What's your favorite mic for male rock vocals?

[jameslugo]

Hey everyone! It's time to look into a high end mic for my studio that also works for me as a singer. My rack has a Chandler LTD-1, BA 312's, Avalon 737's and a pair of Distressors, it's time for a mic. My voice has some similiar traits to Chris Cornell of Soundgarden/Audioslave, you can hear it at:
http://www.jameslugo.com/music.shtml

I own a Soundelux U195 which is really nice but not quite enough resonation for my voice.

The mics I've tested that did not work were a Soundelux U99 and a Korby with the 67 capsule. Both took the edge off my voice. When I would sing 'AH' vowels, like the word 'Hot', those mics smoothed it out and took the throaty timbre out.

I had a U87ai which I thought was bland sounding, maybe it was a bad one but I dumped it and am much happier with the U195.

We tested the Rode Classic 2, AT 4033, AT 4050. They were not that good to my ears.

We had a Korby with 251 capsule which was huge but I think too bright for the sound we are going for and a C-12 capsule which was beautiful sounding and very natural, probably the prettiest sound of all but again maybe too bright. Though both of those capsules sounded great on the girls.

We did try a Korby with a U47 head which was very dark sounding but when we compressed the track and EQed in some highs, it really flattered my voice. It sounded warm and really kept the dirt in my voice. Of all the mics it was the best but I'm not feeling spending that much bread on a mic.

I want when I lean into a high C the paint to peel off the walls. I've heard great things about the Soundelux E47 and the Manley Reference Cardiod mics. I want something that kicks ass for chunky male rock vocals and screaming too. Any opinions???

[toledo3]

The best mic for male rock vocals is an sm57 or a 545.

[ixnys]

I have a BLUE Bottle and a Neumman M49. The Bottle is very clean and you will hear your voice really clearly...you'll hear the raspiness in your throat. The M49 is very nice and it makes the belting out less harsh sounding. So you can scream and stuff but it will still sound pleasent.

[Sofa King]

Originally posted by jameslugo
Any opinions???

Hi,
yes,
try an SM7. For your head voice stuff it should add some mid weight that should help a bit.
you said you have tried some of Tracys mics. unfortunately
My favorite Korby mic for this type of vocals, is one he no longer makes.

[although i constantly tell them the should bring it back]

Its just a simple FET, i think they were calling it the "Stubby" and its the perfect balance of density and detail.
I have two different tube mics of his, a number of akg and neuman mics.
and I always come back to this Korby FET for bad-ass rock vocals.

Also, heres an un invited opinion.
First of all, you have a very nice voice.
But I think the vocal on your songs is perhaps a little too clean for the style of songs/production youre goin for.
Id like to hear some grit/od/dist multed beneath the vocal.

best


Sean

[RichT]

Another vote for the SM57.

Works great for me on aggressive rock and screamo stuff.

Hey, it's not high end but what ever works right?

Cheers,
Rich

[DirkB]

MD441

Seriously, you obviously have tried some of the condenser options, perhaps try some of the dynamics options like MD441, Sm(5)7, RE20...

LD's aren't always better for vocals...

Greetings,
Dirk

[Wiggy Neve Slut]

I love a good rock vocal!!!!!!

MY faves have been our U47 into an LA2A and distressor where its just tickling the meters...

Otherwise try a SM-57/7 combo with a Neve preamp and LA2A/1176. The more u bend the needle on the LA2A the better it sounds for rock vocals!!!

Good Luck!
Wiggy

[ixnys]

Originally posted by Wiggy Neve Slut
I love a good rock vocal!!!!!!

MY faves have been our U47 into an LA2A and distressor where its just tickling the meters...

Otherwise try a SM-57/7 combo with a Neve preamp and LA2A/1176. The more u bend the needle on the LA2A the better it sounds for rock vocals!!!

Good Luck!
Wiggy

I dig a combo like that as well. As I said I have a bottle and a M49. On this song I'm recording right now I'm running the bottle through an Avalon 2022>Distressor (6:1,dist2)>LA2A>apogee psx100se and I'm diggin the sound. Clean but a Lil grit.

[jameslugo]

I knew people were going to say 57 and sm7. For some reason I have a phobia about singing into a Shure mic in the studio, it just seems weird but I've gotta try it.

