best male vocal mic under $1,000?

[jbehrmusic]

For context here's my current gear.

Interface: Apollo Twin X
Mic 1: Rode NT1 [ NOT the NT1-A ]
Mic 2: (older) Blue Baby Bottle [ NOT the SL version ]

Was wondering what the best microphone is for this price range. I sing/rap, mainly pop/hip-hop music. I know many people suggest the Slate ML-1, but I feel like that wouldn't utilize the unison preamps properly on my Apollo. So I'm curious what the best type of microphone is for the Apollo, for male vocals. I have a slightly deeper voice than average, not considered a baritone or bass by any means though.

As a side question, which uad unison preamps are best for male pop/hip-hop vocals? I know many people say the voxbox and avalon are good, but just curious what your opinions are.

Thanks

[Drew Stephenson]

Is it just for you or for a range of vocalists?

[jbehrmusic]

Is it just for you or for a range of vocalists?

only for me

[Humble Bee]

SM7B

I always record clean on my Apollo and add any “character” at the mixing stage if needed. The unison thing is a bit overrated IMHO...

[jbehrmusic]

SM7B

I tried the SM7B a year or two ago, but didn't like how 'dark' sounding it was, compared to the condenser mics I have used. But I guess that is always something I could have changed in post with some EQ/saturation. When I compared it next to my baby bottle, it sounded very dull/muffled. But again, may have been I wasn't used to such a flat response from a mic.

[Drew Stephenson]

There's a few more suggestions on this thread: https://www.soundonsound.com/forum/view ... 10#p717898

[CS70]

For context here's my current gear.

Interface: Apollo Twin X
Mic 1: Rode NT1 [ NOT the NT1-A ]
Mic 2: (older) Blue Baby Bottle [ NOT the SL version ]

Was wondering what the best microphone is for this price range. I sing/rap, mainly pop/hip-hop music. I know many people suggest the Slate ML-1, but I feel like that wouldn't utilize the unison preamps properly on my Apollo. So I'm curious what the best type of microphone is for the Apollo, for male vocals. I have a slightly deeper voice than average, not considered a baritone or bass by any means though.

As a side question, which uad unison preamps are best for male pop/hip-hop vocals? I know many people say the voxbox and avalon are good, but just curious what your opinions are.

Thanks

It's really hard to say in general. In my experience, male vocals may suffer from harshness when pushed, and you often want to boost highs a little bit (or apply the "dull singer fix" at around 8KHz), while you keep a bit of lower end to keep the vocal, er, male-y. That means really a microphone with a smooth top end in a band matching the vocalist.

And here's where the generalities end because which specific resonances exist for a specific vocalist depend on his anatomy and technique. The bass response depends a lot from positioning and the singer's mic technique (or lack thereof)

In general terms, you may want ot reach for a mic which is smooth overall, generally a good ribbon if your room is good and you have a pre with good gain, and work the distance to get a good bass balance. With a ribbon, if your room is not excellent, you may want to use a reflection filter on the back side, moving it about to see how it colors the sound. As condensers, I have come to really appreciate the little Neumann TLM102, it kind of works with most male vocalists I've used on.

Paradoxically, some male vox may benefit from mics which aren't too high fidelity.. so don't discount the SM57 and the likes, you may get an usable sound almost out of the box, and of course the ubiquitous SM7B... they simply are more forgiving, which can be a good thing if you want to get results without spending four hours trying mics.,

But really the list of possible mics would be nearly infinite. Any mic can be "the best" for a specific vocalist.

[CS70]

SM7B

I tried the SM7B a year or two ago, but didn't like how 'dark' sounding it was, compared to the condenser mics I have used. But I guess that is always something I could have changed in post with some EQ/saturation. When I compared it next to my baby bottle, it sounded very dull/muffled. But again, may have been I wasn't used to such a flat response from a mic.

Yes, it would but the trick is that you can boost the top end without resulting in a nasty sound.

