Have you ruled out dynamic mics? Before including condensers on my list to consider, I would want to know how I sounded through a Shure SM58 and an EV RE20.

Hi, I'll definitely consider it. Do you think I should get the shure over all of the above condensers? Even for a rapper?
To be honest though, I'm not really feeling the cardroid mic. Id prefer to just stick to condensers for now.
I havnt ruled them out as I have read about the Shure SM58 and that it was a studio MUST HAVE, but for the
time being I was hoping for a condenser and basically What one you think would be the best or a top 3 even, Appreciate your input!

Wade

Most "rappers" don't use a condenser either in the studio or on stage. The two most used microphones for this purpose are the SM58 and SM7b with the beta 58 thrown in for weak voices. The RE20 is also extensively used for this as well as it's heavy duty application of radio/tv/voice overs. I love an RE20 on nasty saxophones too.

Anyway, why is it you think you need a condenser? Most pictures you see a rapper using one are staged pure bs.

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All the mics you listed are "cardioid", including the dynamics that Bos intelligently recommended. "Cardioid" is a pick-up pattern, "condenser" is a type of transducer that microphones use. It's hard to believe that you have done any REAL research on the subject if you don't know that basic fact. Reading hyped music reviews and quotes from catalogs is no homework, there are plenty of articles - legitimate ones - out there to aid your research. BTW, a condenser (especially an
LDC- look that one up in your Funk & Wagnalls) is one of the last mics I'd use on a close-talkin' fire-breathin' rapper.
I have an RE-20 and a Shure SM7b that handle that chore much better. And the 58 will do circles around a Blue...

When I was your age, I was at the beginning of my learning curve. It's understandable why you think you'd want a condenser microphone. But like everybody else's indicating a dynamic microphone, I too would recommend the same. You may have also seen other rappers onstage and they take that SM58 metal ball topped microphone and completely grip their hand around the entire ball. That is completely awful sounding that way. That's horrible microphone technique. That's an amateur who has made millions of dollars and never learned how to work the microphone properly. If you want bad sound from a microphone hold it like the other rappers do on TV because, YOU CAN'T FIX STUPID. So don't do that. Get that SM58, you'll be really glad you did. You can use it to hammer nails and it will still continue to work. You can drop it on a cement floor and it will still continue to work. If you do that to a condenser microphone, you're pretty much guaranteed you will have to replace it. It doesn't matter if you've heard the difference between a condenser microphone and a dynamic. There is most definitely a difference. It's the difference you don't need and a difference you don't want. You need something you can use live, in the studio or in your home. And the SM58 is the way to go. There is a reason why you see them on television so often. They are fabulous microphones we can't live without. Every drum, every guitar and virtually every vocalist uses that microphone and for good reason.

At 15, I wanted to learn from the pros and I had a great mentor. Here we are for you.
Mx. Remy Ann David

+1 for the SM58.

I agree with most of what's been said so far and feel a 58 would serve you perfectly well here and save you quite a bit of cash.

Also consider EV's N/D767. It has a smoother midrange with silkier high's and enhanced lows (without getting "boomy"). Just a smidge more cash but a smoother sound IMO. It's also built to handle some tough conditions, I used one live for years until it was stolen and I can admit I rather abused it at times.

Is this the "Coyote Trax" who used to post here a few years ago and dis-a-friggin-peared way back when?
WELCOME BACK!!!!!!!

moonbaby, post: 388342 wrote: Is this the "Coyote Trax" who used to post here a few years ago and dis-a-friggin-peared way back when?
WELCOME BACK!!!!!!!

Fer sher, it's me - yes. Hi MB, nice to see you and thanks for the warm welcome.

I've used the BlueBird, NTK and NTA1 and I'd recommend any of those mics. All three sound great. At that point it's just personal preference and which one you prefer. I have a soft spot for the BlueBird for some reason, so I'd probably go with that one if it were me. But the Rode mics sound awesome too.

You've used those for rap?!? Live?!? Not professionally I'd say.

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Wait, are you looking to use these for live performances or for recording? If it's for live work, then I wouldn't suggest any of them. If they're for recording, then I'd say any of those three for sure.

As for eliminating any mics. Nothing against them, but I'd eliminate the MXL mics and the Audio Technica. They're more of on the lower end spectrum. If that's all that's within your budget, then they're not bad mics. But if you can afford to pay for something a little above that price range, then I'd go that route. When it comes to audio gear, you get what you pay for.

Even for studio work none of those would be normally used for rap or any sort of heavy vocals. Again the SM7 and SM58 are standards for a reason. A condenser will cause more problems than it could possibly solve in this scenario.

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Any decent Tube Condenser mic will sound perfectly fine on a hip hop vocal track. Heavy voice or not. For live sound, yeah, the SM7 and SM58 are the way to go. But for studio work, no way.

That would go against what is actually used for rap in the big studios then, where 95% of the time a condenser would NOT be first choice.

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Agree to disagree. I've seen plenty of hip hop artists use a Tube Condenser. I don't see this kid being able to afford a nice Ribbon mic. That's crazy talk.

