Depends on the voice, simply enough.

I own the Bluebird, and the NTK (different Rode).
Entirely dependent on source between the two.

So there is no better mic, unless it fits the vocals you do.
What vocals do you do?

Not to equivocate, but it depends on the room and the voice in question. Remy always has a good point that you can't have too many mic's.

Your basic vocal microphones are Shure SM58 and SM7, Neumann U87, U47. None of these are necessarily ideal either. They are just where most start from and work out-especially the Shure SM58 and SM7.

Now if you're looking for some particular flavor then your best bet is to borrow or go to a facility and try out what you're interested in. Condensers tend to not always work as well for vocals as folklore would have it. Heil PR35 for instance is a phenomenal vocal mic but again is a dynamic. Now sometimes a condenser or a ribbon is just what the doctor ordered. But they tend to be more voice type dependent than universal.

soapfloats, post: 355374 wrote: So there is no better mic, unless it fits the vocals you do.
What vocals do you do?

Rap/Hip-Hop. I don't have the funds to go out and get both. It's an either or thing.

Why is it you think a condenser is the answer?

Jack is completely right in that a dynamic might well be your best option.
The Heil's, SM58, SM7b, etc... even try a Sennheiser 421 if you can.

However, I will say that the Bluebird probably isn't what you want, given the 'plosive consonants of rap vocals.
The mic has a high output, and can get a little grating - especially if you have a rapper that does quick/attacky vocals.
It's got good clarity/presence, but doesn't take well to being pushed, in my experience.

Here's a [="http://recording.org/threads/46138-Just-Another-Poor-Soul-In-Need-Of-Microphone-Advice"]similar thread[/]="http://recording.or…"]similar thread[/] that might be useful. Maybe aktonyo can tell you what he ended up buying - if he's still around.

This [[url=http://="http://recording.or…"]thread[/]="http://recording.or…"]thread[/] is on the same topic too.

To summarize: A lot of folks agreeing with Jack's way of thinking dynamic mics might be a better direction for rap and hip/hop. [Shure SM7B, EV RE-20, or good ole' Shure SM58]

In addition to the voice being a determining factor, it's important to consider the desired outcome. On one hiphop project I did (not that hiphop is my specialty) we used different mics on the same rapper when we wanted different effects. That gave a bit more dimension to the project than using the same mic for everything. I'd rather have a selection of pretty good, but different sounding, mics than one super fantastic mic.

TheJackAttack, post: 355379 wrote: Why is it you think a condenser is the answer?

It's all I know. I have no experience with a dynamic mic. So the SM58 would be better for me than the two condensers I mentioned?

I'm guessing an SM7 or an RE20 would be better than either of the condensers you mentioned. The Heil PR35 would be in the same category of high quality dynamic mic. The SM7 does require a fair amount of gain on your preamp but if the singer is loud and/or screaming that won't matter.

A SM58 is definitely not a bad way to go and there should be able to get one easily. And it makes a good bludgeon if you need to go all "gangsta" on someone. ;-)