[Arpangel]

I think a lot of people involved in Hip-Hop favour the Neumann U87/Avalon 747 combo. if the budget allows, it’s a classic set-up, produces really up front, in your face results.
If I was on a budget, I’d use any semi-decent mic, by the likes of Rhode etc, perfectly adequate, and get the sound I wanted in my DAW.

[ef37a]

DO try the beer money Mackie EM-91c as reviewed by PW recently.

He found it a smooth performer and 'we' think it sounds good on classical acoustic guitar as well as voice.

You would still have more than enough change out of £1k for the SM7b but is your pre amp up to one?

Oh, and get it from Polar audio, super people.

Dave.

[Arpangel]

DO try the beer money Mackie EM-91c as reviewed by PW recently.

He found it a smooth performer and 'we' think it sounds good on classical acoustic guitar as well as voice.

You would still have more than enough change out of £1k for the SM7b but is your pre amp up to one?

Oh, and get it from Polar audio, super people.

Dave.

Good choice, I’d buy the Mackie, it’ll be fine, if you can trust anyone to make a budget mic it’s them.

[ef37a]

DO try the beer money Mackie EM-91c as reviewed by PW recently.

He found it a smooth performer and 'we' think it sounds good on classical acoustic guitar as well as voice.

You would still have more than enough change out of £1k for the SM7b but is your pre amp up to one?

Oh, and get it from Polar audio, super people.

Dave.

Good choice, I’d buy the Mackie, it’ll be fine, if you can trust anyone to make a budget mic it’s them.

Well, it is of course a Chinese build but of better quality than the 'Neewer/BM' stuff around . For around 70quid you get mic, cat's cradle and an XLR cable. No brainer IMHO.

Dave.

[Arpangel]

DO try the beer money Mackie EM-91c as reviewed by PW recently.

He found it a smooth performer and 'we' think it sounds good on classical acoustic guitar as well as voice.

You would still have more than enough change out of £1k for the SM7b but is your pre amp up to one?

Oh, and get it from Polar audio, super people.

Dave.

Good choice, I’d buy the Mackie, it’ll be fine, if you can trust anyone to make a budget mic it’s them.

Well, it is of course a Chinese build but of better quality than the 'Neewer/BM' stuff around . For around 70quid you get mic, cat's cradle and an XLR cable. No brainer IMHO.

Dave.

I’m probably wrong, but didn’t Mackie pride themselves on making their stuff in the States?

[ef37a]

DO try the beer money Mackie EM-91c as reviewed by PW recently.

He found it a smooth performer and 'we' think it sounds good on classical acoustic guitar as well as voice.

You would still have more than enough change out of £1k for the SM7b but is your pre amp up to one?

Oh, and get it from Polar audio, super people.

Dave.

Good choice, I’d buy the Mackie, it’ll be fine, if you can trust anyone to make a budget mic it’s them.

Well, it is of course a Chinese build but of better quality than the 'Neewer/BM' stuff around . For around 70quid you get mic, cat's cradle and an XLR cable. No brainer IMHO.

Dave.

I’m probably wrong, but didn’t Mackie pride themselves on making their stuff in the States?

Well! Blows me down Tone! Mackie must have copied a Chinese production facility EXACTLY in the states!

Dave.

[Arpangel]

DO try the beer money Mackie EM-91c as reviewed by PW recently.

He found it a smooth performer and 'we' think it sounds good on classical acoustic guitar as well as voice.

You would still have more than enough change out of £1k for the SM7b but is your pre amp up to one?

Oh, and get it from Polar audio, super people.

Dave.

Good choice, I’d buy the Mackie, it’ll be fine, if you can trust anyone to make a budget mic it’s them.

Well, it is of course a Chinese build but of better quality than the 'Neewer/BM' stuff around . For around 70quid you get mic, cat's cradle and an XLR cable. No brainer IMHO.

Dave.

I’m probably wrong, but didn’t Mackie pride themselves on making their stuff in the States?

Well! Blows me down Tone! Mackie must have copied a Chinese production facility EXACTLY in the states!

Dave.

