Alternative Mic Recomendations

[peza2010]

Hi all, I know this is more the live side of sound but I've got a quick question about mics.

 

 

Im in a band and we have got a home recording setup, im happy with everything apart from vocal mic.

 

 

The vocalist is female, and im currently using a AKG C414, I love the warmth, and the rest of the sound but there seems to be a dip in the mics frequency range between 1 and 2 k, and putting that back in - in post production looses some of the mics characteristics that I like.

 

 

 

So has anyone got any recommendations for what to try next?

 

Cheers

[Bobbsy]

You have good ears! The dip on the C414XLS is less than 2dB. And I agree with you that it's generally a very nice mic!

 

It's hard to recommend alternatives without actually hearing the voice but one mic you should look at is the SE2200A. I bought my first one back in 2009 and was impressed enough that I now have two of them and they've become my "go to" mic for a lot of vocal stuff even though I have several rather more expensive mics (including a C414) in my collection. The 2200A seems to combine a nice level of warmth with a good level of clarity and detail. The 2200A is a lot cheaper than things like the 414 or my TLM104 but seems to punch well above its weight.

 

When I lived in the UK, SE used to do a 1 week free loan service so you could evaluate their stuff. I don't know if they still do that but it might be worth asking.

 

(FYI, I notice they now also have a 2200A Mk. II with switchable patterns--I haven't tried that one yet so my comments are on the original 2200A)

[peza2010]

Thanks for your suggestion, I will look into the hire thing, or might just take a punt and buy one, I'm sure it will come in use somewhere.