what Mics would you use to record a male quartet

[surchur]

Price also being an issue, because I'd have to go out and buy 4 mics to be matched. I don't want to compromise the audio signal, so how economical could I go without compromising the audio quality?

[Gabriel Roth]

I don't want to compromise the audio signal, so how economical could I go without compromising the audio quality?

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">if you don't want to compromise the audio quality, you'd better skip the recording and send the quartet over to sing in the homes of everyone who buys the CD.

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[where02190]

Is this accapella quartet, pop vocals, bluegrass? Need more input.

Consider renting high end mics. cheaper than buying, pass the cost on to client.

Hope this is helpful.

[Bob Olhsson]

I would use just one high-end figure-8 condenser unless your space is too intrusive in terms of acoustics or noise level. If that's the case, 4 SM-57s used with nylon pop screens and decent preamps can sound lots better than many expensive mikes.

[Park Seward]

I like the sound of chorus on a single mic. You can adjust the balance after the recording, of course, but the different notes blending together on one mic adds some magic.

If you want to have control over each voice, then give each a mic and record to seperate tracks.

You don't need to get four of the same mics. Each voice may sound better on different mics.

You could also set up a stereo pair and record the group that way.

Or use a click track to record each voice one at a time using the same mic.

If the room sounds good, I like the stereo mic (near coincident or ORTF position) method.

As far as the actual mic, I like LDC for the male voice. U47, ELAM, C12 are my favorites.

[surchur]

most these quartets can't sing track at a time they need each other to sound off of and get there timing I do have a few mikes so I guess mixing it up. I did consider maybe buying a few AKG 3000s No Yes

[dBHEAD]

Originally posted by surchur:
most these quartets can't sing track at a time they need each other to sound off of and get there timing I do have a few mikes so I guess mixing it up. I did consider maybe buying a few AKG 3000s No Yes

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">I don't think the 3000 is a very good mic for voice. If it's just four guys I think you'd be better served using 1 mic and concentrating on finding the right mic position.

The 3000 does have a nice lower midrange, but I'm assuming that only 1 or 2 of the guys will be singing tenor.

You could always rent a U87; can't go wrong with that. I also like the AKG 414 on male vocals.

[surchur]

Well I do have a TLM 103 /4033 a couple of octavias a sm 81 and sen 421 maybe a couple of those would work and then buy more good one what do you think of the groove tube or a Rode NK

[tantejo]

my opinion: 2 very good mic's above 4 seperate mic's.
record direct to stereo of the 4 singers together in one take. if they can sing and screw it up, they're no musicians, and can blame only therselfs, not the equipment. at least they should have been practising the recording. btw i think this counts for very muscian.
greetings, tantejo.

[dBHEAD]

If you have 2 similar Oktavas you might try an X/Y arrangement. Also, you might try the relatively new Rode: the NT4. It has two small diaphragm condensers in a fixed X/Y pattern. You could buy that for less than the cost of two AKG C3000s. And it would give you a great stereo image.

I have to admit, though, I haven't heard it. My remarks about the U87 and 414 come from extensive personal experience.

Still, Rode always gives you an incredible bang for the buck, perhaps the best in the industry. I think the NTK, dollar for dollar, is the best microphone ever made. Not the best ever made, period, for any amount, but, for my money, I think it's a 1500 dollar microphone for 500 bucks. So the NT4, which is probably within your price range, may be the way to go.