Decent cheap mic for vocal studio use
 

In article ,
Phil Allison wrote:
** So it is a fragile, studio condenser mic - with all that implies.

All that implies is you take reasonable care with it. Like you should do
with any precision equipment.

--
*Laugh alone and the world thinks you're an idiot.

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

Decent cheap mic for vocal studio use
 

In article ,
Arny Krueger wrote:
Pray tell what determines a vocal mic, oh potty mouthed
one?

Vocal mics are usually fairly narrow cardioids, supercardioids or
hypercardiods, balanced for close working and have a built-in pop filter.

You're describing one used for a gig. Not studio or home recording, etc.
One of the most popular vocal mics ever for studio use is the Neumann U87
- which is a very wide cardiod with little in the way of built in wind
gag.

I've used one of my NT-1as for a vocal mic with an external pop filter
and appropriate filtering. Because I had to add so much stuff to make
it effective, I would not call it a vocal mic. I would call it an
all-purpose mic.

Indeed - exactly what most need for home recording etc. Those will work
just fine on vocals with a decent wind gag. Whereas dedicated 'vocal' mics
like the SM58 sound horrid on vocals. Apart from at a gig where absolute
quality isn't an issue.

I have also used another general-purpose mic, a MXL 603s as a vocal mic
with an extenal pop filter. The external pop filter was not effective
enough at avoiding contamination of the diaphragm, and after a few
years of regular service it developed a number of problems that my
attempt to simply clean the built-up gunk off the diaphragm did not
fully alleviate.

Applies to any vocal mic used close. Including the SM58. But since it
starts out sounding horrid a little gunk on the diaphragm doesn't make
such a big difference.

--
*Money isn't everything, but it sure keeps the kids in touch *

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

Decent cheap mic for vocal studio use
 

In article ,
Phil Allison wrote:
Vocal mics are usually fairly narrow cardioids, supercardioids or
hypercardiods, balanced for close working and have a built-in pop
filter.

I've used one of my NT-1as for a vocal mic with an external pop filter
and appropriate filtering. Because I had to add so much stuff to
make it effective, I would not call it a vocal mic. I would call it
an all-purpose mic.


** A " vocal mic " is a special purpose mic that, among other
qualities, must be immune to the damaging effects of moist, human breath.

Must it? Have you ever been in a recording studio? Do they use this type
of mic for vocals there?

--
*Dancing is a perpendicular expression of a horizontal desire *

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

Decent cheap mic for vocal studio use
 

On Sun, 26 Jul 2009 22:29:04 -0400, "Arny Krueger"
wrote:

"Dave Plowman (News)" wrote in
message
In article ,
Phil Allison wrote:
In NO WAY SHAPE or FORM is the NT-1 a vocal mic
!!!!

Pray tell what determines a vocal mic, oh potty mouthed
one?

Vocal mics are usually fairly narrow cardioids, supercardioids or
hypercardiods, balanced for close working and have a built-in pop filter.


Not vocal "studio" mics, which are what this thread is about. For
stage work, of course you are dead right.

I've used one of my NT-1as for a vocal mic with an external pop filter and
appropriate filtering. Because I had to add so much stuff to make it
effective, I would not call it a vocal mic. I would call it an all-purpose
mic.


Again, not in a studio. If the voice is good, this will capture it.
Obviously with any recording you will use eq to get the exact tone you
want, but starting from an inherently flat mic gives you a much better
route to that spot than starting from a hugely peaky stage vocal mic
(which has characteristics remarkably similar to those needed for a
railway station PA).

I have also used another general-purpose mic, a MXL 603s as a vocal mic with
an extenal pop filter. The external pop filter was not effective enough at
avoiding contamination of the diaphragm, and after a few years of regular
service it developed a number of problems that my attempt to simply clean
the built-up gunk off the diaphragm did not fully alleviate.


If the vocalist doesn't get too close (which he shouldn't in a studio
setup), then gunk won't be a problem.

d

Decent cheap mic for vocal studio use
 

In article 4a706fb5.92010734@localhost,
Don Pearce wrote:
I have also used another general-purpose mic, a MXL 603s as a vocal mic
with an extenal pop filter. The external pop filter was not effective
enough at avoiding contamination of the diaphragm, and after a few
years of regular service it developed a number of problems that my
attempt to simply clean the built-up gunk off the diaphragm did not
fully alleviate.


If the vocalist doesn't get too close (which he shouldn't in a studio
setup), then gunk won't be a problem.

