What's your favorite/dream preamp and mic combo for vocals?

[Sqye]

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As everyone here knows, I have no opinion.

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[jmikeperkins]

$3,000 is not enough to get you the "dream" pre-amp mic combo. Not even close. Maybe $20,000 or so. The dream mics to own are all vintage models more than 40 years old. For female vocals, Neumann M49, Telefunken 251, AKG C12, Neumann M269. For male vocals, Neumann tube U47, Neumann U67. Dream mic pre would be vintage Telefunken V76. For about $3,000 or so, the best you can get would be a pre-1986, original, Neumann U87 with the place inside for the batteries. These will just continue to increase in value.

Of course this question can never be answered exactly because all singers sound different and the dream mic for one person may not be so good on another.

[Ward Pike]

Vocals are the single most important part of any song because songs are sung!!

My dream microphone would probably be a pristine ELA M 251. Or an M49 or M269.

[AwTAC]

while dreams are not made from $3k, you can find a nice mic, especially on the used market. The lawson mics are incredibly well made and sound wonderful and for more of an M7 vibe, Ive found a geffel um92 to be amazing on anything Ive put it in front of except for a loud guitar amp. An 87 is a super safe investment.

Im a huge fan of late 60's olympic recordings, u67 and a helios console is a safe bet for much of what came out of there during that period.

[evilaci]

First Brauner Valvet X.
This mic has so much output.... so i really asked myself how will a preamp give this mic a flavor....

But we talk about dreams and therefore now i´m waiting for the new Electrodyne CS with everything(!) else you could need in the future.

I downsized from Lunchbox because project studio and very much not at home, all that cables blablabla...

This MA5 is very popular in US. I have a Vintage Design 581mk2 for sale. Both have Neve flavor but of course you have to listen.

I´m more in the API domain.

[TeraBrite]

I guess I sort of was hoping to get two things out of this post.
1. What is your absolute dream preamp/mic combo without a budget?
2. What preamp/mic combo would you get given the budget and our particular sound that I gave examples for in the YouTube videos?

[emitsweet]

Originally Posted by Ward Pike

Vocals are the single most important part of any song because songs are sung!!

ssssshh don't tell that to a lead vocalist, they will get LSD x2

[RightOnRome]

i just got a miktek cv4 with neve portico 5032 for just under 3k and this combo rocks!

[TeraBrite]

Thanks for the suggestions. After a bit more research I'm beginning to think a Blue Kiwi and BAE 1073MPF or MP would work great for what we need it for. Thoughts?

[Vintageidiot]

Blackspade UM17R with an Avedis MA5 in a lunchbox. I bet you money you could hang with the best with that setup.....call me crazy if you wish.

[Sqye]

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You could probably do my favorite mic and pre/comp/EQ for just over $3k here:

Mic used (possibly $200-300?):

Groove Tubes GT67 Professional Condenser Microphone 717669769178 | eBay

Pre/Comp/EQ new ($2,900):

DSPdoctor - ARC-1.1 Analog Recording Channel


I've been extremely happy with this combination for a few years now.

I use it for vocals, acoustic and electric guitars, and electric bass direct.

The Groove Tubes mic just freeking rocks - large diaphragm tube multi-pattern condenser - I track in omni mode in my room most of the time.

The pre and compressor on the Buzz Audio ARC are both a.m.a.z.i.n.g.

Good luck, man!



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[Ward Pike]

Originally Posted by TeraBrite

Thanks for the suggestions. After a bit more research I'm beginning to think a Blue Kiwi and BAE 1073MPF or MP would work great for what we need it for. Thoughts?

That is, indeed, a very satisfying combination. I frequently use my Kiwi through a Vintech X73i and love the EQ option in the Vintech along with the `73 sound (I have real 1073s to compare them to and they are very very close!)

Good call. $1500 for a Kiwi used, $1700 for a Vintech used(including power supply). I am not certain the Fair Market Value for a BAE1073.

[barryjohns]

Originally Posted by Ward Pike

That is, indeed, a very satisfying combination. I frequently use my Kiwi through a Vintech X73i and love the EQ option in the Vintech along with the `73 sound (I have real 1073s to compare them to and they are very very close!)

Good call. $1500 for a Kiwi used, $1700 for a Vintech used(including power supply). I am not certain the Fair Market Value for a BAE1073.

KIWI's run 1000-1100 tops used, I have bought and sold many in that range. Very good mic. In that range used I prefer the Pearlman TM1.

[Led Music]

I'd have to say I've found it. For my vox anyways. U87ai into a Tube Tech Mec1a. Just beautiful.

[Ephi82]

I have a SM 57, SM 58, SM 81 and a RODE K2 with a NOS tube

I love each of these mics, for different applications, and they all have more depth and three D aspects to their characters when i run them through my Great River ME NV 1 pre amp.

I look forward to future mic purchases because i have a quality and versatile pre.

There are a huge number of great mics out there, but imo, few understand the role of the pre in making these mics sound their best.

I believe that if you are buying a $1000 ldc microphone for vocals and acoustic instruments, you should budget similar for a pre. However, that pre can make a very average dynamic mic perform at a high level while youare saving up for the best ldc you can get.

That being said, my dream vocal chain is probably a 47ish quality modern ldc, the Great River and FMR PBC for a little lite compression

[che_guitarra]

I have my dream chain/s.

