Decent chain for rap vocals - talking mid-price-ish...

[Oneleven]

Currently running either a Rode NT2000, or a Shure KSM32 - with an Oktava MK319 that hardly sees the light of day - into a Sytek (also have a JoeMeek VC6Q, a Presonus TubePre fitted out with a Groove Tubes 12AX7 tube - making it at least usable on certain sources - and the stock pres on the EMU 1820m...)
From there into an RNC - just to even the signal out... Not exactly thrilled with it as a tool for coloration as far as rap vocals are concerned (generally compress rather heavily ITB, using Waves RenComp or PSP VintageWarmer) but it does what I use it for very effectively and transparently...
From there into the aforementioned 1820M, and into Cubase SX2.
Looking to make upgrades/additions to the signal path across the board, and would value any and all input...
Looking at getting more useful outboard compression first - probably a DBX 160x or 160xt...
Mic wise, looking at the lower end Neumanns - BCM 104, TLM 103... Soundelux U195... Beyer Dynamic M160... Shure SM7b... Looking for feedback on stuff from ADK and Lawson...
Preamp wise, I'm pleased with the Sytek, but it's a loaner, and I don't want to come to depend on it... Would like some input on the RNP for rap - I have of course been quite pleased with the value and utility of the RNC, but haven't had any experience with the pres...
Also looking at putting together something modular - lunchboxey, like one of the OSA enclosures with whatever units I decide to acquire - OSA, Purple Audio, API, etc. I'm really feeling the whole modular thing...
Also looking at the GT Brick - it wouldn't be bad to have a good bass DI thrown in the package...
Maybe the Summit 2BA-221 instead?
Looking at getting a good outboard EQ too - maybe one of those Speck units?
I wanted to start this thread not only to get feedback on what choices I should make, but also to open a dialogue on rap vocal signal chains, focused on mid-priced equipment...
Want to see what you all been using...

[Oneleven]

Also looking for feedback on the EV RE20, and some of the SE mics, like the Gemini...

[Oneleven]

Either I've started a thread that everyone feels is redundant, or no one on here gives a crap about rap vocals...
Or, perhaps the wheels of progress turn rather slowly on this forum (which I'm frankly somewhat more than slightly reluctant to believe...)
I mean, damn - ain't a motherflower done a search on like, SM7B or Sytek and haven't had something at all to contribute? Especially with all these cats I'm convinced have accepted (even grudgingly)that rap vocals will be a big part of their bread-and-butter business for the forseeable future...
Y ya saben lo que grito...

[beatzz]

Well i recently aquired is SM58 for rap vocals........ and i was pleasently surpirsed!

[PT User]

I have found 3 combo that our proven winners.

The best of the two: Rode NTK into a Vintech 1272

when the above doesnt work: Soundelux U195 into the Vintech

Last Resort: Soundelux into the Avalon737

[s.d.finley]

You could always try a "search" on rap vocals....I did and got 162 results....

http://gearslutz.com/board/search.php3?searchid=378718

click it....

sdf

[Jules]

bump

[studiomusic]

Studio Projects C3 into a Focusrite ISA 220 into Apogee AD8000 into ProTools Mix+ sounds good with my Rapper Friend on the mic.
I think that that's the key, find one that sounds good for the voice you're recording.
Trial and error (I tried an SM57 into a Bear-ringer tube pre...error ).

[Oneleven]

I just picked up an SM7b and a 160xt...
So far they're really interesting... Haven't has much time to work with them, but I'll post when I have...

[Full Clip Audio]

I personally like the RNPs better than the RNCs for most things. The RNCs work well for slight smoothing and they are very transparent but they dont do it for me when it comes to big transients. The RNPs have a very nice open top end wihtout being even a bit harsh. They really are at the opposite end of the spectrum from a vintage tube pre (I know thats very general) , bursting at the seams, saturated sound. They are very modern sounding and detailed. I have tried them with a lot of different mics in all different price points and so far the best match for most rappers seems to be the CAD E-350.

[killahertz]

for the me the soundelux u-195 with anything 'nevish' is a great look. If i was looking at a mid priced chain that could hang with just about anything i would go u-195 with a great river me1nv or a phoenix drs-1. My defacto vocal comp is a dbx 160xt its going to handle even the fastest tranisents without any problems at all. Of course my first choice is a sony c800g into a ams-neve 1073 reissue but not every project is going to have a budget for that but I can get a really similar sound/tone with the u-195 and the drs-1.

peace
hochi
killahertz

[Fajita]

OneEleven, that VC6Q adds a touch of color and the harder you hit the opto, the nicer it sounds.

[Oneleven]

OneEleven, that VC6Q adds a touch of color and the harder you hit the opto, the nicer it sounds.

Yo, no doubt... I've found it really useful as a DI for bass and guitar, and I also use it as a channel strip to chunky up overly bright percussion - guiro, cowbell, etc...
I just don't like the pre as a vocal pre - I don't like how it sits in the mix - just muddies a nice vocal up, IMO... And I've run other pre's into the line input to use the comp and eq, but I found it alittle noisey for my taste... Interesting for a creative effect though...
But man, compared to that 160xt? lol... I think I might have to call in to work tomorrow - I've caught some serious sickness... ;)

[byunsen]

ive heard over and over that the great river mic pre is really good, but do you guys think its appropriate for rap with its quick transients esp since many ppl call it very slow (slew rate or whatnot)

[cynic]

I'm no pro, but I'm using a combo of a Rode NT1 and a Baby Bottle through a Langevin DVC...sounds good to my ears, although I'd like to pick up one of those SM7A's for my vox...

The Blue seems to work well on female voices, not so well on mine...

[k2m]

@oneeleven (kinda ot):

i woud love to hear the difference between the emu's pres and the other pre's you own since i have an emu 1820m too and would love to compare.

greetz

[Oneleven]

When I get around to it, I'll try to post something on here showing them up....

[TonyBelmont]

Originally Posted by byunsen

ive heard over and over that the great river mic pre is really good, but do you guys think its appropriate for rap with its quick transients esp since many ppl call it very slow (slew rate or whatnot)

Don't pay attention to any of those specs when looking at mic pres. They won't tell you what it sounds like. I'm sure you could use any of the Great River stuff and be happy. I personally prefer Neve and API, and I'm sure the slew rates on Neve's aren't any faster . Where talking about pico-seconds and nano-secounds here..

[moeses]

Originally Posted by PT User

I have found 3 combo that our proven winners.

The best of the two: Rode NTK into a Vintech 1272

oh yeah
for anyone who hates these two products, get them together in the right situation and they are perfect
one of my favorite recordings vocal recordings ever in hip hop was done with this chain

but from that whole album, only 2-3 songs would have worked with this set up
it's pretty dark
but for that mood, wow

[moeses]

and the rode ntk summit 2ba-221 set up isn't bad at all, it takes some time to get it dialed in right, which can be time consuming
but when you get it right, it's a really great combo

probably the biggest rap mixxer in the bay area( at least the busiest ) told me the vocal cuts i brought in with that combo were the best that had come into his studio