Vocal Mic help. Need something new I think...

[JerEvil]

So I have a Blue Microphones "Bluebird". I am not sure if it is the right mic for me.

My voice has been likened to people like Michael Sweet - Stryper and Dexter Holland - Offspring (not by me by the way). Anyway, I am not sure how exactly to pick a vocal mic based on my basic vocal timbre.

Any input is greatly appreciated.

[video]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=azP2t0dMU7M[/video]

[video]https://youtube.com/watch?v=70XVGUCwnCI[/video]

[BroSlinger]

Your first mistake = blue. Just because some of them are very expensive doesn't mean they sound good.

Try a Shure SM7B. It was a revelation for me. Worked for Michael Jackson on Thriller.

Don't buy into "you must use a large diaphragm condensor for vocals"

EDIT: I listened to the vid. Damn, you do sound like the Stryper guy.

The track sounded fine to me. Maybe, try some eq tricks or new plugins?

Or an SM7B? I have a weird upper mid spike in my vocals. A dynamic mic shaved it off nicely.

[JerEvil]

Your first mistake = blue. Just because some of them are very expensive doesn't mean they sound good.

Try a Shure SM7B. It was a revelation for me. Worked for Michael Jackson on Thriller.

Don't buy into "you must use a large diaphragm condensor for vocals"

EDIT: I listened to the vid. Damn, you do sound like the Stryper guy.

The track sounded fine to me. Maybe, try some eq tricks or new plugins?

Or an SM7B? I have a weird upper mid spike in my vocals. A dynamic mic shaved it off nicely.

Thanks for the input. I remember someone else mentioning the SM7B as well so I will have to look out for one of those. Ever hear of this guy?

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/Spirit

Ot is a large diaphragm condenser though...

[BroSlinger]

Never heard of it, BUT.............

you should talk to a sweetwater rep, and explain exactly what you want. Maybe run your voice through some kind of analyzer. See where your voice sits on the spectrum.

I seem to remember lots of Sweetwater dudes liking the Mojave stuff a LOT.


BTW, one thing I like about the SM7B is the durability. I got a new pop filter one day. The next day, my mic stand was lying on the ground. It had completely toppled over. The mic seems fine.

[nakedzen]

SM7B is always a safe bet for male rock vocals. If you want to go condenser I can recommend the Shure KSM32, sounds similar to the SM7B and won't break the bank like most large high quality condensers.

[Loop Bizkit]

Never heard of it, BUT.............

you should talk to a sweetwater rep, and explain exactly what you want.

SM7B and a Cloud Microphones CL1 Cloudlifter. Don't even look at anything else.

[JerEvil]

Never heard of it, BUT.............

you should talk to a sweetwater rep, and explain exactly what you want.

SM7B and a Cloud Microphones CL1 Cloudlifter. Don't even look at anything else.

You better have a chat with Faloon then! LOL! He recommended the Aston! Seriously though, don't yell at him, he's been an acceptable surrogate for you...

[Loop Bizkit]

Aston mics are awesome too!

I've just always used an SM7.

[JerEvil]

Aston mics are awesome too!

I've just always used an SM7.

Well, I trust you man. You have heard enough of my recordings to make a solid recommendation. Gene's no dummy either.

['63-Strat]

I also recommend the sm7b. Only caveat is that they need a lot of mic pre gain which is why loop is suggesting the cloudlifter with it. Depending on what you're using for a mic pre you may or may not need it.

[JerEvil]

I also recommend the sm7b. Only caveat is that they need a lot of mic pre gain which is why loop is suggesting the cloudlifter with it. Depending on what you're using for a mic pre you may or may not need it.

I have an ART TPS-II that Loop sold me some time ago. The only other pre's I have are the pre's built into my interface.

['63-Strat]

Says 75db gain for that pre so you're prob ok. Usually they say an sm7b requires 65db. A cloudlifter may be quieter way to get there with your pre depending on how noisy it is at those gain levels though.

[Cirrus]

I don't think you really need the cloudlifter for typical rock vocal applications. This is a mic that benefits from getting right up on it.

I usually have my RNP preamp set to +36dB when I use an SM7, I don't have a really loud singing voice or anything. That gets me to good levels going into the computer (most peaks hitting -10dbfs or so with the occasional louder moment).

If I was talking quietly, singing at a distance from the mic of more than a foot or so, or using it to record quiet stuff like egg-shakers and had a weak pre than I might consider it - though I think my answer to the problem would probably be "pick a different mic today."

My experience of Blue mics isn't extensive, but they've always come across as quite bright to me. Gotta mate the mic to the voice!

[BroSlinger]

My Warm WA12 has 71db of gain, which was more than enough for my SM7b. Come to think of it, I probably had it dialed to exactly 65db

[Loop Bizkit]

I don't think you really need the cloudlifter for typical rock vocal applications. This is a mic that benefits from getting right up on it.

I usually have my RNP preamp set to +36dB when I use an SM7, I don't have a really loud singing voice or anything. That gets me to good levels going into the computer (most peaks hitting -10dbfs or so with the occasional louder moment).

If I was talking quietly, singing at a distance from the mic of more than a foot or so, or using it to record quiet stuff like egg-shakers and had a weak pre than I might consider it - though I think my answer to the problem would probably be "pick a different mic today."

My experience of Blue mics isn't extensive, but they've always come across as quite bright to me. Gotta mate the mic to the voice!

I like the Cloudlifter because it lets the mic push the preamp a little harder. It's nice, especially when using it with interface preamps, or cheaper channel strips, because you can coax a bit more of the preamp's good stuff into the signal before you're turning the gain up to the point where you're generally in noisy territory.

I use the cloudlifter with that mic even when there's enough gain on tap at the preamp.


I've got a pair of those Blue Bluebirds too. They can def sound good on vocals after a bit of EQing, but I've found that they're most at home on acoustic guitar mic'ing, especially on boomy Martins/Gibsons, IMO.

[newholland]

pricey:. a 414.
cheap: maybe an mxl v67g.

id find something that fills out the chest sounds. your voice is mostly head ( no offense meant)- so something that fills out chest sounds would do ya, i think.

you could also do great with a 57 or an sm7 for sure- which can be great to lessen the load on a compressor for sure.. and just like everyone else says.. super dependant in the grunt of your preamp. but sometimes for a high brash male vocal.. thats just the ticket if youre not super controlled in volume and you want a good even take without creaming it with a comp.

[JerEvil]

pricey:. a 414.
cheap: maybe an mxl v67g.

id find something that fills out the chest sounds. your voice is mostly head ( no offense meant)- so something that fills out chest sounds would do ya, i think.

you could also do great with a 57 or an sm7 for sure- which can be great to lessen the load on a compressor for sure.. and just like everyone else says.. super dependant in the grunt of your preamp. but sometimes for a high brash male vocal.. thats just the ticket if youre not super controlled in volume and you want a good even take without creaming it with a comp.

Oh no offense taken. I don't sing "properly" for sure.