I have about $1300 CDN to spend on a LDC my choices are the AKG 414 XLS
Neumann TLM 103, AT 4050 and I am deciding what is the best mic for the money to record vocals I will consider other options as well. Thanks in advance. :D
Comments
Ok. For the umpteenth time and or those who don't know better, t
Ok. For the umpteenth time and or those who don't know better, there really is no best in anything when it comes to audio. What is best for you is not going to be best for me. What is best for you today is not going to best for you everyday or everytime you use it.
THANK YOU, audiogaff!!!! I wish we could copy/paste this into every response out there. I get so bored with reading ridiculous, emotional, subjective comments on things that are intangible at best. (Which preamp, which mic, which cable, and on and on and on....) For the most part, I just skip these "which one is better" questions, unless I see something worth delving into.
No offense to the original poster here; I would agree that most true "profesisonal" gear out there will get the job done for you; the rest is going to be a slow, careful seleciton of what works best for you, what you're comfortable with, what stands the test of time in your line of recording, and what makes sense (and $$$) for you.
For example, I'm not a big fan of the AKG 414 mics, but I know plenty of folks that are, and they're great mics regardless. I use them a lot when there's no other choice, or if they've been provided for me in special situations where I'm not using my choice of gear. In those situations, I'd be a fool to carry on about it, and complain that they're not what "I" like. I can make great recordings with them; the issue really isn't the gear anyway, it's the music and the people making it, and the sound of the space around them, be it a studio or hall or bedroom.
For recording vocalists, everyone is different, and they will sound different depending on the mic and preamp setting as well. Sorry to say, there is no one "perfect" choice, but you can indeed get close. Ideally, you'll eventually have a handful of choice mics that you can put up for each singer, and pick the best one. The 414s, 4050's, etc. are all great mics. How they sound in front of the "singer du jour" is always going to be your challenge though.
If you're hankering for the 414's and want a push to get 'em, I'd tell you to go with your gut. You'll find a way to make whatever you buy work in the long run, I'm sure. They're all great choices.
AudioGaff wrote: Ok. For the umpteenth time and or those who don
AudioGaff wrote: Ok. For the umpteenth time and or those who don't know better, there really is no best in anything when it comes to audio.
You don't know what the hell you're talking about Gaff!
Why, just recently, I made THE perfect microphone for Old-School, Grunge, Classic style, early 80's punkish funk-metal rock (it's not so hot though for rap or classical or regular rock though...)
Here's what I did...
I stumbled upon a unicorn sleeping in a field. While it was unconscious, I ripped its eardrums out of its life-filled body. This was hard, but totally worth it!
Then, I handstretched the tympanic membranes (both of them - it's a switchable pattern, dual diaphragm mic - shouldn't they all be...) over a solid gold membrane made from gold I found in a pot at the end of a rainbow. I had to beat the hell out of this little dude dressed in green to get it, but it was totally worth it!
For the electronics, I broke into Area 51 and found some very experimental stuff and loaded it all in. No tubes or transformers in here (ha ha!).
I hook this beautiful microphone up with the hairs of Rapunzel herself. (Boy is she pissed at me - I came upon her in her tower and she beckoned to me "Kind sir! Please help me out of this tower for I have been locked up here for ages!" I replied "Let down your hair and I will climb up to help you my fair lady!" As she lowered her flowing locks to the ground, I grabbed a few strands and pulled mightily and broke free those strands from her beautiful head and exclaimed "Ha B*tch - you're gonna stay up there for a few more years too!")
So, as you can plainly see Gaff, there IS the perfect microphone out there for each and every one of us.
For some, it's the TLM10Crap. For others, it's the ExpensiveLAM 251 and yet for others, it's the mighty AKG C1000!
:D
So, as you can plainly see Gaff, there IS the perfect microphone
So, as you can plainly see Gaff, there IS the perfect microphone out there for each and every one of us.
