre

Yeah I was looking at the Neumann TLM103 but I've read some bad things about it - that its a bit thin sounding and quite bright which I'm not after. It seems people generally don't like the AKG C-414's on vocals.

I'll check out that Shure SM7.

what ever you do dont get a tlm 103 those things are crap harsh and brittle , you have to use alot of eq or compression o make it fit in....really bad choice but i do agree with everyone a SM7 or RE-20 would be alot better choice....

[kidvybes]

...definately SM7, BUT...the GT Brick is too anemic to properly drive the SM7...you need at least 62-65dB of good clean gain to really get the best from the SM7...yeah, you could make up some gain in your DAW, but with the Brick that would only serve to punch up the Brick's other problem...noisey at high gain levels...so before you go and buy that SM7 (and it's a "keeper" for sure!) you may have to consider selling the Brick and moving up to something less anemic like the Golden Age Project Pre73 (Neve clone) with 80dB of gain (and only around $299 US)...works well with the SM7...have a look here:

Golden Age Project


*****Now, if the price of the SM7 and the thought of selling the Brick and buying a new preamp is too much to chew on, consider this...KEL Audio makes a condenser mic (doesn't need the gain boost) that is "voiced" to sound like a dynamic (you guessed it!...the SM7)...it's the KEL HM-2d, and it's only $179 US...and it's an entirely different flavor than your Rode, so you'll have more versatility than buying the typical Chinese LDC...have a look here:

hm2d

...and Kelly is a great guy...I'm sure he can hook you up across the pond (they have dealers in Europe)...