Best Blue Vocal Microphone?

[jrod9900]

A mic that I've had a lot of success with on vocals, drums, instruments, and almost anything I've used it on is the Mojave 201 Fet. I use it on vocals all the time. I end up picking it a lot over other more expensive mics. If will absolutely give you great results.

You can also find them used right now for around $500. You can use the rest of your money to buy an interface and other needs like a second mic.

I just really thunk it would be a waste to buy a $3k mic at this point. There is a lot of learning you'll need to do over the next couple years before I would really justify that purchase.

Nice voice btw.

JROD

[_Mark]

The Avatone CV-12 is a good option if you change your mind about the price... Taylor Swift used it on her most recent album, and it's only a $500 mic!

[Bunjji]

Try out the JZ Vintage 11, it has an interesting eq curve that adds a subtle boost in the low end (70-150 hz). I don't think it will be stocked at gc (guitar center) though.

[indie folk guy]

if you are in a dorm room I'd say invest in a good mic, good pre/ad converter (RME), and something like an SE Reflexion Filter.

[AmbroseHenri]

Thanks for all the input guys! I've decided to learn more about microphones before spending a ton on a higher end mic. Now I'm just looking for a mic under $1000 that would be good for baritone vocals.

Originally Posted by _Mark

The Avatone CV-12 is a good option if you change your mind about the price... Taylor Swift used it on her most recent album, and it's only a $500 mic!

Do you know how good this microphone would be with a baritone vox?

[MikeP.]

I personally didn't like the Bluebird or any besides the bottle rocket. Maybe that's just me though.

[Lights]

Are you still planning to head to your local store and do some testing? This is really the best thing for you to do. It will take the better part of a day but save you a bunch money in the long run. Maybe the best mic for your voice is only $200... you never know until you try them.

[_Mark]

I wouldn't go to a $200 mic, unless it was used and in perfect condition...
Avantone Pro CV-12 | RecordingHacks.com
You can see its frequency responses, here. It looks like it would be nice with your voice... I looked at your example.
Plus, you have multiple patterns with the mic, which gives you more versatility.
If you wear a snap back hat on the back of your head, it makes it sound better. I think that means it will sound twice as good as it would normally, for you.

[cheu78]

Originally Posted by Lights

Are you still planning to head to your local store and do some testing? This is really the best thing for you to do. It will take the better part of a day but save you a bunch money in the long run. Maybe the best mic for your voice is only $200... you never know until you try them.

+1!!!
if you could try to test a Violet Design Black Knight, quite awesome for the money..Or maybe a Milab DC96-B... these might work for your voice..
Test them out, is the only way to find out..



Cheu

[Lights]

Originally Posted by _Mark

If you wear a snap back hat on the back of your head, it makes it sound better. I think that means it will sound twice as good as it would normally, for you.

A what?

[_Mark]

Originally Posted by Lights

A what?

I was making a comment on the following device:
Let me google that for you

[Lights]

Wow that was irrelevant.

[prizebeatz1]

Isn't is still kind of dangerous to test a mic somewhere other than where you plan to record? For example, the acoustics and/or the preamp will more than likely be different. If they run the mic into an Avalon that would probably make you think differently than if they run it through a Joe Schmo pre, no? Maybe testing it out at the store and then having the option to take it home for a while would be better. It would suck to get something that you thought was gonna be perfect and then come home and find otherwise.....

[Go Nigel Go]

Sure it is ideal to test the mic on your gear, in your room, with the intended singer in front of it. You can really narrow things down with some field testing though. If something isn't right with the mic choice, that will show up wherever you test it. If you can make it sound good at the store but not in your studio, you may want to look at your set up and how to improve it before sending the mic back because the mic probably isn't at fault.

[AmbroseHenri]

Originally Posted by Lights

Are you still planning to head to your local store and do some testing? This is really the best thing for you to do. It will take the better part of a day but save you a bunch money in the long run. Maybe the best mic for your voice is only $200... you never know until you try them.

Yes I am, I was just wondering about that mic.

Originally Posted by _Mark

If you wear a snap back hat on the back of your head, it makes it sound better. I think that means it will sound twice as good as it would normally, for you.

Haha, peep my avatar picture!

Originally Posted by jdomini00

Isn't is still kind of dangerous to test a mic somewhere other than where you plan to record? For example, the acoustics and/or the preamp will more than likely be different. If they run the mic into an Avalon that would probably make you think differently than if they run it through a Joe Schmo pre, no? Maybe testing it out at the store and then having the option to take it home for a while would be better. It would suck to get something that you thought was gonna be perfect and then come home and find otherwise.....

Don't worry. I'm gonna bring my MacBook and Apogee Duet 2 with me haha.

