Selecting best quality mic in 200.00 to 450.00 range ?

Posted: Tue Jun 24, 2008 3:08 am

I need to buy a male Vocal mic. I’m between a base and tenor vocals using this mainly for recording and using also in country music chat rooms. I’m willing to spend 300 to 450 US Dollars on this high quality mic. (Used /E-Bay is ok too) I’ve been looking at many potential mics because I’m also recording using a mixer preamp and recording software (Adobe Audition 3.0) and (Reason). I’m looking for that Warm Rich Clear sound with a lot of gain with no distortion or feedback.
Im looking for the best mic in this list below.

Here’s my Mic choices

1.) Studio Projects C-3 Condenser , or T-3 Tube Mic
2.) SE Electronics Se2200A Condenser Mic
3.) Shure SM 7B Diaphram , KSM 44 -Condenser
4.) Rode Classic 2 Condenser Valve
5.) Rode NTK EH Gold 9622 or Rode K2 15250 - Valve Condenser
6.) Rode NT1a w/Groove Tube replacement Tube
7.) 8.) Marshal MXL V-69me Mogami Edition - Tube
8.) Marshal MXL V-67i - Condenser
9.) Oktavas MK 319
10.) Audio Technica AT 4033 CL , 4050 , 4060

Also which one of theses Choices of Preamps would work the best or better Match up with your choice of Mic ?

1.) M-Audio DMP-3
2.) ART MPA Gold mic Preamp
3.) Presonus BlueTube DP 2 Channel Preamp
4.) Studio Projects VTB1 (

Thank you in advance your advice and seggestions are greatly appr appreciated. Smile

Posted: Tue Jun 24, 2008 11:02 am

Not sure about the Mic. If it was me. I would take one of the AT's. The true tube mics are nice. Like the NTK and NT1A but might not be the best choice for an only mic. I wouldn't consider the MXL at all.

As far as pre's go, the MPA Gold seems to have a decent reputation. I don't know about th M-Audio but it would be a far better purchase than that BlueTube or VTB1. Neither of those cheap "tube" preamps are worth the money you waste on them. You're better off getting a decent solid state preamp.

I personaly like th JoeMeek ThreeQ. It's still a budget preamp but it's reasonable. The FMR audio Really Nice Preamp is also popular.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Joemeek-ThreeQ-Studio-Channel?sku=187021

http://www.humbuckermusic.com/fmraudrnreal.html

Posted: Tue Jun 24, 2008 2:45 pm

Can a mic be "Warm Rich Clear"?

Warm and rich are colours... So a clear coloured mic?

Someone edumacate me.

Posted: Tue Jun 24, 2008 5:21 pm

The 'best' all-around mic on that list is the Shure KSM44.

There are a couple of mics listed that are probably 'better' at one thing or the other than the Shure, but certainly not as well rounded on every source.

As for mic pres, this is such a sticky point. Of the ones listed, the MPA will be closer to a pro sound than any of the others....unless you have mad engineering skills at which point the mic pre isnt going to be that big of a factor at that level.

Posted: Tue Jun 24, 2008 6:37 pm

I just bought a Rode K2 and use it on my voice. I love it. But it's all so personal isn't it?

Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2008 12:15 am

First off I really appreacate your quick responces and “great choices“ too
I do apologize Im abit of a “greenhorn” here Im just getting started on my new home studio
And Ive been reading many of the forums and reviews this is great im getting ready to purchase in the next week fromm the list so far I have AT , NTK, Shure-44 , Rode K2 as my top choices and as far as the Preamps go its so far the Art MPA Gold , JoeMeek ThreeQ , M-Audio DMP-3. I welcome any others seggestions of more choices.
Like I said im a Crooner type singer not a screamer at all in fact my lungs cant get the volume I used to get that’s why im shying away from the Shure SM7b even with the small pop filter and close proximity although I noticed that the DMP-3 has an impressive 66db of gain and got great reviews in other forums but the JoeMeek has so many other options I see ( very nice )

Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2008 12:34 am

hueseph which of the Audio Technica mics were you refering too for a mid-range singer ? the 4033CL , 4050 , 4060 ? Smile

list so far.

NTK
Shure KSM-44
Rode K2
AT

I read that the AT's were better on guitars and snares .. theres so many opinions.
Ive also read alot of good things about the C-1 ,C-3 , T-3 Studio Projects and if I decide on the SP T-3 Tube mic would it be alright with a non-tube preamp? sorry if I sound dumb but im a newbie trying to get edumacate as mentioned. lol

Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2008 2:00 am

Given Davedog's experience, I would take his advice on the KSM44. I was personally thinking the 4033 but...big but, it's always best to choose a mic based on your voice.

The thing with Tube mics is that they tend to be a lot darker than solid state. You may not get the "clarity" that you desire. If it's at all possible, go and try a few of those mics out first.

As far as Tube Mic with a solid state pre, again it's all depends on the mic and the pre. You might not want a tube pre with a tube mic. It may add too much color. It might not but it just depends. A quality tube pre is hard to come by. You wont find many good tube Preamps under $1000 with very few exceptions. With that in mind, a quality Solid State preamp is more within reach.

Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2008 4:57 am

I'll take an SM 7 any day.

Brother it's a Shure bet
Ms. Remy Ann David

Posted: Sun Jun 29, 2008 4:57 am

And I was all set on purchasing the SP C-3 .. now I either leaning more towards the Shure KSM44 or the SM7b Ive heared alot of great things with vocals on theses mics ... Id like to buy the SM7b many good things about this mic. only bad thing is that its going to take alot of gain Im figuring about 58 to 66 db's ...also someone said this was more for a female voice ... I hope im wrong because i like everything else about it ...
if i could somehow resolve the low volume output then Id go with it. .... thanks again for all your help Smile

Posted: Sun Jun 29, 2008 5:02 am

And for the mic's that I mentioned which Preamp would "match up" nicely with the Mic ...I'll need a pre with at least 60 to 70db of gain im hoping no distortion ... guess im wishing for alot ahh ! Smile

Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2008 4:17 am

Well Its a done deal now I wound up buying both mic's the KSM44 and the SM7b ... one I bought new and the other I bought at a decent price used but in great condition. now I just need too get a nice quality matching preamp to go with them. one of my worries is too get enough good clean gain from the preamp for my SM7b Mic ... any good seggestions to power it? ... JoeMeek ThreeQ , I found a good used Grace within my budget.
I would appreacate your advice and seggestions. Smile

Thanks again for all your help. Smile

Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2008 4:20 am

Well Its a done deal now I wound up buying both mic's the KSM44 and the SM7b ... one I bought new and the other I bought at a decent price used but in great condition. now I just need too get a nice quality matching preamp to go with them. one of my worries is too get enough good clean gain from the preamp for my SM7b Mic ... any good seggestions to power it? ... JoeMeek ThreeQ , I found a good used Grace within my budget.
I would appreacate your advice and seggestions. Smile

Thanks again for all your help. Smile

Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2008 9:47 am

Congrats man. Those should be great choices considering how you describe your voice.

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