Witch microphone?

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Muzock
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2014/11/10 15:27:59 (permalink)

Witch microphone?

Hi, I'm getting into a project that I'm dreaming since a long time and I'm ready to start recording my voice.   I have not alot experience on singing.  I can sing on tune and I want to put the chance on my side.  I have a few good microphones but not realy one high end.  My big question is coming.  Witch mic (High end) should I buy?  I want a mic who will give me a boost for my confiance.  I mean, I don't want to pay for the name or any kinf of snobing thing.  I just want a microphone that will do the best job for me.  The price is important but I'm ready to sell some other thing if I need to...
Thank you for your input, I need it!!!  heu...Am I at the right portion of the forum for that thread?

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    batsbrew
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    Re: Witch microphone? 2014/11/10 16:08:52 (permalink)

    Witch microphone?

     
    i like the warlock version myself.
     
    post edited by batsbrew - 2014/11/11 13:13:40

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    ampfixer
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    Re: Witch microphone? 2014/11/10 16:23:01 (permalink)
    AKG C-214

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    thomasabarnes
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    Re: Witch microphone? 2014/11/10 18:36:48 (permalink)
    I have an AKG C414 XL II: http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/C414XLII/
     
    It's a nice sounding high end mic for vocals.
     
    Another popular great sounding high end mic for vocals is the Neumann TLM 103: http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/TLM103
     
    Lower priced good sounding popular vocal mics are:
     
    The Shure SM7B: http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/SM7B
     
    And the AKG C-214, as pointed out above by ampfixer: http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/C214
     
    Read the reviews on the Mics. And make shure you have a decent Mic Preamp, too. Something like a Golden Age Project PreAmp, or a Warm Audio PreAmp, or something better. Your audio interface is a very good one, so with a good preamp and mic, you will be doing great!
     
    Let us know what you decide to go with?


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    #4
    Muzock
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    Re: Witch microphone? 2014/11/10 19:44:41 (permalink)
    Wow!!!  Thank's for all that input.  Yes1  I will come back to tell what was my choice.  Now, I'm reading every thing I can.  I have good pres Millennia and Focus Rite.

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    AT
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    Re: Witch microphone? 2014/11/11 01:51:11 (permalink)
    Well, you are set up for preamp, anyway, which is a good start.  But basically, until you try and work with a mic you won't know which one best fits your voice, tho any good mic should do a good job.  And the style of music you do.  The SM-7b is a good mic for rap (and radio) and kick and bass and some screamer rock voices.  For singer songwriter ballads, probably not.
     
    Otherwise I'd tell you to get the Microtech Geffel lollipop or their bottle mic, a real Neumann m 7 mic capsule on a recreation of classic Newman mics.  Just like everyone from Frank to Mick used on their vocals (and everything else).  They will set you back over $5000, but they are from G. Newman's original factory.  So the first thing to do is figure out how much you can pay for your vocal mic, then work from there.  The MG is one of the best "recreations" but you ain't likely to hear much of a difference between them and a knock off at $2000 or $800.  There are lots of takes on the Neumann U 47, including Neumann itself, all across the price range.  A large condenser tube mic is usually the best for vocals, although FETs will work great, too.
     
    Your best bet is to find the music stores in Montreal with a large stock of mics.  If you flash the cash, they should let you try them, extensively.  Sometimes there are problems since no one wants to have another's spit on the mic and sometimes the State puts restrictions on testing or returning, but a dealer will work with you if you are spending $500 or more.  Hell, my local GC let me test a bunch of Oktava 102s when they were blowing them out for $50 each.  Start with the most expensive you can afford - but test at least one higher priced unit just to see.  Dealers will always want you to buy whatever is overstocked and has the largest profit margin, but they will sell you anything.  Make sure you have a selection of different priced mics - and check out some of the same type models that are FET rather than tube.  They may let you take your favorite choices home to test in your recording space, which makes as much difference as mics.  A bad sounding room will only be better captured by a great mic, which is another reason why and SM7 and other dynamics will sound better - they have better rejection.
     
