Vocals Mic Recommendations

I'm looking for a decent vocals microphone in the price range of $200. I'll most likely be getting a pop filter along with it so any recommendations for that would be helpful as well. This is purely for recording within Sonar. Nothing live at all.

Thanks!

http://www.sweetwater.com...io/studio-microphones/ Not an endorsement for any place that sells mics. Some people swear by AKG. All you can do is read the comments and reviews and look different ones up on the Internet for reviews, or go to a store and try out what they have for a mic.

I did not buy a AKG but a Sennheiser Condenser which cost enough for me. Could not edit first post.

Thanks for the link.

It's surprisingly difficult to know which suits what type of sound you're looking for. I know the basic differences between each variety but it's pretty hard to pinpoint one even in a certain category. I've read through many reviews and ratings without any sure choice. Some say one is good for instruments while the next person says it's completely suited to vocals only.

Personaly I find you may need a different mike for each different singer. If it's only going to be you, then you will want to audition the mikes until your happy. Example, I cannot sing though a SM 58. , it sounds terrible. But there are other mikes I sound fine through. In the studio I use this $150 Audio technica dynamic  mike. The number wore off 15 years ago I beleieve there was a 10 on it. Any how find a store that will set you up with a good set of headphones and a bunch of mikes.

  I'll have to find a retailer around me that provides that kind of service. I appreciate the info. I have actually noticed that even in headsets, each picks up my voice in a different way. There will be more than one person using this mic however. 

 Some say one is good for instruments while the next person says it's completely suited to vocals only. 

http://www.guitarcenter.c...-103997235-i1170936.gc

 
 
KSM42  $799
There are whole books written on microphones. They do design each with a certain purpose in mind. Classic is the SM58 is a vocal mike and the SM57 a instrument mike. Put a wind sock on a SM57 and there you go, a vocal mike, Put a 58 on a sax and it will work just fine can you hear any difference? probably not , o well you get the picture. If this mike is to be your only mike that is used for both female and male voices it will be harder to find the perfect mike that works perfectly for all. I wouldn't ask us anyways, I would ask the guy in guitar center... . ;> I don;t own this but got to use one at a live concert bluegrass band shared just this one mike it was stellar..I know it's out of budget but this is what I have set my sights on..
 
 
 http://www.shure.com/amer...enser-vocal-microphone
 
 

For it's price I would take a chance on this one too, At $100 it's gotta be useful.I have always found Audio Technica mikes to sound excellent for the money, just don't drop them... They used to be made in Japan. http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/AT2020/
 

I would buy this one too, just for the looks and the wooden box
 
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/Bluebird/
 
$299 not bad for a hand built mike.
 

 

Sorry, the forum won't let me edit, so I have to repost to include the promo code GREEN12 is $30 discount (expired, but still works as of now). http://www.guitarcenter.c...-103997235-i1170936.gc

As a general all round mic that will work on most sources, and at a reasonable price, you won't get much better value for money than the Audio-Technica AT-4033

I have a friend with a studio in Pennsylvania.  He went to the Eastman School of (recording) music back in the early 80's.  He has a whole slew of mics for different male voices and different female voices, along with his instrument mics. 

Check out the Apex 460 tube condenser. It's multi-pattern, gets a lot of good write ups on the web, and it's in your price range. I have one and love it.

For anyone possibly interested in the GC deal, $30 promo expired. BUT, this promo code works for an extra $18 off (until the end of march): MARCHMAD9

http://www.gauge-usa.com/

good mics and very affordable condensors. 


 the Shure SM-58 is always a reliable vocal mic as well and can be bought for around $100

Listen I own a Shure SM58, and about any Condenser worth a little more will blow it away. In fact I have an old Altec Lansing Mic I used more than any shure that came out. I know Condensers costs more, and perhaps a good preamp will make any difference also to make a Condenser sound even better, but really, a SM58 Dynamic Mic is what it is, not that good at all. And a Condenser will probably need 48V phantom power, but that usually is included with audio interfaces or a preamp for the mic or a studio channel with EQ to change the way the mic sounds.

http://web.me.com/finalmix/Gauge_Microphones/Compare_ECM87.html

Your budget is a bit low.  I have several mics for vocals.  I have a Groove Tubes GT66. an Audio Technica AT4033, a CAD E-100 and a Studio Procects C1.  The C1 isn't the best of the bunch but it is usable and in your budget.  I bought it used as I did on two of the others.  If you can find a used one you may be able to get more bang for the buck.

If you want a vocal mic, you want a condensor.

