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Journeyman
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What are you guys using for your go-to vocal mic for recording ?
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shure sm57 and sm58. built like tanks.
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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!
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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.
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Journeyman
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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.
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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
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I still prefer and use my Shure 58s. Old school.
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Citaat:
My marriage is more important than the STUFF.
You made the right choice. RESPECT!
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I use the Cad 189 both for recording and live performances. later,
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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.
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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
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"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
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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
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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.
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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.
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Apprentice
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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.
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Journeyman
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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.
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Journeyman
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Hey Bob, the Saffire unit looks good. How are the ASIO drivers ?
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Rejoice, one and all, for Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box® is here! We’re serving up 200 brand spankin’ new styles to delight your musical taste buds! The first three courses are the classics you’ve come to know and love, including offerings from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, but, not to be outdone, this year’s fourth course is bro country! A wide ranging genre, you can find everything from hip-hop, uptempo outlaw country, hard hitting rock, funk, and even electronica, all with that familiar bro country flair. The dinner bell has been rung, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 21 today!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Energetic folk rock, raucous train beats, fast country boogies, acid jazz grooves, laid-back funky jams, a bevy of breezy jazz waltzes, calm electro funk, indie synth pop, industrial synth metal, and more bro country than could possibly fit in the back of a pickup truck!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
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Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 21 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
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