Acoustic Artist - Upgrade Suggestions

[Donny Mann]

My current gear:

Shure Beta87A
Mackie 1202-VLZ3
TC Helicon VoiceSolo Monitor
Kurzweil Rumour
EV SXA100 PA Speakers
Digitech Vocalist Live Pro


I am looking to upgrade the live rig a bit. The mic is 1st. I've been using it for over 2 years now and at the $250 price point it's good (have previously used the EV 767N, then the EV RE20 (yes, live) ... My voice is a bit on the thin side (like an early Clapton) and nasally (a bit like Lennon's). My range is pretty good up to a high "A", (with "D" being the cutoff into "head voice"). Anyway, have been thinking about:

a.) Mic upgrade (KSM105, Heil PR35) to downplay the nasal aspect and thicken up the vocal a bit

b.) Stand-alone mic preamp (Great River NV1, Chandler Germanium, API 512c) to maybe run straight into the EV.

One mic that I normally use to record with (KEL HM1) actually does sound very much better live than the 87A, but picks up the guitar (Martin D-42 using K&K Pure Western). When I kick in a 3rd harmony above (for example) on the Digitech the guitar is affected and makes the whole thing sound awful.

Would appreciate any thoughts/suggestions from folks with experience on the above possible upgrades.

[fifthcircle]

Not sure I'd look at either of those two vocal mics if you are looking to thicken things up a bit. Why don't you look at some of the Beyer offerings- I'd say an M88 or a M500 ribbon would probably work wonders for you. Also, the Sennheiser 431 might work really well, too...

A good pre/vocal channel is never a bad thing, but I believe you'll get better mileage out of a mic that really works for you.

--Ben

[Donny Mann]

Ben,

Thanks for your response ... The M500 appears to be out of production, but I will check out the other 2.

Question: On the mic-pre ... which do you suggest? or would the difference be minimal?

Perhaps the $$ (limited $$) is better spent on an upgraded board?

Donny

[bishopthomas]

If you're looking at high end condensors I've had good luck with the AT AE5400 on a nasally voice. I tried sm58, e835, kms105, and vx10 before finally finding the 5400.

[fifthcircle]

The 5400 is indeed a great vocal mic, but it does also get very bright and sibilant.

As for the Beyer 500, it is out of production, but not that tough to find on the used market.

If that worries you, then the Sennheiser 431 is a great mic that nobody ever seems to use.

--Ben

[Baithak]

The Senn MD 431 is a terrific mic. Actually if the singer does not pop I prefer the bigger 441 (because it has adjustable and tailorable bass/treble) for vocals but it certainly is not hand-held. When there is a doubt about popping, I start off with the 431 and 2 out of 3 times, end up leaving the mic for the lead vocals.

Another thickening mic is the venerable SM7B - this one has no high end tizz at all - and since you have already experimented with the RE20, size should not matter much.

Baithak

[DannyL]

If you can preview a Microtech Gefel M900, you might love it. They also make the M910, which is a hypercardioid version and less liable to pick up your guitar.

Danny