Hey guys,
Currently, I use an SM57 and/or SM58 for vocals, depending on what kind of mood I'm in. I would like to get a good LDC for vocal performances; a couple I'm looking at are:

Studio Projects C1;
AT3035;
Rode RD-NT3

What are some other less-than-piggy-bank-breaking mics I could be looking at? Right now, I'm leaning mostly towards the C1, but I'm not set in stone on it by any means.

(Note: By "less-than-piggy-bank-breaking," I mean anywhere in the $100 - $400 (or so) price rance).

I'd change that list to a SP C1, AT4040, and MXL V67.

the at4040 is solidly above the sp and the mxl in sonics and build quality in my opinion. there are a few on ebay.

I've had good success with the AT3035. Love it on vocals, it's got just the right amount of roll off going on up top to keep things full but no sibilance problems. Very little eq required in a mix. Good for a $199 budget.

I need to check out an AT4040 one of these days...

War

OK, i know this doesnt answer your question really,

but i am going to go out on a limb and recomend the earthworks sr69. ($250 or so on ebay) sort of off the mark from what you are looking for--- being a SDC vocal mic and all...

but here is why i love the mic:

great vocals--- not bright at all, but has plenty of articulation and high end extension. takes to compression and EQ really well. if you are the sort of person that tracks vocals and doesnt touch them afterward it might not be the mic for you cause the "sound" of the mic is very natural, and doesnt really come out in a complex mix (but it sounds great in acoustic music--- like guitar and vocals). and it has NO SHEEN. but you can get all the hype and sheen you want out of it with a little EQ and compression. WITHOUT having to deal with SSSSSSS problems.

second, it can be hand held, and is very very isolated from handling noise. you really dont need to use a shockmount (although i do). its built in pop protection (removable) is the most POP proof shield you will ever want. i have been using this mic for not only sensitive vocals, but for over the top punk screaming, and it does great with both. usually i have to deal with all sorts of pops and crap when i get a screamer and a mic. but NEVER with this one. and for sensitive stuff you can remove the shield and use your own pop protector.

third of all, it is a world class snare mic, an awesome bass cab mic, and a pretty damn good kick drum mic.

its just a great mic.

totally undervalued. very inexpensive used. (its like $450 + new, $250 on ebay).


BUT it is a bit weird. NO SHEEN. NO FUN. BUT NO CRAP. you can add the fun later.

Thanks for all the responses. Eeldip, I don't know anything about all about earthworks mics, but I'm not set in stone on LDC, so it could easily be an option for me. I'll try to do a little more research on that particular mic and see what I come up with.

I have the AT4040, and looking specifically at the MXL V67G as a radical tone complement for the AT.

Not sure about the C1... kinda thinking it might be too close to the AT4040.

I have a pair of C4 instead, but this is apples to oranges. What about an AT4047/SV instead?

bgavin--

i'm becoming less fond of lower priced chinese large condensers as time goes by. my brain seems to be rewiring itself to go for small condensers and dynamics more.

i think the blue dragonfly is a good juxtaposition for the at4040. on the other side, there is the blue dragonfly. i will be getting an at4047 in the future but i've got about 20 articles/reviews in line that need publishing before i even get to look at it.

I jumped into an MXL V67M used for $70 shipped, and comes with shockmount and factory packing. I contacted Harvey, who told me they use this same model at Indian Trail, so I went for it. This should be a good choice for male ballad-type needs.

I'd like to have an AT4047/SV, but not for new price. Full Compass is selling used B-stock and raping the kit of the shock mount, and the price is still too high.

I can wait.

The V67 was chosen solely by its relative position on Dan Richard's chart. The BLUE mics are more than I want to pay. I'm in the computer business, and only record as a duffer.

I have a growing locker of dynamics, after offing too-many SM57 and replacing them with more specialized ATM25, D4, etc, dynamics. The Peavey PVM 520i is very appealing, as is an RE20, SM7, or Beyer Soundstar if they can be found at a reasonable price.

the v67 has its fans and certainly among the best are harvey gerst and mark gifford.

I would also recommend the GT55. I'm sure you can find one used on ebay or some other place. For vocals its sounds great!!! Very nice on acoustics as well.

Best of luck.


Jeff

I know Russ Long likes the GT55 and GT66. Maybe, I need to look at them.

Yeah, I tested the GT55, AT4040, AT4033 and I really loved the sound of the GT over the other 2. If you haven't heard one yet, you'd be suprised I t hink.

Jeff

Who makes the GT55?

Groove Tubes Makes the GT55. The link is to their mic line.
Brian
http://www.groovetubes.com/microphones.cfm...ectGroup_ID=124]

88, what sort of enhancement and/or what quality of voice would you like the microphone to help bring out?

Also, are you prone to any sibilance if you're close miking?

Chris

Enhancements? I'm not really sure, to tell you the truth. I sing openly (I took way too many voice lessons as a kid), and would like to have more of a gutteral, growl-ish voice, if you know what I mean? Something like Tom Waits, or Dave Matthews. I'm not sure if that's what you were talking about though.
Because of those voice lessons, I can control my popping and sibilance pretty well, so that's not too much of an issue.

88, yes that is what I meant.
Hmm...

With $400 budget then I'd include also in the short list to try;

1) Electro-Voice 664 which has a very cool bluesy tone.
2) Sennheiser 421 (not the new MKII model though)
3) Also compare the Studio Projects C3 with the C1

Chris

The GT66 is a really good mic for the price....

of course for the same $499 you could also go for a BLUE Baby Bottle....

or for about $300 a used CAD E300....

or for $250 a Shure SM7....

or for $225 a used Beyer M260...

or....