Mics for recording or live

[Joseph Luat]

Just curious what mics everyone uses for recording and live vocals. For myself, I've found that none of my mics (Blue Woodpecker, Blue Bluebird, AKG Perception) can compare to the sound I got singing into a Neumann M149 at Paragon Recording Studio in the west loop. I'd get one, but they're RIDICULOUSLY expensive and I refuse to get a lower model Neumann. For live, I usually go with the Sennheiser e835 or Shure SM58, but I do love the Shure Beta series. What's all your thoughts?

[J Tallungan]

for live applications, you can't go wrong with a 58. and I do have a Sennheiser se835 but it's a little tinny for some vocalists. It's also extra hot so I don't give it to drummers that need a vocal mic. For a while now, I've been singing into my ElectroVoice RE20. Its one of those old school standard broadcast mics and has a killer low frequency response but it's well rounded enough for other applications. If you see any of Radiohead's personal studio stuff, Thom Yorke is usually singing into one. In the studio, if I'm looking for a dirtier vocal I'll stick the RE20 on there too, or even a 57, especially on screamo dudes. My standard vocal mic in the studio though, is the Rode K2. It's a large-diaphragm tube mic like the sexier and more expensive Neumanns, and I've gotten excellent results off of it for years. Honestly, as far as the studio goes, getting a killer pre-amp is HUGE. You can have the nicest mic in the world but if you've got a crappy pre then ain't nothing gonna salvage that.

[Joseph Luat]

For sure, the RE20 is a sick mic! I saw Thom Yorke using it on a performance Radiohead did for Conan O'Brien. I've used most of their "counterpart" large diaphragm dynamics. I own a Heil PR40, used a Sennheiser 421, and did a radio interview for Local 101 using the Shure SM7. They're all awesome and I'd imagine the same for the EV RE20. I know what you mean about using the 57 for screamo dudes. I recorded a guy once who wanted a lo-fi screamo track and he insisted the best sound would be on his $2 random mic from ebay. I got disgusted with him and told him he's gotta at least use a 57.

I'll have to check out the Rode K2. I've had good experiences with Rode. I own some Rode NT5 pencil condensers and their some of the best I've heard. Much better value than those Neumann overheads (the KSMs? I think). And for sure, a good preamp is key. I have a Groove Tubes Brick and it's plenty good for the budget. I believe that the Neumann M149 I've been using at Paragon has its own tube pre. Thanks for the input!

You have any experience/insight on the AKG C414?

[J Tallungan]

I did notice that sometimes, when you see Mayor Daley making a public speech, they'll set up a stereo pair of 421s on him, so now I associate his public addresses with micing guitar cabinets and floor toms.

[J Tallungan]

lol. also, when someone wants to use something outlandish or something I know is gonna be crappy, I get a clean signal off of another mic just to be safe. Like the dude that came in with one of those mics that come with home karaoke machines with a hardwired cable.

[Joseph Luat]

Oh man, they probably came with the karaoke system mic and didn't have an adapter for it, right? haha. I had someone insist on their new mic they bought from Radio Shack once. I used it the one day and refused to ever use it again...

[J Tallungan]

I've never had hands-on with a C414. I know a bunch of people like sticking them in the rear of open backed combo amps or organ speakers.