Vocal mic shootout wwith my mics...

[Yamaha Man]

Okay for vocals I tried the AT4041, the AT2050, the MXL V69, the Telefunken M80 and the AKG C214.

the AT 4041was the loudest

theAT2050 was a bit softer

the MXL V69 quit working, only produced a barely audible signal

the Telefunken M80 was a very quiet signal

all pretty much sounded the same except for volume

the AKG C214 sounded the best, plenty loud, great rich tone, this is now my go to vocal mic. Even came with a wind screen. A while back, I bought two of them for stereo guitar recordings, but they really shine on vocals.

I suppose I could sell them all and buy one good mic, but I like having a variety to chose from for different applications. The AKG C214 is good enough for me at this time.

[jim1960]

I'm not sure what you were trying to do. You seem focused on how "loud" each mic is but that's only an issue if your preamp cannot provide enough gain to give you a usable signal. If your preamp provides enough gain, how loud each mic is at the same preamp setting is irrelevant. Also, SDCs are usually not the best choice for vocals. There are some exceptions but an LDC is usually a better choice.

[Yamaha Man]

I was focused on sound quality of my voice. The volume issue was just an observation. Of course I was able to level off the mic volumes with the gain control on my Denon mixer. I was curious to see how my voice sounded on each mic. Like I said, the AKG C214 stood out above the rest. The difference was night and day. So from my point of view, the shootout was a major success for me as it demonstrated which mic I should use for my vocals. I wasn't sure before, but I am now.

This may not be your cup of tea, but it's a heavy metal piece I'm working on. it's just a short clip of my vocals with the AKG C 214 mic...…

https://waynekraft.bandcamp.com/track/im-back-from-hell

[KevWind]

Well if you like the C214 for your voice that is what matters .
I think your op was bit confusing because it sounded as if you compared them with the different levels involved , but if for comparison you corrected that, then yes indeed ,,,,, arguably Vocal mics tend to be the most "individually" specific of mic applications .

When I set out out to find a tube mic for my vocals. I was fully anticipating some kind of U47 or U67 clone to be the ticket, but I actually ended up with a ELAM 251 clone, for exactly the same reason "it sounded a better to me on my voice"

[Brent Hahn]

Mic shootouts on my voice mostly remind me that the mic isn't the problem. :-)

[KevWind]

Originally Posted by Brent Hahn

Mic shootouts on my voice mostly remind me that the mic isn't the problem. :-)

ha ! ain't that the terrible truth for most of us

[Yamaha Man]

yep, my voice sounds really weak on some mics and better on others, I found I have to really boost the low end of the eq to get a decent sound. Trying different mics makes a big difference. Highly recommended.

My budget only allowed to get up to the AKG C214's, right now I can't afford any more mics. So I'm limited to what I already have. The C214 is doing the job though.

[Brent Hahn]

Originally Posted by Martin Maniac

... I found I have to really boost the low end of the eq to get a decent sound.

Not every mic has the same "friendly zone" when it comes to proximity. Try getting closer.

[Yamaha Man]

good advice....

[jim1960]

Originally Posted by Brent Hahn

Not every mic has the same "friendly zone" when it comes to proximity. Try getting closer.

Very true. I tried out a friend's Flea 49 and after listening to it I wanted to set his studio ablaze to make sure I'd never hear that mic test again. In the end deleting the file was easier than a trip to the gas station for 10 gallons of fuel and some matches. But prior to getting my 47, I did like my voice through my Blue Kiwi and Demeter VTMP-2c preamp. That was a good combination.

[CASD57]

I've been studying Mic frequency response graph's.... trying to find the best for less for my home studio and live use...
The Rode NT1 has a pretty flat response so you can eq it to your satisfaction without having to fight any harshness or middle presence boost
I ended up with a Discontinued AKG P200 for my studio
and a Se V7 for stage use neither cost more than $100

[jim1960]

Originally Posted by CASD57

I've been studying Mic frequency response graph's.... trying to find the best for less for my home studio and live use...
The Rode NT1 has a pretty flat response so you can eq it to your satisfaction without having to fight any harshness or middle presence boost
I ended up with a Discontinued AKG P200 for my studio
and a Se V7 for stage use neither cost more than $100

Flat does not mean better, nor does it make EQing easier. Look at the most highly regarded mics in the world and you're not going to find they share a flat frequency response. If you ask most audio engineers, I think they'll tell you that the best mic for any source is the one they have to EQ the least.

Also, choosing a mic based on a frequency graph is just a bad idea. With or without a flat frequency response, microphones impart character and tone. Both of those things are more important for mic selection than the frequency response.

[Brent Hahn]

Originally Posted by jim1960

Flat does not mean better, nor does it make EQing easier.

All that ad copy is an attempt to use specs to spackle over intangibles. It takes a while to sort it out and figure out what's really what, and you pretty much have to do it for yourself.

[CASD57]

Of course...
But first comes the paperwork and then the live trials... to verify it.
And to find a Mic that needs little Eq'ing for each voice, Well you better have a locker full of them.
Using a mic that is flatter like the NT1 is like using FRFR speakers Which we know are PA Speakers..Acoustic amps
For stage, I prefer a close proximity boost so I can work the mic
and a smooth rise in the 2-4khz...a roll-off in the 5-7khz and a smooth rise in the 8-10khz.
Everyone is different..in what they hear or wanna-hear and this is what I like..

The NT1 in it's uneq'd form is a dark mic.... With no Eq, it might be good for females or higher voiced or thinner voiced males but I find it dark.

[Brent Hahn]

Originally Posted by CASD57

Of course...
But first comes the paperwork and then the live trials... to verify it.

It's a personal journey. More of a schlep, actually. Let's see where you are in two or three years.