They have a Skipper Wise refurbished M49 at Guitar Center that I heard a demo of that sounded incredible. It was shot out against a Bottle and an M149.


Hey Sofa King,
What does "grit/od/dist multed beneath the vocal" mean?
{But I think the vocal on your songs is perhaps a little too clean for the style of songs/production youre goin for.
Id like to hear some grit/od/dist multed beneath the vocal. }
I'd love to try anything that could make this sound better.

Thanks

[natpub]

U67 with S. Paul 9m mod. Then, 1073 to 1176 black to 2-inch.

[steins]

Maybe I´m just old fashioned, but a U87 into a neve-style preamp (for me, usually the Great River NP-2NV) seems to work on 95% of the male rockers. U87´s can be very different-sounding; the one I own is one of the nicest U87´s I´ve ever heard .

I do not have much experience with U47 or 251-type microphones (I´m dying for a Korby...), so take it for what it is worth....

Stein Tore

[Killahurts]

Try an RE20, when you want a bit of that 57 sound, but you don't want to feel that cheap in the studio

[brownmouse]

i have no idea if this would work for you or not, but a soundelux ifet7 is worth a listen. it really is quite different than the u-195 (which i also have). the ifet7 seems 'meatier' to me while the u-195 seems a tad more open and airy. ymmv. i also second the give some dynamic mics a listen.
joshua

[BattleAngel]

I hate when cool sounding gear is discontinued... I wanna hear more about the Korby Stubby now ;-)

[blackcatdigi]

This week's recipe:

Soundeluxe E47>
DW Fearn>
1176 (8:1, just shaving peaks)>
LA2A (2-4 dB)

Big, aggressive, very forward, well balanced, meaty midrange... Very In Yer Face Rock & Roll.

Add a dash of HEDD for additional attitude.

A touch of STC8 or CL1B (at mix) for extra spankage.

[jameslugo]

That ifet7 has been nagging at me for a listen. Kirk at mic works in Costa Mesa said it sounds real good and different than the U195. The U195 is a combo of a fet47 and a u87 and the ifet7 offers both modes (fet47 and u87). Now I hear that Chris Cornell uses a fet47 for his voice, does anyone know for sure?

[jameslugo]

Blackcatdigi,

Whoa that does sound like a good recipe.

{{This week's recipe:

Soundeluxe E47>
DW Fearn>
1176 (8:1, just shaving peaks)>
LA2A (2-4 dB)

Big, aggressive, very forward, well balanced, meaty midrange... Very In Yer Face Rock & Roll.

Add a dash of HEDD for additional attitude.

A touch of STC8 or CL1B (at mix) for extra spankage.}}

I think the meaty midrange is what keeps the growling tone in the vocal sound, is that right? There are some mics that are just to 'glossy' sounding. I'm looking for that AC/DC, Soundgarden, Layne Staley thing where the mic sounds like it's down the singers throat. Would you think tube or FET?

My buddy swears by the La2a for heavy rock singing but I've heard from some that it's to warm. What do you think? Sorry about all the questions, it's that this sound has illuded me and I want it.

[toledo3]

Don't have a phobia against the Shure, b/c alot of the stuff you are citing that you like, is recorded with Shure, "fer shure".


Chris Cornell used the c12 vr, universally despised, for his last record. So it is not so much in the mic.

I would guess that the majority of the AC/DC stuff is a 57. Certainly, using a 57 worked for Paul Rodgers and Bad Company, Led Zep, Rage Against The Machine, and many others....

[gtrbass]

James,

Have you tried any of the Lawson mic's? I know guy who swear by them for male vocal. The Lawson 47 is supposed to be great. I haven't tried it yet myself. The impressive thing about Lawson is the interchangeable head stack can be placed on either a FET body or a tube body. They're not cheap, but in the range of Soundelux.

BTW - I just got a new Rode K2. Quite nice, especially for the stupid cheap price. Ran it through ART Pro MPA, UA, and Chandler pre's at our studio. Each pre bought out a different character. I liked the chandler best, of course. Might be worth toying with.

A few years ago, there was an article in EQ (I think) with Steve Albini talking about working on the Page / Plant CD. He went into great detail about Plant's preferred signal chain. It might be worth checking out as old "Percy" was quite particular and knowledgeable about his vocal sound. That might be a step in the direction your looking for.