Well Cucco, I guess I stand corrected.
The TLM103 is often a great choice but is more of a hit and miss in my experience as it has a nasty edge to it that makes it more sensitive to being properly matched to the preamp and singer.
AudioGaff wrote: The TLM103 is often a great choice but is more
AudioGaff wrote:
The TLM103 is often a great choice but is more of a hit and miss in my experience as it has a nasty edge to it that makes it more sensitive to being properly matched to the preamp and singer.
Here here!! The TLM 103 is the mic that Neumann designed so that EVERYONE could own a Neumann.
It's kinda like the Infiniti G20 or the Acura Integra - not real luxury, just luxury's nameplate with a decent set of trim options that you would find even on a modestly equipped hyundai.
If it sold for $299, I might buy one....might!
J.
Just heard a really good recording of a Banjo done on a TLM-103.
Just heard a really good recording of a Banjo done on a TLM-103. Is it the best microphone around - NO! is the best microphone for the price - NO! are there better microphones out there for around this price point - YES! Should you do some more shopping and listening - YES! and finally Should you make up your own mind based on what you want to do with the microphone and what it sounds like to YOUR EARS! -Most assuredly a resounding YES!
MTCW
Microphones, speakers and phono cartridges are all based on individual preference and ONLY YOU can decide what SOUNDS good to you. We can all give advice but that advice is based on OUR hearing and experiences with the equipment so they may not be valid for you. LEARN TO LISTEN AND TO EVLAUATE WHAT YOU ARE LISTENING TO! it is the first step in becoming an audiophile.
Thanks guys I appreciate all the info. I guess I could re phras
Thanks guys
I appreciate all the info. I guess I could re phrase the question to what are some of the smoothest sounding mics in that price range that could be used for vocals. I was looking at the Microtek Gefell 930 but I need some options. Should I even look at the Rode and Studio projects mics?
Yeah, sorry about that - i felt a bit cheeky... The Gefell M930
Yeah, sorry about that - i felt a bit cheeky...
The Gefell M930 is a wonderful mic - if you're looking for smooth, this is it. As for the Rode stuff, I can't say enough positive stuff about the K2. it is quickly becoming one of my favorite mics! The two are worlds apart though. The Gefell is an old world German style mic - smooth, clean full warm blah blah blah... The Rode is an agressive tube mic. I liken it to the M149 - bright but in a good way, full and wonderfully versatile!
Personally, I would get them both (oh wait - I do have them both :wink: ) - between the two of them, you should be able to record just about anything.
I haven't tried the SP stuff - it just holds no appeal to me.
j
Davedog wrote: This off subject, but I was brousing one of my Pr
Davedog wrote: This off subject, but I was brousing one of my ProAudio buddies shop the other day. UM70 sitting in the display. His comment...'Yeah, I guess I better sell it before I have 3 of em.'
slut.
I would be GLAD to take one off of his hands for him!!! I'll give him $5 American!!!! That's a lot of cheeseburgers at McDonalds!!!
(Okay, I'd felate him for one - now who's the slut???)
J.
Ok. For the umpteenth time and or those who don't know better, t
Ok. For the umpteenth time and or those who don't know better, there really is no best in anything when it comes to audio. What is best for you is not going to be best for me. What is best for you today is not going to best for you everyday or everytime you use it.
You list three good and decent mics that are all worth owning and will serve you well. I have all three with my 414 being an older TLII. One is not clearly better than the other as much as they are all just different from each other. The 414 & 4050 have the ability to be more flexible becuase of the extra polar patterns. If it really matters to you, find a way to listen to each one and decide. No one can tell you what is best for you other than you. No one can really suggest what might be best for you without knowing much more details and hearing the sources and in their enviornment you plan to use the mic on. Each one will react differently depending on which mic preamp you use.
Use the search engine and read the various comments on those specific mic's to help guide you but don't be dumb enough to just go buy something based on a few comments either.