Male vocal mic for use with Great River MP-2NV preamp

[mcballs]

Hi Everyone,

I'm looking for a vocal mic (for me) to compliment my Great River MP-2NV. I'm currently using a C1 so it's time for a massive upgrade me things. My contenders are:

Soundelux U195
Soundelux ifet7
Neumann U87ai
Gefell 70
Gefell m930
AT4047
Shure SM7b
Soundelux e47


The U195, ifet7, the UMT70S, and U87ai I'm interested in as U87-style options... read about the UMT70 in EQ recently and it sounds really good. The ifet7 would also be sweet for guitar cabs.

I've read (Fletcher, I think) say the m930 is a great match for the GR MP-2NV so I'm definately interested in checking it out... not sure if it's great for vocals or what, though... any thoughts? How is it on guitar cabinets?

The AT4047 everyone seams to love and is very reasonably priced... just not sure cause it's very colorful and may not suite my particular voice. Sounds like it might be a good compliement to my SM-57 for guitar amps, though, since the 57 lacks the oomph and I don't have a 421.

I'm going to get the Shure SM7b next chance I get, cause it's fairly inexpensive, and gets nothing but great reviews for all kinds of applications, particularily male voice.

And the e47 sounds like it's all-that. It's expensive, but if it's the best option then a slut's gotta do what a slut's gotta do.

I'd love to say "I sound like this guy" but my voice is changing all the time now as I am unlearning my bad habits. Obviously I'm going to have to try out the more expensive ones (I'd like to own an SM7b and AT4047 even if it doesn't work on my voice).

Any thoughts are welcome. Keep in mind that I'm going to be using it with the Great River... I've heard that even a TLM-103 sounds good with a great river :)

Thanks a lot,
McBalls

[mcballs]

Did I say something wrong?

[norman_nomad]

I own the both the SM7b and U195. I use the SM7b probably 90% for male vocals... often times with the mid bump engaged... the U195 tends to be a bit too brite and sometimes sibilant for my tastes.

The SM7b also seems to take processing pretty well. I'd start here (small investment), then try to rent and audition the other mics listed.

My 2 cents.

[JonCraig]

all that you've mentioned are great mics. i might add to the list (on the expensive side) the lawson 47, and (on the cheaper side) the ksm 44. the 44 really shines through the great river.

--jon

[heyman]

"I've heard that even a TLM-103 sounds good with a great river :)"

Yes, it bumbs the Tlm103 up to respectable status..

I have gotten some great feedback from clients on this..

If you are going to drop 800- 900 for a mic, give the Gefell 930 a look.

[JonCraig]

hmmm... i like the 103 (though it's certainly not my go-to vocal mic). i've loved it as drum oh through the great river.

--jon

[mattoxxx]

I've gotten some really good sounds with a u87 ai through my great river on male vocals. If you can find a used u87 a may be worth but i've also heard some great male vocals recorded with the u195 through the great river. Try some different mics out and see what works for you.

-Matt

[Offender]

I use a Great River ME-1NV and a U87ai for hip hop vocals. It does sound nice...but the U87ai leaves me thinking theres somethings missing from the sound.

Who knows.

[JonCraig]

Originally Posted by Offender

but the U87ai leaves me thinking theres somethings missing from the sound.

how do you mean? (i'm considering purchasing an 87--that's why i ask)

--jon

[Offender]

Well I can't speak for a vintage U87...but the new U87AIs are ok. I think the whole 'U87 hype' left me slightly unsatisfied...but happy at the same time. Sure, it sounds good...but compared to its price..and reputation....I think there are better mics out there.

It seems like it was a great mic in past...but these days, I'm hearing tracks with nicer lead vocals from alternative microphones. I'm pretty sure alot of people feel the same. Still...it is a classic mic...and probably worth having in your collection...but maybe it shouldn't be the first mic you buy.

I've heard alot of people claim that the Soundelux U195 blows away a U87ai.

[Doublehelix]

Different strokes I guess. A lot of folks slag the U87ai, and all the "new" Neumann mics in general.

I find the U87ai to sound rich and full, and I love it through the Great River.

[DAWgEAR]

Originally Posted by mcballs

I'd love to say "I sound like this guy" but my voice is changing all the time now as I am unlearning my bad habits.

I've used a Blue Kiwi, Soundelux ifet7, and a rented U87ai though an ME-1NV.

They all sound great. My favorites on my voice were the ifet7 and the Kiwi. The ifet7 for the creaminess, weight, and midrange punch; the Kiwi for the presence and air that just seem to flatter my voice. The Kiwi's frequency resonse is more spread out: more lows and more highs, less mids. It's a bit thinner. The U87ai ... somewhere in between. Objectively, the ifet7 sounds "better" and "richer" but my voice through the Kiwi usually is the best match on my songs. For what it's worth, I'm a tenor and tend to prefer the octave or so above middle C.

The point being, it really depends on the individual voice. Sometimes on the key or style of the song or the rest of the arrangement. It could help if you can describe some of the attributes of your voice. If the mic is primarily or exclusively for you, you really should try them all and decide for yourself ...

