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Joined: Oct 2005
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Hello, I am in need of some advice as to which mic would be good for home recording. I have an SM58 at home, and this same mic was used at a studio to record my first CD, but I don't particularily care for the mic for my voice. I was hoping to find something that sounds a little brighter than this mic. Any suggestions for a mic that's not terribly expensive but a good mic for home recording? Thanks. - TishAnna www.tishanna.com
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Condenser or dynamic? Budget? ------------------ DakLander
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this is question that can only be answered by the amount of money you're willing to spend. To find the mic that compliments your voice takes going to a studio with a good selection of mics, then setting them all up and trying them out. Finding out which one is the right one, then going to the store and buying it. Sometimes it will be cheap, but that's rare. Most of the time it's pricey. My voice is best on a Neumann U87a. Unfortunately that mic is like $4k retail. I shelled out for it for my studio so that I'd have a mic that suits my voice. I've heard that Bono's voice is best through a Sm58 and that's what he uses in the studio. Lucky him. Jody ------------------ Music That Makes Your Soul Happy! www.jodywhitesides.com
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Tish,
It may be that your SM58 would be good if going into a good mixer for great EQing, along with some subtle effects. I added mids and highs with mine for some songs and it was rich and very bright. Then on other songs, I added lows and rolled back the highs a bit, to have a completely different sound,, real mellow and smooth. Much can be done with one mic to get many sounds. Try some plate reverbs too.
To save some dough Add some highs and lower the low!
The mic is maybe half of the sound.
OR,,,,try the Marshall tube mic that Sam Ash always has in their case. It's gold and green I believe. 400 bucks. More wide ranges of sounds when playing with EQ too, I would imagine.
John Daubert
[This message has been edited by dhsongs (edited 03-10-2006).]
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With an editing program like Krisal freebee one you can make your voice sound pretty well how you want it to. Shure wish I had a SM58. They are a nice mike. Graham ------------------ http://www.soundclick.com/bands/2/grahamhenderson_music.htm
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Thanks everyone for the great advice.
- TishAnna
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Tish, Hi, You can get a great sounding mic for home use dirt cheap.. Go online or to the music store look for Rode Microphones and Marshall Microphones.. Just make sure you have phantom power source on your mixer...or seperate source If you go to the music store and ask lots of times they will let you return the mic if you dont like it.. So you can try some... Both are cheap they have many models from $69- thru $400 all condensor microphones.. There are other good brands but I like theese two the best.. for multiple purposes.. The one I use cost $69.00 bucks I used it on vocals and instruments and couldn't believe how it sounded being played over FM radio.. You couldn't tell the difference between a $100 mic and a $1,000 mic if your life depended on it.. Not just you but most people including most engineers and singers.. me included.. And you dont need an expensive one.. especially for home demo use.. If you spend $175.00 you will be thrilled.. Rode may be a tad better for female vocals but you may sing real heavy I dont know.. microphones are one of the best bright spots in todays gear.. finally good ones at a low cost.. And they maintain value very well.. cant say that for computers, software and keyboard stuff.. Do not spend alot of money! Best of luck and when you record something please post it up so we can hear it and help you..if you'd like.. Take Care Sub [This message has been edited by substudio (edited 03-12-2006).]
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Agree with Sub. I own the Rode NT-1A and it's about $200, and it is an outstanding mic for the price. It does require phantom power. If you want a mic that can do it's own phantom power (via internal batteries) and can double as a live pa mic, the AKG C1000 is the same price and it's nice, but for home studio recording the Rode is way better.
