First vocal mic you would have bought if....

[Shatzer]

I've enjoyed my AR-51. Had a coupon code and a sale at Musicians Friend one year and got it for $1500 brand new.

[JFreak]

Originally Posted by Emcha_audio

Bought a Rode Nt1-a for my nephew recently.. I was impressed so I decided to get one too

I also think that these are one of the most best kept secrets :) :) :)

[Bob Olhsson]

Best for the money I've found is a Beyer M-88. Then Neumann KM84 followed by U87 and U67. All sound great on anybody when eq'd bright in a mix with no sibilance. The Beyer has a sibilance problem with a very few people but is far better than most. It has a whopping proximity effect so you'll need to roll the low end off if people eat it. The rejection of room problems or even a drum kit is outstanding.

The 84 pops more easily than the 87 and 67 but audio suite high passing works far better than with most mikes. The 87/67 just work with no hassle or need for shoot-outs.

Every other mike besides the 57 is what I call hot and cold. Great on some singers and major suck on others.

[JFreak]

The modern version for the Beyer M88 would be the Neumann KMS 105 which shares the same capsule than other small-diagphram Neumanns, only in live-worthy double-explosion-shield construction. Take those away and you have a bulky looking KM 185 (with the ability to put the windshields back and use it live).

[Bob Olhsson]

M88 is a dynamic!

[JFreak]

I know! But the characteristics you mentioned... :)

[EGS]

Rode NT2A beat my 2 Neumann U87's in a blind A/B/C test in my studio.

[albee1952]

Skip the AR-51 and buy the Miktek CV-4. Its $1500, and once you open the 2 mics and see the inside, you will know why the CV-4 is my choice(never mind that it sounds every bit as good). I'm not slamming the AR-51, just giving you a solid alternative for less $$. For a bit less money($999), the Miktek CV-3 is still great. For less($899) the Miktek C7 is as good an FET mic as you are likely to find(sorry to sound like a Miktek fanboy, but you need to hear these mics). On a Rode NT-1A budget, buy the MXL V89. I owned the Rode and it was okay(like the V89 better). Sent it to Michael Joly at Oktavamod for the "U87" upgrade and it came back REALLY good(I would still have it if not for having too many mics)

[VRW]

As you particularly ask for a vocal mic in the up to 1500 range and you don´t want to go for a used high end one,
let me bring in the Blue Blueberry.
It´s a widely recommended vocal mic at this price range and has got largely great reviews.
It´s Dollar 999.- at the moment as I have seen there.
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/Blueberry/
Have to admit me personally have a soft spot for Blue mics but of course all the previously recommended mics are just great!
With a Neumann U87 or an AKG C414 XL2 you actually never will be wrong (has used both for myself a lot too).
I own a Blue Cactus now which works great with my voice but has worked with some of the other sweet stuff too (AKG C12, etc.).
I have not used the Blueberry for myself yet but heard lots of good things about it particularly regarding voc recording.
Maybe it´s one to consider too?
I personally would recommend going to a large music store where there are lots of mics and brands to choose from and
just try a lot of it to see which one suits your voice best.
Have fun, all the best,
VRW


ps: watch the Blue Cactus (Leadvocal) and the Blueberry (Backings) in action:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oc7IdTBy_f8
...of course I know it´s not Green Day style but nice stuff anyway IMO

MacMini i7Quad, 16GB Ram, MacOS 10.9.1, Apogee Quartet, Genelec Active, Yamaha NS10, Pro Tools 11.1.2, Logic 10.0.6, Waves, MCDSP, Duende Native, Softube, HOFA, IK Multimedia etc.

[groundcontrol]

A bit off topic but...

Must +1 the M88.
It's a pretty good BD mic too.

The MD441 is another great vocal/all-around studio mic too.