Ideal vocal mic in £500 range to run through Focusrite Voicemaster?

[GoOsE PiMP]

That's right, the voicemaster, the one you all love to hate.

Well, I'm a 19 yr old on a budget, but thanks to my student loan I can
afford to replace my £99 red5audio RV8 :-) I was considering a Neumann
TLM 103, but I've read all sorts about cheap Russian/Chinese
alternatives to more expensive mics. I've come across the names
Langevin, Oktava and all sorts and it's bloody confusing to be honest.
I realise different pre-amps complement different mics, so I was
wondering if anyone has any experience with mics in my sort of price
range with the dreaded Voicemaster?

Just a list of mics people recommend with male hip hop vocals would be
great. It's a case of pot luck really... I'm just gonna choose a mic
and buy it off the net, as where I live, testing mics isn't really
much of an option! I'm not too fussed about the finer details of
things. I just want a mic that's good value for money and erm...
sounds good!!

Thanks people,

Leon.

[Jesper Buch]

"GoOsE PiMP" > skrev i en meddelelse
om...
> Yeah, I think I've decided on the TLM 103, I've had a think about it.
> I reckon it'd be better in the long run. It's still pretty pricey on
> my student budget, but I've seen it cheap on www.turnkey.co.uk... I
> assume it's a used model. What are everyone's opinions on buying used
> mics over the internet?

Normally used equipment is a good way to save money but perhaps mic's is not
that suitable. You should at least be able to checke it out before you buy
it. A condensor is a sensitive object and not like a pre amp or other
outboard.


> Cheers!

[Ron Charles]

While I own several TLM103 units, I strongly suggest also looking into the
Microtech Gefell M930 mics which are of Neumann heritage and can be found
for around 445 GBP if you look hard enough. Also look into the Pearl CR22
series.
Be careful about buying used mics online, it can be a great deal or a real
disaster, and I have had many of both results.
I suggest contacting a company in the UK such as Systems Workshop in
Shropshire at (0) 1691 658550 or www.systemworkshop.com and see what fully
warrantied demo units they can offer you in either Neumann, Microtech
Gefell, or Pearl.
As far as the Focusrite Voicemaster goes, I have one and never use it, as I
don't like the crunchy high end, but any of the above mics are a decent
match for it. A better tube preamp would add lots of charector, but I guess
you will have to save that for after you have some more cash.
Additionally, some of the better Chinese mics are not bad at all (Studio
Projects C series or even the cheaper MXL V67G) but they are not anywhere
near Neumann or Microtech or Pearl in sonic quality and inherent warmth and
depth. Not yet anyway!!!!
Rode mics from Australia such as the NT1A are also worth a look in the sub
225 GBP price range.
Ron
Montreal
"GoOsE PiMP" > wrote in message
om...
> That's right, the voicemaster, the one you all love to hate.
>
> Well, I'm a 19 yr old on a budget, but thanks to my student loan I can
> afford to replace my £99 red5audio RV8 :-) I was considering a Neumann
> TLM 103, but I've read all sorts about cheap Russian/Chinese
> alternatives to more expensive mics. I've come across the names
> Langevin, Oktava and all sorts and it's bloody confusing to be honest.
> I realise different pre-amps complement different mics, so I was
> wondering if anyone has any experience with mics in my sort of price
> range with the dreaded Voicemaster?
>
> Just a list of mics people recommend with male hip hop vocals would be
> great. It's a case of pot luck really... I'm just gonna choose a mic
> and buy it off the net, as where I live, testing mics isn't really
> much of an option! I'm not too fussed about the finer details of
> things. I just want a mic that's good value for money and erm...
> sounds good!!
>
> Thanks people,
>
> Leon.