|
Log in to post
|
Print Thread |
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 581
Journeyman
|
OP
Journeyman
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 581 |
What are you guys using for your go-to vocal mic for recording ?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 5,139
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 5,139 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 8,987
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 8,987 |
shure sm57 and sm58. built like tanks.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,480
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,480 |
What kind of preamp ya got? That plays a big part.
I'd always suggest an SM-57 or 58 as a starter (like Don said). I prefer SM-57 myself, but that is just personal preference. If you have one already (and have phantom power) I'd suggest a Large Diaphragm Condensor mic (LDC) as a next purchase to see the difference.
T-3, B-1, MXL 990 or Neumann U87 .. depending on budget <grin>. You can spend a lot on mics, and then spend a lot on preamps. Just realize; one affects the other quite a bit. An expensive mic thru a cheap preamp isn't going to perform well, whereas an average mic thru a good preamp will perform better than you may think. Consider both.
My SM-57 recorded thru the M-Audio soundcard XLR preamps (though servicable) does not have the clarity of the same mic thru a VTB-1 preamp (and then into same soundcard).
Something I noticed long ago; mics are only as good as the preamps they are ran thru.
End result is Mic->preamp->processing->soundcard convertors. Once converted they are just numbers. The real difference is in the path to the numbers.
Last edited by rharv; 01/22/12 01:35 PM.
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,342
Expert
|
|
Expert
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,342 |
What Rharv said AND: How good are your room acoustics? You could buy a Neumann, Brauner or Manley or whatever high-end microphone; if your recording room isn't acoustically treated well, you 'll never get the sound you should get using those microphones.
Try to keep things in perspective. What is you goal and what level of quality would you like to achieve? And, again, what Rharv said: what is your set-up? It doesn't make any sense buying a $5K Brauner microphone when you're using a Behringer Xenyx mixer for a preamp and interface...
For vocals in my home-studio ( unfortunately not perfectly acoustically treated) I use a Rode NT2-A, a Sennheiser 965 or a Shure SM58. It depends on the singer and what kind of feel I want to have.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 581
Journeyman
|
|
OP
Journeyman
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 581 |
Thanks guys. About 4 years ago I divested myself of my home studio, with a small fortune invested in high $ gear.. about 40K worth. Grace design, Focusrite, UA preamps... AKG, Neumann, Senheisser mics, Dynaudio monitors, 2 vintage 1176 limiters, etc, etc... All that is gone and the acoustic room treatment gone. I was OCD, and recovering  Too much time 'in my cave' as it were. My marriage is more important than the STUFF. SO.. these days I'm 'low budget', just for grins stuff. In years past, some low end mics I liked were the Studio Projects C1, MXL V69m to name a couple. My thoughts are the C1 and the VTB-1, although I MAY spring for more. Again, not doing commercial CD's etc... just fun and R&R. Definately looking at an LDC, not a dynamic.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 8,718
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 8,718 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,900
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,900 |
Rode NT-1000 through US-122 USB sound card details
Follow That Dream Sam Karaoke King -------------------- Turning that corner again - I have to keep following that dream, no matter what
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
|
Anonymous
Unregistered
|
|
Anonymous
Unregistered
|
I still prefer and use my Shure 58s. Old school.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,342
Expert
|
|
Expert
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,342 |
Citaat:
My marriage is more important than the STUFF.
You made the right choice. RESPECT!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 6,722
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 6,722 |
I use the Cad 189 both for recording and live performances. later,
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 5,086
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 5,086 |
Hey Mitch, I have a Blue Encore 200 which sounds good but I rarely use due to handling noise - even on a stand it works my nerves. So I usually use old faithful sm58. My room location is too noise prone for a good condensor but if I were going to try one it would be Rob Chiarelli's Gauge - said to be quite good for the price and you can hear sound samples on the site http://www.gauge-usa.comMy favorite dynamic which I wish I’d kept because it’s out of my price range now is the Sennheiser MD441U - smooth true sweet sound. I got it for around $450 and it's double that now. **editted to fix link which apparently is still not working for me. LOL Josie
Last edited by Sundance; 01/22/12 07:16 PM.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,333
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,333 |
I have 2 Shures. One Fender something, another no name that works ok, an Audio Technica wireless, and an Audix.
