Why not buy a $700 mic?

[rockabilly69]

Originally Posted by Brent Hahn

As an FOH mixer, my take is that it (the Neumann specifically) is different but not necessarily better. With female voices in particular the Neumann is sometimes a detriment, IMO, because something like an SM58 has a grit/texture to it that helps a non-gritty voice cut though a band, while the Neumann doesn't. There's such a thing as "too smooth."

I found I liked the KMS105 on every female voice I've put it in front of, although I hate it on mine, as it brings an odd nasal quality to my voice, and because of the low frequency filter, I can't work it for proximity effect.

[pieterh]

Originally Posted by rockabilly69

I found I liked the KMS105 on every female voice I've put it in front of, although I hate it on mine, as it brings an odd nasal quality to my voice, and because of the low frequency filterm, I can't work it for proximity effect.

This is why I prefer the 104...

[rockabilly69]

Originally Posted by pieterh

This is why I prefer the 104...

I've yet to try the 104 so I can't comment. So it doesn't have the low cut filter?

[pieterh]

Originally Posted by rockabilly69

I've yet to try the 104 so I can't comment. So it doesn't have the low cut filter?

It has a smoother response in the upper range whereas the 105 has a presence peak.

Both mics (well, all three as there is also the 104 plus) have a low filter built in but this applies below 80-100 hz; proximity effect is still an available characteristic, the low filter is there primarily to help smoothen out pop and rumble rather than to make a voice sound thin.

I’ve used my own 104 on numerous occasions. We also use SM58s and overall the sound from the 104 is much richer even in the low end. In my experience the proximity effect is still there but the low filter helps to even it out - I’ve used these mics with sloppy singers who can’t stay at an even distance from the mic but still sound good because the mic is amazing!

[Foss38]

Singing with a top shelf mic and with good monitoring is bliss!
Spend 5k on a guitar and $99 on a mic? THe voice is the most precious of instruments,

David Gilmour also sang with one of these

https://reverb.com/item/34103377-sony-c800g

[Akousticplyr]

Originally Posted by Foss38

Singing with a top shelf mic and with good monitoring is bliss!
Spend 5k on a guitar and $99 on a mic? THe voice is the most precious of instruments,

David Gilmour also sang with one of these

https://reverb.com/item/34103377-sony-c800g

The question really should be, ''Do I have a $700 voice?"

You can't polish a turd, but you can roll it in glitter.

[Brent Hahn]

Originally Posted by Akousticplyr

The question really should be, ''Do I have a $700 voice?"

Around here, you're going to start asking questions about who "deserves" what?

[Akousticplyr]

Originally Posted by Brent Hahn

Around here, you're going to start asking questions about who "deserves" what?

If people want to hang a chandelier in a haunted house - more power to them.
I don’t have a $700 voice.

(Note to moderators: online forums really, REALLY need a ‘sarcasm’ font setting...). Lol

[Br1ck]

What is your definition of listener? Someone that walked in off the street to have a cocktail? You could be singing through anything and they wouldn't care.

Listeners are to me those who have spent good money to get into the room, and half of those are iffy. But pleasing yourself is primary and you can hope others go along for the ride.

[jamison162]

I've tried every mic mentioned in this thread and about 20 more....just discovered the Earthworks SR314....wow!

[Bob Womack]

You know, there is a reason why vocal sessions for an album can sometimes start like this:






Bob

[nostatic]

Live and studio are two very different applications (unless your studio is under a flight pattern or your live gig is in a treated room with patrons sporting duct tape on their mouths).

In the studio, I've cycled through various dynamics and condensers over the years, have settled on an OC18 being the best fit for my voice, be it singing or V/O.

Live though, I want something that is tough and sounds good enough. There are so many other variables in-play, any nuance that a great condenser is bringing to the table is likely lost, either with a compromised signal chain (eg going light) or a compromised room. Still plenty of different sounds under $200 - for instance I don't like my voice through an SM58, instead use either an 835 or 935. I am a bass/baritone and can use a bit more sparkle up top.

More power to those that want to go the extra mic-mile. My calculus is putting that money elsewhere in the rig (eg Henriksen vs Fishman amp) but totally ymmv

[KevWind]

Originally Posted by Bob Womack

It looked a little off but he was using the Neumans on the On An Island tour.

Bob

Musta been from the Pink N Fog tour

[Doug Young]

Originally Posted by Bob Womack

You know, there is a reason why vocal sessions for an album can sometimes start like this:


Bob

Hey Bob, what do you think of that RNR1 SE ribbon? I've been interested in those, and just picked one up for a good price, still haven't had a chance to really play with it. For me, it'd be for guitar, not voice.

[ACOUSTICDEWD]

Just got the Sony C-80 ($469) due to its near flat frequency response and the 7.6 oz weight. Perfect all-round studio mic and it caused me to reverb my u87 and c12a

For a live mic, I'm considering the Earthworks SR117 also due to weight/flatness but ideally looking for a tiny headset mic to eliminate a stand

.