    If you go to such an investment you won't feel sorry later.  You'll get a good-sounding mic for you.  You still may want to upgrade later, but you won't feel cheated in the meanwhile.  You got the best sounding mic to you at the time.  I use an old modded Oktava 319 (about $500).  It is still not as smooth as I would like but for most vocalists it works and I doubt if many casual listeners could tell the difference if I bought a Geffel.
     
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    Guitarhacker
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    Re: Witch microphone? 2014/11/11 09:31:00 (permalink)
    Before you buy anything.... it would be helpful to know what you currently have. You may actually have a good vocal mic already.

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    #7
    Muzock
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    Re: Witch microphone? 2014/11/11 11:39:36 (permalink)
    I have a Rode NT1A witch is the one all around mic right now.  SM58, SM57,a kit of CAD for drums, AT2020, 421, SE1A, AT3527, ATM63, D6Audix, Beta52A, KET HM-1

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    johnnyV
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    Re: Witch microphone? 2014/11/11 20:27:24 (permalink)
    I hate to say it, but you already have a very good collection of mikes for someone who hasn't started laying down a vocal track yet! As example I just chose the the AT 2020 over a bunch of name brand LDC mikes after trying them in a store. The AT2020 works for my voice and I'm super happy with the results.
     
    I set a budget of $500 and ended up spending $120!!. So I bought a Shure Beta 58 for live performances and a Lexicon reverb unit with the money I saved. 
    So like AT is saying you need to take your time and try a bunch until you get the sound you are after. I would certainly spend some time with the collection you have first.  I used a little A&H mixer and some good headphones in the store. Set the EQ flat, I like to get some cripness and I make different sounds with my lips to test. 
    I can't see getting much more than say a 10% improvement over some of those mikes you already have. 
    My research into the many, many LDC mikes on the market now has made me believe its's 80% marketing hype. Re packaging Chinese parts into cool looking containers. If it looks retro someone will pay 3x the money for it. 
    SO I would disagree thet spending more money is the answer, You need to try them all with out looking at the price. Price is not the determining factor here. 

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    Leadfoot
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    Re: Witch microphone? 2014/11/11 20:32:18 (permalink)
    I get great results with my NT1-A. For the money, that mic rips! The Sennheiser 421 is a great mic as well. If you're having trouble getting a decent vocal out of either of those mics with your preamps you listed, then I would look at technique, not equipment.
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    Splat
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    Re: Witch microphone? 2014/11/12 00:00:09 (permalink)
    If you want a microphone for witches check out SM7B. Was Jackos vocal mic on Thriller.

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    batsbrew
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    Re: Witch microphone? 2014/11/12 11:21:33 (permalink)
    teh Warlock microphone.

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    Jim Roseberry
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    Re: Witch microphone? 2014/11/12 16:42:52 (permalink)
    Some good suggestions have been mentioned, but the first thing you need to do is to *define* specifically what it is you're looking for in that new microphone.
     
    Otherwise, you're completely stabbing in the dark... 
     
    ie:  
    If you're recording rock vocals and you want a little extra "energy" in the upper-mids and fullness in the lower-mids, a tube mic can work wonders.  In this case, a more "flat" mic can sound just that... rather flat.
    If you're recording light airy vocals, a C414 would be a good choice.  In this case, something like the SM7B (suited to higher SPL applications) wouldn't be the best choice.

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    batsbrew
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    Re: Witch microphone? 2014/11/13 10:02:25 (permalink)
    maybe the wizard?

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    AT
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    Re: Witch microphone? 2014/11/13 10:41:19 (permalink)
    As to a specific mic in your price range:
     
    http://www.oktavamodshop.com/product_info.php?products_id=189
     
    about $450 w/ shipping.

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    Muzock
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    Re: Witch microphone? 2014/11/15 14:53:27 (permalink)
    Thank' all of you, now I have about 10 differents mics that I like.  I found a place where I can rent 4 mics for a couple days to make a choice.  After, what I would pay for the location will be deductible on the price for the one I'll choose.  I'm planning to make this move next week.

