Best versatile vocal mic under $2k?

[yumdrum]

Male, female R&B to Rock. What say you slutz?

[warhead]

I don't know, in that price range it very well could be the Peluso 2247SE / LE. There really are a lot of good ones though, and some of them priced nowhere near $2k.

War

[youngmain]

I recently heard a Mojave Ma 200 and thought is was pretty good at $1000. Try and get a deal on it. Its pretty warm and can handle loud soures pretty well.

[yumdrum]

Thanks for the replies. A little background here. I had a U195 that I was using as my main vox mic and stupidly sold it as I was in desperate need of cash at the time. I thougt I would try something different so I found a pretty good deal on a Sputnik.

I loved the U195 on most people but found it could tend to get a little bit silibant at times. Great overall and versatile mic tho.

The Sputnik is cool, but not as much in your face sound as I am looking for.

I have considered the Neumann TLM 49, Pearlman mics (not sure which model would fit best), finding a used U87. I have alo heard clips of the M 149 which I love but is a little out of my range (actually there is someone locally selling one for $2,500 if it's still available). I really want to get one very good go to vox mic and be done with it.

I heard clips of the TLM 49 from James' shootout with the female vox, and thought it sounded quite nice. The Peluso is anothe nice option to consider tho.

Any more ideas?

Thanks.

[staudio]

Sennheiser 421 for the rock vocalists. $350

Gefell UMT70S for the smoother voices. $1600

[warhead]

Originally Posted by yumdrum

I loved the U195 on most people but found it could tend to get a little bit silibant at times. Great overall and versatile mic tho.

The Sputnik is cool, but not as much in your face sound as I am looking for.

OK, you're talking in your face sound...!

RED Type B with B6 / B0 capsules would get you varying degrees of in your face. B6 is based on the C12, B0 based on the 251. Both peak in different spots but have a great presence to them, between the two you should be able to get consistent in your face vocal sounds and choose between sibilance responses depending on the singer.

Having both capsules and the RED Type B body are well within your budget and give you rich sound with versatility. You could even add a third "R8" standard capsule (which is a more natural sound, neutral style) and still beat the budget with loads of applications.

War

[A LaMere]

It's always hard to recommend a 'best' when your budget is decent enough to pick up two great mics like the AEA r84 and the MOjave 200....

Vocal mics are funny... and you've probably already heard this but there really isn't an 'end all, be all' that I've ever used. Sometimes an sm7 works, other times a large condenser... Heck, sometimes a small condenser works.... other times, a ribbon mic...

Just depends on the voice and the ear of the person recording it I think...

Is there a reason you wouldn't just look to get another u195?

[gurubuzz]

I love my Rode NT2

and +1 for the 421

[yumdrum]

I have a few 421s, ain't doin' it for me on vox. Any love for the U87? Or Neumann in general for that matter?

[Tom Hakala]

SM7B & AT4050 seem to always do the job for me

[yumdrum]

Thanks for the replies, but let's focus on ONE "go to" mic under 2K. New or used. If you could only have one, what would it be?

[seanmccoy]

Originally Posted by yumdrum

I have a few 421s, ain't doin' it for me on vox. Any love for the U87? Or Neumann in general for that matter?

I'm with you regarding 421. I know it's big in radio, but I think it's lousy as a v.o. mic also (great on toms and congas, though). Still like my U-87, though my Lawson L47MP gets more use overall. I recently got a pair of Gefell UMT70S's, though, and can say they have become my first call vocal and v.o. mics. If I had to throw out my other 50 mics and keep one, the Gefell would be it.

[buzzjoe]

It depends, mostly either:

Gefell M930 -> UA Solo 610 (the M930 is a very clean and detailed mic but the 610 adds some nice colour)
Gefell MT71s -> Forsell SMP2
or SM7 -> Forsell SMP2

[drmmrboy]

Originally Posted by yumdrum

Thanks for the replies, but let's focus on ONE "go to" mic under 2K. New or used. If you could only have one, what would it be?

Why does it have to be one? I wouldn't mind having to 2 "go to" mics if it was possibe.. Is the money burning a hole in your pocket? Or, it can't be the "best versitile vocal mic" if it doesn't cost about 2K..??

[yumdrum]

Originally Posted by drmmrboy

Why does it have to be one? I wouldn't mind having to 2 "go to" mics if it was possibe.. Is the money burning a hole in your pocket? Or, it can't be the "best versitile vocal mic" if it doesn't cost about 2K..??

Well, because it's the question I'm asking. You may not like the question or how it's worded, but it is what it is. If someone came up to you with a gun to your head, and said you could only have one vocal microphone, but your spending limit is $2,000. What would you choose? I openly admit there are different singers and different flavors, but this is the game, hope you guys can play along. I never said it was an easy game. Thanks.

