Recording Vocals?

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Lee2216
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2009/03/17 12:41:32 (permalink)

Recording Vocals?

Can anyone give some recommendations on a relatively inexpensive mic for recording vocals with?

Thanks,
Lee

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    julibee
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    RE: Recording Vocals? 2009/03/17 12:53:23 (permalink)
    Hi Lee... Can you give us a price range? You'll get better replies that way...

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    Beagle
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    RE: Recording Vocals? 2009/03/17 12:55:26 (permalink)
    +1 ^
    also - what type of vocals? genre?

    also - what is the rest of your signal path? what pre are you going to be using? do you already have phantom power available?

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    julibee
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    RE: Recording Vocals? 2009/03/17 13:16:49 (permalink)
    It's never easy is it? <sigh>.
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    Lee2216
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    RE: Recording Vocals? 2009/03/17 13:41:53 (permalink)
    also - what type of vocals? genre?

    also - what is the rest of your signal path? what pre are you going to be using? do you already have phantom power available?


    I'm looking to do lead and background vocals in the hard rock genre. I have a Pod X3 live which has a mic pre in it and I'm assuming that it will be my power source as well.I want to stay in the $100-$300 range if possible

    Thanks,
    Lee

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    #5
    ohhey
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    RE: Recording Vocals? 2009/03/17 14:43:58 (permalink)
    Dude.. I would try this one first. Dirt cheap and really the only one of the cheap condensors that has good tone. Does the Line 6 have phantom power for the mic or not ? You might need a phantom power adapter also.

    http://www.pssl.com/!tB77iPXFN5A2KIshNzZXdw!/MXL-SP1-Condenser-Studio-Microphone-With-Clip-s
    post edited by ohhey - 2009/03/17 14:48:37

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    #6
    julibee
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    RE: Recording Vocals? 2009/03/17 14:57:59 (permalink)
    I use one of these... it's a little more than what Ohhey posted, though. Runs about $200.00, and personally, I think it sounds like it cost a LOT more.

    http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/product/MXL-9000-Large-Diaphragm-Cardioid-Tube-Microphone?sku=273176

    (This isn't an endorsement of any seller... just had a few reviews posted to it, and some decent info).

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    Guitarhacker
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    RE: Recording Vocals? 2009/03/17 14:58:27 (permalink)
    Shure SM-58...the industry workhorse.... this thing is a really good stage mic and works well in a studio on vocals too. New price is about $100 or so... I have one that is about 30 years old and it still works and sounds good. It's been with me in every band and honky-tonk I ever played.

    I recently added a Rode NT2-A condensor. (needs phantom power) I needed something a bit cleaner and able to do justice to acoustic guitar.....so I got the Rode... it's about $400 give or take a few dollars...but well worth it.


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    #8
    ohhey
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    RE: Recording Vocals? 2009/03/17 15:05:36 (permalink)

    ORIGINAL: Guitarhacker

    Shure SM-58...the industry workhorse.... this thing is a really good stage mic and works well in a studio on vocals too. New price is about $100 or so... I have one that is about 30 years old and it still works and sounds good. It's been with me in every band and honky-tonk I ever played.

    I recently added a Rode NT2-A condensor. (needs phantom power) I needed something a bit cleaner and able to do justice to acoustic guitar.....so I got the Rode... it's about $400 give or take a few dollars...but well worth it.


    just my 2 centavos...


    Yeah.. the SM-58 works for most singers and if you also use that mic on stage you get the same sound. The SM-57 often works better for recording and you can also use it for amps. One of my favorite mics for my voice is the Beta 57, nice clear sound and more output then a normal 57.

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    #9
    thebiglongy
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    RE: Recording Vocals? 2009/03/17 20:19:38 (permalink)
    Beta 57 all the way here also. We do have a rode NT2 which comes out from time to time, but The Shure SM57 Beta is all we really need, both in the studio and live....plus, the singer hates not having it in his hand, which always posses a problem when wanting to try a different mic for other vocals lol.

