The Shure condenser Mics are all great! The simple little tube preamplifier you have should be adequate but if you want something more esoteric, you will be putting out esoteric $$$. It won't really matter if you're doing rock-and-roll. Make sure you follow your preamp with a compressor/limiter, when cutting the vocal! Try a DBX 166 or similar. If you want a really good compressor/limiter, then drop a few bucks and invest in a UREI 1176 or equivalent. Otherwise. Save your money learn how to use your tools at hand.

Ms. Remy Ann David

I brought home a KSM44 and I'm really liking it....it's going to suck when I have to return it. I've been using it with my Brick, and it is hard to believe how clear the sound is. It's almost as if the person is next to you singing, but better.

You bet there is a difference while tracking with a compressor/limiter! To list the most obvious reason you will not overload your A/D converter. Increasing the density of the signal with the analog compressor will effectively increase the use of bits available and create a better use of the data. I most always use a compressor/limiter when cutting vocals and/or other percussive instruments. All those phonies out there that are afraid that you cannot undo what you did are not completely inaccurate they're just lousy engineers. Always remember, Less is more! And of course, I would rather use my best limiter/compressor while tracking than a bargain box. I may still also includes additional dynamics processing from within the software after tracking. I think I'm a good cook and nobody has complained about any of my meals. Yummm delicious audio casserole!

Remy Ann David

My current setup for vocals and VO goes like this:

Shure KSM44 --> Groove Tubes Brick --> FMR RNC --> Fireface 800 --> Cubase SX3

Works and sounds great!

8-)

So this brings up one of the very coolest things about the KSM44 mic...some have called them ....errr....boring...I call em accurate.

And the best part is they really take to the different aspects of different mic pres quite well. Ya get a tubey colored thingy and thats what you hear, something pristine and clean and the mic does that too. Cant really go wrong with it.

The pre you choose will dictate the sound of the track with this mic.

I run my KSM through my Sebatron 4000e CRANKED. Love it for everything from a room mic to vox!

Another KSM44/Sebatron user here. Love it. It was very good even with a VTB-1... but fantastic with the Seb. (Male vox mostly and sometimes additional acoustic tracks for contrast.)

Yeah...I think I'm going to buy a KSM44 once the evaluation period is up on mine. I have it until May so I'll be fine until then. I'm also borrowing an SM7b, and although it is no comparison....another cool mic!