$2,500 To Spend On Mic For Mostly Male Hip Hop/Rap Vocals

[IAMCRISIS]

I'm looking to buy a mic for mostly recording male Hip Hop/Rap vocals and occasional male and female singing for hooks (vocal stacking for both). I'm willing to spend up to $2,500. I have Great River ME-1NV and have a dbx 160a comp coming in the mail. I already have a AT4033a but I've had it for a long time and it's time for an upgrade (long overdue LoL..) I know about vintage U87's but them things are kind of hard to find and would rather have something brand new with a similar sound, maybe even better for the budget I'm working with. Any suggestions would be helpful.

[dhiltonlittle]

Vintage 87 hard to find? Really?

[IAMCRISIS]

At $2,500, kind of, Yeah.... Most i've seen are around the $3,000 range. I'll rather buy something brand new for that price that sounds just as good or even better unless there isn't anything better or just as good NEW at the price.... Then I guess I'll go for the vintage u87. I'm just weighing my options. I've only had 1 Mic since I've started recording so I just want to make sure the next Mic I get (at that price range) is a real good mic for what I need it for.

[Chris Lago]

Originally Posted by IAMCRISIS

At $2,500, kind of, Yeah.... Most i've seen are around the $3,000 range. I'll rather buy something brand new for that price that sounds just as good or even better unless there isn't anything better or just as good NEW at the price.... Then I guess I'll go for the vintage u87. I'm just weighing my options. I've only had 1 Mic since I've started recording so I just want to make sure the next Mic I get (at that price range) is a real good mic for what I need it for.

I know a guy selling his for 2.5k, I'll give you his email.

[IAMCRISIS]

Is it in good condition?... I actually found 1 but it was a little beat up. Don't really feel comfortable spending that amount of money on something that looks beat up... Like I said this is my first time spending this amount on a Mic so forgive me if I seem a little wary... LoL...

[Chris Lago]

Originally Posted by IAMCRISIS

Is it in good condition?... I actually found 1 but it was a little beat up. Don't really feel comfortable spending that amount of money on something that looks beat up... Like I said this is my first time spending this amount on a Mic so forgive me if I seem a little wary... LoL...

Yes most definitely, it's probably been used for Major Label Sessions too.

[IAMCRISIS]

I'm not really worried about it being in major studio sessions. I'm more worried about sound quality (witch I know that mic is classic for) and condition. This is going to be my go to mic not only for me but for other artist I work with for a while so I don't want it breaking down on me like a used car. Lol... But send me the email. I'll give it look. Can't hurt. Thanks for the plug too.

I guess there isn't another mic that you can compare to a vintage U87... Lol... There's got to be something close to it in the price. I mean I was got one eventually just to add to my Mic locker but was trying to avoid my 1st "Real" Mic to be a used mic. But hey your not the first one to tell me to get a vintage U87 was trying to sneak my way around 1 for now... Guess not... Lol

[Chris Lago]

Originally Posted by IAMCRISIS

I'm not really worried about it being in major studio sessions. I'm more worried about sound quality (witch I know that mic is classic for) and condition. This is going to be my go to mic not only for me but for other artist I work with for a while so I don't want it breaking down on me like a used car. Lol... But send me the email. I'll give it look. Can't hurt. Thanks for the plug too.

I guess there isn't another mic that you can compare to a vintage U87... Lol... There's got to be something close to it in the price. I mean I was got one eventually just to add to my Mic locker but was trying to avoid my 1st "Real" Mic to be a used mic. But hey your not the first one to tell me to get a vintage U87 was trying to sneak my way around 1 for now... Guess not... Lol

Ok but how do you even know that the u87 works on your voice? Have you ever used one? What if you buy one and it doesn't work on your voice? When you buy a high end, vintage mic, you need to realize that just like an old car, it will need maintenance.

[IAMCRISIS]

Originally Posted by Chris Lago

Ok but how do you even know that the u87 works on your voice? Have you ever used one? What if you buy one and it doesn't work on your voice? When you buy a high end, vintage mic, you need to realize that just like an old car, it will need maintenance.