    Pop this through a decent little preamp and away you go, will cover most styles and is great for rock, both studio and live.
    #10
    bitflipper
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    RE: Recording Vocals? 2009/03/17 21:44:27 (permalink)
    SM-58 is the obvious answer. Hundred bucks, and it's the sound you've heard on a thousand rock records.

    I also happen to be very high on Heil mics, although they're around $350 or so IIRC. But those things will truly make you rethink what can be done with dynamic microphones.


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    tarsier
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    RE: Recording Vocals? 2009/03/18 09:41:35 (permalink)
    ORIGINAL: ohhey
    I would try this one first. Dirt cheap and really the only one of the cheap condensors that has good tone.

    http://www.pssl.com/!tB77iPXFN5A2KIshNzZXdw!/MXL-SP1-Condenser-Studio-Microphone-With-Clip-s

    Dirt cheap, yes. Good tone, no. I picked up one of these since it was so cheap, and I've gotta say that it just doesn't sound that good. It sounds thin. No bottom to it with over emphasized highs. Was it worth $40? Sure. But not any more than that, and I'm pretty sure I'd never use it on a vocal track. If you're looking for a vocal mic, I wouldn't bother with this. Spend some more and get something better. The SM-58 would probably be a better choice for rock vocals.
    #12
    Lanceindastudio
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    RE: Recording Vocals? 2009/03/18 11:53:04 (permalink)
    ORIGINAL: ohhey

    Dude.. I would try this one first. Dirt cheap and really the only one of the cheap condensors that has good tone. Does the Line 6 have phantom power for the mic or not ? You might need a phantom power adapter also.

    http://www.pssl.com/!tB77iPXFN5A2KIshNzZXdw!/MXL-SP1-Condenser-Studio-Microphone-With-Clip-s


    +1 read about it here http://forum.cakewalk.com/tm.asp?m=1249717&mpage=1&key=mca%2Csp-1
    post edited by Lanceindastudio - 2009/03/18 11:54:17

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    nicechuck
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    Re: RE: Recording Vocals? 2010/02/27 17:33:04 (permalink)
    The best mic i've found for the very best price is the Nady SCM 960. Tried others, nothing has that sound for near the price. I'm on my 2nd now as my grandson killed my first one lol. It has a great natural sound, full and warm. If I had a big expensive studio, I'd still have these mics.
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    Legion
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    Re: RE: Recording Vocals? 2010/02/27 20:27:30 (permalink)
    If you want dirt cheap I will have to echo the SM58. I've made great recordings using that mic before I could get my hands on anything else and it will indeed carry that real and close feel even if it wont get those subtle nuances or "warmth" or character of more expensive mics.

    You can always get better but you can't go wrong with a 58.

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    marcos69
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    Re: RE: Recording Vocals? 2010/02/27 21:03:41 (permalink)
    You can order an SM58, tripod boom stand and 20' cable from ZZounds right now for $109.

    I just ordered one.
    post edited by marcos69 - 2010/02/27 21:06:22

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    guitartrek
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    Re: RE: Recording Vocals? 2010/02/27 22:50:20 (permalink)
    You should really go to a guitar center or other music store that will let you audition mics.  Once you buy one they do not let you take it back for health reasons.  Guitar center let me audition (and record) several mics - I could play back and listen to the differences and select a mic suited to my voice.  It doesn't cost anything to do it.

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    tcaylor
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    RE: Recording Vocals? 2010/02/28 12:14:12 (permalink)
    Lee2216



    also - what type of vocals? genre?

    also - what is the rest of your signal path? what pre are you going to be using? do you already have phantom power available?


    I'm looking to do lead and background vocals in the hard rock genre. I have a Pod X3 live which has a mic pre in it and I'm assuming that it will be my power source as well.I want to stay in the $100-$300 range if possible

    Thanks,
    Lee


    Lee,

    I have a Pod X3 and I do not believe it has phantom power available.  I tried an AKG C414B through the X3 since it has the mic patches and couldn't get any sound at all through it.  The SM58 is probably a good choice since it doesn't require phantom power.

    Tom

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    mcourter
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    RE: Recording Vocals? 2010/03/01 17:27:28 (permalink)
    I'm a big fan of the MXL SP-1. If you get a thin sound, I doubt it's the mic itself

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