Vocal mics?

[Fredrik-Ablaze]

Being a guitar/drum freak I feel that I haven't been paying attention about vocal microphones, so my question to all of you is; what reasonable priced mic should i buy? To tube or not to tube seems the question.

Ive been doing some research and a "Studio Projects TB1" seem pretty good from both the sound and price aspects, is that a good chice?

 

[STINNETT]

I use a Studio Projects C1 and I think it's an excellent mic.

A Shure SM7 is an awesome mic for extreme vocals.

 

[~BURNY~]

I had to buy a budget vocal, I would avoid tubes mics. Rode NT2000 maybe.
I had pretty bad experiences with studio projects (b3 & TB1). Both seemed to have that brittle chinese sound.

 

[Brett - K A L I S I A]

Neumann U47

 

[Glenn Fricker]

The C1 is great. Price doesn't always mean quality. I was reviewed in Recording Magazine last august, and they went on and on about how great the vocals sounded.... I didn't tell them it was the lowly C1: sometimes reviewers listen with thier wallets instead of thier ears.

-0z-

 

[LynchpiN]

Can anyone say a noticeable difference (sonically) between the NT1, NT2 and the NT2000?

Never tried the Studio Projects, so...

NT1 x C1

and

NT2 x NT2000?

 

[_RiseInside_]

I usually use a C1 as well as a shure sm7. My vote goes to the Sm7, no questions asked.

 

[Razorjack]

Neumann U47 or Shure SM7, depending on the singer.

 

[Frank'nfurter]

AKG Solidtube

 

[martyfireball]

i still find a SM57 works for metal and death a lot of the time for me.

 

[Gomez]

Neumann U47

I can't imagine Someone growling at one of these things.

Good luck finding one of these!

 

[Gomez]

AKG Solidtube

This is by far the WORST "pro" microphone I have ever tried. Dull, muddy, horrible. I tried it on a lot of things and the only time it sort of worked was for a female singer who had a rather thin voice.

Surely looks "impressive". But looks can be deceiving.

has anyone found any use on this mic? I'd like to know.

 

[elmuchoescadawg]

This is by far the WORST "pro" microphone I have ever tried. Dull, muddy, horrible. I tried it on a lot of things and the only time it sort of worked was for a female singer who had a rather thin voice.

Surely looks "impressive". But looks can be deceiving.

has anyone found any use on this mic? I'd like to know.

Ive got one, havent used it in a while, no real reason why. I have worked on projects before where its been used for all sorts of instruments. Still got my on the the SE Gemini though

 

[Gomez]

Ive got one, havent used it in a while, no real reason why. I have worked on projects before where its been used for all sorts of instruments. Still got my on the the SE Gemini though

Didn't like the Gemini that much either. Hyped top and bottom. And they were going through really good pre's. I was a bit dissapointed after all the hype these mics have had in the media.

They sound better to me than they solid tube - yes.

I think for brutal vocals valve mics are not the answer. I think you'll be better off with a dynamic mic. SM7, 441... you name it.

 

[Frank'nfurter]

This is by far the WORST "pro" microphone I have ever tried. Dull, muddy, horrible. I tried it on a lot of things and the only time it sort of worked was for a female singer who had a rather thin voice.

Surely looks "impressive". But looks can be deceiving.

has anyone found any use on this mic? I'd like to know.

Then you MUST have a broken unit. Our Solidtube works perfect. Crystal clear sound. Take your unit to a pro tech, there must be someting wrong with it.

 

[Gomez]

Then you MUST have a broken unit. Our Solidtube works perfect. Crystal clear sound. Take your unit to a pro tech, there must be someting wrong with it.

I've tried 2!

Maybe they need new valves or something, eventhough I'm pretty sure both of them were in fine condition. But also, I have not heard good things about this mic in general.

 

[Matt Crooks]

I've used the Solid Tube as well, through a real neve 1073... I thought it was OK, but not spectacular. We liked the 414 a good deal better on that vocalist.

For growls... I like a dynamic mic, I've gotten good results from an SM-57. For singing, I like my 147.

 

[Fredrik-Ablaze]

Well, im not absolutely sure but since we've never growled before im guessing it is to be used for "clean" vocals only

 

[Exsanguis]

I've had excellent experiences with the SolidTube, but I do know that it's very room dependent. Michael Wagener has given some very helpful tips about it on Gearslutz, if you search for a second . . .

As far as my favorite vocal mics are concerned, for death/black screams and more aggressive vocals, the SM7 is great, as are the Neumann U67 and U87's. The AKG 414 is pretty good too, I believe that's what was used on Nasum's Helvete. For clean vocals, my favorite is definitely the Brauner VM1, but the U67 or U87 works amazingly well too(67 moreso than 87).

On a budget, I'd definitely recommend the SM7. Sooooo flexible, durable, cheap, and takes processing very well.

 

[Lord Lurion]

I like the 414-XL II... I only wished I had 1400€ to buy it!