I've never recorded on 1 before that's why I'm trying to way my options. I don't want to buy something at that price that might not work on my voice. Here's one of my songs. Maybe if you hear how my voice sounds you can get better idea if that would be a good mic for me.

Memory Lane (Prod. By DJ Rob Dinero) by IAMCRISIS on SoundCloud - Create, record and share your sounds for free

[Waxavub]

Advanced Audio Microphones

spend the $1900 you have left on Ho's

[IAMCRISIS]

Originally Posted by Waxavub

Advanced Audio Microphones

spend the $1900 you have left on Ho's

Lol... That was funny... But I'm going to have to do my research on that company. Never heard of them before.

[IAMCRISIS]

Originally Posted by Waxavub

Advanced Audio Microphones

spend the $1900 you have left on Ho's

witch 1 or 2 of them would you recommend?

[Waxavub]

Originally Posted by IAMCRISIS

witch 1 or 2 of them would you recommend?

after hearing your songs i would say keep the mic you got.

spend $2495 on room treatment and nearfields and stop mixing on headphones.

or pay someone to mix it

oh, and $5 on a box of Ho-Ho's

[RTR]

Originally Posted by IAMCRISIS

I've never recorded on 1 before that's why I'm trying to way my options. I don't want to buy something at that price that might not work on my voice. Here's one of my songs. Maybe if you hear how my voice sounds you can get better idea if that would be a good mic for me.

Memory Lane (Prod. By DJ Rob Dinero) by IAMCRISIS on SoundCloud - Create, record and share your sounds for free

AHHHHHHHH...real hip hop!!! Very nice man!

[Nahuel]

Why dont you buy an u87ai new?...vintage is overrated.

Sent from my GT-I5800 using Gearslutz.com App

[nukmusic]

Originally Posted by IAMCRISIS

I'm not really worried about it being in major studio sessions. I'm more worried about sound quality (witch I know that mic is classic for) and condition. This is going to be my go to mic not only for me but for other artist I work with for a while so I don't want it breaking down on me like a used car. Lol... But send me the email. I'll give it look. Can't hurt. Thanks for the plug too.

I guess there isn't another mic that you can compare to a vintage U87... Lol... There's got to be something close to it in the price. I mean I was got one eventually just to add to my Mic locker but was trying to avoid my 1st "Real" Mic to be a used mic. But hey your not the first one to tell me to get a vintage U87 was trying to sneak my way around 1 for now... Guess not... Lol

There are lots of options and I assume you know that there's no such thing as perfect mic. If you can only have one, you might want to stay with the studio standards. A u87ai, c414, etc. IMO, I think one good mic combined with a pre and eq can go a long way. The standards may also be easier to sell off down the line if it comes to that point.

Also, what do you feel is wrong with your current mic when you compared it to others? What other gear you have involved in your audio chain? (mic, pre, compressor, audio interface, cables, daw, speakers, etc.)

[Chris Lago]

I'm really enjoying my u87ai right now, so try to find one used but you need a decent pre with it too.

[rickrock305]

There are a lot of good options in your price range. If youre spending that kinda money on a mic, I'd really suggest trying at least a few different options.

Also I may have missed it, but what does the rest of your vocal chain look like?

[Audio Child]

AT4033 is a great mic in my opinion!

Check out there AT4047!

[IAMCRISIS]

@RTR Thanks...

@Waxavub That was actually recorded on my older set up with no mic-pre in a open room, no booth. Just my AT4033a directly in to a mbox 2 and mixed with the stock pro tools plug-ins. Hole different ball game now. Here's a pic of my brand new set up. I have a Great River Mic-Pre now (will be getting a BAE 1073 latter in the year) going in to the New Avid Mbox Pro 3, Pro Tools 9 with Waves mercury and few other good plug-ins. Now I want to upgrade my Mic.


Was Looking at the U87ai But I see a lot of people selling theirs so i'm a little iffy on them.

@nukmusic I know there's not just 1 perfect mic for what I'm looking for, witch is why I'm not selling my AT4033a I'm just looking for a "big brother" for it now.

I've finally have a good set up so now it's time to buy a better mic then the 1 I already have have. So I'm looking for some suggestions. Already knew I was going to get the "vintage U87" answer (LoL) but was woundering if there was anything else out there that sounded good.

