My favorite mic of the moment is a Brauner VM-1 KHE. I have found that it, when coupled with a Great River MP-2NV is without a doubt one of my favorite vocal sounds in most applications, especially solo voice.

When the vocal has to be in context with a "backing track", then all bets are off on any one mic or chain being "best".

I've had limited experience with DAW's, but from my experience, I have found that I prefer Digital Performer to Pro-Tools. I've also been using the Lucid 8824 as my A/D-D/A converter rather than the converters in the MOTU unit.

I would be very interested to learn the results of your tests, as well as the 'breathing technique' you are developing. This sounds fascinating.

...You might look at the DPA 3529 stereo system for detail and dynamics as well.

This is a two microphone kit.

Capturing the solo voice in stereo will give a true sense of depth an pressure.

Worth looking into.

Originally posted by Fletcher:
My favorite mic of the moment is a Brauner VM-1 KHE. I have found that it, when coupled with a Great River MP-2NV is without a doubt one of my favorite vocal sounds in most applications, especially solo voice.

Fletcher-

In your opinion, do you like the API better for voice or the MP-2NV now?

If you need to be able to measure dynamic amplitude accurately, a good portion of the budget should be set aside for acoustic treatment of the room.

If this is measurement stuff I would strive for a clean, uncolored signal path. The stuff that Fletcher mentioned is bitchin' for music recording but it may be too colored for you.

After you treat the room I'd get something like a DPA or Earthworks mic. Something desinged for measurement. For a preamp, maybe a Great River or Earthworks. Basicly something really clean. For analyzing stuff I haven't seen anything more complete then Spectra Foo from Metric Halo. It's almost made me switch to a Mac. I think the website is http://www.mhlabs.com

Hi Lowe,

I'm not sure that you are looking in the right place. Rather than looking at studio recording equipment you should perhaps be looking at laboratory test equipment. For instance in a recording studio with the “after” test the singer’s mouth may only need to be less than an inch away from the position it was in during the “before” test to invalidate your results. There are a whole range of other potential problems that spring to mind due to the fact that recording equipment is basically designed to produce the best quality of sound, which of course is subjective. Laboratory equipment on the other hand is unconcerned with subjective quality but is far more accurate and of course is designed for measurement and analysis.

My only suggestion is to contact a company like Sheops who manufacture microphones for laboratory use. From the little I know, laboratory spec equipment is very expensive, you maybe better off hiring a laboratory rather than trying to create your own.

Greg

I would take Greg’s sentiment to heart. There are a great number of variables you must account for. If you do decide to proceed, you will need a ruler flat microphone, spaced a fairly good distance from the subject, and a VERY low noise-floor. Be sure to feel out the intentions of your moderators. They may already have the desired results in their head and are seeking “documentation” for their discovery. This is often the case. If you are morally opposed to such behavior, it’s best to make your feelings known now.

Originally posted by atlasproaudio:
In your opinion, do you like the API better for voice or the MP-2NV now?

Depends on the day, depends on the voice, depends on the other sounds it has to work with. I don't think I really like any combination "best" more than two days in a row...probably just me, I'm kinda moody and fickle.