[AmbroseHenri]

Btw, how do you guys feel about this auction? Blue Kiwi Condenser Microphone with wooden case L@@@K!!! | eBay

[uncle duncan]

Originally Posted by _Mark

I wouldn't go to a $200 mic, unless it was used and in perfect condition...

What if the voice sounds harsh and pinched on a bright mic, but smooth and buttery on a flat mic? The $200 KEL HM2d could sound infinitely better on that voice than brighter mics costing thousands of dollars. Plus, you could spend all day trying to EQ the brighter mic to sound as good as the HM2d, but you'd never get there. That's why reputable studios have more than one mic to choose from.

This concept that a more expensive mic is going to automatically sound better than a cheaper mic is ridiculous. Granted, better components would, theoretically, lead to better sound quality on a technical level, but if that "better" sound quality is coupled with a frequency response curve that makes a particular source sound bad, it's not better sound, it's worse sound - on that particular source.

[AldenW]

Originally Posted by AmbroseHenri

Btw, how do you guys feel about this auction? Blue Kiwi Condenser Microphone with wooden case L@@@K!!! | eBay

I'd be very careful. Sold 'as is' and with a mysterious static in the background... Could be just moisture in the capsule, but the cynic in me says that the seller may be downplaying the problems. Go with something you know will work.

[_Mark]

Fair enough, Uncle, however most would feel the need to "upgrade" nearly right away. Often, it seems to be more of a mental process that a cheaper mic cannot sound better than a more expensive one, even after you process its recordings like crazy. I personally am that way, as I find myself rather materialistic.

[Skulls615]

If you want to try out a ton of mics, hit me up. I have a buddy who has a studio near you and just about every Blue Mic possible. He also has some Neumann and other mics. Just message me and I'll get you setup.

[stafs]

Try JZ 'Vintage' series mics. V11, V12, V47 or V67 and i'm pretty sure You will find one that fits YOUR voice. BTW - JZ is the guy who designed Blue mics.

[AmbroseHenri]

Hey guys, I have a pretty serious question. So I tried out a couple of mics and my decision came between a Blue Kiwi and a Shure KSM 32.
Which I thought was weird.. haha.

But anyway, I ended up deciding to get the Blue Kiwi, so I ordered one on eBay. However, when it came, the shipment screws on the kiwi weren't on, and there's something dangling on the mic head capsule, and I'm pretty sure its the receptor that picks up the audio (idk what you call it). Is this a quick fix? Or should I return this?

One more thing, I did tests with it at the same place where I tested the test kiwi and the test kiwi had a better, clearer sound. This one seems to be a little muffled, but I'm guessing that's due to the part inside not being solid...

Once again, is this a quick fix? Or have I been basically screwed... lol

[AldenW]

Originally Posted by AmbroseHenri

Hey guys, I have a pretty serious question. So I tried out a couple of mics and my decision came between a Blue Kiwi and a Shure KSM 32.
Which I thought was weird.. haha.

But anyway, I ended up deciding to get the Blue Kiwi, so I ordered one on eBay. However, when it came, the shipment screws on the kiwi weren't on, and there's something dangling on the mic head capsule, and I'm pretty sure its the receptor that picks up the audio (idk what you call it). Is this a quick fix? Or should I return this?

One more thing, I did tests with it at the same place where I tested the test kiwi and the test kiwi had a better, clearer sound. This one seems to be a little muffled, but I'm guessing that's due to the part inside not being solid...

Once again, is this a quick fix? Or have I been basically screwed... lol

Ooooh that sounds really bad. In the mesh part? Sounds like the capsule is dangling loose. The capsule is the most delicate and critical part of the microphone; that's no good. Send it back.

I don't know what the 'shipment screws' are though.

[AmbroseHenri]

Originally Posted by AldenW

Ooooh that sounds really bad. In the mesh part? Sounds like the capsule is dangling loose. The capsule is the most delicate and critical part of the microphone; that's no good. Send it back.

I don't know what the 'shipment screws' are though.

On the kiwi, you put in 3 screws on the capsule in order to stabilize it while traveling.

[AldenW]

Originally Posted by AmbroseHenri

On the kiwi, you put in 3 screws on the capsule in order to stabilize it while traveling.

Had no idea. Can't comment then, but a 'dangling' capsule still seems pretty bad to me. I wouldn't want that banging around during shipping.

[AmbroseHenri]

So I'm guessing you guys are saying to return it then?

[_Mark]

Originally Posted by AmbroseHenri

So I'm guessing you guys are saying to return it then?

Of course. If you had just bought a car, and as you were driving out of the lot the door fell off, would you return it?

[KrisHayes]

What preamp and interface are you using? If you have a USB mic currently, I'm assuming you don't have an interface yet? You'll want to budget for that as well... just as important as the mic.