Yeah
There will be a time "many years from now" when Chinese versions of everything will be "classics"

[Sam Spoons]

Mackie did used to make everything in the US but it's been a few years since they were building most, if not all of their kit in the far east.

Chinese manufacture has come on a lot since the 'bad old days'. Not Mackie, obviously, but Uli Behringer wrote a good article relating the problems of Chinese manufacturing* and quality control on the run up to Behringer building their own manufacturing facility in China.

* I've tried to find a link to the blog post but can't as yet.

[Mike Stranks]

As someone who habitually swims at the shallow-end, but through the kindness of someone here recently used a 'deeper end' mic, with all due respect to those who've suggested/endorsed it, there is no comparison between the Mackie jobbie and a c.$1000 dollar mainstream mic.

PW's review suggests a comparable mic to the Mackie is an AT2020, I am very familiar with these mics. There is a significant difference between a 2020 and the mic I was loaned.

If I had c.$1000 for a mic now I know what I know, I wouldn't be looking at the 2020/Mackie mic end of the pool - good value though those mics doubtless are for those on a budget.

[ef37a]

As someone who habitually swims at the shallow-end, but through the kindness of someone here recently used a 'deeper end' mic, with all due respect to those who've suggested/endorsed it, there is no comparison between the Mackie jobbie and a c.$1000 dollar mainstream mic.

PW's review suggests a comparable mic to the Mackie is an AT2020, I am very familiar with these mics. There is a significant difference between a 2020 and the mic I was loaned.

If I had c.$1000 for a mic now I know what I know, I wouldn't be looking at the 2020/Mackie mic end of the pool - good value though those mics doubtless are for those on a budget.

With all due respect Mike I suggested the EM 91c because son and I had used one and FOR THE PRICE it seemed silly NOT to suggest it and if the OP has "up to $1000 to spend he can surely afford to give one a try?

I shall never know HOW much better a $1000 mic is but I would love someone to do a blind (to us) recording, 70 quid v $1k!

Dave.

[Arpangel]

As someone who habitually swims at the shallow-end, but through the kindness of someone here recently used a 'deeper end' mic, with all due respect to those who've suggested/endorsed it, there is no comparison between the Mackie jobbie and a c.$1000 dollar mainstream mic.

PW's review suggests a comparable mic to the Mackie is an AT2020, I am very familiar with these mics. There is a significant difference between a 2020 and the mic I was loaned.

If I had c.$1000 for a mic now I know what I know, I wouldn't be looking at the 2020/Mackie mic end of the pool - good value though those mics doubtless are for those on a budget.

With all due respect Mike I suggested the EM 91c because son and I had used one and FOR THE PRICE it seemed silly NOT to suggest it and if the OP has "up to $1000 to spend he can surely afford to give one a try?

I shall never know HOW much better a $1000 mic is but I would love someone to do a blind (to us) recording, 70 quid v $1k!

Dave.

Somehow I don’t think we’d be surprised Dave.....I’m not saying anymore.

[ef37a]

As someone who habitually swims at the shallow-end, but through the kindness of someone here recently used a 'deeper end' mic, with all due respect to those who've suggested/endorsed it, there is no comparison between the Mackie jobbie and a c.$1000 dollar mainstream mic.

PW's review suggests a comparable mic to the Mackie is an AT2020, I am very familiar with these mics. There is a significant difference between a 2020 and the mic I was loaned.

If I had c.$1000 for a mic now I know what I know, I wouldn't be looking at the 2020/Mackie mic end of the pool - good value though those mics doubtless are for those on a budget.

With all due respect Mike I suggested the EM 91c because son and I had used one and FOR THE PRICE it seemed silly NOT to suggest it and if the OP has "up to $1000 to spend he can surely afford to give one a try?

I shall never know HOW much better a $1000 mic is but I would love someone to do a blind (to us) recording, 70 quid v $1k!

Dave.

Somehow I don’t think we’d be surprised Dave.....I’m not saying anymore.

Who wouldn't? All a bit "clicky,nod,nod.wink,wink" for me.

Dave.