Guitar Gear Forum

so I have been recording my clean style vocals with an sm57 and it just is not cutting it... the vocals sound flat and dead no matter what I do the mic also has an almost nasally quality... it just doesn suit me for vocals at all. my clean vocals are kinda alice in chains esque (I'm not the greatest singer by any means either) so what would yall recommend? preferrably something I might be able to afford as well I don't have a budget per se but I don't want to spend hundreds on it. thanks dudes

This is a solid one, it works ok on guitar cabs too...

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/AT2020/

This one also...

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/B1Mic/

A step up would be this...

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/NT1AAnniv/

how is the sm7?

Haven't used one myself.

the rode seems like it might be a good option... any more input? I appreciate the help!

You might look into the Superlux CMH8A... A review done by Sound on Sound compared it to the Rode NT1 and said it had similar sensitivity and overall tonal characteristics...

http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/jan02/articles/superluxmics.asp

These are considerably cheaper than the Rode and seem to sound good (as far as the clips I have heard of people using it). As far as the brand goes, I got turned on to them by the people on Gear Slutz for their studio headphones (I own a pair and love them!), and decided to venture into their microphones too. I ordered a dynamic mic just the other day to try, and I anticipate getting one of their small diaphragm condensers to use for my acoustic guitar.

They aren't overly expensive either!

If you want to stay with a trusted name, I imagine that you will have good luck with the Rode NT1A! Also the KEL Audio HM-2D might work for you too

Good luck!

Cole

Tried and true 58! You can find them on CL all day long.

57 and 58 are the same mic capsule with a different shaped end - 57 has flat grille for sticking close to sources, 58 has ball grille end because that feels better to put your mouth right up against but still gives a cm or so distance from the diaphragm. The shape of the plastic and metal around the capsule change the response slightly but it's nothing major.

So if a 57 doesn't cut it, a 58 probably won't do much for you either. That said, i do find they respond well to high shelf boosts - say 8K and up - assuming your voice isn't too sibilant.

The SM7b also has the same capsule, but it's mounted further away from the body of the mic, the foam keeps your mouth even further from the diaphragm and it doesn't have a transformer which means lower output but better sound, basically. It's a great vocal mic if you have a bright, loud voice so for some rock singers it's perfect.

The SM series use Alnico magnets which are a bit soft and spongey. The Beta series use Ceramics and it's the same effect as in pickups and speakers - the ceramic magnets are a bit clearer sounding.

It sounds like you're wanting a condenser mic sound. That's a whole world of possibilities depending on budget!

I don't feel comfortable spending more than a couple hundred bucks. this is great input guys I appreciate it

Cirrus is the fuckin man Always very valuable opinions.

any more input? I thinkn I may try the rode

The Blue Encore 300 is awesome.

colejustesen wrote:You might look into the Superlux CMH8A... A review done by Sound on Sound compared it to the Rode NT1 and said it had similar sensitivity and overall tonal characteristics...

http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/jan02/articles/superluxmics.asp

These are considerably cheaper than the Rode and seem to sound good (as far as the clips I have heard of people using it). As far as the brand goes, I got turned on to them by the people on Gear Slutz for their studio headphones (I own a pair and love them!), and decided to venture into their microphones too. I ordered a dynamic mic just the other day to try, and I anticipate getting one of their small diaphragm condensers to use for my acoustic guitar.

They aren't overly expensive either!

If you want to stay with a trusted name, I imagine that you will have good luck with the Rode NT1A! Also the KEL Audio HM-2D might work for you too

Good luck!

Cole

My father bought some superlux headphones and they sound great! He has been considering getting their drum mic set.

Hear is a different approach to "flat and dead"...
Use a BBE Sonic Maximizer or an Aphex Aural Exciter.
You can still get them in analog rack mounted form or, you can get them as plug-ins.

They take all the muddyness out of vocals, guitars, any instrument and they work wonders on final mix downs.
I haven't tried the plug-in version but, I'll never mic anything without passing it through my BBE.

Hope this helps!

Homestly a 57 run through a good mic preamp can sound great on vocals. Chris Cornell and Sting have used 'em. Without hearing a clip it's hard to say but if it's sounding nasal that would more likely be a tecnique thing and if you are singing nasally a ribbon or condenser would likely only emphasize that more.

Any suggestions for a good pre-amp?

At the lower end of the preamp market (which is all I've got real hands on experience with), there are two which I think are great;

The Groove Tubes "The Brick" which is discontinued now is a great single channel valve mic preamp with decent transformers and a cool sound - nice and thick. Also great as a Bass D.I. and the only real weak point is that it struggles with some really low output mics.

The FMR RNP is a two channel pre that sounds great. Loads of headroom and clarity.

Thanks!!! That FNR RNP has some great reviews. I'm putting that one on my "as soon as I have US$475" purchase list...

I've been recording with a Beyerdynamic M201TG lately, I prefer it over the SM7b for my voice. It's also a very versatile mic, sounds great on snare, overheads and guitars.

Blue Baby Bottle. I love mine.

I think you can get them now for $299?