Problem with the C1 is that the high end is harsh.......my advice for $200 is to find a used SM7 dynamic (you can get one new for approx. $300)......that mike will work on anybody and takes eq well.....a Gauge 47 tube condenser is a good mike for the $

Sorry.

I have a Beta 58 that I sometimes use, depending on the singer.  Seems to work better than my condenser mics in certain situations.

A person can get a reflexion filter for a condenser mic (or mic) also. http://www.sweetwater.com...php?s=reflexion+filter Those work!

Last night I did a recording session with a female vocalist. I used my SM-58 and my Rode NT-2A to track 5 takes of a new lead vocal.  

We started tracking with the Rode NT-2A .....recording 3 tracks

Then, for grins, I decided to record 2 more tracks using the 35 year old SM-58 I had laying around.

I used a pop filter on all the takes. 

There is a definite difference, as I would have expected between these two mics. The Rode was louder, and had a more present, intimate sound quality as well as better (cleaner)  lows and sparkling highs.  I was recording with the gain set about 5 or 6 on the input to the interface channel. 

The 58 needed the gain cranked a bit to get a robust wave in the track. Somewhere around 7 or 8,  I would guess.  The wave was nice and robust as well. Proximity played a much larger role in the sound of the 58. After a few takes, we recorded 2 tracks with her singing right up on the pop filter and the mic sans windscreen about 1" behind the pop filter.  A few takes without the pop filter showed we needed the filter. At first, she pulled back 6" to 12" to belt out the chorus on the 58 like she did on the Rode, but loss of the proximity effect killed the quality of the track on the chorus. We retracked it  with her "eating the mike" the entire take. Much better. Surprisingly, it did not overload the 58 doing that as I feared it might. She was strong and loud on the chorus. 

The highs  were rolled of a bit just from the natural sound of the mic. Nothing unpleasant, but a noticeable difference in tone and overall sound quality was evident between the 2 mics. 

I actually did a trial playback with the 58 vox on lead with 2 of the Rode vox tracks panned opposite and way down, and it sounded pretty good. 

Plans are to correct vocals and see what is what in those tracks today or tomorrow as I head toward the final mix. 

You gotta remember, the 58 and it's companion the 57 are the industry standard work horse on stage for just about everything up there.  It's not a bad mic and if it's the only one you have, you can't go wrong using it. Yeah, a nice condenser is better, and if you have one, use it. In a pinch, the 58 rocks. 

Sorry.

Using a cardiod pattern on a condenser makes it about the same as a dynamic mic like a (yes for 40 years it's been a workhorse on the stage) SM 58 or SM 57, when the choice of mics to use was seemingly much less than the pletora of mics nowadays. Sides and Rear up to 18dB less.

Sterling ST77 or ST79 is a great mic.
 
http://www.guitarcenter.com/Sterling-Audio-ST77-Large-Diaphragm-Studio-Condenser-Mic-103997235-i1170936.gc
 

Lance,

Thank you for posting the link. My favorite would be the TLM-103, but the ECM87 sounds really good. I am surprised!
I recently got myself a Sennheiser MK 4, and I love it.

Wilko

Cheers Wilko! 

I use one (ECM87 ;) - they are awesome and the company owners are really cool!

I also work with TLM-103 through an Avalon sp737 at least 4 times a week.

My ECM87 goes through a Presonus Eureka (awesome clean sound, love the compression).

Honestly, I enjoy the results of each setup equally.

It is amazing what is available today at decent prices.

That being said, not every cheap mic is created equal. Many of them are harsh in the upper mid frequencies.
I can say the ECM87 is smooth smooth smoooooth-

Lance

Shadow of The Wind


Lance,

My favorite would be the TLM-103, 
 
Wilko

I owned a pair of them and dumped them. Wouldn't even consider the TLM-103 as a vocal mic unless you're looking for strident and harsh. They saw short duty as drum overheads, couldn't cut that and were then shipped of to eBay.
 
The only mic mentioned in this entire thread that you will get decent milage out of (as a general vocal/instrument mic) is the AT 4033. I still have three of them, My vocal mic of choice as an allrounder is the AT 4060 tube. I also recently picked up an AEA R84 long ribbon that I'm loving on female vox however.
 
You can snag a 4033 for around $200 used. Do it. Thank me later.  

On second thought, never mind.

a shout out here, for the KSM44

my favorite vox mic so far....

ooops, wrong thread!

no, this IS the right thread!

batsbrew


a shout out here, for the KSM44

my favorite vox mic so far....

+1

my favorite mic so far is the KSM27, which they don't sell any more, but it's the little brother of the KSM44, which I can't really afford right now.
 
