The perfect Mic for Vocals

modz1 · #1 (**permalink**) 22nd May 2008 , 10:50 AM

Hey
I need an excellent quality studio microphone purely for recording vocals - nothing else. Although recording instruments wether harmonic or percussive is not required, I do need the Mic to handle a range of vocalists from soft, wispy voices, to the attitude laden diva! Budget around £350/400

Also, should it be 'condenser' or 'diaphragm'?

And my final query, is a specific 'pick up pattern' (eg omni/cardioid) specification important to get the best sound down?

Thanks a lot guys

SteveDVActon · #2 (**permalink**) 17th June 2008 , 12:44 PM

all condensors have a diaphram. Thats the part that picks up the sound. My advice is get a SE 5600a. great valve sound, decent SPL, bags of clarity

HarryGarcia@DVNorthLondon · #3 (**permalink**) 17th June 2008 , 10:07 PM

I have one myself, it's got plenty of warmth and versatility thanks to it's valve and switching polar patterns on the PSU with intermediate stages; really useful for different mic'ing techniques!

dvdan · #4 (**permalink**) 18th June 2008 , 12:46 PM

"Also, should it be 'condenser' or 'diaphragm'? "

I think you mean condenser or dynamic. Personally I use the shure sm7b or the electrovoice RE-20 for vocal duties. Both these microphones are dynamic and sound very thick and 'warm' for want of a better phrase. Dynamic microphones are ideal for breathy female vocals or taming sharp/loud male vocals. You may want to consider this as a different flavour to condenser microphones.

modz1 · #5 (**permalink**) 20th June 2008 , 11:03 AM

Yeah, cheers Dan, I did mean 'dynamic' not 'diaphragm', well picked up on.. Thanks to all you guys above.. you've certainly helped clear up a murky area for me.. Luvvly jubbly...:-)

gzweb · #6 (**permalink**) 25th June 2008 , 02:35 PM

Got myself an AKG Perception 150 yesterday, surpisingly good for the money.

Comes with a Mini Poster which is a bit weird - I certainly wouldnt put a foot long image of the Mic in my room anywhere. Wish they'd put in a windshield or something useful but there you go... cant complain, excellent value for the money as it is now.

bigjimmy1963 · #7 (**permalink**) 2nd July 2008 , 08:28 PM

Shure 545, crystal clear.
Hard to find nowadays but worth
the hunt!

phraser · #8 (**permalink**) 2nd July 2008 , 11:39 PM

[FONT="Tahoma"][SIZE="2"]I had a similar question a year ago. Read up a lot about recording environment and mike techniques. I tested out a range of the well known or recommended models, but for me a secondhand Neumann TLM 103 was the choice. It is also so versatile.
I have not regretted that decision whereas before I have bought relatively expensive mikes and wish that I had just bit the bullet!
best wishes.[/SIZE][/FONT]

modz1 · #9 (**permalink**) 3rd July 2008 , 09:17 AM

Thanks guys.. the advice keeps coming thick 'n fast and is much appreciated

amstel · #10 (**permalink**) 3rd July 2008 , 10:09 AM

Id just like to say how pleased I am with the Samson CO3 condenser mic I bought from DV a couple of weeks ago which is used in my small production studio. What a difference it's made to my recordings, thanks guys.

Stilli · #11 (**permalink**) 3rd July 2008 , 10:44 AM

I've got an SE Z56000aII and love it!! The ability to change response patterns and low cut filter are very useful features too.

dvdan · #12 (**permalink**) 3rd July 2008 , 11:48 AM

Had some amazing results with the RODE K2 @ the weekend. If you are looking for a vintage sounding tube mic then you won't find it here... but you do get great presence and depth with none of the top end hype Ive experienced with mics from the same company. I got it in the 'vintage' sounding zone in conjunction with the UA 610 preamp.

What sort of vocals are you after?