[yumdrum]

Originally Posted by seanmccoy

I'm with you regarding 421. I know it's big in radio, but I think it's lousy as a v.o. mic also (great on toms and congas, though). Still like my U-87, though my Lawson L47MP gets more use overall. I recently got a pair of Gefell UMT70S's, though, and can say they have become my first call vocal and v.o. mics. If I had to throw out my other 50 mics and keep one, the Gefell would be it.

That's two for the Gefell UMT70S. Keep the suggestions coming.

[yumdrum]

Originally Posted by A LaMere

Is there a reason you wouldn't just look to get another u195?

Other than the fact they no longer make and sell them new, and I would have to take my chances finding a used one, not really. I was just wondering if there other/better suggestions from someone that has experience with many types of mics.

I have not ruled out the U195 scenario tho.

[gainreduction]

Take a listen to the Brauner Phantom if you have the possibility.

[drmmrboy]

Peluso 2247SE / LE, Mojave Ma 200, Sennheiser 421, Gefell UMT70S x 2, RED Type B with B6 / B0 capsules, AEA r84, Rode NT2, Brauner Phantom

Ask one hundred people.... These can't all be the "BVVMU2k", can they..?? Are ya gonna blindly get the one with the most votes?

I kinda like War's idea of multiple caps.. thumbsup

[skybluerental]

another vote for the peluso 2247 LE.
before i got mine, i used my C 414 B ULS or my SM7 for vox and now that i have the 2247 LE it wins on almost every singer and i great for group backups in omni.

its also GREAT for drums(room mic, mono OH or front of kit), upright bass, ac gtr, accordian, piano room mic and AMAZING on trumpet!
ive only had mine for a couple months and these are the things it has really sounded great capturing.

it has made as noticeable a difference in my recordings as my rosetta 800, distressor, 1176 and API pre amps did when i got them...........

its worth every penny!

[yumdrum]

Are ya gonna blindly get the one with the most votes?

I kinda like War's idea of multiple caps.. thumbsup

I like Wars idea too and am considering it.

But, being where I'm at. The only places near me are a Sam Ash and a GC, neither one has a great selection to audition. I would consider what I am doing, which is taking the advise of more seasoned veterans that have used and compared the product, as well as listening to audio clips where I can, to not be buying blindly.
Given my resources, and the fact that I may buy used, I believe it's the best thing I can do. Unless you have another suggestion, I'd be glad to hear it. Thanks.

[The kosmos]

Originally Posted by skybluerental

another vote for the peluso 2247 LE.

Deeamm mane. Is the Peluso good for rap vocals?
I needs to know mane.

Imma gunna take over!

Holla back mane.

[AMIEL]

Originally Posted by yumdrum

Well, because it's the question I'm asking. You may not like the question or how it's worded, but it is what it is. If someone came up to you with a gun to your head, and said you could only have one vocal microphone, but your spending limit is $2,000. What would you choose? I openly admit there are different singers and different flavors, but this is the game, hope you guys can play along. I never said it was an easy game. Thanks.

LOL!!!! if somebody put a gun in my head i would even say an AKG C-3000 !!!!

[AMIEL]

I would consider a Pearlman TM1 german tube

[CassidyGT]

For best all rounder - SM7b. Seems to work on pretty much everything. Maybe not spectacular on some sources, but you said all rounder so......

[Tom H]

I have been trying out some cool vocal mics myself in that pricerange the last month. The Brauner Phantom and the Charter Oak 538 are both excellent mics IMO and I would recommend you to check them out too.

The Telefunken AK47 I found the most exciting one though so far, people might not consider this a versatile mic, but it sounds really amazing on everything I tried it on, mostly vox.

Originally Posted by yumdrum

If someone came up to you with a gun to your head......

An AK47 would be a good response I guess.

[yumdrum]

An AK47 would be a good response I guess.

LOL!

[ddp]

Originally Posted by Tom Hakala

SM7B & AT4050 seem to always do the job for me

+1 for sm7b and at4050 and at4033a (usually around $150-$200)

[yumdrum]

+1 for sm7b and at4050 and at4033a (usually around $150-$200)

I'm sorry, but the guy with the gun said one......your dead

[Everyman]

+1 on the used U87. You can usually find them for under $2000 on EBay. That said, I still don't have one, because I'm too poor...:P It's STILL one of my favourite mics of all time, though.

The BLUE Kiwi is also an EXCELLENT Class-A Solid Stater. Nine patterns, smooth as silk, very transparent. Don't expect colour, though, it's got none. Like the U87, you get out what you put in.

On the cheaper end, the BLUE Baby bottle has never done me wrong. Still Class A, but not too expensive. No pad, no variable patterns, no LF roll off, basically just a capsule, a shell and an output.

And I like the c414 ULS. People slag them a lot, but I think they're great.