a live condenser mic for female-vocals?

[hrn]

What about this one:
http://www.audio-technica.com/prodpr...es/ATM31a.html

more at:
http://www.audio-technica.com/guide/....html#handheld

I have the AT812, AT811 and two ATM31's myself.

Hans,
www.hagen.nu

[Saucyjack]

Although I haven't heard it, Neumann makes a stage condenser.
I think it's the Kms 105?

[hrn]

it's all about the money available...
Hans,
www.hagen.nu

[Dave Martin]

I've had good luck with both the Neumann 105 and the AT equivalent - I don't remember the model number, but it's the cardioid condenser with a large diaphragm.

[squeegybug]

We've used several live mics, condenser and dynamic --

Neumann KMS105 is a fairly smooth sound, just didn't capture the dynamics like we wanted. This mic performs best with IEM, which we don't use. Even though it is promoted as supercardioid, it is very sensitive and will feed back easily if you're using floor monitors and/or near FOH. I got a great deal on two of them for evaluation, but couldn't love them and returned both for refund.

Audix makes the VX10 condenser, I haven't used it. For my needs, the Audix dynamics (OM series) don't support the male vocal low range enough, and do not have the strong presence peak I like.

Sennheiser E865 condenser (Sting mic) has had good recommendations, might be discontinued? I've used the dynamic 835/845, also a little too "smooth" and laid-back for me, nice sound though.

By far the best live vocal mic I've found is the Shure Beta 87A. This is supercardioid condenser, excellent rejection and GBF, and very dynamic, easily goes from whisper to shout. The cardioid version (87C) has been described as sounding even better, I've not used it, I need the feedback rejection of the tighter pattern. Shure specs say it will handle 140.5 dB at 1 kHz, can she sing that loud?

You sure you need a condenser? I got a kick out of a CMT concert I watched the other night, every single performer used wireless Neumann KMS150s, except for the grand finale -- Martina McBride singing Stand by Your Man. Now I'm pretty sure her husband John (MD/Clair) could pick her about any mic she wanted -- so what exotic world-class mic did she use? A wired SM58, and just _whaled_ on it!


Steve

[doug_hti]

beta 87A...it has a great top end, love it. Some arena type rooms or very ambient rooms with drums directly behind the singer, it may grab a little much IME.

KMS105 if they have harshness in their voice, more around 1k-2k rather than the 2.5-4k your saying...

if they have a voice that you want to really bring out the top end, i'd go the 87a
If your trying to tame the top end I'd go kms105

And as always, it's good to have a 58 on hand, depending on venue, even with IEMs, even though you may have to put on some top end...the mic is amazing for very bad circumstances

[squeegybug]

My experience agrees with yours Doug. I'd also mention that the KMS105 has an extreme low-cut, it drops off way too quick to work well on my baritone voice, and you really can't do justice to that mic by crowding it, it just won't develop the proximity boost that the 87A will.

So for us, female vocal benefits from the nice highs, male voice likes the strong lows, 87A is just a good all-around mic IMO.

Besides, two of my favorite artists, Emmylou and Richard Thompson (among many others of course) almost always use the Beta condensers in concert, I'll take all the help I can get trying to head to that level of performance

Steve

[GearGuy]

I've had lots of success with the Earthworks SR69 on women vocalist. The Neumann 105 and the Sennheiser E865 are also wonderful mics to use for your situation.

[Steve Smith]

I am with Dave Martin, the 105 o tthe AT, he is tyhe only guy I have met here who likes the AT 4055...

[Jay Kahrs]

The only way to figure it out is to try them all and see what works best on her voice. This might be one of those times when you need to go the local guitarmart for hour or three on a weekday afternoon.

[tskeldon]

Take a look at the Blue enCore 200 hybrid. There is plenty of stuff posted about it around the net.

[edva]

I've worked extensively with the 87, A and C, as well as the Neumann 105.
The 105 is the better mic, and has a smooth, un-hyped sound that may be exactly right for her. The 87 is a fine mic, far better than a 58, which itself is far better than the beta 58. But the 105 is more detailed, smooth, and "3-D" sounding than any of these. The Shure KSM9 comes closer.
As regards the mighty mite Martina, the really great, powerful vocalists do make the lowly 58 sound great. But, that's certainly not what she records with. All IMHO, YMMV.