[IAMCRISIS]

Originally Posted by rickrock305

There are a lot of good options in your price range. If youre spending that kinda money on a mic, I'd really suggest trying at least a few different options.

Also I may have missed it, but what does the rest of your vocal chain look like?

Great River ME-1NV>dbx160a (witch was not used on that track I posted)

[valayah]

I just stopped recording for a while to get back into my producing. But I was loving my mic chain! Peluso 2247 LE > Great River ME-1NV. Easy to mix with and sounded great on male and female vocals. I since sold the Great River but the mic is on Ebay right now. Here is the link:

Peluso 2247 LE Tube Microphone - eBay (item 320597791187 end time Jun-27-11 14:32:14 PDT)

[IAMCRISIS]

(sorry for the multiple posts)

By the way, the room in the pic was built like a bomb shelter... Lol... I get a very good sound out of it (Night & day compared to where I was recording before). Spent close to 10k on it with out equipment. Will be getting a pair of Dynaudio's also because I'm still using my older Alesis M1 Active MkII's that I've had for a while. I really like those (BM 5A's)

[Chris Lago]

I'm wondering, why are you iffy of buying a mic because many people are selling it? It probably means that many more bought it. The reason you don't see many c800g for sale is because there are probably way more people with u87ai's than c800gs.

Again, why are you thinking of getting any mic without trying them on your voice? Go to a studio that has a bunch of mics and see which ones fit your voice best.

[IAMCRISIS]

Originally Posted by Chris Lago

I'm wondering, why are you iffy of buying a mic because many people are selling it? It probably means that many more bought it. The reason you don't see many c800g for sale is because there are probably way more people with u87ai's than c800gs.

Again, why are you thinking of getting any mic without trying them on your voice? Go to a studio that has a bunch of mics and see which ones fit your voice best.

Brother, If I had that luxury of going to a studio and trying a bunch of Mic's we wouldn't be having this conversation. I don't have access to studios with multiple Mic's that I can try witch is why I made this post and built my own studio. And I don't know any 1 with that Mic or any other good Mic's to borrow and try. I was hoping the people who have tried different Mic's and have access to them on this site can help me. And I'm iffy because if the Mic (u87ai) is so good, why are so many people selling theirs? That's all I was saying. And aslo, I did record on a U87 in my boy DJ Hondas studio 1 time. Thought it was the TLM 67 but was wrong... My vocals sounded big. It was going through an Avalon. So I actually do know how I sound on 1. But at the end of the day I just wanted to know if there is a Mic that I can buy BRAND NEW for the budget I'm working with ($2,500) that would be just as good or better then a Vintage U87 for Hip Hop because I know it's the "industry standard", especially for Hip Hop. Just wanted to look outside the box and ask you guys opinions.

[Chris Lago]

Originally Posted by IAMCRISIS

Brother, If I had that luxury of going to a studio and trying a bunch of Mic's we wouldn't be having this conversation. I don't have access to studios with multiple Mic's that I can try witch is why I made this post and built my own studio. And I don't know any 1 with that Mic or any other good Mic's to borrow and try. I was hoping the people who have tried different Mic's and have access to them on this site can help me. And I'm iffy because if the Mic (u87ai) is so good, why are so many people selling theirs? That's all I was saying. And aslo, I did record on a U87 in my boy DJ Hondas studio 1 time. Thought it was the TLM 67 but was wrong... My vocals sounded big. It was going through an Avalon. So I actually do know how I sound on 1. But at the end of the day I just wanted to know if there is a Mic that I can buy BRAND NEW for the budget I'm working with ($2,500) that would be just as good or better then a Vintage U87 for Hip Hop because I know it's the "industry standard", especially for Hip Hop. Just wanted to look outside the box and ask you guys opinions.

