Right... I have some backing tracks that I need to record vocals on
using Audition. At the moment I have an el-cheapo cardioid mic from
Maplin (kind of like a poor man's SM58) that I've had since I was about
15. It works to a point but I need something a bit better.

So without breaking the bank, any recommendations? (Yes, I have an
offboard mic pre-amp, I'm not using the noise-ridden AC97 input!)

If it's affordable I'd like to get a pair of them, not for stereo use,
I've got a singing partner and would rather like to be able to record
both parts at once rather than using an overdub. You get a better
interaction if you're both at the mic at the same time.

Yes, I know you can just both sing into the same mic... but the other
vocal part is a female voice so will probably need different EQ. She's
also not as loud as me so... two tracks would be better!

Was considering a pair of SM58s but I believe these are designed with
ruggedness first and sound quality second with live stage use in mind.
So any suggestions?

It's for recording a demo, not a full blown studio, so don't want to
spend loads on it!

--
Squirrel Solutions Ltd Tel: (01453) 845735
http://www.squirrelsolutions.co.uk/ Fax: (01453) 843773

Registered in England: 05877408

On Sun, 26 Jul 2009 10:21:30 +0100, Glenn Richards
wrote:

ion. At the moment I have an el-cheapo cardioid mic from
Maplin (kind of like a poor man's SM58) that I've had since I was about
15. It works to a point but I need something a bit better.

I find the Rode NT-1 a useful workhorse.
http://www.dv247.com/invt/10229/


If this is more than you want to spend, the Samson CO1 may be a nice
surprise.
http://www.dv247.com/invt/3267/

For both of these you'll need a preamp, soundcard or mixer that
provides phantom power.

On Sun, 26 Jul 2009 11:11:55 +0100, Laurence Payne
wrote:

On Sun, 26 Jul 2009 10:21:30 +0100, Glenn Richards
wrote:

ion. At the moment I have an el-cheapo cardioid mic from
Maplin (kind of like a poor man's SM58) that I've had since I was about
15. It works to a point but I need something a bit better.

I find the Rode NT-1 a useful workhorse.
http://www.dv247.com/invt/10229/


Dunno about workhorse, but this is definitely the go-to mic of first
choice. It is really only if you want a mic that "does things" to the
sound that you need to look elsewhere. If the sound is already what
you want, and you just want to capture it, go for the NT1-A.

d

"Laurence Payne in the Arse "


I find the Rode NT-1 a useful workhorse.
http://www.dv247.com/invt/10229/


** I am particularly familiar with that mic and know
personally the folk who make it - ie the Freedmans
of Sydney, Australia.

The Freedmans made their name as the importers of
"Dynacord" valve PA gear into this country in the 1960s.

A name that will live on in infamy ...

Peter Freedman (son of Henry) is the proprietor of " Rode " mics
- a silly German sounding name he made up to HIDE the
Chinese origin of the mic capsules and other parts that
are used to make the thing.

In NO WAY SHAPE or FORM is the NT-1 a vocal mic !!!!

Using it for that purpose will very soon RUIN it !!

BTW:

The Rode NT-1 has a nick - which is suggestive of a rat.




...... Phil

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?

Despite many many years in the industry I've yet to come across *any* mic
that can't be used for vocals - suitably protected from popping if close
miked. That's not to say some aren't better than others. And any is better
than an SM58...

--


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

"Dave Plowman (Nutcase)"

Phil Allison wrote:

In NO WAY SHAPE or FORM is the NT-1 a vocal mic !!!!

Pray tell what determines a vocal mic,


** Try reading the stuff you sniped - ****HEAD.


Despite many many years in the industry ...


** What industry is that ?

Is being a know nothing bull**** artist now a recognised form of employment
in the UK ?

You posted this recently:

" Don't work in the 'recording industry', pet."


..... Phil

In article ,
Phil Allison wrote:

"Dave Plowman (Nutcase)"

Phil Allison wrote:

In NO WAY SHAPE or FORM is the NT-1 a vocal mic !!!!

Pray tell what determines a vocal mic,


** Try reading the stuff you sniped - ****HEAD.

There's no information to back up your claim in it...


Despite many many years in the industry ...


** What industry is that ?

One which uses high quality microphones.

Is being a know nothing bull**** artist now a recognised form of
employment in the UK ?

I suppose it's too much to hope you'd just answer the question asked?
Like what in your opinion makes a vocal mic?



You posted this recently:

" Don't work in the 'recording industry', pet."

You think only the recording industry uses high quality mics? Has TV and
radio not reached Oz yet?

--
*If at first you don't succeed, try management *

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

"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.

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.

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.

"Arny Krueger"

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.


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.

** Same goes for the Rodent and any condenser mic with a similar design
diaphragm.



..... Phil

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.