Best Vocal Mic for ~$1000

Posted: Fri Aug 29, 2008 9:06 am

I am under a budget, and looking for a mic in the $600-1000 range that will do best for my vocal needs. I sing mostly Jazz, and intimate stuff, I need something that has a warm texture, but clear sound, a mic that will produce the sound in my voice that will surround the listener and reel them in... so, it needs to be very rounded and not too colored... any suggestions? I know it's always better to look at the $2,000 up range, maybe at Neumann's and AKG Tubes, and what not, but unfortunately, I only have $1000 to spend

Posted: Fri Aug 29, 2008 9:23 am

I stand behind this suggestion for life -
Blue Bluebird. It's warm, but it's got a nice peak that doesn't sound strident but clear.

Add to that, get an AEA R84 or R92 and still get out for around $1000 with two awesome mics.

Posted: Fri Aug 29, 2008 1:19 pm

Are you in a hurry? If you know you want, like and need a $2000 or better mic, then save up a get one.

Posted: Fri Aug 29, 2008 9:17 pm

musicfreak42 wrote:

...produce the sound in my voice that will surround the listener and reel them in...

We used to get them drinks!

No wait, they used to get US drinks, right.

Posted: Fri Aug 29, 2008 10:15 pm

Try a few AT's - a few Oktava's - and the Blue that Jeremy mentioned.

You decide from there which mic is best for you for under a grand.

Posted: Fri Aug 29, 2008 10:20 pm

BTW -

Quote:

I need something that has a warm texture, but clear sound, a mic that will produce the sound in my voice that will surround the listener and reel them in...

Yeah, part of the fun of being a fader pusher / sound junkie - we're on the other side of the board but hoping for the same thing...

Posted: Sun Sep 28, 2008 7:47 am

I'd agree with the bluebird mic, fantastic condenser mic.
If you'd like to hear a sample of what it sounds like on a pretty basic set up, check my myspace with a song called "waiting".

It's running through a firebox into Cubase 4 in my bedroom without acoustic treatment, but I still think you can get a good sound out of it.

Posted: Sun Sep 28, 2008 10:07 am

A BLUE Woodpecker might suit your needs perfectly.

Posted: Sat Oct 04, 2008 2:25 pm

mojave either the fet or tube both in your price point, they may not be cosmetically appealing, but it seems like an amazing mic at an amazing price ($600 - $1000) built from great components and such. the fet version is my next mic purchase, i wouldn't mind having the tube one, but i'm too impatient to set up the power supply and let it warm up. time is money...

Posted: Mon Oct 06, 2008 10:53 am

The Bluebird is on my "need to buy next" list, but I am VERY pleased with my K2 and 414s. Very different mics, but work well in many situations. Depending on the song and/or background I've been able to get most of what I am looking for. It also helps to have a good pre.

My .02

PS - I'm a vocalist as well

Posted: Thu Oct 23, 2008 1:10 am

"blue" sure ahve a lot of great mics...
+1 for the bluebird...

Posted: Thu Oct 23, 2008 2:26 am

Boy, there sure have been a LOT of suggestions here, no? I didn't see where you stated your gender-are you male or female? I've had great results with the AT-4047, both on males and ladies singing jazz. Kind of smokey, without being dull or muddy, breathy without being harsh. Great on Diana Krall and Michael Bouble wannabes, IMHO.

Posted: Thu Oct 23, 2008 3:21 am

moonbaby wrote:

Boy, there sure have been a LOT of suggestions here, no?...

I wonder if the price point of $1K is sort of uninteresting or maybe sparsely populated. Most of the mics mentioned are around $600-700. On he other hand, most of the mics that I'd look at if I were spending more (earthworks, scheops, Neumann) are a lot more. Off the top of my head I can't think of a mic I'm really interested in that costs $1000 +- 100.

Posted: Thu Oct 23, 2008 10:34 am

musicfreak42 wrote:

I am under a budget, and looking for a mic ......I only have $1000 to spend

Definitely recommend the Newmann Retro LDC tube. its now below $1000 because of the exchange rate and they are doing free delivery I think...just google it to find the website...

Posted: Fri Oct 31, 2008 4:33 am

I've got a couple of AT 4060's that I really love on intimate vocals for both male and female.... they were very gently used and about $650 ea. definately worth checking out if you've got the chance.

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