Completing my home recording setup, thoughts?

[Folklore]

Hello!

I've been reading this forum for a long time getting ideas and taking advice, with a lot of trial an error. I feel I have a pretty decent set up for my needs at the time, but I feel I still need a solid vocal mic. I've been using the ST51 for vocals, and the AKG's for instruments. I record acoustic instruments for folk type music (guitar, mandolin, banjo, harmonica etc) and vocals. I am happy with the sound I can get from my instruments for the most part, but I feel I can get more from the vocals. I am looking for a kind of natural sounding baritone type vocals. I have been reading a lot of good things about the SM7B, and I am considering that. But I am Curious if there is something else to consider as well. I like being able to pick up the kind of subtleties in a singers voice and I am not sure how well the SM7 handles that. I also have some concern whether or not the preamps on my Saffire will support the SM7 properly. I would like to stay at or below the $350 the sm7 would cost me so I know it's a tall order but any help or recommendations would be appreciated. Thanks so much!

My equipment:
Interface
Focusrite Saffire Pro 24
Apogee ONE

Shure SM 57/58
AKG D790

AKG Perception 170
AKG C1000

MXL R144 (Ribbon)
Sterling Audio ST51

Logic 9

[jdomini00]

It looks to me that you have a pretty good selection of microphones with what you currently have. An Sm7b would definitely be a dynamite addition especially if it's strictly for vocals. The resale value of the Sm7b is pretty good so if you find that it's not for you, you could always sell it. Then again you may end up liking it enough to sell some of the other mics you have instead.

[olliejohn]

The SM7 is a good mic, but it really does get over hyped here. You only need to do a search to find the number of threads along the lines of "I bought an SM7 but I still don't sound like Michael Jackson" etc etc.

Given that you say you want to pick up the subtleties in a singers voice, you'd probably be better off with an LDC. I don't know many LDCs in your price range off the top of my head, but the ones that come instantely to mind are the Rode NT1A, some of the other mics in the AKG Perception range, and some of the cheaper Audio Technicas and SE mics.

With your budget and requirments, I would personally choose the SE 2200A.
Just my 2 cents

[firefly419]

I'm not sure if you have any outboard compression, but that may help get you to where you want to go. You can dramatically increase the subtleties of a voice on ANY microphone with nice compression... AND you get to choose the flavor. Good choices are EL-8 distressor, 1176 (or clone), or maybe a DBX 165... there are many more that sound great too. Just depends on your price range.

[Folklore]

Thanks for the input everyone! Ive looked into the Rodes and the Perceptions but haven't gotten much info on the SE's so I'll give those a look. I've been thinking I might need to keep looking at LDCs based on what I've heard about the sm7, but since I am not recording in a treated room or booth or something I keep going back to the sm7.

I think a good compresser is a little out of the budget for the time being, so I'll have to stick with what logic offers for the time being, but it is something I've been looking into for a future purchase.

[daez]

I would say save up and work with what you got.
that 58 is close enough to a sm7 to not need one. I would save up for a great front end pre/eq/comp. I can dig wanting a better mic but you will have to save for that too. Hope you find what your looking for though....