I'd go with Audix, but it pairs well with my Bose and has a built in setting there so...
John Conley
Musica est vita
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 5,139
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 5,139 |
"My thoughts are the C1 and the VTB-1"
I also have that combo, and it's great. Look into the Focusrite Saffire 6 USB. Two pristine mic pres and a stable interface in one package. I recently got one, and it's head and shoulders above my VTB-1. $200.
Regards,
Bob
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,148
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,148 |
Shure c606 as one review says on http://www.amazon.co.uk/Shure-C606-Switc...9642&sr=8-2"What's the difference between the Shure SM58 and the Shure C606? Only the price really! This microphone delivers truely amazing sound. Why pay all that money for an SM58 when the C606 gives pretty much the same sound? If you're looking to setup your own home studio on a small budget, or whether you just want a good priced, quality mic - then this is certainly the best option for you. The mic has an on and off button and connects by XLR - use a mic guard and hey presto! 10 out of 10! should cost under $40 musiclover
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 8,987
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 8,987 |
the frequency response curve is not as flat as the sm57/sm58 and my experience with switches on mics has very negative and troublesome. the sm57/sm58 do not have switches for precisely that reason.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,913
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,913 |
Mitch, worry more about the pre-amp. I have a cheap Samson Q2U that sounds great through a decent pre-amp. You don't have to spend major coin either. I use a dbx mini pre-amp, but they no longer are made. Have yet to read a negative comment on the VTB-1 recommended by rharv and others.
The room and acoustics of the room that you will record in will matter as much or more than the mic, particularly if you go for a condenser of some type - they simply have too broad of a pattern to ignore the room. A good ol SM 58 will reject most of the room effects however. SM 57 is just as usable - pop filters are nearly free for them.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 177
Apprentice
|
|
Apprentice
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 177 |
SM-58 with a switch. I use it on stage too, and switch it off to reduce feedback and instrument bleed when I'm not singing. Sometimes I rig a gate to do the same thing, and keep it on. I use a TC Helicon voice & guitar harmonizer product GXT to do that (gate the mic input) sometimes, though getting it calibrated to a 430 hz "A" was not easy, requiring an analog feed to get it pegged, so the harmonies would be in tune with the instrument tuning.
It's encouraging to hear that you managed your "Stuff". Not easy, and creating a functional "man cave" for creative time remains a dream and an ongoing project for many of us, I bet.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 581
Journeyman
|
|
OP
Journeyman
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 581 |
I may just get the Shure Beta 57a for now. I liked that mic and had a couple but never did use it on vocals though.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 581
Journeyman
|
|
OP
Journeyman
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 581 |
Hey Bob, the Saffire unit looks good. How are the ASIO drivers ?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.
ChatPG's knowledge base includes the full Band-in-a-Box User Manual and sales information from the website.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Windows Special Offers End Tomorrow (January 15th, 2026) at 11:59 PM PST!
Time really is running out! Save up to 50% on Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® upgrades and receive a FREE Bonus PAK—only when you order by 11:59 PM PST on Thursday, January 15, 2026!
We've added many major new features and new content in a redesigned Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®!
Version 2026 introduces a modernized GUI redesign across the program, with updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, and a new Dark Mode option. There’s also a new side toolbar for quicker access to commonly used windows, and the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, making it easier to customize your workspace.
Another exciting new addition is the new AI-Notes feature, which can transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI. You can view the results in notation or play them back as MIDI, and choose whether to process an entire track or focus on specific parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®.
There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
Upgrade your Band-in-a-Box for Windows to save up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade packages!
