Smooth, round, airy R&B vocal mic

[Joemamma]

I'm looking for a good mic for getting smooth, airy vocals for r&b.
I already have the SE Icis, and I like it. However, some times it can get "sharp" in the high end.

I was able to check out the soundelux u95 in a session the other day, and I really liked the sound. It was more smooth then the icis, but a bit too sibilant some times. I heard they improved this in the soundelux u99...

Overall, I liked the soundelux u95, and I'm looking for a similar mic.

It has to be really smooth, with a clear, airy high end, that is round and pleasant, and not too sibilant!

Any mic suggestion?

[Dan DeTora]

sibilance will depend on the singer mostly, but a u95 is one of my favorites for airy vocals (most vocals in fact). try running it through a 1073 if possible.

[ToddP]

Originally Posted by Joemamma

I'm looking for a good mic for getting smooth, airy vocals for r&b.
I already have the SE Icis, and I like it. However, some times it can get "sharp" in the high end.

I was able to check out the soundelux u95 in a session the other day, and I really liked the sound. It was more smooth then the icis, but a bit too sibilant some times. I heard they improved this in the soundelux u99...

Overall, I liked the soundelux u95, and I'm looking for a similar mic.

It has to be really smooth, with a clear, airy high end, that is round and pleasant, and not too sibilant!

Any mic suggestion?

The e47c is actually more like a U95.

[Joemamma]

How does the U95 and U99 compare to mics like the tlm-103 and tlm-49?
Which is more smooth and airy?

[TonyBelmont]

When you say smooth... what do you mean? smooth low end, mids, highs?

For airy vocals, nothing beats the Peluso 251.

[Joemamma]

Originally Posted by TonyBelmont

When you say smooth... what do you mean? smooth low end, mids, highs?

For airy vocals, nothing beats the Peluso 251.

I guess I mean smooth mids and most importantly smooth highs. I often find that certain frequencies in the high end on vocals can get irritating in a mix, so I'm looking for something smooth and round in the high frequencies.

[TonyBelmont]

Originally Posted by Joemamma

I guess I mean smooth mids and most importantly smooth highs. I often find that certain frequencies in the high end on vocals can get irritating in a mix, so I'm looking for something smooth and round in the high frequencies.

Well, I think you should get a couple of mics to try out... Some of the one's that might meet your criteria are in no particular order:

Neumann U67, Peluso P12, 22 47 LE, Pearlman TM-1. The 251 wouldn't be a good choice, because the mids are more scooped than the P12, and the low end is lacking a little bit.

I think I would grab the P12 first and see how that works out for you...

I'm actually helping a very popular mic manufacturer to manufacture a mic that is very much what what you are asking for, but that won't be out for a couple months at least. It's being made with hip hop/R&B vocals in mind, because that's my primary need for a mic...

[scdafunkyg]

Tony, keep us posted. Mos def that's gonna be on my christmas list if you can make that happen!

[TonyBelmont]

Originally Posted by scdafunkyg

Tony, keep us posted. Mos def that's gonna be on my christmas list if you can make that happen!

The first prototype will be at my studio in two weeks.

[Stitch333]

Originally Posted by TonyBelmont

The first prototype will be at my studio in two weeks.

I DEF wanna know bout that mic. Whats the design based around?

[scdafunkyg]

Tony - Any further details or news on that mic you're designing?

[TonyBelmont]

Originally Posted by scdafunkyg

Tony - Any further details or news on that mic you're designing?

I'm not the designer, but I should have the prototype after the holiday. No ETA yet, but it should be fairly soon.

[jb4play]

Originally Posted by TonyBelmont

I'm not the designer, but I should have the prototype after the holiday. No ETA yet, but it should be fairly soon.

Making room on the budget for it... lol

[FULL-DUPLEX]

Originally Posted by TonyBelmont

I'm not the designer, but I should have the prototype after the holiday. No ETA yet, but it should be fairly soon.

The mic needs a nice color finish... Chrome grill is a must and may be "cream"-color for the micbody... thumbsup

Regards,

F.D.

[TonyBelmont]

Originally Posted by FULL-DUPLEX

The mic needs a nice color finish... Chrome grill is a must and may be "cream"-color for the micbody... thumbsup

Regards,

F.D.

Yes, he's working on making it look cool, too...

[nyxotik]

Originally Posted by TonyBelmont

Well, I think you should get a couple of mics to try out... Some of the one's that might meet your criteria are in no particular order:

Neumann U67, Peluso P12, 22 47 LE, Pearlman TM-1. The 251 wouldn't be a good choice, because the mids are more scooped than the P12, and the low end is lacking a little bit.

I think I would grab the P12 first and see how that works out for you...

I'm actually helping a very popular mic manufacturer to manufacture a mic that is very much what what you are asking for, but that won't be out for a couple months at least. It's being made with hip hop/R&B vocals in mind, because that's my primary need for a mic...

im sorry to revive this thread 5 years later haha, but tony... now that the mic you were working with the manufacturer is most likely done, can you share which mic it was? because i happen to be looking for a mic for that exact application! so if you say you know of a mic that was being designed for THAT application, i would surely love to know what it is!!

[Gax]

Wunder Audio CM7GT