Recommendation on Vocal Mics in the range of $100-$300

[Imadrumer]

I have had my semi-professional studio for about 4 years. I'm in high school and I'm taking classes to become a better recording engineer. I record my own band and many local bands on low budgets. I have good collection of microphones and other equipment. I really need a decent vocal mic to bring out the vocals more in my mixes. I recently spent $1600 the Gretsch Renown Maple 6 piece drum set, which I am very happy with and would recommend to anyone. So I would not like to spend top dollar. I would appreciate any recommendations on vocal mics in the $100-$300 price range and I would spend a little more then that if there is a mic that is of much higher quality.

Thanks,
David
Imadrumer89@aol.com

[everybody's x]

Get a shure SM7, nothing else will get you even close to the quality in that price range

bonus, you'll keep it even when your budget increases

[amishsixstringe]

What are you recording as far as genre? I would say an SM7 or RE20 if you're doing rock (even some lighter stuff). AT4050 (used) for a really natural LDC. Maybe a 4033. What mics do you already own? You said you have a few around. Maybe you just need a good preamp to bring one of your mics to life. Give us some info, and I'm sure someone here can help you out. Welcome to gearslutz.

Neil

[Imadrumer]

Thanks for responding...
I want a mic that sound good for rock vocals... kind of in your face but can also handle soft vocals.

I currently use a MXL 990 (It was good when i was starting out a few years ago) and I use my Presonus Firepod as a Mic Pre.

Maybe I should get a decent Mic Pre and Mic.

Your thoughts...

David
Imadrumer89@aol.com

[amishsixstringe]

Originally Posted by Imadrumer

Thanks for responding...
I want a mic that sound good for rock vocals... kind of in your face but can also handle soft vocals.

That has "I need SM7b" written all over it. That would be my first step. Next would be one channel of killer mic pre and then a killer compressor. Baby steps...Seems like a mountain to climb now, but baby steps get you there. The mic is going to give the most bang for the buck. It will KILL that marshall mic you're using now. Have fun with it. Peace.

Neil

[Imadrumer]

Here's a list of some of my mics:
Blue KickBall
Audix i5
Audix fusion drum mic pack
Sennheiser E835
MXL 991
MXL 990

[carrington]

You don't by any chance live in Texas? DFW area......I have a friend who is in a band called Open Fire and his drummer sounds very much like you.....

[Imadrumer]

I live in the suburbs of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Thanks for helping i will definitely check out the SM7.

As a drummer I usually go to guitar center when i need to get drum equipment because i can hear all the different drums and cymbals before i decide what would like the most.
What is the best way to find a mic you like and where is the best place buy a mic for a good price?

Rental, Ebay, Guitar Center, Online, Factory...

Your thoughts

David
Imadrumer89@aol.com

[camerondye]

SM7B, the definite mic for you in that price range. You will not get rid of it when you get $2000 mics either. I just bought one about a month ago and the cheapest place I found it new was Gearslutz.com - Powered by vBulletin, I hagelled him down to $309 when I didn't want the free t-shirt and still got free shipping. I have been amazed with it ever since I got it. BTW I am not affiliated with 8th street but they are selling it much cheaper than anywhere I found. You might be able to find a used one on Ebay but they seem to keep there value pretty well and I ended up going with a new one anyway. Good luck, I know gear hunting can be frustrating, congrats on the nice drum set...
cameron

[Sigma]

EV RE 20 --[slightly used you should get it in that range]

SM 7

surprisingly the studio projects tube is nice if you are looking for warm

[Imadrumer]

Anyone know how good the pre amps in the firepod are?

[KrisNY]

+1 for an SM7, but I'd also recommend checking out an MXL V69. They're $300 new, you can score one on eBay for close to 200. Really impressive sounding mic for the price.

As far as preamps go, I can't say enough about the Grace 101. Amazing value. ~$550 for a channel.

[Red2112]

I have a Konnekt 24D as my audio interface, and which have pertty good pres (at par with the RME 400). Fabrik C (plug-in) which also comes with the K24D also works fine as a compresor, but I also have a Joemeek SixQ as a pre-channel strip and gives me other flavores!

I run a sE 2200A condensor mic for micing vox, drums (overheads or bass drum) and guitar, through the K24D or SixQ and happy with what I get and can do with it.

I think the sE 2200A is a good mic for its price. I cant coment on the Firepod´s pres, but yes I would invest on a decent pre. I will be getting more pres in the future, as I think its a very important part of any signal chain.

For drums, I have to run through a mix of K24D, SixQ and a Yamaha MG 4/12 pres to get seven mics on my Tama Rockstar custom, Zildjian K´s and Starclassic snare. Iam thinking of getting a Presonus Digimax FS (8 pres) for drums at once, as I cant afford 8 dedicated pres for now. I would guess the Firepod will do you good for drums, but for vox, you might wanna get something better, it dose make a differance.

Cheers.

[woomanmoomin]

IMO you should be fine if you go with any of the Shure mics mentioned.

[tINY]

Add the PR-20 and the RE510 to your list to think about.

Also, with the rigth voice, a 58 is just the ticket (but really annoying on the wrong voice).

The trick here is to have some variety - maybe a couple of the OM series from Audix, maybe a flat mic like an RE20 or RE510, something with hyped upper mids like the SM vocal mics, something with a lot of air like a Studio Projects C1....

Se what you can find second hand and try it, if it's useful, keep it. Else, sell it to the next guy who might be able to use it.....



-tINY

[Gabriel Sousa]

yes.... shure sm7