A ribbon isn't being recommended. The recording industry standard for pop/metal/rap/etc is being recommended. I've been in the studios on both sides of the glass to observe this as best practice.

Yes I could use an ldc or ribbon but the standard choice and industry choice would be a moving coil dynamic meaning the SM58 or SM7 or even the RE20.

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I think most hip hop/rappers would kill a ribbon microphone in mere seconds? Firstly, most don't understand proper microphone technique or usage. Slobbering too close to a condenser microphone doesn't work well either. And that's why, dynamics are really the way to go with a SM 7/7B, 58 with additional pop filter of foam instead of those nylon stocking lollipops.

Sheesh
Mx. Remy Ann David

I use an SM58 mic with the artists i record, and it sounds great for everything i've recorded. 100$ on amazon. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002W39O0A/?tag=r06fa-20
Amazon.com: Shure SM58 with Cable Cardioid Microphone with Cable: Camera & Photo you can listen to it here

RemyRAD, post: 388529 wrote: Firstly, most don't understand proper microphone technique or usage. Slobbering too close to a condenser microphone doesn't work well either.

Sheesh
Mx. Remy Ann David

I think stuff like this is why I stopped coming into this forum.

Sorry but I have to say it.

FWIW - $.00

The simple point I was trying to make is simply that dynamic microphones, good ones i.e. RE 20's, SM 7's, others are really better suited for certain genres. My comment about slobbering on a condenser microphone was simply to indicate that many condenser microphones do suffer sonic deterioration from excessive humidity from being worked far too closely. Knowing that a lot of people that are doing rap/hip-hop frequently like to work a microphone very closely. And dynamic microphones do not suffer sonic degradation when work extremely closely. They even work in hurricanes and no condenser microphone can really make that kind of claim. So I'm sorry that you misinterpreted my lousy rhetoric by my faulty articulation of the example I gave. My apologies.

Sometimes I suffer from foot in mouth syndrome
Mx. Remy Ann David

ok. I know this is an old thread but i call BxllShxt Wade. I own a bluebird, as well as a few other blue brand mics, and a sm58. and i record ALOT of rap vocals. I agree that on some voices,rooms, or even down to the performance itself maybe a dynamic like the shure would be The better choice...but rappers are using condensor mics Alot more than dynamic mic, dont let these guys fool u. Dynamics are more for rock and metal vocals, designed to catch the raw intensity of a performance, as condensors are designed to capture subtle nuances and articulation of the voice, where capturing every single word crystal clear is important. Any body who knows anything about pro studios and rappers know that the go to mic usually is the Neauman U-87. yes it doesnt always work..but it is the Industry Standard man lol. Shure Sm7b's do sound good on rap vocals too. but Id reach for a U-87 over that and at least hear the 2 compared first. Its usually either Neauman, or a Telefunkin 251, or a Sony C-800. ALL CONDENSOR MICS. Im not bashing on dynamic mics, they serve there purpose, and in some cases sound amazing on the right rap vocal. I would highly recomend the Bluebird.

Chris13 :
Out of respect for the OP which may be long gone and said :

Waydo, post: 388257, member: 44873 wrote: Hey everyone I'm Wade, I'm 15 and a rapper, My voice is on the deeper side, I'm looking for a <$500 Condenser Mic to record my vocals with.

Unless you give the teen your U87 for 500$, I'm guessing he's not gonna get one soon... In fact, any price Under 1K, I'm a buyer !
The Bluebird maybe a good choice IF you take the room out of the equation. Without proper threatment to your room, a hypercardioid dynamic mic is a better choice and even more with a good preamp. So instead of buying a 500$ mic, I'd go for a 100$ mic and a 400$ pre... But again, you could go for a 400$ mic and 100$ Worth of acoustic panels and still be missing for a good pre...

Chris13, post: 422518, member: 48694 wrote: ALL CONDENSOR MICS.

There is too many crappy cheap or misadapted condensor mics out there to use the word ALL... ;)

Just my 2 cents !

Chris13, post: 422518, member: 48694 wrote: Dynamics are more for rock and metal vocals, designed to catch the raw intensity of a performance,

What a steaming pile of horse ____. LOL... Gawd.

I'm not even gonna take it further. Not worth my time.

I have always relied on my tried and tested AKG C3000 Phantom Power Mike and would never give it up for anything now. I get a nice raw close personal sound with it. But I have to agree with a previous statement that if you need the durability, and as an ex-rapper i did once, you really do need to take wear and tear into account...

Never actually used the 58 myself but for the above mentioned price, and the fact that you can drop it and get away with it, I would have to agree with the 58 stance...

Hope this helps...

LooP Library, post: 431487, member: 48949 wrote: I have always relied on my tried and tested AKG C3000 Phantom Power Mike and would never give it up for anything now.

The C3000 is a nice mic that may not fit all voices and styles but can do a fair job for many. Depending on the room and the preamp used..
Neumann TLM mics gets a great part of Rap vocalists choices.. but again not in the price rang of the OP