Question for stf42/ new microphone.

[PaulB]

Or anyone else that can help. I'm currently recording vocals in my studio with an Audio Technica Pro4H. I would like to buy a new Mic but don't really know the best type or anything, I get lost! Is the 'Sure' range still the best way to go? Cheers :o)

[sft42]

Oh my! How much do you want to spend mate?? I have always stood by either AKG or Shure range of mics in my career (AKG D130 & D190 for spoken word and the industry standard Shure SM58 for live vocals) but with the advent of home recording and PC's being much more able to cope with this task the price of previously out of reach technology has come way down in price.....As for the Mic you mention I can only find a spec for the Pro4L (the L&H should just stand for impedance here so no great shakes) but it has a flat cardoid moving coil pick up at is listed in the Canford Audio catalogue at �45.10 (plus VAT) so although I have no experience of this mic personally I would be tempted to push you towards something more like the SM58 which can be obtained for around the �75 if you shop hard enough.....For seriously good recordings then your best bet would be to really shell out for a Adjustable pattern condenser microphone similar in style to the Neumann U87 Aimt or the AKG C414B but they retail at (deep breath here) �1,650.00 & �713.00 both prices before VAT (Canford Audio do their own make of condenser for around the �250 mark though).

Having said all that any metal bodied microphone from the following makers should give you adaquate quality but in the end you gets what you pays for: Sennheiser, AKG, Shure, Audio Technica, Beyer, Electrovoice.

Final thing if you need any technical info then do check out the Canford Audio website, I can't recommend them highly enough https://www.canford.co.uk/default.aspx

[PaulB]

Hey Steve thanks for your quick reply :o)
I was thinking about the Shure SM58 but wasn't sure if it was aimed more at Live Vocals rather than Studio.
In your opinion mate, how does it perform in the studio? and would be any better than the mic I already use?
Cheers

[j2buttonsw]

Here is a cheap(ish) condenser mic that is very good for recording acoustic guitar (in fact too good at recording acoustic guitar). You will need a phantom power supply. http://www.soundslive.co.uk/common/moreinfo.asp?ID
=1780

[sft42]

Ay Caramba! A good quality condenser mic for under �100! The only down side is no switchable polar patterns.....but this seems to have good spl levels and even comes with it's own shock mount and popscreen. I'd snap that up....the phantom power will apply to all these types of mics BTW.

[PaulB]

j2
I've looked at that link and that Mic looks the biz - and it's in my price bracket :o) - one more question tho, will it be good on vocals?

[j2buttonsw]

All condenser mics are great for vocals (hence the popscreen) but if you have a voice like mine you don't want it recorded. The phantom suppy I use is the Behringer Shark which also has a compressor. My mate is a music shop retailer and all the Behringer stuff is really good see http://www.soundslive.co.uk/common/moreinfo.asp?ID
=1639

[PaulB]

Great Stuff, thanks a lot - Looks like I shall be making a couple of purchases with Soundslive soon then!

Thanks :o)