Plus, when you order your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade during our special, you'll receive a Free Bonus PAK of exciting new add-ons.
If you need any help deciding which package is the best option for you, just let us know. We are here to help!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® Special Offers Extended Until January 15, 2026!
Good news! You still have time to upgrade to the latest version of Band-in-a-Box® for Windows® and save. Our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® special now runs through January 15, 2025!
We've packed Band-in-a-Box® 2026 with major new features, enhancements, and an incredible lineup of new content! The program now sports a sleek, modern GUI redesign across the entire interface, including updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, a new dark mode option, and more. The brand-new side toolbar provides quicker access to key windows, while the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, creating a flexible, clutter-free workspace. We have an amazing new “AI-Notes” feature. This transcribes polyphonic audio into MIDI so you can view it in notation or play it back as MIDI. You can process an entire track (all pitched instruments and drums) or focus on individual parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
There are over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®.
When you order purchase Band-in-a-Box® 2026 before 11:59 PM PST on January 15th, you'll also receive a Free Bonus PAK packed with exciting new add-ons.
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® today! Check out the Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all the purchase options available.
Happy New Year!
Thank you for being part of the Band-in-a-Box® community.
Wishing you and yours a very happy 2026—Happy New Year from all of us at PG Music!
Season's Greetings!
Wishing everyone a happy, healthy holiday season—thanks for being part of our community!
The office will be closed for Christmas Day, but we will be back on Boxing Day (Dec 26th) at 6:00am PST.
Team PG
Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: The Newly Designed Piano Roll Window
In this video, we explore the updated Piano Roll, complete with a modernized look and exciting new features. You’ll see new filtering options that make it easy to focus on specific note groups, smoother and more intuitive note entry and editing, and enhanced options for zooming, looping, and more.
Watch the video.
You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!
Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: AI Stems & Notes - split polyphonic audio into instruments and transcribe
This video demonstrates how to use the new AI-Notes feature together with the AI-Stems splitter, allowing you to select an audio file and have it separated into individual stems while transcribing each one to its own MIDI track. AI-Notes converts polyphonic audio—either full mixes or individual instruments—into MIDI that you can view in notation or play back instantly.
Watch the video.
You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!
Bonus PAK and 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®
With your version 2026 for Windows Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition or PlusPAK purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons for FREE! Or upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK for only $49 to receive even more NEW Add-ons including 20 additional RealTracks!
These PAKs are loaded with additional add-ons to supercharge your Band-in-a-Box®!
This Free Bonus PAK includes:
- The 2026 RealCombos Booster PAK:
-For Pro customers, this includes 27 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles.
-For MegaPAK customers, this includes 25 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles.
-For UltraPAK customers, this includes 12 new RealStyles.
- MIDI Styles Set 92: Look Ma! More MIDI 15: Latin Jazz
- MIDI SuperTracks Set 46: Piano & Organ
- Instrumental Studies Set 24: Groovin' Blues Soloing
- Artist Performance Set 19: Songs with Vocals 9
- Playable RealTracks Set 5
- RealDrums Stems Set 9: Cool Brushes
- SynthMaster Sounds Set 1 (with audio demos)
- Android Band-in-a-Box® App (included)
Looking for more great add-ons, then upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK for just $49 and you'll get:
- 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums with 20 RealStyle.
- FLAC Files (lossless audio files) for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums
- MIDI Styles Set 93: Look Ma! More MIDI 16: SynthMaster
- MIDI SuperTracks Set 47: More SynthMaster
- Instrumental Studies 25 - Soul Jazz Guitar Soloing
- Artist Performance Set 20: Songs with Vocals 10
- RealDrums Stems Set 10: Groovin' Sticks
- SynthMaster Sounds & Styles Set 2 (sounds & styles with audio demos)
Learn more about the Bonus PAKs for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forums57
Topics85,814
Posts796,520
Members39,965
| |
Most Online25,754
Jan 24th, 2025
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean