Mic Check 1,2.... Vocal Samples Inside, Pick Your Favorite Mic!

**TonyBelmont** · 21st November 2006, 09:09 AM

Ok, so me and my good friend and rapper Jae Jump decided to check out a couple of microphones tonight and see how they compare... The following tracks were recorded through the same 1073, and were formulated in a matter of 15 minutes. Recorded in exactly the same way. Tell me what's your favorite...

Microphone Check #1

Microphone Check #2

These are raw vocal files, that were not EQ'ed in any way.

H-Rezz · 21st November 2006, 10:35 AM

I prefer the clarity and richness of mic one , the vocal sound doesn't need much more to it,sounds great .....

Mic 2 sounds a tad murkier , still nice but not with the same clarity as mic 1 , either one will not stop the track from being a hit due to the mic choice ....

Cheers

cynic · 21st November 2006, 10:58 AM

i like #2...........why i'm not sure. just sounds better to me.........

boodah · 21st November 2006, 04:39 PM

I like Mic 1. It sounds full to me. Mic 2 sounds a lil irritating to me, probably because of the upper freq. So it sounds harsh.

Great post Tony. I would like to see much more of these type posts.

Apex · 21st November 2006, 04:43 PM

Love the crispy sound of mic 1.

Fluency · 21st November 2006, 05:30 PM

1.... no contest. if anyone votes "i can't hear a difference" then it might be time to take the christmas money & buy a hearing aid this december. 1's thicker & sounds a lot better imo.

Stitch333 · 21st November 2006, 05:51 PM

Initially I was likin the pressence and crispness of mic #1 but when I listened more, it sounds like the second take was a more laid back delivery which will mos def influence the performance of whatever mic was used. But still the first mic has way more definition...tho the performance of the artist could be influenced by the quality of the mic as well

my .02

youngkain · 21st November 2006, 05:57 PM

I actually like both of them, mic#1 sounds clearer and more transparent

mic2 sounds more vintage? sounds like the vocal is closer to me, doesnt cut through the track as much as the other one, id sweeten the vocal up with some EQ

What mics did you use?

t.dizzle · 21st November 2006, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by youngkain

What mics did you use?

Ummm...this is just a guess, but I think that this may be the whole point of this thread. Too early to give it away.

Zacchino · 21st November 2006, 06:39 PM

I love #1. The second one is good too, but needs some more air (eq).

I'm sure the second one is the C800G and that the first one is an M-Audio ^^

InsaneMixaken · 21st November 2006, 06:50 PM

#1......

t.dizzle · 21st November 2006, 06:54 PM

#2 sounds warmer. Probably will hold up better after comp/eq.

DivineMusic · 21st November 2006, 07:27 PM

didn't really care for the rapper to much but
#1 sound fuller and pops outta the mix with ease
#2 is overall softer and sits in the mix more...

i personally like #2 a little more for him

did you track with a deesser? it sounds like some deessing was going on or he just didn't deliver the verse right.

so whats the chain Tony?

DROPKICK · 21st November 2006, 07:29 PM

I liked #2! is that a 57?

1st one sounds like a condenser 251 maybe
2nd one sounds like a 57 maybe!

The Beatsmith · 21st November 2006, 07:32 PM

Didn't like no.2 sounded cheap to me

No. 1 sounded more 'produced' right outta the gate, more low end - maybe it was a better performance influencing things, i don't know...

There, i put my money where my mouth is (well, not really, but eh), tell us what's what

3rd Floor · 21st November 2006, 07:55 PM

1 sounded like it had more to it. 2 sounded thin.

wizzle · 21st November 2006, 07:58 PM

#1......

cramseur · 21st November 2006, 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Beatsmith

Didn't like no.2 sounded cheap to me

No. 1 sounded more 'produced' right outta the gate, more low end - maybe it was a better performance influencing things, i don't know...

There, i put my money where my mouth is (well, not really, but eh), tell us what's what

ditto.

NesNeedsGear · 21st November 2006, 08:09 PM

started out liking #1 because of it's cleanliness, but then started hearing the ROOM/BOOTH or some funky box-like sound from the vocal.

#2 sounds just about right, all u gotta do is turn the volume up to realize how well it sits in the mix. no funny sounds or anything, just straight up goodness.

is #1 a condenser, and #2 a dynamic, maybe an SM7b or something like it?

Apex · 21st November 2006, 08:33 PM

Tony, you gonna let the cat out of the bag yet and tell us which mics you used?

t.dizzle · 21st November 2006, 08:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NesNeedsGear

is #1 a condenser, and #2 a dynamic, maybe an SM7b or something like it?

That's what I was thinking, but if there's no eq like Tony sez then that's one clean dynamic.

**TonyBelmont** · 21st November 2006, 08:35 PM

They are both condensers... One costs under $1500, and one costs $7000.

I'll let everyone know which mic is which after some more votes come in..

scoob · 21st November 2006, 08:58 PM

ok ok when do we get the answer

lol

frugalpole · 21st November 2006, 09:05 PM

here are my comments pre reading the thread.

i'm gonna throw my hand in for #2. seemed more controlled, better able to sit in the mix.

#1 seemed a bit sloppier, maybe bigger, but... sloppier.

i do not listen to rap really, so... i'm not sure what is 'it' right now for vocal style

edit: i listened on my macbook pro speakers ... so i probably shouldn't even vote. :)

defjamm · 21st November 2006, 09:22 PM

i liked 1 more for sound (but as somebody already mentioned the performance also seemed different between both).

maybe the first is the sony and the second a soundelux? just guessing.

The Beatsmith · 21st November 2006, 09:52 PM

i think no.1 probably had more proximity effect going on too..

but i still stand by it

Switchcraft · 21st November 2006, 09:55 PM

One sounded so damn harsh. I thought it sounded like a TLM103 or something. bristly, tssstshssss.

But just cause one is 7g and the other is 1g doesnt mean that 7gs works better on his voice.
IMO 2 would be better with a lil EQ.

**TonyBelmont** · 21st November 2006, 09:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Beatsmith

i think no.1 probably had more proximity effect going on too..

but i still stand by it

The distance was about 8 inches for both microphones.

Keep the opinions coming... I'll post what the mics are later today.

Poplab Studios · 21st November 2006, 09:58 PM

My vote goes for mic 2. the MC sounds more connected to the beat.
thru mic 1 he sticks to much out of it - for my taste.

youngkain · 21st November 2006, 10:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TonyBelmont

They are both condensers... One costs under $1500, and one costs $7000.

I'll let everyone know which mic is which after some more votes come in..

Ha ha

#1 One costs under $1500,

#2 costs $7000

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Microphone #2 from Mic Check #2	12	33.33%
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Voters: 36. You may not vote on this poll

21st November 2006, 10:58 AM	#3
cynic Lives for gear Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: san jose, califas Posts: 1,953	i like #2...........why i'm not sure. just sounds better to me......... __________________ damaged goods - beyond repair, cd out now damaged goods - myspace page flying brick records clout online

21st November 2006, 04:39 PM	#4
boodah Lives for gear Join Date: May 2006 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 609	I like Mic 1. It sounds full to me. Mic 2 sounds a lil irritating to me, probably because of the upper freq. So it sounds harsh. Great post Tony. I would like to see much more of these type posts. Last edited by boodah; 21st November 2006 at 04:49 PM.. Reason: clarity

21st November 2006, 05:30 PM	#6
Fluency Gear maniac Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: KC Posts: 244	1.... no contest. if anyone votes "i can't hear a difference" then it might be time to take the christmas money & buy a hearing aid this december. 1's thicker & sounds a lot better imo. __________________ I’m fearless, Now hear this/ I’m earless, And I’m peerless/ That means I’m eyeless, Which means I’m tearless/ Which means my iris resides where my ear is/ - Lupe Fiasco, "Dumb it Down" Flu's Myspace

21st November 2006, 09:09 AM	#1
TonyBelmont Moderator Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Boston,MA Providence,RI Posts: 10,133	Mic Check 1,2.... Vocal Samples Inside, Pick Your Favorite Mic! Ok, so me and my good friend and rapper Jae Jump decided to check out a couple of microphones tonight and see how they compare... The following tracks were recorded through the same 1073, and were formulated in a matter of 15 minutes. Recorded in exactly the same way. Tell me what's your favorite... Microphone Check #1 Microphone Check #2 These are raw vocal files, that were not EQ'ed in any way. __________________ Tony Belmont We Sell Gear! Need plugins? Check out PluginDiscounts.com

21st November 2006, 10:35 AM	#2
H-Rezz Lives for gear Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 1,380	I prefer the clarity and richness of mic one , the vocal sound doesn't need much more to it,sounds great ..... Mic 2 sounds a tad murkier , still nice but not with the same clarity as mic 1 , either one will not stop the track from being a hit due to the mic choice .... Cheers

21st November 2006, 04:43 PM	#5
Apex Gear maniac Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 246	Love the crispy sound of mic 1.

21st November 2006, 05:51 PM	#7
Stitch333 Lives for gear Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Phila, PA/Upstate MA Posts: 2,347	Initially I was likin the pressence and crispness of mic #1 but when I listened more, it sounds like the second take was a more laid back delivery which will mos def influence the performance of whatever mic was used. But still the first mic has way more definition...tho the performance of the artist could be influenced by the quality of the mic as well my .02 __________________ www.myspace.com/stitchproductions "Half shark, half man, skin like alligator...carrying a dead walrus..." "I think this sheet metal that says NEVE on it can be made into a mic pre. It already sounds better than anything else I own." -D.W.

21st November 2006, 05:57 PM	#8
youngkain Gear nut Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 147	difference I actually like both of them, mic#1 sounds clearer and more transparent mic2 sounds more vintage? sounds like the vocal is closer to me, doesnt cut through the track as much as the other one, id sweeten the vocal up with some EQ What mics did you use?

