What Mic for Bright Female Vocals?

[UKTwister]

It's the only mic in my arsenal missing at the moment. If a 'shrieky' kind of female vocalist comes along then I'm a bit stuck. I'll go for a SM58 and cut a bit of EQ but it's not the same as having the right mic for the voice...

 

So I guess I'm looking for something with quite a flat freq response in the top end.

 

What are you guys using?

[Kevin Ross]

Cue long thread with everyone’s favourite mic. Well I might as well get in there early.

 

 

 

For me I like a sennheiser E845 for harsh vocals and for everything else an audix OM2 if I’m on a budget

[Robin Pratt]

As Kevin points out, everybody will come up with a different answer, I'd probably start with an EV RE510 or 410 because most of our hire stock is EV, but probably a more helpful suggestion is to hire a few different ones and try them, or if possible bring your "artiste" into your local suppliers to try a few demo models. With mics and speakers it's always a good idea to listen before you buy if at all possible.

[RGSD]

Neumann KMS104 Without a doubt.

[Bobbsy]

You don't mention a budget but I'll have to agree with the KMS 104. It's a superb mic on female vocals--it'll convert "shrieky" to "silky sheen" and add a wonderful warmth. It's definitely one to audition.

 

If the Neumann is out of your price bracket, a second choice for me would be the Audix OM5--similar reasons, just not such a dramatic difference to the "reference" SM58. The Audix has a nice warm sound and controls that shrieky presence peak that the 58 has.

 

Bob

[jamesperrett]

I'd second the OM5 recommendation. The old Beyerdynamic M300 also has a similar sound but a wider polar pattern.

 

Cheers

 

James.

[RGSD]

Ah yes - the Audix, they are great for a lower budget! I keep getting told to try out the Blue microphone range.... Not that I have found a suitable gig but if you can get hold of a demo against the Neumann then it is worth a try!

[alex_kyuss]

This vocal are we talking florence type from florence and the machine? there engineer uses a beyer M69 gt but before they were using a 104.

[TimmyP1955]

I never liked my OM5s, and friend K did not like his either.

 

I like OM7s on everybody (except on guy who stinks anyway). K likes E935s, but keeps an E835 for screechy fems.

 

Most of the truly superior mics (KMS105, VX10, PR20/22, 535EB, E965,...)pick up so much stage wash that they can be counted on for only certain types of gigs.

[hounsome]

for me it would be the shure ksm9

[pattonaudio]

for me it would be the shure ksm9

 

 

what about a mic thats marketed for female singers for example as AKG Elle C

[Bobbsy]

I like OM7s on everybody (except on guy who stinks anyway). K likes E935s, but keeps an E835 for screechy fems.

 

I suspect you must work in situations where you have extremely high SPL levels on stage.

 

I have a couple of OM7s too and use them as a "get out of jail" card in situations where I'm fighting high ambient levels, for example a drummer who also sings. The OM7 is deliberately made with a tight polar pattern and very low sensitivity so, in the right situation, it's a useful mic. However, I'd hold back before recommending it as a general vocal mic for "normal" situations. For those, I prefer the sound of the OM5 (or maybe an OM6 depending on the pattern I need).

 

Horses for courses and all that.

 

Bob

[RoyS]

If it was my gig, I'd probably inset a BSS 402 and tune the de-esser to the offending Freq..

[Paul J Need]

Electrovoice RE510

 

Perfect for female vocals!!!

[Noodle650]

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