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Sub is correct in terms of Home Recording for mic's in that price range. However I really have to beg to differ that you won't hear a difference between mics. When I did the mic shootout on my voice in a fellow JPFr's studio (John M), where we set up about 15 different mics ranging in price from about $100 to about $5,000, it was absolutely incredible the differences I could hear. Especially when you sing the same thing through each mic then listen to the recorded result side by side without any EQ, which is the ideal way to listen to a mic - Flat on the EQ. Most of the mics were immediately obvious that they didn't suit my voice at all. Eventually it came down to two mics. One was a GrooveTubes mic that was about $400 and the other was the $4,000 Neumann U87a. Why didn't I go with the GT? Mostly because there was some funny stuff in the high end of the EQ of that mic that wasn't quite gelling with my voice, it wasn't as obvious, but there was a smoothness factor in that range that would have been something to deal with in mixing. Instead the U87a ended up being the perfect fit where my voice just sounded right without the need for any EQ - which is generally used to enhance a vocal sound (I don't need to argue that you can use EQ to change the sound, I know you can). Thus that's why I went with the U87a. Did I want to spend that much on a mic, hell no. But having the right tool for the job will always give the best result. If you're going to be serious about your career and you're a singer, I can't see why you wouldn't do this. A mic shootout to find the mic that suits your voice as a singer is like a guitarist choosing the right guitar, or the drummer choosing the right drums, etc... I'm always amazed at how lots of people don't like to spend the time to find the right tool for the job. Especially when it's something as delicate as the right vocal sound - which is what most listeners will use to determine whether they like a band or not. Just an observation. Jody ------------------ Music That Makes Your Soul Happy! www.jodywhitesides.com
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Jody,
When did you do the mic shootout? I didn't hear about it. Was it a chapter meeting? If not, that might be a cool topic for a chapter meeting. Have a retailer bring out all the mics and let the entire group test them for best results and discuss the differences. It would probably sell a lot of mics for the retailer and give quality info the members regardless of budget. Or maybe that's what you guys already did?
Brian
Brian Austin Whitney Founder Just Plain Folks jpfolkspro@gmail.com Skype: Brian Austin Whitney Facebook: www.facebook.com/justplainfolks"Don't sit around and wait for success to come to you... it doesn't know the way." -Brian Austin Whitney "It's easier to be the bigger man when you actually are..." -Brian Austin Whitney "Sometimes all you have to do to inspire humans to greatness is to give them a reason and opportunity to do something great." -Brian Austin Whitney
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Joined: Oct 2005
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I agree about trying out a bunch of mics to pic the best one. When I first bought the SM58, I wasn't as particular as I am now. I just wanted a decent mic, and it was recommended to me. Now, I am hoping to find something that fits my voice better.
The mic shootout is a good idea. I may mention that to my local NSAI chapter to see if they'd be interested in doing something like that.
I'm hoping to find something in the $150-300 range. $4,000 is way out of my budget range. I plan to record my tracks at home and take them to a local studio for mixing and mastering. Like I said, my vocals for my first CD were recorded in a studio on the SM58, and it sounded ok, but I was interested in trying something different in the future to see if I could get a better match for my voice.
Thanks for all of the great advice. I really appreciate it.
- TishAnna
[This message has been edited by TishAnna (edited 03-12-2006).]
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Hi Tish, How did I guess you needed something in the $150-$300 range What Jody and the others are saying is the absolute truth.. But in your situation I feel you really don't need to do all that. I dont use EQ when I'm recording especially not on drums & vocals.. I have a good idea that I'll usually need some after I have to make 24 tracks or more blend together.. Technically it is better to have a microphone you dont have to add EQ later but you may have to EQ it. Besides all the modeling software they have now..which I dont use.. and once I EQ channels to match closer to the channel with the super expensive mic it's hard to tell.. Also it's true everyones voice is different.. I have guys come over who sing really strong the expensive 87 and tlm 103 distorted all over the place, no matter what I tried.. The girls sounded great with them as did the guys with mellow to medium power.. I used mics I use on guitar amps for the heavier singers.. Of course it all depends..on your voice and stye of music.. After I play 15 different channels A/B of the same vocal parts at random all re- equed..or not.. Most people wouldn't recognize there favorite microphone even if they slept with it bet them sometime and you could make some easy money.. I'll assume Tish you are not a trained $100 an hour engineer. Your making Demo's and not even very expensive ones.. Most of the public does not have a clue about sounds of microphones and care what singer is using what.. It's like saying a good thing Joey Ramone didn't use a Telefunken all those kids would of never related to his music.. His vocal sound decided whether the kids liked the band or not.. I seriously doubt this.. Yes the engineers were brillant that day and said use a 57 instead of this.. And it was probably the best mic they had that day that helped Elvis sound his best.. Did they try every existing mic? Probably not and That's for Elvis.. Bet ya he would of sounded great and sold alot of records if he used a different mic to.. maybe just about any mic.. It's all mostly about the talent and after the fact stuff. That $10,000 mic didn't cost ten grand back then... Work with what ya got and can afford.. We tend to think everything done was with some great revelation and brillant planning.. Those guys were winging it alot to.. Your recording in your house probably a bedroom type situation.. Technically your acoustics are all wrong.. To really have a microphone sound it's best it should be in a completely proffesionaly treated room.. then maybe you it wont need any EQ, maybe. You would have to call every studio in your area and find out exactly which microphones they use.. Hopefully they have all the ones you are considering if not book a few more studio's at God knows what rate an hour..Oh and did the different rooms have any effect on the sounds even on the same mics? technically of course they did.. Lets talk about your mic-pre now,, ya get the idea... Once you get to technical where do you stop? Once you start down that road it never ends.. You wanna buy a Neve Console to? Be practical when buying gear..Is what I'm saying I bet Your whole set up Tish with all your equipment combined shouldn't cost you four grand.. Buy The Rode you, your fans and your wallet will be thrilled... Best Of Luck! no offense intended to anyone who posted as I repect there talents, opinions and suggestions. These are just opinions.. I love helping, chatting, learning & debating..It's all good. Peace Sub [This message has been edited by substudio (edited 03-13-2006).]
