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Marta's
Pocket Guide to Vocal Microphones
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| I'll
introduce you to Mics that have been industry standards for decades, with
some popular new favorites mixed in. I have sung on every mic on this list.
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LOW - MID BUDGET "WORKHORSE" MICS
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| Shure
SM7A, SM57 and SM58 : |
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Of
these three, the SM7A, is the best for recording. A dynamic mic,
used alot in broadcast and voice-overs, the SM7 kicks
on powerhouse singers on stage. It's also a great sounding rock or
blues Recording mic; I've used it on tracks where my smooth sound needed
roughening up a bit. It's a monster of a mike, versatile, rugged and very
affordable. |
| The
SM 57 is a clean, all around dynamic mic,
mostly used for recording drums and aggressive instruments like guitar amps.
The SM 57 can also be effective for recording vocals in a pinch, on singers
with some punch to their sound. It is not fussy, and handheld, so it's perfect
for tracking quick scratch vocals in the control room, or on a live date
when laying down drums & bass. |
| The
SM58 is the industry standard for live performing
and should not be used for vocal recording. If someone puts it in front
of you to record, you are in the wrong hands. Take a walk. |
| BeyerDynamic
M88: |
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I
love this little sweetie. It is the first mic I ever bought, and outshines
the Shure SM58 by a mile. Clean, bright, and crisp, with a beautiful
high end and warm bottom, the M88 was made for the stage but is surprisingly
refreshing for recording, and very affordable for a home project demo studio.
I have held it up against mics 5 times its price and recorded lovely keeper
vocals. Research the Beyerdynamic line. They have a lot of great mics to
choose from. |
| Sennheiser
421: |
|
Originally
used for broadcast radio announcing, the 421 is a dynamic mic more often
used on drums and bass in top studios. If it's all you've got for a vocal,
the 421 sounds best on male rock or blues vocalists
with a full voice. For example, Billy Idol liked it. But it is not
effective on female, lighter or younger voices. |
| AKG
414: |
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A
popular professional solid state condenser mic,
giving a bright sound, the "414" is often used for jingles
and is good for male or female voices that need added sparkle. Although
it is often a single mic owner's first purchase- you'll run into it in mid
priced studio situations- I don't recommend it for high, loud or bright
voices, male or female. On trebly voices it can sound very brittle, and
it lacks warmth on top and in the low end. Personally I avoid singing on
it altogether, and bring my own mics to studios that only offer this. |
| AKG
1000 S: |
|
This
is a newer, mid priced mic, gaining in popularity for home studio use, and
pushed by AKG as "the Swiss Army Knife for Musicians."
It is claimed to be excellent recording at a distance such as for vocal
choirs and group instruments. |
| Neumann
TLM Series: |
|
Neumann
is still pumping the industry with their competitive line of great modern
mics for studios on limited budgets. The TLM 103, is an award-winning
mic using the same capsule found in the higher priced U87. |
| The
Groove Tube: |
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A
good quality, mid priced modern tube mic, this
company was recently bought out by Alesis, a respected audio designer with
good price points. It will be interesting to see what they do with the Groove
Tube. Try an old one if you can, but look to Alesis for its future. |
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TOP
OF THE LINE MICS
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|
Among
the most popular professional mics you will encounter are those manufactured
by Neumann and AKG. Their vintage tube mics are legendary. |
| Neumann
U87 |
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A
great all around FET condenser, with good depth
and color, great highs, mid range and tonal balance. I have one, and I love
it for all applications; rock, pop, classical, R&B, male & female. With
a custom tube conversion by Jeff McLane, I've got two mics in one. |
| Neumann
U67: |
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A
vintage tube condenser
mic, similar looking to the U87 but different in tone. Every U67 sounds
unique. If you rent one, try out a few before you settle. |
| Newmann
U47 |
|
The
Grandfather of all recording mics used on such
classic artists as Elvis, Roy Orbison, and the Beatles. A vintage condenser
tube mic, with a warm, full bodied sound that is phenomenal on the top and
bottom end. Very few studios outside of the top dollar joints are lucky
enough to own one, but you can rent them! There are also later model, but
still old, FET versions of the U47. |
| Neumann
M147, M149 |
|
Neumann
has continued their excellence
in a line of MODERN MICS that incorporate elements of their vintage masterpieces.
Details on the new Neumanns can be found on their website. Don't be intimidated.
There are affordable beauties in the TLM series. If you can buy a car, why
can't you buy a great microphone for yourself? |
| AKG
C12 |
|
A
gorgeous tube condenser mic, in production for
over 40 years. A clear, transparent high end, full, soft and round in the
bass. I've loved it on classical vocals. Very expensive, very fragile, and
very wonderful. |
| Telefunken
Elam 251 |
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A
superb old German tube
mike, if you are lucky enough to find one to try. |
| Manley
Gold Series |
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Pricey, impressive,
modern microphones, the Manley comes in three models:
1) Manley Reference Cardioid
2) Manley Gold
3) Manley Gold Stereo
I have sung
on the latter two, and they are clear as blue ice. In a figure 8 pattern,
we cut girl group vocals smooth as whip cream. Very forgiving for inexperienced
artists who don't have good technique and proximity working the mike.
Definitely not beginner prices.
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MY
"WILD HORSE" MIC PIC
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| Oktava
MK 219 |
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Every
now and again, we stumble upon solid technology from surprising places.
Made in Russia, the OKTAVA is so industrial looking, it looks like it belongs
on a submarine. Priced around $500 it sounds like it's worth three times
that, with a warm mid range and a fat
sound for easy going voices. The Oktava Factory is state run and
is the world's third largest manufacturer of telephone handset mics. It
has made up to 30,000 mic a month, due to a decree that required for every
tape recorder sold in Russia, an Oktava microphone had to be sold with it.
Somebody is looking out for up and coming singers! By the way, if you buy
one, sing on a few in the store first. Each one sounds slightly different.
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|
Finding
your Soulmate
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I
swear that microphones have a soul. My final word of caution is, when you
go to rent vintage tube mics, try to Shootout with more than one of any
of these mic types to get the best one. Each C12, U87, U47, and U67 sounds
different from any other made. Also, through years of handing some can be
abused. |
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When
you find your soul mate, you'll know it.
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