[Ramshackles]

Raw and treated vocals through the GAP:
http://snd.sc/yWpUcM
http://snd.sc/Ayk1Zk
Treatment on that track was - PSP nobleQ plugin (EQ), CLA-2A plugin (compressor) and reverb as a send effect from the lexicon. Thats all (there was probably some volume automation although Im not sure on this track...)

Raw and treated vocals through the Rode NT1-A:
http://snd.sc/yrdsAm
http://snd.sc/xNCgkr
Treatment on the track was - PSP nobleQ plugin (EQ), CLA-2A (compressor) and de-esser as inserts. Another compressor setup as a send, its the 'Renaissance Compressor', (waves again. Thats all the compressors I have from them - LA2A and renaissance). Reverb was from my lexicon mpx200 as a send effect. The whole thing was passed through a little DIY unit I have that has no name. I call it the vintage maker lol. It's just some transformers and tubes....


Waves is big plugin company, just like UAD. I have a small number of their plugins, mostly they are ones from the 'modeling' range - ones that are based on real hardware. I have no idea if they sound like the actual hardware, but I think they sound good. The way I would characterise the plugins seems to be the same way that people would characterise the corresponding hardware...anyho. It's worth trying out their demos I guess, as you can. They arent cheap plugins, but every month there is a 'plugin of the month' which is on sale and they seem to have sales ALL the time :p. I've never paid full price for one of their plugins....


Oh and you didnt mention to James NightHAWK (sorry, lol), so I will - it's a vocal mic that we are after. I'm presuming solely for vocals?

[domstone86]

Sorry James, didn't forget you!

I like the way you treat the vocals, might steal that technique if you don't mind!

I never really liked the lexicon plugin that much. I don't know why, just didn't do it for me, but maybe that's just because I've used it in the wrong application.

Lol at your naming of the Vintage Maker.

I'll have a look at the Waves site then, didn't know they were modelled around real hardware! Also might have a look at different compressors available now I'm aware that it actually makes a difference!

[Ramshackles]

Sorry James, didn't forget you!

I like the way you treat the vocals, might steal that technique if you don't mind!

I never really liked the lexicon plugin that much. I don't know why, just didn't do it for me, but maybe that's just because I've used it in the wrong application.

Lol at your naming of the Vintage Maker.

I'll have a look at the Waves site then, didn't know they were modelled around real hardware! Also might have a look at different compressors available now I'm aware that it actually makes a difference!

My lexicon isnt a plugin, so might sound different......
The waves stuff that is modelled on hardware is modelled on hardware, the other stuff isnt 

[James Nighthawk]

I may have the perfect Mic choice for you.

Alas, it is at my studio, and I forget the name. I'll look it up later in the week and repost. It was only about £150, 10 years ago. It is a large diameter Audio Technica Mic and I still use it today alongside my neumann. It is warm and fresh sounding, if a little too bright but this is (a) easily EQ'able and (b) maybe not an issue with home recording. Probably only available on the second hand market now.

This seems to be the current model (companies tend to refresh lines as the years roll on)

http://www.dv247.com/microphones/audio-technica-at2050-multi-pattern-large-diaphragm-side-address-microphone--58646

Check out some reviews on google. And you might be able to find it closer to £200 with some shopping around too

[domstone86]

I just realised that if I say James, I'm speaking to both of you....

Nighthawk, do you have any dry audio samples of this microphone? I tend to find that the more something requires EQ to correct the frequency response, the less natural the mic is going to sound, and the less it will shine through. The specs look good, but that doesn't mean too much!

[James Nighthawk]

I don't have that mic; that is a successor to a model I have.

I am sure someone online has done that for you, google away!

[kip4]

If your budget will stretch I'd take a look at the shure sm7b (as someone said earlier) for male vocals mic without the hyped top end.
bear in mind it's a dynamic mic and will need a preamp with a fair amount of gain though.
If you dont have a good amout of gain in your preamp consider the use of a triton fethead maybe.
good luck in your quest.

[stephaniedema]

Last weekend I found a secondhand Rode NT2-A. Haven't really had a lot of time to test it out yet, but it looks (sounds ) very promessing. New it costs around 230£ (depends on currency rate of course), but the one I found went for 125£. Was a real bargain. It's a pretty old mic, but perfectly working, very well maintained.
Also the NT1-A is supposed to be good. Maybe you should have a look at those?

Greetings
SD

[glennannie]

I've been using an AKG1000S for acoustic guitar.Great vocal mic too.Great $200 microphone.
Glenn

[SimonOlder]

Best budget mic I've ever found is the Studio Projects C1. I picked one up for about £120. I've used a few different ones before and I think this is the nicest. Nice full sound and not too much top end.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p5197.m570.l1313&_nkw=studio+projects+c1&_sacat=See-All-Categories

[Songsmith]

Hiya Dom,

I am a massive fan of Rode mics, I have a few & I love them all, I reckon an NT1 A  would be a great one for you. Whatever one you do go for, spend a lot of time experimenting with positioning etc  etc to get the best out of it..... good luck

[Boydie]

I really like the SE 2200T tube microphone for vocals and acoustic guitar

They are usually around the £330 mark

However, there are some available for £199

The one I got was an early production model that is identical to the £330 models except it didn't have the 10db or low cut filter switches - which I would take care within the DAW anyway

I think the tube really does help the sound and this is a great "budget" mic to have