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Posted by: ElHombre Jul 23 2014, 10:01 PM

Hello

Im looking for a solid microphone to record primary vocals, but its good that it can do piano and acoustic guitar as well.
So it will be used at home in my "home studio".

Anyone have anything good to recommend?
I dont have a midi or a soundcard..

Can I record it through my Axe FX?, of course depends on the mic, but to use it in the instrument plugin.
It would be cool cause I could add effect to the voice directly, mess with the EQ etc.

So price range. Well, wouldnt not go over 350 $ I think.

So do you have anything to reccomend?

Cheers

Posted by: Mertay Jul 23 2014, 11:56 PM

Rode NT1A is a solid choice, I didn't try the newly released one but the older wasn't bad at all and judging from demo's the new one is better (smoother high freq.).

Don't know about axefx mic. usage but keep in mind vocal "shaping" or piano doesn't like much eq, focus on coloration plug-ins (like tube-tape drive) more than eq.

Posted by: Bogdan Radovic Jul 24 2014, 12:51 AM

+1 on the Rode.

Two other mics that are a bit more on the budget friendly side I'd recommend are :

* Studio projects B1 (very cool and flexible mic that should work well for acoustic and vocals)

* Behringer B1 (apparently it challenges much more expensive mics in sound but the reliability and quality is questionable)

I don't have experience with AxeFX mic recording possibilities, but there is a chance it won't work. Those mics are condenser mics and they require phantom power and preamp to work. You might need to get an audio interface for recording vocals and other mic-ed instruments with good quality.

Posted by: Todd Simpson Jul 24 2014, 04:25 AM

The trusty SHURE SM57 works for pretty much EVERYTHING!! From Vocals to Guitars so it's worth having one in your Mic Locker! Brand new they run about $100.

Also, I'd suggest a MXL 900 condenser mic. IT's a killer vocal mic and it's not expensive. Less than $100 new. And it comes with a case and shockmount

Posted by: tonymiro Jul 24 2014, 10:39 AM

For vocals it really depends on what your voice is like and how you sing. A mic that is great on one person's voice can be a bit 'so what' on another. If you can demo a few.

You can narrow down your choice if you think a bit about your desire to also use it for piano and acoustic. If you intend to record a solo singer/giutar with a single mic then you should look at a hypercardiod type pattern mic. The vast majroty of dynamic mics don't record piano particularly well as they just don't track the higher frequencies well. Also, pianos extend well down in to the low frequency range and so an omni is often better than a unidirectional pattern. So you need a mic that can cover a wide spectrum and has an omni pattern here.
All in all for a single mic that is ok for recording acoustic/vocals and a piano you need to be looking at a multi pattern mic that is not a dynamic. One that is used on a lot of piano recordings is an AKG C414 so that or something comparable is a good place to start.

A new C414 is outside your budget but a used one in good condition may just squeak in to your price range if you're lucky but you may need to look around.

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Jul 25 2014, 02:20 PM

Great input from Tony I have recorded with a Shure S7 for all the vocals on the Days of Confusion EP and some of the guitars are recorded with it as well, while 2 Sundays ago I have again used it for a PRS review.

It's one of the greatest mics out there and I recommend you to try it out alongside with other mics, because as Tony very well suggested, each voice reacts differently to a certain mic. The S7 is a bit pricier than 350$ out of what I know, but it's worth to try - you know, usually, it's better to up the budget if you find something you really like, as long as it's a long term investment.

Posted by: Todd Simpson Jul 26 2014, 02:32 AM

Tony mentioned the AKG C414, which is a great mic I actually mentioned the Shure SM57 which is a versatile mic that runs about $100.

The mic I think you are talking is the SHURE SM7B. (Here is a link http://www.shure.com/americas/products/microphones/sm/sm7b-vocal-microphone ) and that mic is about $350. It's a better studio mic than the SM57 for vocals certainly!

Posted by: tonymiro Jul 26 2014, 11:52 AM

Both Shures are fine for recording a lot of sources. The 57 however doesn't cut it at all for a piano as the diaphragm is too heavy to be able torespond to and capture fine detail and nuances for piano. The 7B may be better at this but I would suggest that you check it out first.

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Jul 26 2014, 12:51 PM

Correct, Todd, sorry for the little name mistake But the general conclusion about it is the same, so I think it's up to him to try some models based on what we have discussed here. Erik, please let us know what you have chosen or what your course of action will be, ok?