What about Paul Rodgers vocal sound? You might want to consider that too.

[jameslugo]

I have not checked out Lawson.

[Sofa King]

Originally posted by jameslugo



Hey Sofa King,
What does "grit/od/dist multed beneath the vocal" mean?
{But I think the vocal on your songs is perhaps a little too clean for the style of songs/production youre goin for.
Id like to hear some grit/od/dist multed beneath the vocal. }
I'd love to try anything that could make this sound better.

Thanks

Sorry.
the "grit/od/dist " i mentioned was my silly shorthand for "grit" or "overdrive" or "distortion".
I often will mult my clean/normal vocal then run it through some device or plug to get the desired distorted satuaration, and then blend that back under the clean vocal.
much like you might do on a bass gtr track.

does that make sense?



RE: the Chris Cornell path, I asked Michael Beinhorn about that a few yrs ago. I cant remember the exact chain, but i do remember it was a shitload of devices between him and the tape machine.
It was something like 3 different eqs and 3 or 4 compressors.

but regardless, does sound great dosent it.

best of luck!

Sean

[toledo3]

Beinhorn is a twit. Guys like that are alot of what is wrong with the industry. I am glad the labels have cooled on giving him money to throw away.


Anyway, Cornell has made many records, with many different vocal chains. If you ask me, the best one was Temple Of The Dog... any other setup is immaterial.

[blackcatdigi]

Originally posted by jameslugo
Blackcatdigi,

Whoa that does sound like a good recipe.

I think the meaty midrange is what keeps the growling tone in the vocal sound, is that right? There are some mics that are just to 'glossy' sounding. I'm looking for that AC/DC, Soundgarden, Layne Staley thing where the mic sounds like it's down the singers throat. Would you think tube or FET?

The Magic is definitely in the Midrange. Sometimes better sounding mics are a little too 'Hifi' (for lack of a better term). SM7 should be on your short list to try. Can be just the ticket. Tube or FET or even Dynamics vary by the singer. Since you ARE the singer, try em all. There's going to be ONE mic that just 'connects' with your throat.

My buddy swears by the La2a for heavy rock singing but I've heard from some that it's to warm. What do you think? Sorry about all the questions, it's that this sound has illuded me and I want it.

No prob. I've never considered the LA2A to be particularly 'warm'... VariMu, yes, LA2A, nope, not to my ears. 1176/LA3A can also be extremely aggressive sounding. Rent a few and see what you think.

Good Luck in your quest!

[thethrillfactor]

Originally posted by toledo3
Beinhorn is a twit. Guys like that are alot of what is wrong with the industry. I am glad the labels have cooled on giving him money to throw away.


Anyway, Cornell has made many records, with many different vocal chains. If you ask me, the best one was Temple Of The Dog... any other setup is immaterial.

He maybe a twit, but he hit a homerun on Superunknown(my favorite Cornell vocal recodings).

[bjornson]

I'll take a sprinkling of twit dust over here too.

[toledo3]

Originally posted by thethrillfactor
He maybe a twit, but he hit a homerun on Superunknown(my favorite Cornell vocal recodings).

Heh, well I will agree with on that one. My previous comment was definitely unduly harsh. I do think some of the massive studio budget, two year long recordings are pretty ridiculous though.

[thethrillfactor]

Originally posted by toledo3
Heh, well I will agree with on that one. My previous comment was definitely unduly harsh. I do think some of the massive studio budget, two year long recordings are pretty ridiculous though.

Hey Toledo,

All you had to say was Korn...and that would be enough!!

[toledo3]

Originally posted by thethrillfactor
Hey Toledo,

All you had to say was Korn...and that would be enough!!

[thethrillfactor]

Originally posted by toledo3
Heh, well I will agree with on that one. My previous comment was definitely unduly harsh. I do think some of the massive studio budget, two year long recordings are pretty ridiculous though.

By the way,

The other album i liked, even though MManson trashed Beinhorn afterwards was MM's "Mechanical Animals".

[blackcatdigi]

Originally posted by thethrillfactor
He maybe a twit, but he hit a homerun on Superunknown(my favorite Cornell vocal recodings).

I'll second that, Thrill. Great stuff.