High End Mics Options

[elipio]

Heya, I've noticed some discussions on mics but I'd like to ask the users of high end mics about their impressions.
I will be using it mainly to record vocals.
The mics I'm considering are:

U 87- classic, I know it's sound but maybe a bit outdated now?

Manley black (the cheaper version of Gold)- heard good reports but won't have the chance to test it... so it would be a bit risky?

DPA 4041, supposed to be stunning... will try it out...

VM 1, colours the higher frequencies but I like it...


If anyone has any thoughts on the subject...

Thanks

Pete

Ce message a été modifié par elipio - jeu. 26 janv. 2006, 23:02.

[elipio]

UP Multimedia, thanks for the message.

When you say "All the Professional Studios use U-87 or better." what do you mean by "better"?

I really want to buy a super mic, I just did a record with U 87 but heard good things about other mics...

Best

Pete

[lepetitmartien]

U 47 is another example

Like the U87, it's not the fashion effect, it's the thing they do (or not do to a voice that counts), if the singer is great with a sm57 and crap with a U87, why change? (maybe a bit extreme as an example

Now there's good stuff around Like Microtech Gefell (the real Neuman), Blue (Bottle), Royer… to name a few more known (and there are small manufacturers making jewels still). Some chinese are really good too.

Now I've got a mic news NAMM related to write…

[UP Multimedia]

Yo! Elpio, I know from experience over many years, the U-87 has been in most Big Studio's. You see. Times change. Technology changes... I hear that Rode is suppossed to be good. I know many musicians try to get the job done with the least expensive tools. Well, I guess the world will be shocked when China comes out with a Porche for only 8,000 dollars. it might resemble a Porsche, but that is far as it will go. Elpio, when I said "Or Better" I meant that the U-87 was a "expected" Standard Piece of Gear... I do not remember the exact names, but, they were certainly not Shure SM 57 or 58's, those were used for Gargage Bands, the real Garage Bands... Hell, I don't think they cost $50.00? You could drop them, in fact, if your Microphone Sphere was not dented... you weren't really rockin' or funkin'...

Singing then and now is very diffeent... Nat King Cole, Sinatra, Sam Cooke, Johnny Mathis, Lou Rawls, Ella Fitzgerald and Legend "Crooners" used U-87's... Singing is no longer the same featured as it was back in the old days... I'm exposing my age but also my experience... There is a good reason Professional Studios choose certain gear. Proven Broadcast Quality...

Hey, how often do you see a private sale of a U-87? If a voice sounds good with a Shure it will be 10 times better on a U-87. If you're going to stick the mic down your throat and scream or if its 50 Cent won't matter... If you can stick a U-87 down your throat... Big Mouth. Smile.

[elipio]

Heya, guys, thanks for your thoughts...

I know U87 is class!

But I'm tempted to experiment... try different ones...


Anyway, one more question (that is if you have enough patience to answer...)

Would you ever buy a mic basing your choice on reports and not your own ear?

Thanks

Pete

[mortalengines]

Have you heard about Red microphones? They are the American manufacturer of Blue, have interchangeable capsules (which can be interchanged with Neumann & Telefunken, etc.) & start around 750 bucks. I read a review of them in Tape Op magazine & they stood up to a U87 & a Blue Bottle mic. If I was going to get a mic I would probably look at a Red.

[elipio]

mortalengines, thanks for the tip... I'll look into it...

P

[eaks]

I'd tend to trust reviewers at EM

I personnaly have a rode nt1a and nt4 and they revealed being great mics, though not as good as a U87...
but for the price...

It depends of the urge to get a nice mic vs the money you can spend on it...

if you want one trustworthy "high end" mic at at cheaper price, go rode. if you're rich, go U87 or better or equivalent. check out the ribbon mic market. there's an interesting article on the topic in EM november 2k5. they also review chinese ribbon mics...

[lepetitmartien]

And I've just made a news on a doubled voiced ribbon mic

There's a lot of small manufacturer making great stuff, not a reason to ditch the classics, there's never been that many good mics around, and it should be hell on earth if a few weren't fabulous.

[mortalengines]

I read the same EM review as Eaks was referring to & yes for the 1000 to 1500 dollars an AEA mic sounds pretty cool too. Going back to magazines & reviews, I highly recommend going to tapeop.com & registering for a subscription it's free & comes bi-monthly - they always interview very interesting people & their gear reviews are spot on. Oh did i mention again that it's free?

[lepetitmartien]

I can't stop earing about the Violet mics… just as the higher models of the Blue a while back.

[drewott]

I just bought a Rode NT 2A and I am very happy with it.

You might also want to consider the features mic's have too. If you can only afford one nice mic, get one with variable pic-up pattern, adjustable high pass filter, etc. That way you will be able to record differently according to the situation.

Since I can only afford one mic I went with the NT 2A b/c it was versatile.

Also, when buying the mic, ask to see the frequency response chart. That will clearly show differences in mics.

Good luck in your search!