Beginner Vocal Mic Advice

[LukeBurke1]

I just got one of the Focusrite interfaces that Sweetwater had the special on and I need advice on a decent mic to record vocals with. I don't need a super fancy ribbon moc, but I'd like something that gets the job done without breaking the bank. I'll be doing most guitar recording thru my amp's line out into IRs, but it would be nice if the mic could double as a good amp mic. I'm leaning toward a Heil PR30 based on what little research I've done, but a lot of you guys know a lot more about this stuff than I do, so I'd appreciate any advice or guidance I can get

[ajaxlepinski]

You can't go wrong with a Sure SM57.
At $100, it's got a proven track record for both guitar and vocal recording and live performance.

You can step it up to a Sure SM7b for $350.

Both the SM57 and SM7b are dynamic mics - they operate like a speaker in reverse: sound hits a plate which transfers energy to a coil the moves inside a magnetic field.
Their frequency response range makes them good for guitar and vocals.


Sure SM57

Sure SM7b


You can go for a large diaphragm condenser mic like the Rode NT1A (comes with a shock mount and pop filter) for about $200, or a small diaphragm like the Sure SM 81 for $350.
Condenser mics have a wide frequency range, usually 20 to 20K hz and can be used for a wider variety of instruments (including bass) and also vocal recording.
Condensers are set up a bit differently (two plates that create voltages changes when vibrations hit them) and must be "phantom powered" typically with 48v that the Focusrite can provide


Rode NT1A

Sure SM81

[Ry Manchu]

Beyerdynamic M400 Soundstar
Sennheiser e906
Sennheiser MD411 or MD412
Shure SM58
Shure 545
Shure SM57
Shure SM7
CAD D189
Audio Technica AT3035

[overdrivenel34s]

What mics do you own currently (if any)? Are you looking to buy a mic to just use for recording or could you really use a good mic for live sound use that would be half decent for recording as well?

[LukeBurke1]

What mics do you own currently (if any)? Are you looking to buy a mic to just use for recording or could you really use a good mic for live sound use that would be half decent for recording as well?

I currently don't own any mics. I'm just looking for something to record primarily vocals with, but could be used as a good guitar cab mic too. Ive never really heard of using an SM57 to record vocals, but I'm definitely considering it now. I like what I've heard from the SM7, but it's a bit out of my price range. I think I'll probably end up an SM57 or a Heil PR30

[overdrivenel34s]

Sm 57 is great all around mic. It's a solid utility mic that's always useful to have. It will work good on vocals but some will prefer it more then others. It have pronouced proximity effect (gets much bassier when you are right up against the mic) ;like sm 58 but little more susceptible to pops vs sm 58. For recording i'd use a pop filter in front of it. I've used sm 57's for live vocals before (backing vocals) and worked fine. It always seems to work great for micing guitar cabs (what i mainly use it for these days). Also decent for micing acoustic and popular for snare drums...

An audix i5 can be used in similar fashion but has a different frequency response that has less upper mids and little more high end (but not a harsh high end) if i recall correctly. Its a really a matter of taste. I actually prefered it more for my vocals/harmonies then mic'd guitar cab but could get away with it for either use (at the time the only mics i had was sm57 and i5 so i had to choose one for vocals and one for guitar amp). The i5 always seemed to sound better on acoustic guitar then the SM57 to me but of course depends on the guitar and placement.

Currently, I use either a rode m1 or audio technica atm510 for live vocal mics. Both went for under 100 each. I haven't tried using them as instrument mics so can't comment on how they'd work there. I've recording vocals with rode m1 with no issues.

I have heard good things about Heil mics including the pr30 but they go for $250 or so new vs 100 or under for sm57 (or i5).

[JerEvil]

I use a Blue Microphones Bluebird. They are usually under $200 and I dig it.

[nightflameauto]

If you have no mics I'd say start with a low-dollar standard, use it for a bit, see what annoys you about it, then step up. Hit an SM57 or SM58, use it, and think about what you'd change about its character if you could when you get ready to grab your next mic.

Going too high end when you don't really know what it is you're looking for with mics just leads to .

[JerEvil]

If you have no mics I'd say start with a low-dollar standard, use it for a bit, see what annoys you about it, then step up. Hit an SM57 or SM58, use it, and think about what you'd change about its character if you could when you get ready to grab your next mic.

Going too high end when you don't really know what it is you're looking for with mics just leads to .

Good point. I don't know a good mix from a shit one to be honest.

[Telephant]

57 & 58 are basically the same thing but a 57 is a hell of a lot more directional, which is why I prefer an SM58 for vocals.

[GuitarBilly]

57 & 58 are basically the same thing but a 57 is a hell of a lot more directional, which is why I prefer an SM58 for vocals.

I agree. But if you can only have one of them, I'd go with the 57, as it records vocals better than the 58 records guitars.

[Telephant]

57 & 58 are basically the same thing but a 57 is a hell of a lot more directional, which is why I prefer an SM58 for vocals.

I agree. But if you can only have one of them, I'd go with the 57, as it records vocals better than the 58 records guitars.

True. I hate using a 57 live for vocals. You have to get right up on the motherfucker and its kinda sharp around the edges.

[LukeBurke1]

Thanks for all the advice guys. Once I sell my OD808 and Analogman TS808, I'm definitely going to try to pick up a SM57 or two, but right now the Audio Technica AT2035 has also caught my eye. I'd be interested to to try a SM57 and the AT2035 in tandem and see what kind of results it yields.