Best mic for specific type of voice

Krush411 · 28th December 2009

Hey experts,

I have a thin(not deep)and somewhat high voice. It is not deep at all. I am recording rap type vocals(although conscience rap, not what you hear on the radio)

Because of this I have 2 questions. Based on my voice, which of these mics would be best for me, the Shure SM7b or the EV 20? Any explanation why would be very helpful.

Also, since both of these mics require a decent amp with lots of gain, I need to ditch my Mobile Pre USB and get a much better preamp. My budget is 600 dollars for a preamp, and one that is firewire or USB. What for that amount would go to the above recommended mic?

You can hear what my voice sounds like at my soundclick page-
www.soundclick.com/krush

Any help offered is very much appreciated-thanks for your time.

Krush411 · 28th December 2009

Anyone?

Skulls615 · 28th December 2009

Do you want it to pick up on lows or accentuate your highs?

The SM7 is a really underrated mic and I've thought so for years. Give me some more information or else my list of recommended microphones is going to be pages long!

Krush411 · 28th December 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skulls615

Do you want it to pick up on lows or accentuate your highs?

The SM7 is a really underrated mic and I've thought so for years. Give me some more information or else my list of recommended microphones is going to be pages long!

Thank you for your response! Well I dont know if you checked out my soundclick, but my voice has alot of sibilance I think is the word. Like I think when I turn the gain up my 'I' sounds and such are harsh. But I have to turn the gain up because my voice is kind of thin. I wonder if the SM7 would be ok for that type of voice and also is it good for proccessing fast 'rap' speed like vocals not broadcast which I hear its good for.

And is there a good USB or firewire preamp that could handle it and make it shine for under 600?

Thanks!

Skulls615 · 28th December 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Krush411

Thank you for your response! Well I dont know if you checked out my soundclick, but my voice has alot of sibilance I think is the word. Like I think when I turn the gain up my 'I' sounds and such are harsh. But I have to turn the gain up because my voice is kind of thin. I wonder if the SM7 would be ok for that type of voice and also is it good for proccessing fast 'rap' speed like vocals not broadcast which I hear its good for.

And is there a good USB or firewire preamp that could handle it and make it shine for under 600?

Thanks!

Yes, I just listened to the track.

I think first and foremost you need to be more comfortable in your own skin and with the sound of your voice. Then, find something that works to your advantage.

The best investment is vocal lessons. I'm not saying you need it, but I'd say that what you could do is expand on your sound with YOU singing. That will not only diversify you as an artist, but will also give you another perspective on your rap side.

Now, onto gear. Price doesn't really have too much to do with it generally. Brandon Boyd of Incubus uses an SM7 to record some of his vocals. He makes it sound good no matter what. A $500 microphone could sound better on your voice than a $2000 one.

With that said, I'll say that if I could guess what could be good for you mic-wise and preamp wise, I'd go with the a solid-state condenser.

What is your budget for the mic?

Krush411 · 28th December 2009

I am fine with shelling out 300+ for the Shure 7b-but for preamp my price range is 500-650 and I would love to know of a good preamp in that price range that is firewire or USB.

Skulls615 · 28th December 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Krush411

I am fine with shelling out 300+ for the Shure 7b-but for preamp my price range is 500-650 and I would love to know of a good preamp in that price range that is firewire or USB.

You should spend more on the mic. SM7 is good, but I think you should check out the Baby Bottle by Blue. It's around $500 and I know some rap guys love that thing.

Preamp- Grace or Art ones are cheap and pretty decent.

Krush411 · 28th December 2009

Any thoughts on the Golden Age 73 Pre Amp?

wshaw · 28th December 2009

I think you'd have good results with a Sontronics Sigma. It's a phantom-powered ribbon, with good output level so no need for an ultra-high gain pre.

Sonically, it's got a really strong proximity effect and gentle top. I recommend singing into it at a distance of one foot. You'll still get some proximity boost, but the total sound pickup is clear and very coherent, with no sibilance trouble.

I've used it to record spoken word for myself with very good results, and my voice has a midrange bump not too unlike yours. For a sample, please go to the following link and click on the lecture on entitled "The New York City Origins of the Disability Rights Movement" -- Audio

The signal chain on that recording was Sigma -- Hamptone HJFP2 -- FMR RNC (shaving about 2-3 db). No EQ at all. Of course, the MP3 conversion adds a little crunchiness, but even with that it's a good representation of the Sigma.

They are within your mic pre budget, and you may not need to replace your pre at all.

28th December 2009	#1
Krush411 Gear addict Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 406 Thread Starter	Best mic for specific type of voice Hey experts, I have a thin(not deep)and somewhat high voice. It is not deep at all. I am recording rap type vocals(although conscience rap, not what you hear on the radio) Because of this I have 2 questions. Based on my voice, which of these mics would be best for me, the Shure SM7b or the EV 20? Any explanation why would be very helpful. Also, since both of these mics require a decent amp with lots of gain, I need to ditch my Mobile Pre USB and get a much better preamp. My budget is 600 dollars for a preamp, and one that is firewire or USB. What for that amount would go to the above recommended mic? You can hear what my voice sounds like at my soundclick page- www.soundclick.com/krush Any help offered is very much appreciated-thanks for your time.

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28th December 2009	#3
Skulls615 Gear Head Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 58	Do you want it to pick up on lows or accentuate your highs? The SM7 is a really underrated mic and I've thought so for years. Give me some more information or else my list of recommended microphones is going to be pages long!

28th December 2009	#9
wshaw Gear addict Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 496	I think you'd have good results with a Sontronics Sigma. It's a phantom-powered ribbon, with good output level so no need for an ultra-high gain pre. Sonically, it's got a really strong proximity effect and gentle top. I recommend singing into it at a distance of one foot. You'll still get some proximity boost, but the total sound pickup is clear and very coherent, with no sibilance trouble. I've used it to record spoken word for myself with very good results, and my voice has a midrange bump not too unlike yours. For a sample, please go to the following link and click on the lecture on entitled "The New York City Origins of the Disability Rights Movement" -- Audio The signal chain on that recording was Sigma -- Hamptone HJFP2 -- FMR RNC (shaving about 2-3 db). No EQ at all. Of course, the MP3 conversion adds a little crunchiness, but even with that it's a good representation of the Sigma. They are within your mic pre budget, and you may not need to replace your pre at all.