Microphone review thread

[Celira]

Heads up: Blue Snowballs don't work with Windows Vista, by all indications.

Question: I'm personally more fond of singing than VA/VO, and though reading through all of these reviews was boundlessly helpful, has anyone found that one of the good-quality mics for VA mentioned previously is inadequate for singing?

[Yoda117]

Heads up: Blue Snowballs don't work with Windows Vista, by all indications.

Go to the driver file, right click and choose properties. Select "work in XP" from available options.

Should work fine so long as you're using a 32-bit version of Vista (have not tried it on 64-bit as of yet. Still prefer XP to Vista though.

They're working on the drivers, but have been having memory leak issues with the drivers for Vista (don't get me started on that, Mackie is even worse when it comes to their drivers... had to write some of my own using their XP code).

As for the other half of the question, it depends on the type of singing you do. I don't normally recommend Condensors for live music, PA, or rap/hip hop (I do strongly recommend dynamic mics for those, oddly the PA and rap crowds love the RE-27 by ElectroVoice which is also an awesome VO mic for non-treated rooms). Otherwise, LDCs are great. If you're looking for more of an old time vibe, the tube and ribbon mics currently available aren't bad. If you want to do something really funky, think carbon mics (just heard someone record at the Kimmel using an old RCA carbon mic from the 1920s; it was the last thing I'd ever recommend for operatic singing, but the recordings sounded wonderful).

Mics are like paintbrushes, you can get the same pic, but your technique and the final output will be a little different depending on your choice. A knowledgeable artist will be able to do what they need to regardless of the choice of instrument.

[Steven Mane]

[quote=Yoda117;551469]

Steve, just a few things.

No dynamic ever made uses phantom power. They're called a dynamic mic for a reason (has to do with the little magnets and diaphragm running along a coil which generates it's own electricity).

Some dynamic mics can be used with phantom power, but they don't need it. Pretty much it comes down to the wiring. If the wrong pin is "hot" then you'll damage the mic, otherwise you're fine. While for the most part it's a non-issue, it's always best to either check the specs for you mic to see the pin layout, or my normal recommendation - don't use phantom power at all when using a dynamic mic.

Regardless of what dynamic mic you're using, you'll need at least 60dB of gain from your preamp (I usually recommend 65dB since folks like to run them hot... especially when recording drums). My recommendation, record your level to -12dB (as taken from the threshold). It's a little low I admit, but after using EQ and compression to provide dynamic processing and raise the level, you'll have a really nice read without many of the issue commonly found with dynamic mics.

As for your Audix. Have you checked the pins on the mic? If there's a little "schmutz" or stuff on the XLR pins, take come rubbing alcohol and clean those. I only say that because I had someone with a similar problem with their dynamic mic (distortion/feedback at lower gain) and it turned out that the pin leads were dirty. YMMV on that one.

Preamp! THAT'S the word I was looking for! Thanks, Yoda.

I haven't noticed any dirt on the pins, but I'll check to make sure they're clean.

Oh, and in case no one's said this, welcome back.

[Yoda117]

Oh, and in case no one's said this, welcome back.

Not back, just checking something out and ran across the post. Still post every so often when time permits.

Thank you though

Out of idle curosity, have you been using Hosa cables with this recording chain? If so (really regardless), have you used a line checker to see what the impedence and attenuation of the line is?

/check the simple things first before working up to the major electronic issues.

[shoester]

I currently own a Samson C01u - don't get me wrong, it does a good job - but since I semi-recently invested in an Mbox 2 mini, I'm now looking into xlr/non-usb mics. I've been eyeing the Audio-Technica AT2020...so far the reviews for this mic look fantastic for its price. Would anyone recommend this mic? Or any other mic in a similar price bracket. Thanks!

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/produ...one?sku=270620

[XTREEMMAK]

Look into the Nueman TLM 103. Great mic but extremely expensive for one who does this as a hobbie. But if you can get this, you got gold baby!

[Yoda117]

why would you recommend a mic 10X more expensive than the one they are looking for?

FWIW: I'll take the Gefell UM930 over the TLM103 any day of the week... twice on Sundays.

[VoiceVSP]

Audio-Technica
AT3035 Cardioid Condenser Microphone [DISCONTINUED]

Features-
-F/R Switch (Cuts Low-Freq Noise)
-10dB Pad (Nominal) Switch
-Low Self-Noise (12dB SPL)
-Runs on Phantom Power
-Weighs 390 Grams
-Uses XLR Cable

Cost-
$100-$300

Review-
Very clean sound. Excellent professional-sound quality. Only drawback is that you'll need to invest in a mixer/portastudio or XLR to 1/8" (or XLR to USB). It's now discontinued due to newer models, but still a very high quality microphone for those looking for a bargain on some older recording equipment (only circa 2007 or so)! Not a microphone for absolute VA/recording beginners.

[mippa]

I am not sure if I am really fantastic at reviewing microphones, but this seemed an appropriate place to say this.

Lately I have been getting asked a lot (I mean, like every day) what microphone I use for my demo reel, etc. etc.

Well, I now have a new microphone, but the microphone I was using for most of my previous fandubs (basically all the stuff that has been released, except for the Porco Rosso clip) was used with--get this--a cheap $10 microphone.

More specifically, this baby right here.

I would recommend getting a little foam "mitt" or what have you to serve as a pop screen though, otherwise it might pick up a lot of puffs. It also usually needs to have your clips clean up, but it's a lot better than some of the more expensive mics I have purchased.

Now, I use (per Lucien and Russ's recommendations) a Blue Snowball USB mic.

[exdevlin]

*laughs* Mippa! I have an $11 microphone, I kid you not. Works great with the pop screen I made for it, and a makeshift mitt over it.