Pearlman TM-1 --> Pacifica or UA 610... depending on the song. If i'm the one doing the singing i'd be happy to use these two combos forever.

[RedBaaron]

Originally Posted by Vintageidiot

Blackspade UM17R with an Avedis MA5 in a lunchbox. I bet you money you could hang with the best with that setup.....call me crazy if you wish.

+1 on the Avedis Ma-5, especially for the price range and since other 1073-style pres are being considered. I have a couple and haven't found a mic that they don't sound good with. I still favor my ribbon pre slightly when using a ribbon mic, but that's probably more because of the eq's and filter options. Everything else--all the dynamics and condensers--all always end up going through the Avedis without any problems.

It's not a super-clean pre, though. Not really noisy, either: it's just one of those that tends to sound best when driven hard. So if you're going for super clean, and not too worried about analogue saturation it may not be right for you.

If you're ok with colored, I'd also recommend a good, quick comp. Pete's Place BAC does the trick for me. Chandler Little Devil also gets a lot of props when used with the Ma-5.

Everyone always mentions the mic first, but really, I think that just depends on the voice, because no mic sounds great on everyone. I like an RE-20 best on my own voice, but typically, I try LDC's first on others. That said, with the combo above, the upper-frequency "sheen" that you get with an LDC can be gotten with just about any dynamic mic also.

If you're going for super clean, it's a whole 'nother beast. For the 500 form-factor, you'd probably want to look at the likes of Great River on the pre. If you're not sold on 500, maybe the SSL alpha strip. Here's a link regarding Gotye's vocal chain that I think sounds great Gotye vocals.... With the M147 being nearly 3k, it's is a bit over your mark, but if you got it and the SSL used, who knows.

[axisdreamer]

Pick up a used Pearlman TM-1 mic on here....

I use a PearlmanTM-1 mic and an old Electrodyne tube pre and that is as heaven as it gets!!

I am racking an Electrodyne vintage 711 pre/eq and 602 line amp that will be for sale if you want to pm me about it..

That and the Pearlman would do the trick and stay in your budget!!

The Elecrodyne is very thick sounding and has sweet inductor 2 band eq..

huge but tight bottom end...

[chessparov]

Hey DJ, although that genre isn't exactly my cup of tea, great job on the vocals! IMHO it's shows how good that KSM can sound.

Due to the heavily processed style, honestly I can't really tell what's "best" for her (she has an excellent voice though). For all I know, a Beyer M88 might be a dynamite studio/live choice.

I understand those pro's recording a variety of singers simplify by getting a U87.

But how easy would it be for your singer to audition a variety with a cooperative dealer? You might even get lucky and find some major sleeper vocal mics for her voice (like I did for mine) for under $200-one cost a whole $60. FWIW Sinatra's main vocal mic at Reprise was just an 'umble Shure 546 (well gold plated). I'd surely try a Shure Beta 57a or Beta 58a (think U2) on that kind of voice if time permits.

A fantastic mic pre, that isn't yakked about much here, is the Little Labs LMNO. IIRC it streets for around $1,500. Am one of "those" singers whom the Unidyne's-shine. So trying SM7>LMNO was quite an ear opening (tremendous detail) experience. That's the fantasy pre for me right now.

Of course, there are plenty of established dream mics ala U67/RCA 44 et al.

Another vote for the TM-1 within your budget, which is also a big fave of mine.

Wishing you much success in the New Year!

Chris

P.S. If you have sound clips of her singing "au natural" IMHO it'd be easier
to get better advice.

[icecubeman]

My dream vocal combo will start with singer...

[chessparov]

In that case I'll take Julie London AND Marilyn Monroe in their prime!

Chris

[Grummy77]

KIWI & Great River MP-500 make for a great combo.

[everyday]

for me it is the C12/U67 and the GML combo.

(un)fortunately, I have a C12 clone and a TLM67...

[All Souled Out]

I love the newer Royer Tube Mics for vocals........especially the 24v.....the mono version is cheaper, and they show up used once in a while.

[Outlaw Hans]

Dream mic for 3000,- ? I currently have what I consider the "dream" setup:

RE-20, m88, T-funk M80, MD441. Only the sm7 is missing.
Then there´s a Gefell UM70 for those very rare occasions when a condenser mic actually sounds better than a dynamic on vocals.

[LumenStudio]

What's up DJ...

I found you through your Sony Vegas tutorial on youtube and was curious of your mixing process in cubase...you have MAD skills... so I googled "terabrite gearslutz" and here ya are haha!

In regards to the vocal gear... your singer is already fantastic. That's most of the battle. Lot's of good advice on here...but specifically for you, I would go with a tried and true combo. She doesn't need anything way off the mark or esoteric and for the aggressive edge I would recommend:

A U87 or variant, into a 1073 (or knockoff), (and a nice to have) into an 1176 variant.

A use this combo and it works really well for that style:

• Soundelux ifet7 (there were quality issues at one point, but I haven't had an issue in many years of usage now)
• an x73i - this will work well for your guitars too and the EQ is extremely useful
• a Purple MC77 with light compression on the way in (4:1) while you learn the outboard

I love that combo.

[fhames]

Wunder Audio CM7-GTs>Great River mp2-nv
and Microtech Gefell UM92.1s>Chandler TG2.
Favorite flavors.