21st November 2006, 06:39 PM	#10
Zacchino Lives for gear Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Paris, FRANCE / L.A, USA Posts: 665	I love #1. The second one is good too, but needs some more air (eq). I'm sure the second one is the C800G and that the first one is an M-Audio ^^ __________________ ::: Zacchino :::

21st November 2006, 06:50 PM	#11
InsaneMixaken Gear nut Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 149	#1...... __________________ INSANEMIXAKEN.COM VIOLATOR ALL STAR DJ'S http://www.myspace.com/insanemixaken1 Sirius Satellite Radio Hip Hop Nation Channel 40 Violator Radio Channel 40 Superadio

21st November 2006, 06:54 PM	#12
t.dizzle Lives for gear Join Date: May 2006 Location: Purgatory Posts: 916	#2 sounds warmer. Probably will hold up better after comp/eq. __________________ Clearly def

21st November 2006, 07:27 PM	#13
DivineMusic Lives for gear Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Hotlanta Posts: 1,552	didn't really care for the rapper to much but #1 sound fuller and pops outta the mix with ease #2 is overall softer and sits in the mix more... i personally like #2 a little more for him did you track with a deesser? it sounds like some deessing was going on or he just didn't deliver the verse right. so whats the chain Tony?

21st November 2006, 07:29 PM	#14
DROPKICK Gear nut Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 133	I liked #2! is that a 57? 1st one sounds like a condenser 251 maybe 2nd one sounds like a 57 maybe!

21st November 2006, 07:32 PM	#15
The Beatsmith Lives for gear Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: UK Posts: 834	Didn't like no.2 sounded cheap to me No. 1 sounded more 'produced' right outta the gate, more low end - maybe it was a better performance influencing things, i don't know... There, i put my money where my mouth is (well, not really, but eh), tell us what's what

21st November 2006, 07:55 PM	#16
3rd Floor Gear Head Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 31	1 sounded like it had more to it. 2 sounded thin. __________________ http://www.myspace.com/3rdfl

21st November 2006, 07:58 PM	#17
wizzle Gear Head Join Date: May 2006 Location: Detroit Posts: 38	#1......

21st November 2006, 08:09 PM	#19
NesNeedsGear Lives for gear Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: NYC Posts: 540	started out liking #1 because of it's cleanliness, but then started hearing the ROOM/BOOTH or some funky box-like sound from the vocal. #2 sounds just about right, all u gotta do is turn the volume up to realize how well it sits in the mix. no funny sounds or anything, just straight up goodness. is #1 a condenser, and #2 a dynamic, maybe an SM7b or something like it?

21st November 2006, 08:33 PM	#20
Apex Gear maniac Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 246	Tony, you gonna let the cat out of the bag yet and tell us which mics you used?

21st November 2006, 08:35 PM	#22
TonyBelmont Moderator Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Boston,MA Providence,RI Posts: 10,133	They are both condensers... One costs under $1500, and one costs $7000. I'll let everyone know which mic is which after some more votes come in.. __________________ Tony Belmont We Sell Gear! Need plugins? Check out PluginDiscounts.com

21st November 2006, 08:58 PM	#23
scoob Gear maniac Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: chicago Posts: 197	ok ok when do we get the answer lol

21st November 2006, 09:05 PM	#24
frugalpole Gear maniac Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: minneapolis Posts: 193	here are my comments pre reading the thread. i'm gonna throw my hand in for #2. seemed more controlled, better able to sit in the mix. #1 seemed a bit sloppier, maybe bigger, but... sloppier. i do not listen to rap really, so... i'm not sure what is 'it' right now for vocal style edit: i listened on my macbook pro speakers ... so i probably shouldn't even vote. :) Last edited by frugalpole; 21st November 2006 at 09:14 PM.. Reason: speaker note

21st November 2006, 09:22 PM	#25
defjamm Lives for gear Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Germany Posts: 566	i liked 1 more for sound (but as somebody already mentioned the performance also seemed different between both). maybe the first is the sony and the second a soundelux? just guessing.

21st November 2006, 09:52 PM	#26
The Beatsmith Lives for gear Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: UK Posts: 834	i think no.1 probably had more proximity effect going on too.. but i still stand by it

21st November 2006, 09:55 PM	#27
Switchcraft Lives for gear Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Philly Posts: 969	One sounded so damn harsh. I thought it sounded like a TLM103 or something. bristly, tssstshssss. But just cause one is 7g and the other is 1g doesnt mean that 7gs works better on his voice. IMO 2 would be better with a lil EQ. __________________ my hands work mad good http:/www.RadioRecession.com www.RadioRecession.blogspot.com

21st November 2006, 09:58 PM	#29
Poplab Studios Gear addict Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 347	My vote goes for mic 2. the MC sounds more connected to the beat. thru mic 1 he sticks to much out of it - for my taste.