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Well said..Sub..
I have been rcording in my own space (bedrooms, basements, whatever) for about 25 years. I've used a myriad of recording domains and gear. My work has always been of the (I'll overdub all the music and vocals) type.
I've just started using a large diaphragm condenser for my vocals ( and some of the acoustic guitar trax0
The mic is made in Chinna and cost about two hundred bucks..another two hundred for a nice cheapo mic pre and voila! Really clear concise vocals
I wish I had done it many years ago..
Recording vocals at my end of the digital domain has always been a challenge.. I did jingles for years..recorded in the best studios in Chicago on Neumanss..all kinds of expensive mics.. I've heard my voice on the radio about a gazillion times..
My current on the cheapo setup gives me as satisfying a vocal result as I've ever had.. I'm happy...in my book, that's all that matters.
A condenser mic for around 200 to 4 hundred dollars will improve your vocal sound a great deal over a dynamic like an sm58. I used a large diaphragm dynamic sennheiser for a long time..it retails for..I don't know..maybe 350 or 4 hundred. My new on the cheap condenser sounds much better ( In my opinion)
Have fun and don't spend one dollar more than you need to. More expensive is not the same as better !
Good luck
bob Young
[This message has been edited by bob young (edited 03-13-2006).]
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<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Brian Austin Whitney: Jody,
When did you do the mic shootout? I didn't hear about it. Was it a chapter meeting? If not, that might be a cool topic for a chapter meeting. Have a retailer bring out all the mics and let the entire group test them for best results and discuss the differences. It would probably sell a lot of mics for the retailer and give quality info the members regardless of budget. Or maybe that's what you guys already did?
Brian</font> Actually it was a private affair. John loaned me his studio space and all his mics. GrooveTubes actually loaned me several mics when I told them I was doing the shootout (I'm endorsed by them as well). I wanted to make sure that when I recorded the album that you have for the awards this year, that I had the best sound I could get on my vocal since so many people associate me to my voice rather than the music. I agree, I think it would make a great topic for a chapter meeting. However, I don't know who would have a studio comparable to John's that it would be appropriate in. Plus that would take a lot of time to go through, it took us several hours with just me alone. But then I was being very scrutinizing. Jody ------------------ Music That Makes Your Soul Happy! www.jodywhitesides.com
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For my money, I've been wildly happy with the AT 2020 , which is MSRP $169.00 and comes in closer to $100 retail. It has a flat response across a LOT of ranges, and if I could only have one Mic, it would be this one for a home studio. I have two so that I can do stereo recording in a room, along with a PreSonus firebox, so that I can carry it with my laptop and record on the go, as well as in my home studio. ------------------ See the The Indie Band Survival Guide : Everything we've learned so far. [This message has been edited by beatnik_turtle (edited 03-21-2006).] [This message has been edited by beatnik_turtle (edited 03-21-2006).]
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Duplicate, please delete...
[This message has been edited by beatnik_turtle (edited 03-21-2006).]
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The AES convention, if you can make it there, is a great way to try out mics and other equipment too.
All of the major manufacturers set up their full lines, plugged in with headphones to try.
They used to have free passes for industry to the exhibition hall and they vary where they hold it each year...one year NY, the next LA
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The marshall electronics mics are good for the price. I have the V69 Mogami Edition tube. It was around 299.00. (I think)... But I did swap out the tube with a Mullard. I also have an AT4050, which is a great mic. It costs twice as much as the Marchall, maybe more these days. I have had it for a few years. I use both of these mics for vocals. What's nice about the tube mic is that you really don't need to add a bunch of extras to the track to get a decent sound and warmth. The tube will give you a good warm feel with no effects. You can always tack on a bit of reverb and eq later if you are looking to color the vocal.
Best, L..
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