I would like to eventually increase my mic selection to include the AT 4033 and the Shure SM7

Manley Reference Cardioid Microphone - The Best Mic in the world!
[link=http://www.manley.com/refcard.php%3C/a%3E%3C/font%3E]http://www.manley.com/ref...php%3C/a%3E%3C/font%3E[/link]

I have it, use it and I just LOVE It! Anyone that has a chance to listen or use it will say the same thing.  

 
It the best of the best!
Used on Britney Spear, Celine Dion, BackStreet, Madonna etc..
Avril Lavigne has own build Manley Reference Cardioid just for tracking here Vocals..

 

Beagle


my favorite mic so far is the KSM27, which they don't sell any more, but it's the little brother of the KSM44, which I can't really afford right now.
 
I would like to eventually increase my mic selection to include the AT 4033 and the Shure SM7

i have the AT4033, nice mic...


and i've used the sm7 on several occasions.


but IMHO KSM44 beats them both by a long shot.


and, it's really good at many things...
plus has the multi pattern options, that is almost worth the price of admission by itself

SM57 is a classic too. Great for drums or just anything--

Recv'd the ST-77 about a week ago and hadn't had a chance to sing on it until tonight. It's a keeper for sure. Sounds smooth and warm, fits into mix with no fuss.

If you check out guitar center and other online music sites, you will see a new mic from Sterling called the Oceanway, ie. Allen Sides the owner just came out with this mic. You will notice, except for the blue color, it looks exactly like the ST77 or ST79. That's because it is, with a slightly modifed set of components. The price is $999. Now don't you feel like a smart camper?

I agree. Almost identical internals as the ST-77 except for the blue paint and Allen Sides name on it. Had one on loan from GC Pro for a couple of weeks. These were made exclusively for GC. Took it back and grabbed an AEA R84 instead.

Yep, i had known about the Ocean Way 6050 and was very "curious" about the obvious similarities in appearance and specs. It's not not even multi-pattern, so it's really only comparable to the ST-77 not the 79.

I just talked to a GC salesperson today and they said many of the stores won't be carrying the Oceanway in stock. That seems a bit stranged. Also there is a new line up of the Sterling mics about to hit the stores.

The 6050 has been very "quiet." I wonder if the the price will fall to around a couple/few hundred in the future.

I just ordered an AT2035 from Musician's Friend.  I'll let you know how it works out (when I get it).  I had a credit left over that just matched the price of the AT2035. 

Beagle


my favorite mic so far is the KSM27, which they don't sell any more, but it's the little brother of the KSM44, which I can't really afford right now.
 
I would like to eventually increase my mic selection to include the AT 4033 and the Shure SM7

Loving the KSM27 here too. It was the first LDC I ever bought. Even though I now have a U87 and SM7b, which many consider staples, my KSM27 is highly regarded alongside them.
 
 
Stewart

In the $200. range AKG Perception 220 is a very nice mic.  Comes with a shockmount and case. This mic has a clean high end but could use a little help with EQ on reaching the warmth of a low end. 
 
If you want to go a little higher in the budget $349. The Shure SM7B/SM7 is a great flat response mic for vocals.  Mostly used on radio but was one of Michael Jackson's favs better known as the Thriller mic.  But, make sure you have a good high gain preamp because this mic needs a lot of gain.
 
The Shure SM58 is cosidered a stage vocal mic but used a lot in studios.  It pretty much has the same guts in her as the Shure SM57 instrument mic. Both are around $99.

GOOD LUCK
Kev

Manley Reference Cardioid

Freddie H


Manley Reference Cardioid Microphone - The Best Mic in the world!
[link=http://www.manley.com/refcard.php%3C/a%3E%3C/font%3E]http://www.manley.com/ref...php%3C/a%3E%3C/font%3E[/link]

I have it, use it and I just LOVE It! Anyone that has a chance to listen or use it will say the same thing.  

 
It the best of the best!
Used on Britney Spear, Celine Dion, BackStreet, Madonna etc..
Avril Lavigne has own build Manley Reference Cardioid just for tracking here Vocals..

Yes, it is a FANTASTIC mic but its a little out of the $200. range. 

+1 for Guage...superior bang for the buck.

Also, I just picked up a brand new, full waranty EV RE320 for $220 on Ebay and it sounds excellent on vocals.  I tried it on the kick drum and it did very well with that also.

Good luck!

You cannot go wrong with a Shure SM7........it sounds good on everybody and takes eq well.....

I also love my KSM27...used it on vocals for a southern rock original

I laughed when I saw the "Manley" post....best mike in the world!