Ableton Forum

Could you guys please suggest some microphones out there in the range of 50-100 dollars to record vocals? I have a nice voice but it's low. I would like a good mic to be sensitive and detect low pitched voices of course with good quality.

Thanks,

Electro Voice Raven

i like often a Shure SM 57 for 'upfront sounding in your face' vocals, apart from that it is a brilliant 'allrounder' and a must have in any Mic collection. also build sturdy like a tank.

otherwise a little higher in price but a very good Mic is the ADK Vienna.
it's also a nice 'allrounder' well worth in my opinion to save up and grab it, check websites for offers.

I owned SM57s for years, and they are great sounding mics, but I no longer use them.

There are so many good mics out there that I find working without 57s is just more interesting. The reason I don't use my 57 anymore is that it broke. They're far from indestructable in my opinion. The 57's grill is made of plastic, and when it hits the floor it can crack and fall off. That's what happened to mine.

For years I put a 57 on snare, and then I'd spend a lot of time trying to work around the BOING sound that a 57 captures on snare. It's a bit faux pas, but I'd have to say that a 57 is a really lousy snare mic.

A 57 is good on a guitar cab, but a small diaphram condensor is better. I've just had better results the more I've gotten away from 57s. That's why I like to recommend uncommon + well made stuff like the EV Raven.

aabuniaj wrote:Could you guys please suggest some microphones out there in the range of 50-100 dollars to record vocals? I have a nice voice but it's low. I would like a good mic to be sensitive and detect low pitched voices of course with good quality.

Thanks,

what mic are you talkin bout? if u want a recording mic..(condenser) a RODE NT1A would really sond nice for a value price=-)

well it wil be useful if u hav a well treated recording room/booth.

if u wana record vocals in ur own bedroom... u can use a shure BETA 58.. an all around mic=)

There are not very many good mics in the $50-$100 price range. If you can at all afford it, I would suggest trying to up your budget into the $100-$200 range. There are several quality "workhorse" mics in this price range. I have always regretted buying cheap mics and ended up being unhappy with the quality and buying a better mic eventually anyway. I have recorded vocals with an AKG C 1000 ($200) and was very happy with the results. AKG makes a Perception 100 mic that is $100. I have not tried it but have seen some positive reviews.

hijack (b/c different price range):

anyone have thoughts on the mojave, peluso, gemini, tlm103, or n2? need a new vox mic. thx.

Spackled Bat wrote:There are not very many good mics in the $50-$100 price range. If you can at all afford it, I would suggest trying to up your budget into the $100-$200 range. There are several quality "workhorse" mics in this price range.

Yes, this is the way it is. The "real deal" mics start at $200 and go infinitely upward from there. Mics (like speakers) are something it just doesn't pay to skimp on...they're too important to the overall quality of your recording.

Oh, and don't get a dynamic mic for vocals (like the SM 57). Yeah it works, but condensors are much better!

You can't go wrong with any of these, all around $200:

Rode NT-1A
Audio Technica 3035 (what I have)
Studio Projects B1 or C1

u can maximize the potential of your condenser mic in a sound-treated room =)

coz if u use it in ur living room.. it will even pick up the noise of your neighbors or ur little brother crying upstairs hehe

like in my case.. i used a dynamic mic coz i got no studio for a condenser mic..

after a few months .. i built my own studio. used an NT1A. really nice mic for a cheap price=)

dont end up buying samson or behringer...pls

Here are mics that I own and use for vocals:

Kel Audio HM-1 - http://kelaudio.com/hm1.html
I was lucky to pick one of the first of these up a couple years ago or so. Great mic! I've turned quite a few people on to it.

Studio Projects B1 - http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/B1Mic/
I have the older one that doesn't have the pad switch on it but it's still a great mic.

an SM57 is a mic that should be your first mic, as well as being a mic that will never leave your collection. even if you move onto bigger and better vocal mics, the 57 will still have plenty of uses that will bring you back to it.

Another vote for the Studio Projects B1. Quite versatile.

One of those and an SM57 are a really good starting point, though the SM57 really needs a decent preamp to shine.

Note you'll need phantom power on your preamp for the B1, and make sure you get and use the shockmount.

Sales Dude McBoob wrote:I owned SM57s for years, and they are great sounding mics, but I no longer use them.

There are so many good mics out there that I find working without 57s is just more interesting. The reason I don't use my 57 anymore is that it broke. They're far from indestructable in my opinion. The 57's grill is made of plastic, and when it hits the floor it can crack and fall off. That's what happened to mine.

For years I put a 57 on snare, and then I'd spend a lot of time trying to work around the BOING sound that a 57 captures on snare. It's a bit faux pas, but I'd have to say that a 57 is a really lousy snare mic.

A 57 is good on a guitar cab, but a small diaphram condensor is better. I've just had better results the more I've gotten away from 57s. That's why I like to recommend uncommon + well made stuff like the EV Raven.

fair enough that you moved away from it, still i think it ias a very good allrounder and starting point mic, you really can't go wrong with. and the plastic issue, hmmm... some of the newer made sm57 do unfortenuately have a plastic grill... mine are all so old they are fully made of metal and can / did take a beating over the last 15 / 20 years. and they are still working and used in the one or other way everytime i record a band.

and by the way, if i would need a new sm57, i most probably would buy an old used one and let it overhaul from a mic tech for a few quid.
my fave one is an used sm57 which was for over 10years in stage use at the shepherds bush empire in london, i have it now for nearly 8years and it's working / sounding just fine...

dj superflat wrote:hijack (b/c different price range):

anyone have thoughts on the mojave, peluso, gemini, tlm103, or n2? need a new vox mic. thx.

no need to waist so much money, that said i personally like the tlm103, but check out the ADK Vienna, it's a purely incredible mic. 'cheap' and also versatile.

Hello aabuniaj,
quite a lot of tips here... Years ago I had the same problem. Searching for "good micros", reading tips aso. didnt help.
The only way for me was:
1) "Speak with a local dealer who has for example 5 Micros in your desired price range". Lend them out (may be difficult but...)
2) Take them home (important!).
3) With each Micro: Record one small song (vocal only !) to Live.
4) Call your wife, mother...
5) Let them listen to your song (all takes!) and let them rate the takes.
6) You have found the right micro !
Regards from Martin