Need help choosing a vocal mic

[Zoe-Ruth]

i've been using the NT1A primarely for my vocals. but recently i have been able to save up around $1500 to buy myself a higher end, different sounding mic. everyone tells me to get the NTK but i've tried it and it just doesn't sound good on me. my voice has a smokey, up-front quality (along the lines of fiona apple/jeff buckley). i guess my problem is finding a condenser that sounds good on MY PARTICULAR KIND of voice. i've been trying to research what kind of mics/preamps fiona apple used on the "When the pawn.." album but can't find anything.
i've tried the neumann tlm103 and i liked it though it tended to sound a bit dark on me. but then again, the NTK seems to only pick up the higher frequencies in my voice. if you have any suggestions PLEASE let me know.
thanks!
Zoe-Ruth

[James Lehmann]

Originally Posted by Zoe-Ruth

my voice has a smokey, up-front quality... my problem is finding a condenser that sounds good on MY PARTICULAR KIND of voice.if you have any suggestions PLEASE let me know.

Welcome to Gearslutz - you are surely in the right place to ask about vocal microphones!

Have you tried a search of the Forum for some suggestions already? There'a loads of good background research you can do here already, for example there's a great thread where James Lugo tries heaps of different mics and posts his feedback - my point being that you may be in for quite a search before being able to settle on one mic that fits your vocal. Following on from that - DON'T buy anything without demoing it properly on your own voice, in your own recording space and with your own gear.

It might help to tell us what pre-amp and recording chain you're currently using too.

Anyway, you are certainly sensible to throw the NT1A out of the window if you care about your vocal sound - urgh! Although I was slightly puzzled by your description of the TLM103 as 'dark' as often people describe this mic as having quite a bright quality.

I'm a fan of German mics - so my own suggestion would be to try the Brauner Valvet for a smooth, jazzy sound that oozes character and musicality, but if you really did find the TLM103 'dark' then you might even give the Brauner Phantom C a go as this is noticeably brighter than the Neumann. I also have a lower end Microtech Gefell M930 which is excellent but I think with your budget you might be able to stretch to something a bit higher up the Gefell line like the UMT70S.

I'm sure others will be along shortly to offer their advice...

[Sqye]

There have been quite a number of mic shoot out threads here - just use the search function.

You can also order Lynn Fuston's 3D AUdio Mic comparison CD for @ $30.
http://www.3daudioinc.com/mics.html

Lynn's a great guy with a great track record as an engineer. His Mic Pre CD was very useful, too. And the folks involved in making the CDs with Lynn are pretty serious, as well. You can listen to 49 mics tracked through Lynn's beloved Great River preamp. It's a blind test. I listened to the CD through 3 separate passes.

Of course, it's a bit one-dimensional, but I got quite a few great ideas from the CD, including discovering my current favorite vocal mic for both male and female vocals - the GT67. Just to be clear - I liked the mic on both female and male vocals alike. . I've run into some very wll respected engineers here, including the notorius Michael Wagener, who like this mic.

I bought one on eBay for about $300, and I LOVE it. It's a LDC multi-pattern tube mic. I like tracking with it in figure 8 - seems to sound best for my voice in my space.

http://www.groovetubes.com/product.cfm?Product_ID=1599

Of course, I have a lot of experience in the studio, which helps. So I know what I'm listening for, and everyone here will say that you really have to try things out for yourself, but it's definitely worth a shot, IMHO.

Anyhow, good luck, and keep us posted

[caro]

Hire or borrow a few and try them out - I was able to pay $20 and borrow about nine or ten mics for the afternoon for a blind test.
For me this was invaluable and the differences were really pronounced.

Good luck - let us know how you go..

[No4PCs]

You can rent the U87 and the Manley voxbox for few days and test?

[Zoe-Ruth]

hey guys,
just to update everyone, last week i ended up buying the Pearlman TM1. it is by far the best sounding mic i've ever heard or used. not to mention the fact that Dave Pearlman is definitely one of the nicest most honest people i've ever met. the whole experience was awsome and i couldn't have asked for anything more in a mic. has that nice u47 sound.
thanks to everyone!
Zoe-Ruth