Having said all that, the U87ai is a decent choice and certainly won't sound bad.

[BattleAngel]

Hey, hate to sound like I'm overflowing with pimp juice, but you can hear an ifet7 matched with both a Pendulum Quartet (voice, I know it's not exactly what you're looking for) and also with the Great River preamp that you use on our song "te amo tanto" at www.arizonatheband.com (it's the first song that loads). Besides offering an audio example of what the rig sounds like, I can just tell you that the ifet7 sounds amazing on just about everything and is one of the best purchases we've made.

[insomnio]

Originally Posted by mcballs

I'd love to say "I sound like this guy" but my voice is changing all the time

Mutant voice???

[themaidsroom]

i think i have 4 of the mics on your list, but i have no idea what a C1 is, nor have i
ever heard a great river mic pre - i've heard good things about them.......
depending on what your budget and timetable are, i would start with
the sm7b - i have six soundelux tube mics, and the sm7b has been very
popular nonetheless........
with that one affordable mic you can get alot done
hard to regret a mic with kind of value punch
i can't think of any other piece of gear like that.......

after that......i would recommend singing into
the e47 or the u99 or the elux251 or whatever tube mic might interest
you and your particular set of vocal cords.....
the e47 is great for bright transient vocal-corded people , as it has a coloration
that compliments that......the u99 or the 251 are almost the opposite
if you don't have to please anyone else......find a mike
thats tailored to you like a suit......

the 87 is a strong o.k. to me
i like the u195 on kick....




be well


- jack

[garymusic]

I own a Soundelux iFet7 and it is a very nice mic. If you consider the mic you must also consider the shockmount to go along with it. The ifet7 has a fixed mount and I really didn't care for it at all. I wanted to turn the mic without turning the stand. The sound, however, of the mic is just great. I don't have a Great River but the iFet7 sounds wonderful through an Avalon VT-737-SP.

As for the TLM-103, I have one of those too. It is an ok mic. It was my first "high end" mic purchase a few years back. Since I got the iFet7 it just sits. I did some side by side comparison on Vocals and the iFet7 is SO MUCH better. Warmer, richer, just over had more character. All and all the iFET7 is one sweet mic.

-Gary

[DC11]

I used the U87ai with a Great River for over a year. I loved it. It's great for the bling factor as well. I got quite a few clients cause of that U87 Skills kept 'em comin back.

[cdog]

I think maidsroom's idea of getting one dynamic (e.g., SM7b, Beyer TG88, Senn 421) and one LD condenser is a good one.

With mics its so personal... you have to find the right match of voice, diaphragm, mic electronics, and mic pre.

If you're mostly recording yourself, find a mic that matches your voice.

If you're recording a variety of voices, you may have to compromise a bit to get a good all around mic. I think the U195 is a good all around mic, but it can be a little to bright on some voices, but nothing a little EQ or de-essing can't fix.

The Gefell M930 is also an awesome mic, I'm planning on buying one sooner or later. You got a pretty decent list, I'm sure you'll pick a winner.

[mcballs]

I picked up an SM7b a week ago... I'm very happy with it so far. I'm surprised how much gain it needs... I have to crank my GR up to 65 dB. I like the upper mid response with the presence boost engaged - same sort of response as my C1 but without the artificial sizzle.

Thanks for your thoughts.

[enharmonic]

I use a UMT70 with my MP2NV, and it works very well on my voice.

[tubesandteles]

Do yourself some good, and buy a Pearlman TM-1! I mean...you can go from the 1100 dollar 'entry' to Soundelux's mic collection to a U47 flavored handbuilt custom microphone for 1500. DUH! If you need to know why for your ears, listen to James Lugo's mic shootout or go to http://www.rotundrascal.com
There you can find some really great comparisons done concerning the Cinemag transformer that Dave Pearlman had made just for these mics. He is INSANELY friendly and his head is full of audio knowledge. I've spoken with him and he is extremely passionate about these mics. He only averages like 5 a month. I just purchased mine a few days ago. I am very excited, but my biggest fear is that the TM-1 will be the top of the mic foodchain. WHERE ELSE WILL I GO...? LOL

[mcballs]

Originally Posted by tubesandteles

Do yourself some good, and buy a Pearlman TM-1! I mean...you can go from the 1100 dollar 'entry' to Soundelux's mic collection to a U47 flavored handbuilt custom microphone for 1500. DUH! If you need to know why for your ears, listen to James Lugo's mic shootout or go to http://www.rotundrascal.com
There you can find some really great comparisons done concerning the Cinemag transformer that Dave Pearlman had made just for these mics. He is INSANELY friendly and his head is full of audio knowledge. I've spoken with him and he is extremely passionate about these mics. He only averages like 5 a month. I just purchased mine a few days ago. I am very excited, but my biggest fear is that the TM-1 will be the top of the mic foodchain. WHERE ELSE WILL I GO...? LOL

Looks like good stuff... I'll look into it. Thanks for the tip