BSMo · #13 (**permalink**) 3rd July 2008 , 01:01 PM

You'd probably get a decent quality valve mic on that sort of budget, I've used a Rode K2 recently, which is wonderfully characterful with a continously variable pickup pattern, as your second question doesn't really have a specific answer, it always depends on the situation, so it's a double bonus if your mic does them all...

joshpatel · #14 (**permalink**) 7th July 2008 , 07:24 PM

If youve got the money go for a neumann...
Industry standard for vocals...

Robcore! · #15 (**permalink**) 7th July 2008 , 09:59 PM

The Rode valve series are indeed a safe bet for pretty much any vocal application.
Although I wouldn't recommend less than the C414 for well, let's face it, incredible sound quality, it's £100 out of your price range at £489.
I doubt the C214 is much different sound wise, just less options as it only has a Cardiod polar pattern. If you're only ever going to be recording one person at a time, i'd recommend this (or the Rode NT1-A!)

AKG C 214 Condenser Microphone at DV247.COM

If you're recording more than one person at a time, you'll benefit from stereo recording, so i'd recommend this (again, the NT1-A.) Rode NT1-A Matched Pair Studio Condenser Microphon at DV247.COM
They're especially good for home studio use because they pick up what's right in front of it and not too much else.

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#1 (permalink) 22nd May 2008 , 10:50 AM
modz1 Administrator Join Date: May 2008 Location: London Posts: 1,540	The perfect Mic for Vocals Hey I need an excellent quality studio microphone purely for recording vocals - nothing else. Although recording instruments wether harmonic or percussive is not required, I do need the Mic to handle a range of vocalists from soft, wispy voices, to the attitude laden diva! Budget around £350/400 Also, should it be 'condenser' or 'diaphragm'? And my final query, is a specific 'pick up pattern' (eg omni/cardioid) specification important to get the best sound down? Thanks a lot guys ______________________________ *"The light that burns twice as bright burns half as long.."*
Offline	Last edited by modz1; 17th June 2008 at 06:33 PM. . Reason: removing TEST status <

#3 (permalink) 17th June 2008 , 10:07 PM
HarryGarcia@DVNorthLondon DV Staff Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Barnet Posts: 2	I have one myself, it's got plenty of warmth and versatility thanks to it's valve and switching polar patterns on the PSU with intermediate stages; really useful for different mic'ing techniques!
Offline	Last edited by HarryGarcia@DVNorthLondon; 17th June 2008 at 11:00 PM. . <

#4 (permalink) 18th June 2008 , 12:46 PM
dvdan DV Staff Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: chelmsford Posts: 157	"Also, should it be 'condenser' or 'diaphragm'? " I think you mean condenser or dynamic. Personally I use the shure sm7b or the electrovoice RE-20 for vocal duties. Both these microphones are dynamic and sound very thick and 'warm' for want of a better phrase. Dynamic microphones are ideal for breathy female vocals or taming sharp/loud male vocals. You may want to consider this as a different flavour to condenser microphones. ______________________________ --------------------------------------------- Dan S Digital Village/Music Village
Offline

#5 (permalink) 20th June 2008 , 11:03 AM
modz1 Administrator Join Date: May 2008 Location: London Posts: 1,540	Yeah, cheers Dan, I did mean 'dynamic' not 'diaphragm', well picked up on.. Thanks to all you guys above.. you've certainly helped clear up a murky area for me.. Luvvly jubbly...:-) ______________________________ *"The light that burns twice as bright burns half as long.."*
Offline

#2 (permalink) 17th June 2008 , 12:44 PM
SteveDVActon Bass Head Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 21	all condensors have a diaphram. Thats the part that picks up the sound. My advice is get a SE 5600a. great valve sound, decent SPL, bags of clarity
Offline

#6 (permalink) 25th June 2008 , 02:35 PM
gzweb DV Staff Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: RM7 7PJ Posts: 84	Got myself an AKG Perception 150 yesterday, surpisingly good for the money. Comes with a Mini Poster which is a bit weird - I certainly wouldnt put a foot long image of the Mic in my room anywhere. Wish they'd put in a windshield or something useful but there you go... cant complain, excellent value for the money as it is now.
Offline