Pretty well any mic will end up with a dirty diaphragm after some time -
even those used exclusively in a filtered and air conditioned studio. U87s
seem particularly susceptible. But easy enough to clean. A drop of
detergent in distilled water and some baby buds - and a steady hand.

--
*Letting a cat out of the bag is easier than putting it back in *

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

Decent cheap mic for vocal studio use
 

"Don Pearce" wrote


The capsule of the NT1-A (unlike that of the NT1) is entirely
Australian made.


I wonder...???

When I was investigating cheap mics a year or two ago a lot of roads seem to
lead back to an anonymous-looking outfit in China with a name or initials
beginning with 'Y' - I think, can't be sure now. (Note obvious pun
avoided....;-)


OK, I Googled and got lucky - I think it's ShuaiYin:

http://www.shuaiy.com/


If you can't get anywhere with that (I gave up), there's a couple of
references he

http://homerecording.about.com/od/mi...100_Review.htm

http://recordinghacks.com/microphones/CAD/Trion-6000

Decent cheap mic for vocal studio use
 

On Mon, 27 Jul 2009 12:11:18 +0100, "Keith G"
wrote:


"Don Pearce" wrote


The capsule of the NT1-A (unlike that of the NT1) is entirely
Australian made.


I wonder...???

When I was investigating cheap mics a year or two ago a lot of roads seem to
lead back to an anonymous-looking outfit in China with a name or initials
beginning with 'Y' - I think, can't be sure now. (Note obvious pun
avoided....;-)


OK, I Googled and got lucky - I think it's ShuaiYin:

http://www.shuaiy.com/


If you can't get anywhere with that (I gave up), there's a couple of
references he

http://homerecording.about.com/od/mi...100_Review.htm

http://recordinghacks.com/microphones/CAD/Trion-6000



Yes, the Chinese do an awful lot of this stuff, both badged and OEM.
The NT1-A isn't part of it, though.

d

Decent cheap mic for vocal studio use
 

"Dave Plowman (News)" wrote in
message
In article ,
Phil Allison wrote:
Vocal mics are usually fairly narrow cardioids,
supercardioids or hypercardiods, balanced for close
working and have a built-in pop filter.

I've used one of my NT-1as for a vocal mic with an
external pop filter and appropriate filtering. Because
I had to add so much stuff to make it effective, I
would not call it a vocal mic. I would call it an
all-purpose mic.


** A " vocal mic " is a special purpose mic that,
among other qualities, must be immune to the damaging
effects of moist, human breath.

Must it? Have you ever been in a recording studio? Do
they use this type of mic for vocals there?

Yes. Many vocalists are used to their sound with a certain mic, and prefer
to use it.

However, if you have a studio with nice acoustics, its possible to mic a
voice from a little more distance.

Decent cheap mic for vocal studio use
 

On Mon, 27 Jul 2009 11:22:35 +0100, "Dave Plowman (News)"
wrote:

In article 4a706fb5.92010734@localhost,
Don Pearce wrote:
I have also used another general-purpose mic, a MXL 603s as a vocal mic
with an extenal pop filter. The external pop filter was not effective
enough at avoiding contamination of the diaphragm, and after a few
years of regular service it developed a number of problems that my
attempt to simply clean the built-up gunk off the diaphragm did not
fully alleviate.


If the vocalist doesn't get too close (which he shouldn't in a studio
setup), then gunk won't be a problem.

Pretty well any mic will end up with a dirty diaphragm after some time -
even those used exclusively in a filtered and air conditioned studio. U87s
seem particularly susceptible. But easy enough to clean. A drop of
detergent in distilled water and some baby buds - and a steady hand.

There is a new product out

http://www.microphome.org/

At least I think it's new - only just come across it. Not for
diaphragms, though. I'm not sure I would want to use a contact method
for a diaphragm. I'd rather just flush it with a gentle solution and
let the excess run off. A final dose of distilled would leave it free
of residue.

d

Decent cheap mic for vocal studio use
 

"Dave Plowman (News)" wrote in
message

Pretty well any mic will end up with a dirty diaphragm
after some time - even those used exclusively in a
filtered and air conditioned studio. U87s seem
particularly susceptible. But easy enough to clean. A
drop of detergent in distilled water and some baby buds -
and a steady hand.

Looks good on paper, but falls apart in the practical application. The
diaphragms of most mics I've seen are covered with a fine screen or
something like it.