How to Choose a Vocal Microphone for Your Recording Studio
Hey everybody, I am so sorry I missed a couple days, I was dealing with a sore tooth, which I finally had pulled - but I am all better now and have several related articles I want to share with you on recording vocals. But before we do any recording we really need to discuss about what type of microphone you should use. With all the different brands, price ranges and configurations, choosing that perfect mic will take awhile. Here's a guide on what to look for in mics to complete your home recording studio.
First is the Microphone Pattern: (I recommend Cardioid)
A "Cardioid" microphone is more sensitive to sounds directly in front of it than to sounds 90 degrees off to either side (when plotted on a graph the response pattern looks heart-shaped, hence the name). A mic with a cardioid pattern is even less sensitive to sounds directly behind it — in fact; cardioid mics practically cancel pickup of sounds emanating from directly behind the mic. This makes cardioid mics very useful for sound reinforcement and live recording use, as well as the most popular choice for use in the imperfect recording environment of most home studios. To use a cardioid mic, simply aim the mic at the instrument you want to record, and the rest of the stage sound will be at least somewhat quieter than the desired instrument's sound. Next I recommend a Condenser Pickup:
· Condenser Microphones for Recording Vocals – Large-diaphragm condenser microphones like the Neumann U87 or AKG C12 are typically used for recording vocals in recording studios. Like handheld stage mics, these microphones also have a presence peak and proximity effect tailored to enhance the sound of the vocalist. However, because these large-diaphragm condenser microphones are to be used in the more controlled environment of a recording studio, they can have 'wider' cardioid pick-up patterns, allowing for a more 'open' sound.
o A recording engineer will pick his microphones like a musician picks his instrument — a 'darker' mic will help tame a high, shrill voice while a clearer, brighter sounding mic will help the vocal cut through a dense mix. There is no single 'best' microphone for all situations — only a palette of good microphones from which the recording engineer has to choose the right tool for the job at hand.
o The standard large-diaphragm vocal mic is the Neumann U87, while some prefer the vacuum-tube based Neumann U47. These microphones have a distinctive upper-midrange to treble boost (presence boost) and a warm, rich bass-boost from proximity effect. Similar mics to the U47 and U87 are the AKG C12 and C 414 B-ULS, which have the crisper sound characteristic of AKG microphones in general (which some engineers love and others hate).
o Here is a list of some of the vocal microphones people use in their Home Studio – most are around $100. **I know alot of musicians like the Studio Projects B1, it sells for $116.§ RØDE NT1000
§ Audio Technica AT-4033a, AT-4047
§ AKG C2000S, C3000B
§ Marshall Electronics MXL-2001-P
§ Studio Projects B1 and C1
§ Oktava MC-219 and MC-319
In my next post, I'll talk about Microphone Placement, using a Pop Screen Filter and converting your Closet into a Vocal Booth.
Condenser microphone can be used to listen to music when they are fitted with digital recorders. The usage of condenser microphones makes working easier and it also helps to create reliable records for future references.
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