Originally Posted By: Islansoul
I would tell you to go to a local music store and see if you do a recording demo of four takes of the same vocal passage using four different mics. Everyboady prefers a different type of mic, so I can't tell you wich mic to get. However, like some people said, don't spending a ton of money for a mic just because of the brabd name. Although I'm not a singer, I use an NT2a by Rode and I like it a lot for it's multi patteren capsule. I haven't tried it on vocals yet, but it works well on mandolin and steel pan. Please note that certian types of mics require special attention. Condenser mics need phantom power, ribbion mic are very senstive to dropping, noise blown into the mic, and tube mic need a special power supply. Now, if you want to kill two bird with a pre amp and an interface, go with the UAD Apolo Twin, as it always you to plug-in setting directly to the audio at the same time, so you can use a preamp pulgin and get a nice tone out of your mic.


The local music stores around here are way to loud for test driving a mic let alone comparing 4. Buy one, carry it home and use it in your environment. Most good music stores have a 30 to 45 day no questions asked return. However.... I'd just get a decent one like the Rode NT2A or similar. People say this mic is good for that and the other one is good for that but in all honesty, for most home studio situations, a decent mic is going to do everything you need well. Would a Neuman give a warmer sound to a vocal track? Yeah it probably will, but you can always drop the 3 grand later on. For now, just get a good all around get you started mic. Besides, you can always get a nice tube preamp to warm things up for way less than one fifth the cost of a Neuman.

I agree on the Rode NT2A. I have one and use it on all my live mic work. Guitar cabinet, acoustic guitar and mandolin, and yes, especially vocals. It's a condenser so it needs phantom power but again, any good interface should provide that as well as nice clean preamps.

I'd never recommend a ribbon as a first mic. As you pointed out, they are just too sensitive to outside influences. Accidentally plug it in to some phantom power, drop it, let someone tap it during "CHECK 1 2 is this thing on?" or forget to use a pop filter and you can destroy it faster than burning the money with a match.

For a good interface if you don't already have one..... Focusrite makes some nice ones and have superbly clean preamps in them.

Last edited by Guitarhacker; 12/06/16 02:42 PM.
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