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    AT
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    Re: Witch microphone? 2014/11/15 17:55:19 (permalink)
    Good deal.
     
     

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    batsbrew
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    Re: Witch microphone? 2014/11/17 12:55:19 (permalink)
    so,
    we have the witch,
    wizard,
    and warlock models.
     
    LOL
     
     
    i would strongly suggest including the Shure KSM44.
     
    my mic of choice in that price range.
     
     
    a good alternative, at more than half the cost,
    would be the ADK Hamburg.
     
     
    these are my two "go-to" mics, after a long search.

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    mikedocy
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    Re: Witch microphone? 2014/11/17 20:39:09 (permalink)
    +1 for the KSM-44 and you can get a good used one on ebay for about $400.
    If you go with a used one make sure it includes the shock mount and case.
    #19
    Muzock
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    Re: Witch microphone? 2014/11/21 16:57:06 (permalink)
    Holy man!!!  That witch just killed me...LOL   That phrase from one of you is the truth:     " If you're having trouble getting a decent vocal out of either of those mics with your preamps you listed, then I would look at technique, not equipment."
    I just finish listening the same song I recorded with 15 different mics.  I tried every one I had just to leard something out about each of them.  I know that a bass drum mic is made for that but, my CAD NDM11 probably discontined made me a big surprise.
     
    But, in that kind of experience you have so many factors around.  I started recorded with my condensers mics so I didn't crank the pre-amp millennia too much.  I ajust from qhat I was hearing in the can.  So, when I was not hearing enought, I was cranking a little more.  When i arrived with the dynamics mics then I cranked alot to hear...so, here is the first little mess...
     
    The other big difference was in the execution of the singer...me...on every take, I have some good part and some so so.  well a singer is a singer.  Give an ordinary mic to a good singer and he will make a better job than me with a 10 grant mic...heu...I don't know if i should laught...
    finally, yes I have a mic here that can do the job for me.  But, because, maybe someday, I'll have a singer here who will worth the advantage to have  abetter mic, I keep my first idea to buy a new mic.  Agood friend of mine, recommand the AKG Perception 820.  It's a tube mic and I don't have one in my collection and he could be a good room mic for my drums so...
    Any way, I realy appreciate all the input I had here and if somebody can say something about that "AKG Perception 820"  I'll be curious to read.
    Thank's all

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    bitflipper
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    Re: Witch microphone? 2014/11/21 17:53:49 (permalink)
    I've not used the Perception 820, so I can't comment on it. However, I have used two other mics from the Perception line and they're a considerable step down from the rest of the AKG product line. They're stamped out in a factory in Shanghai and made as cheaply as those clever Chinese engineers can deliver. Don't ever drop one, lest internal components become detached and start rattling around inside the body.
     
    If you want to invest in one really good microphone that'll handle almost any scenario and do justice to a top-notch singer, figure on spending a grand or more. Go for a Shure KSM-44, AKG C414 or Audio-Technica AT4050, all of which are extremely versatile and well-built microphones. Of these, I believe the AT is the least-expensive, the Shure is the quietest and most rugged, and the AKG offers the greatest versatility.
     
    All of those have less-expensive cardiod-only versions (KSM-32, C214, AT4033) that sound just as good but lack some features that an all-around microphone should have. 


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    #21
    Muzock
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    Re: Witch microphone? 2015/01/02 22:08:36 (permalink)
    So, finale I took the decision after alot of reading and listening to comments from friends ans peuple here. I bought the AKG C 414 XLS and I'm sure I took the good decision.
    And, with all thèse research I made, I know the nexts will ne a ribbon and a tube.
    Thanks for all the suggestions I received.

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    #22
    The Maillard Reaction
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    Re: Witch microphone? 2015/01/03 08:20:00 (permalink)
    Nice job.
     
    I can remember the very moment I bought my pair of 414's 25+ years ago.
     
    You'll get a lifetime of enjoyment out of it.


    #23
    spacealf
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    Re: Witch microphone? 2015/01/03 17:55:41 (permalink)
    Sennheiser MK 4 condenser mic.
    Cheaper but works also.
     

     
     
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