There aren't really any mics in the 2.5k bracket other than the Brauner Phanthera or Brauner Phantom C that fits your budget. For 3k you could get a Manley Reference Cardioid, it's used on so many hit songs. Right now, a lot of rappers (not all) are cutting their vocals on a c800g. The u87 is a way different sounding mic. It's pretty honky sounding, and it cuts through any mix. Trust your ears, not what the used market is saying. I also see a ton of Pacifica pres being sold used, and they sound wonderful. I know that Salomander is selling a used u87 in the classifieds by the way. Did you email the guy I referred you first?

I am currently tracking my album with a u87ai and it sounds really solid. I can add some air and to me it sounds quite close to the T-Pain (Epiphany) album, and that's exactly what I was looking for. Do you want me to show you a sample on rap?

The difference to me, between the u87ai and u87 (aside from maintenance variations) is that the ai has more highs to it. The vintage one has more bass, sounds creamier in the highs and smooth in the lows. the u87ai is sharper in the highs and a tad honkier in the mids. The u87ai, to me, is more modern sounding, requires less EQ, but is less versatile than the vintage u87. Again it all depends on which vintage u87 you try, I've heard some good and some bad ones, as I've heard some good and bad vintage Neve 1073s, due to poor or good maintenance.

[5150MP]

Just grab yourself a used Lawson L47mp and a JJ Audio Akita w/U67 capsule and enjoy yourself.

[IAMCRISIS]

Originally Posted by Chris Lago

There aren't really any mics in the 2.5k bracket other than the Brauner Phanthera or Brauner Phantom C that fits your budget. For 3k you could get a Manley Reference Cardioid, it's used on so many hit songs. Right now, a lot of rappers (not all) are cutting their vocals on a c800g. The u87 is a way different sounding mic. It's pretty honky sounding, and it cuts through any mix. Trust your ears, not what the used market is saying. I also see a ton of Pacifica pres being sold used, and they sound wonderful. I know that Salomander is selling a used u87 in the classifieds by the way. Did you email the guy I referred you first?

I am currently tracking my album with a u87ai and it sounds really solid. I can add some air and to me it sounds quite close to the T-Pain (Epiphany) album, and that's exactly what I was looking for. Do you want me to show you a sample on rap?

The difference to me, between the u87ai and u87 (aside from maintenance variations) is that the ai has more highs to it. The vintage one has more bass, sounds creamier in the highs and smooth in the lows. the u87ai is sharper in the highs and a tad honkier in the mids. The u87ai, to me, is more modern sounding, requires less EQ, but is less versatile than the vintage u87. Again it all depends on which vintage u87 you try, I've heard some good and some bad ones, as I've heard some good and bad vintage Neve 1073s, due to poor or good maintenance.

Yeah... Let me hear a sample if you don't mind... If the u87ai is that good then I might as well save up a little more and buy a brand new 1 if that's the case... Lol... It will probably sound sweat running through my Great River Mic-Pre too. Like I said in my earlier post I have a dbx 160a coming the mail this week that I plan on adding to my vocal chain and by the end of the year I'm looking in to purchasing a BAE 1073 Mic-Pre & A Great River EQ. I've heard a lot of good thing about the Great River EQ combined with Great River Mic-Pre and of course the 1073 speaks for it's self, but that's later on. I'm trying to add a good Mic to what I have now. So I guess I should just save up a little more and get a vintage u87 in good condition or a brand new u87ai... I'm trying to make smarter purchases now on high end gear because what I buy I plan on keeping to build an arsenal of Mic's, Mic-Pre's, Comps, EQ's etc... I've been bitten by the gear bug...

[IAMCRISIS]

Originally Posted by 5150MP

Just grab yourself a used Lawson L47mp and a JJ Audio Akita w/U67 capsule and enjoy yourself.

I've never heard those Mic's, but have heard good things about them... Do you have something I can hear? Or a song you can reference from 1 of those artists on your mix credits?....

[Chris Lago]

Here's a Rap take with

u87ai (everything flat) into Neve 1073DPD (20gain) into LA2A (-5db gain reduction into Mytek 96ADC. Enjoy! The u87ai is more modern sounding, it sounds tweaked already in the highs, the vintage u87 is smoother all around, and will require a decent amount of EQ to get it to sound like any modern release. Pick your poison. By the way, good stuff I hear on there, you sound like you're from D-Block! You sound a bit like Styles P.