Andy, best vocal mic for US$1000

[acorredor]

Andy:
What vocal mic would you go for if you had to buy one, for a grand?
I have checked:

Neumann TL103
Audio Technica 4060
AKG 414 (Golden One)

Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance

 

[Hopkins-WitchfinderGeneral]

Neumann TL103 <--- I'd take three if I Had the money.

 

[egan.]

I've not used the 4060, but both of the others are solid. I will say that the 414 can be unflattering for some voices in my experience.

 

[blackcom]

Here's some tunes i've recorded with tlm103 on the vox:
http://home.online.no/~mastr3/preprod/vigilanceisflaw.mp3
http://home.online.no/~mastr3/preprod/worldinmyeyes.mp3
http://home.online.no/~mastr3/preprod/inhalethesulfur.mp3

 

[acorredor]

Thanks a lot guys... i dig your tunes blackcom, thanks for the effort

 

[FrostGiant]

This mic isn't really considered a high end mic but I've talked to quite a few people who know what's what. If you're looking to add another mic look into the Studio Projects C1 ($200). It gets compared to the U87 quite favorably. I've talked to some sound guys who actually put them up against one another and said there's minimal difference between them (not too mention many reviews I've read about it). I just thought I throw that out there. I own one myself and love it to death (of course it's the only mic I own). I think if you're looking to expand the versatility of your studio and you're on a budget this would be a great mic to look into (or if you just want to go on a flyer). I've got some links to my tunes in my sig. The vox and acoustic guitar where done thru the C1 thru and the m audio audiobuddy preamp (I realize the preamp has a lot to do with it so take my shit with a grain of salt, but the audiobuddy is supposedly a very transparent pre). There's minimal eq on em simply cuz I don't know much of what I'm doing yet.

 

[Impy]

The Studioprojects T3 is also a very good mic for the cash, think it costs around 500 bucks or so.
It sounds great on vocals and steelstring accoustic guitar

 

[FrostGiant]

Actually I guess the whole studio projects line is great for the cash. The B1 ($79) is supposedly excellent for acoustic guitar.

 

[Andy Sneap]

Shure SM7 is what Im using over everything for aggressive vox right now

 

[acorredor]

Shure SM7 is what Im using over everything for aggressive vox right now

Andy: do you use a pop filter with this set up?
Thanks a lot!

 

[Kevin Kitchel]

The SM7's gigamungous windscreen is a great pop filter. Just ask Bruce Swedien.

 

[FrostGiant]

Actually, I belive the 57's sold without a windscreen now. I could be wrong but that's how I've seen em advertised (also from personal experience, the big muff eats tone and the windscreen doesn't). But anyway, if you're recording vox, just put up a windscreen. It shouldn't affect the tone. Only stop the puffs. But I can't think of a reason not to use one when recording vox.

 

[egan.]

Actually, I belive the 57's sold without a windscreen now. I could be wrong but that's how I've seen em advertised . QUOTE]

SM7 not SM57.

 

[FrostGiant]

Oh yeah, my bad. For some reason I saw 57. my bad.