Welcome to RO !

I'm not sure if it's in the budget constraints ... Avalon 737 and the C12VR are the standard ... Manley Refernce LD mic is an alternitive ... an AKG 414 (the version with the C12 capsule) is a reasonable substitute for the C12VR and will cost a lot less ..

yeahkurt ! i heard some vocal track recorded with xlII414 it sounded great! what u think about the Neumann u87 compare to the akgc414? thanks

I love my U87 .. especially through my Sebatron pre amp ... mah-volous!

But it's probably not the sound you're looking for ... The U87 is very smooth in the mids and highs while the AKGs have more sizzle and a slightly harder mid range ... and that's the sound most "urban" producers are going for ...

Kurt
If I may jump in here...

I'm a little confused about the C12 capsule in the 414. I've read elsewhere that the earlier 414s are the only ones worth using for anyone who likes the C12. On the other hand AKG says that it's in the TLII, but they don't mention it WRT the XLII. I've only ever used the ULS, but I'm interested in the other mics. May I also ask how the C12VR compares to the original?

Sorry for hijacking the thread!

Thanks

John Stafford

It's not the same thing but it's closer than anything else ...

I used to have a C24 (a stereo version of the C12) It was pretty bright and present sounding ... I think the 414's with the C12 type capsule sound similar to the C12/24, sans the tube thing... I have to assume it's the same with the C12VR although I have heard people say the C12VR doesn't sound the same as the old C12s.

But the question was about what mic and pre amp is good for urban music ... and the answer to that is the 737 and the C12VR ... this is the most common combo used by R&B producers ...

Kurt Foster wrote: ... and the answer to that is the 737 and the C12VR ... this is the most common combo used by R&B producers ...

Interestingly enough, I've been seeing a LOT of universal audio m-610's around (hip hop / r&B studios). The avalon does seem to be very common, though.

Kurt Foster wrote: It's not the same thing but it's closer than anything else ...

I used to have a C24 (a stereo version of the C12) It was pretty bright and present sounding ... I think the 414's with the C12 type capsule sound similar to the C12/24, sans the tube thing... I have to assume it's the same with the C12VR although I have heard people say the C12VR doesn't sound the same as the old C12s.

Thanks Kurt for clearing that up.
John