New Vocal Chain

[The_J_Man]

Hey everybody,

I am about to start a new project (alt-country/rock) and wanted to step up my vocal chain before I began recording. Currently, I running an AT 3035 into a Duet and then running Logic Studio on a Macbook Pro. I have considered buying a large condenser, but was curious if the money would be better spent on a less expensive mic, and adding an additional preamp/compressor. As far as vocal tone, the singer is often compared to Ryan Adams, and wants a similar sort of sound from the demo.

Some considerations for the "new mic" route are:

Neumann TLM103
AT4060
AKG 414

I also have an offer for a used U87 with shockmount for $1,875 which blows the budget out of the water, but I was wondering if the deal is too good to pass up. Also, I wonder if I would get enough out of the mic with just the U87 straight into the Duet.

Considerations for the "new mic" and pre-amp would be:

Shure KSM44
AT 4033
Rhode NTK

I would then probably look for a pre-amp for around $400 to keep the total cost near $1,000.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[geareyes]

If you were to purchase a new mic & new preamp whilst respecting your budget,you could expect GREAT results with the Shure KSM44 coupled with an RNP preamp.

I am lucky to use many great mics, BUT,i would not feel sheepish to use this combo on a variety of things!

Regarding the U87.....That is the running price for a used one.Not a bargin.Still a great mic.

If it were me,id be doing what i recommended at the top

[The_J_Man]

I've been considering the RE20 as well. Any thoughts on that piece? I like the sounds that Thom Yorke got out of it on the live In Rainbows sessions.

[DGrimmett]

Wow, ryan adams has a pretty unique vocal. Im not sure how I would approach him personally. But im a huge alt country fan, and when I think alt country I think "dark" (just my personal taste when it comes to the genre). Check out the band 16 horsepower if you havent already. To me they nail the the alt country sound. Sometimes (not always) alt country singers have a little bit of a nasal quality...If your client does, maybe hook him up with something that will tame it a little bit and make a nice balance.

good luck man!