Your Favorite Vocal Mics?

[String7th]

When a singer want to get a grungy scream sound, I prefer the Beta58 over the SM58. The SM58 tends to distort and have too much lower mids which muffle the voice and can't make out words. The Beta58 is a bit cleaner and I can dirty it up with analog compressor plug ins and some analog eq. The result is inderstandable vocals but still rough and in your face.

[DT Chris]

Originally Posted by String7th

When a singer want to get a grungy scream sound, I prefer the Beta58 over the SM58. The SM58 tends to distort and have too much lower mids which muffle the voice and can't make out words. The Beta58 is a bit cleaner and I can dirty it up with analog compressor plug ins and some analog eq. The result is inderstandable vocals but still rough and in your face.

I've tried the Beta58, and since it has a different range than the SM58, it seems to be good for higher range or softer type of songs. The SM58, because of the mid boost/cut (w/e, lol) can sound muffled as you say, or nasaly if you happen to be not screaming into it.

[rwood24@Austin.rr.com]

I only use a mic for voicework. I have a pretty good chain. I use an AKG 414B-ULS but I find it chirps a bit on my voice. Maybe I should stop eating seed? Anyway, to tame it, I run it through a John Hardy M1 mic pre, then into an Antares Mic Modeller, set to (of all things) a Shure KSM32.

I'd like to try the Royer M-200 but cannot afford it. The Audio Technica 40 series sounds okay to me when I am in other studios. I HATE the RE20. I once recorded on a Manley Gold which sounded awesome.

Best Regards.

Bob Wood

[eaeolian]

I've been using a MXL V69M with good results on both male and female voices, although a loud vocalist can clip it if they're up close...

[timmyt]

I use an AT4040 all the time. In my opinion it is the best mic out there for the money (for vocals).

[ballsybaby]

radioshack 33-3042 I like, it sounds like I sound

[Hippofish]

I like the Shure SM58 Beta for live vocal mics. I have an old Peavy i12 that sounds decent but the SM58 Beta is the go to mic for me live.

In the studio I use a Sterling ST51 Condenser Mic. Right now that is my favorite but I did have the 2020 and I also used a MXL 990 which is a VERY decent mic for the price.

On my Podcast for the spoken voice we use two MXL990's cause of their durable construction and VERY cheap price tag. Not a bad mic for spoken word.

Michael

[tandersen]

I¨m find myself using AKG Solidtube again and again for vocals - love it -
Akg C-2000 for acustic guitars - have lots of other stuff - but these sound open and clear on my gear.

Torben A

[nicholaspaul]

Originally Posted by zildjohn01

There are so many mics around nowadays, this is gonna become a ridiculous list. My main vocal mic is an AT2020 (don't laugh)

Laugh? No, this is a great recommendation. I was afraid this thread would be endless accolades of high ticket gear. You love your $3,000 tube mic? No kidding...

My main mic is an Apex 435. I had a couple of cheaper mics(yes there are mics cheaper)and a friend suggested I get one of these. For the money, it sounds fantastic. I know spending $3k would get me the perfect mic, but I would still have to learn to sing, learn proper mic technique and engineer the incoming crap better. In all, this mic suits me just fine. It makes me sound as good as I possibly can.

It's great to see lots of people recommending SM57s and 58s. For people buying their first mic it shows that you DON'T need to spend thousands.

[Rax Jaggr]

I only have two, the aforementioned Behringer B1 and the MXL 990. they are low budget, but get the job done for home stuff.