#7 (permalink) 2nd July 2008 , 08:28 PM
bigjimmy1963 Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Dumbarton Posts: 17	Shure 545, crystal clear. Hard to find nowadays but worth the hunt!
Offline

#8 (permalink) 2nd July 2008 , 11:39 PM
phraser Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: South East Posts: 2	Choice of microphone [FONT="Tahoma"][SIZE="2"]I had a similar question a year ago. Read up a lot about recording environment and mike techniques. I tested out a range of the well known or recommended models, but for me a secondhand Neumann TLM 103 was the choice. It is also so versatile. I have not regretted that decision whereas before I have bought relatively expensive mikes and wish that I had just bit the bullet! best wishes.[/SIZE][/FONT] ______________________________ [SIZE="1"]Set up: PC, 17" FlatScrn, 4Gb RAM, WinXP, Echo 3G Layla breakout, Behringer 2442 Mixer, Line6 Pod, Yamaha W5 KBrd, midi to Cubase 4, Out to Quad Amp, KEF Q Series Speakers.[/SIZE]
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#9 (permalink) 3rd July 2008 , 09:17 AM
modz1 Administrator Join Date: May 2008 Location: London Posts: 1,540	Mic answers Thanks guys.. the advice keeps coming thick 'n fast and is much appreciated ______________________________ *"The light that burns twice as bright burns half as long.."*
Offline

#10 (permalink) 3rd July 2008 , 10:09 AM
amstel Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Norfolk Posts: 1	Id just like to say how pleased I am with the Samson CO3 condenser mic I bought from DV a couple of weeks ago which is used in my small production studio. What a difference it's made to my recordings, thanks guys.
Offline

#11 (permalink) 3rd July 2008 , 10:44 AM
Stilli Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: London SE Posts: 1	I've got an SE Z56000aII and love it!! The ability to change response patterns and low cut filter are very useful features too.
Offline

#12 (permalink) 3rd July 2008 , 11:48 AM
dvdan DV Staff Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: chelmsford Posts: 157	Had some amazing results with the RODE K2 @ the weekend. If you are looking for a vintage sounding tube mic then you won't find it here... but you do get great presence and depth with none of the top end hype Ive experienced with mics from the same company. I got it in the 'vintage' sounding zone in conjunction with the UA 610 preamp. What sort of vocals are you after? ______________________________ --------------------------------------------- Dan S Digital Village/Music Village
Offline

#13 (permalink) 3rd July 2008 , 01:01 PM
BSMo Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 14	You'd probably get a decent quality valve mic on that sort of budget, I've used a Rode K2 recently, which is wonderfully characterful with a continously variable pickup pattern, as your second question doesn't really have a specific answer, it always depends on the situation, so it's a double bonus if your mic does them all...
Offline

#14 (permalink) 7th July 2008 , 07:24 PM
joshpatel Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: UK Posts: 4	If youve got the money go for a neumann... Industry standard for vocals...
Offline

#15 (permalink) 7th July 2008 , 09:59 PM
Robcore! Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Longbridge, Birmingham Posts: 33	The Rode valve series are indeed a safe bet for pretty much any vocal application. Although I wouldn't recommend less than the C414 for well, let's face it, incredible sound quality, it's £100 out of your price range at £489. I doubt the C214 is much different sound wise, just less options as it only has a Cardiod polar pattern. If you're only ever going to be recording one person at a time, i'd recommend this (or the Rode NT1-A!) AKG C 214 Condenser Microphone at DV247.COM If you're recording more than one person at a time, you'll benefit from stereo recording, so i'd recommend this (again, the NT1-A.) Rode NT1-A Matched Pair Studio Condenser Microphon at DV247.COM They're especially good for home studio use because they pick up what's right in front of it and not too much else. ______________________________ "Those who danced were thought to be insane by those who could not hear the music."
Offline

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