studio vocal microphone

[RonInLA12]

I have searched CNET for studio mic reviews... I only see CHEAP mics...
Can anyone suggest a high quality studio recording vocal mic that's under $500? Does such a thing exist?

My Shure SM7 ($375) stopped working; I've liked it but am wondering if there is a higher quality mic in a similar price range? If not, I might get this one repaired.

Thanks in advance for any help
ron

[albee1952]

Definitely get the SM7 repaired(send it to Shure so its fixed right). As for a high-quality mic under $500....that's a tough one. What some think is great will make others hold their nose. My recommendation, try the MXL V89 or CR89(same mic-new package). This mic is way good and woefully ignored. I just bought a brand new V89 off evilbay for...wait for it......$218 shipped(they started out at $399 MAP). I wanted a pair for overheads Anything else I would recommend will bump the cost factor to the $800-900 range(Miktek C7), but Miktek has a new C1 coming out(same as C7 but cardioid only) and it will be in the $599 range. If that $500 is really the cap for you, look at Oktavamod.com for Michael Joly's modded mics. Really good sounding stuff(I had his modded NT1-A and it was as good as any U87 in cardioid). Only reason I sold it was to fund other purchases.

[Craig F]

Get the SM7 fix by Shure, they basically send you a new one. One thing about all SM mics, they are mic pre dependent on how they sound.

Watch Musician's Fried's Deal of the day, sometimes it is a really good deal http://www.musiciansfriend.com/stupi...TP9KD&ZYXSEM=0

[Smurf43]

The Shure KSM32, then the MXL V67g...just like Ronan suggests..THE best advice I have got on the net for years!!!

[EGS]

One of my favorites - for MANY uses:

http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/mar0...s/rodent2a.htm

[albee1952]

After buying a second MXL V89(so I'd have a pair for drum overheads), I was showing a friend (on eBay) and discovered 2 places selling then new for under $200, which IMHO, makes it a no-brainer. My 2 cents only, but I would skip the KSM-32. I have had 2 and did a mic shootout with the 32, the 44 and 6 other mics, and they came in well down on the list for both of us doing to test(sampling each other's mic closet).

In case anyone is curious which mics were compared:
Shure KSM-44(not 44A)
KSM-32
MXL V-89
MXL V-69(with NOW Mullard tube)
Telefunken AR-51
Miktek C-7
Miktek CV-4
Stellar CM6(might be wrong on the model- 9 pattern tube LDC)
All were tracked thru an Avalon pre and a Vintech 273

[Audiofan]

Hi! We've complied this short list (well actually our readers did) of some of the best large diaphragm condenser mics under $300, in case you are interested :

http://en.audiofanzine.com/condenser...ones-200e.html

[albee1952]

Originally Posted by Audiofan

Hi! We've complied this short list (well actually our readers did) of some of the best large diaphragm condenser mics under $300, in case you are interested :

http://en.audiofanzine.com/condenser...ones-200e.html

While I appreciate the list, I would put the V89 up against anything there. The NT1-A starts out okay, for sure. But if you send it off to Oktavamod.com, it will come back as a U87 clone that is most impressive, and would just squeak in under the $500 mark(buy the Rode used for $100 and get the mod). But, I still would drop the $500 on the SM7 repair, a V89 and you have cash left over

[chrisdee]

Originally Posted by albee1952

In case anyone is curious which mics were compared:
Shure KSM-44(not 44A)
KSM-32
MXL V-89
MXL V-69(with NOW Mullard tube)
Telefunken AR-51
Miktek C-7
Miktek CV-4
Stellar CM6(might be wrong on the model- 9 pattern tube LDC)
All were tracked thru an Avalon pre and a Vintech 273

Just curious, how did you guys like the AR-51?
I'v tested it against several other high-end mics and I liked it best.

And I agree regarding the KSM32. I sold mine just after I got a u87ai.

To the op, I would also fix the SM7.

[albee1952]

Originally Posted by chrisdee

Just curious, how did you guys like the AR-51?
I'v tested it against several other high-end mics and I liked it best.

And I agree regarding the KSM32. I sold mine just after I got a u87ai.

To the op, I would also fix the SM7.

We both thought the AR-51 and CV-4 were comparable(remembering who WE are), and either can give great vocal tracks. But(great big BUT here), 2 things hit me quickly. 1-the price(CV-4 is $1499 and AR-51 is around $1899), and 2-opening them both was a eyeful. The CV-4 looks extremely substantial, well built, with a large hand-wound AMI transformer. The AR-51 inside, looks like..well...a cheap chinese-built tube mic. I also took my CV-4 to an Alan Parsons "Art of Recording" class, and Alan(and MOST of the class) preferred it to Ocean Way's vintage U67(both tracked thru Neve preamps and Fairchild comps). The test was "accidentally" double-blind as Alan thought he preferred the U67 on the 2nd vocal pass. Then the PT guy tapped him on the shoulder and said, "er, Alan....this is actually the CV-4. I mis-labelled the tracks". Re. the U87, I compared the Miktek C7 to a nice purple-badged U87 and felt it was a solid match, at a 3rd the price(and I like 87's).