Vox Daily

Obviously, the best microphone is the one that makes you sound the best and brings the most confidence. I have relied on one microphone for all my recordings. I have found it to be the most versatile in terms of how I can be up close, a bit further away, and reject unwanted noise in such places as hotel rooms etc...or when my girls are rough housing!

The one I have trusted for years has been the Sennheiser 416. But, that's not to say it is THE mic to have, but it is the mic to have for me.

Brian in Charlotte
www.VoicePro.blogspot.com

Steph:

The hottest microphones on the planet are the ones that "fall off the back of the truck" and find their way into studios at "discount prices. :)

Best always
- Peter

The ultimate, in my opinion remains the venerable Neumann U87. I've never heard anything else like it. There are indeed some more expensive mics on the planet and lots and lots of less expensive mics.

Neumann offers some more expensive mics than the U87, but that's the mic of my dreams - one day - my everyday mic right now is a Rode NT1 - kind of a poor man's Neumann and I'm really happy with it, but I know if I switched it out for the real deal today I'd be astounded by the difference...

For any of my family or friends who might be reading this - - - less than three months 'till Christmas everybody!!!!

For vocals and acoustic instruments, to my mind, nothing beats the Neumann M 149 Tube, based on the classic U 47. The M 149 Tube is a large-diaphragm condenser microphone with switchable polar patterns. It is the first new “tube” microphone design from Neumann in over 30 years, and also the world’s first transformerless tube microphone. I once used the old U 47 making an album for RCA Records but the power supplies were cranky and we had to wait a half hour for the beasts to "warm up."

Nat Johnson

Everyone has an opinion about microphones. Whichever sounds best with your voice is the one to have. I've enjoyed using or trying out mics over a number of years. I presently use a Neumann TLM 193, a Rode NT1, a Shure KSM-32, (and a couple of usb mics I use while away from the office for quick auditions). The one I am favoring is the Neumann, for its close, warm sound with my particular voice.

Isn't it amazing how many different types of voices there are within our community? Intelligent design, indeed! And a mic to match each voice!

Not sure that there is one "best" mic for any voice. But I have always loved my Neumann U89. Bought it decades ago when it was just over 1k... now I see new ones for 3k! IT is true, warm, tells no lies!

And that brings up another point for those with their own gear. I've never regretted the investment I made in my mic. Hey, your voice is your tool, right? You want to show what your voice can REALLY do - and that requires a good mic. Everything else in your studio can (and probably will) be upgraded it but that mic says who you are!

Larry Wayne

Ditto on the Sennheiser MKH416 also the Neumann U47, add in the older Senn MKH415 and the other Neumann 67, 87. ElectroVoice has its spot also with some older Russian models and Geffel and Telefunken. Charter Oak and Manley are both Cream of the Crop as well in today's market.

There are also some mic engineers that customize mics and make em in to hot rods that you would never expect. They make hybrids with all kinds of capsules and tubes and mix and match circuitry with superior results. Most of these mics are in the top music recording studios around the world. You would never know from just looking at these mics... You just have to experience them.

Over the years, I've used a wide variety of mics at different studios. The Neumann, Sennheiser, U87, etc, are all very good- but there was one mic that made me ask... what IS this? When I discovered I could actually afford it... I ordered one that day.

It's been several months now and I still love my Lawson L47FET! It has a clinical sound that keeps my voice sounding exactly as it should. Plus, when I had a question about the mic, Mr. Lawson himself explained it to me!

Kara

Hi Stephanie,

Believe it or not, I still use an old Shure PE54D dynamic that I used for vocals in bands for years and it still has a great sound. I bought it used in 1974. And its response is flat enough that it's easily customizable with a good pre-amp. However, if I'm wishing, I really like the quiet warmth of the higher-end Electro Voice (EV) dynamics, which are found in many radio production and control rooms today (even over some condensers I've used). They're a bit spendy, but worth the money.

Regards,

Rick Sherwood

All great comments. I've been amazed at the quality and sound of the Studio Projects C-1. It was made to mimic a U-87 and is spectacularly close. Street price is around $210.

Amazing.

Tim

I'm using an Apex 460 these days. A great sound at a great price. As well I occasionally use an Octava MK319A. It's a Russian mike I discovered a few years ago. (Go online to check them out as there are fakes out there but some of the sites will tell you how to spot them.) I do covet certain Neumanns,but I've been in quite a few studios recently that are very much into Audio Technica and Rode, both of which sounded quite lovely accepting my dulcet tones.

How about some good online suppliers of these treasured mics?

Stephanie,

The "Best" is totally relative. I'm finding, as time goes on, that for everyday, corporate and website narration, any good condenser mic can do the job. What's good? I've been having great success with my Samson C01U USB powered mic. Crazy? It's directional so I don't worry about room sound and it sounds great. Would I use it on a national broadcast spot? I might. I know of some heavyweights using them. I started out using an Audio Technica 3035 and it was a trooper. My TLM 103 picks up my moustache rustling. I may actually go back to the 3035. Anyone want a 103?

I guess if you're a studio singer, the Neumann is going to find the perfection and imperfection in your voice. The highenders are also capable of handling that loud outburst a bit better.

If its money, go around $300 and sound great no matter what. The mic companies have been in business for many years and know what they are doing.

As a professional, like a plumber or a dentist, having a bunch of tools for different applications is a smart bet.

I think it depends completely on your voice and the environment you're in. If you're in a tight, clean studio with no reverb, a Neumann might work well for you.

Personally, my favorite mic on the planet is the Sennheiser MKH-416, as some have already mentioned. I don't yet have one. I'm working on that right now! But I've recorded on it, and it's life-changing.

Ben Patrick Johnson, Joe Cipriano, Mike Madeoy, even our own Brian Haymond, to name a few, all rely on the MKH-416.

BEST TO YOU ALL!

About two years ago I was ready to upgrade to a better microphone, but still had a budget to consider. Fortunately, a friend of mine who has a recording studio set up 5 mics at once so that we could really hear the difference in how each recorded MY voice, which is really the most important end result. On the front line were: EV RE-20, Shure SM-7, Shure SM-58 (just because we had it lying around), Sennheiser 421 and the dark horse... the Heil PR-40. The mic I had never heard of won hands down! Heil is apparently a big name in the HAM radio world, but they are really starting to make a name for themselves in the broadcast and voice over market. I have been VERY satisfied with the "budget" mic ($300) of the Heil PR-40.

No other microphone makes my voice sounding as clear and smooth as the Neumann U87 does. Speech recordings or singing - it's worth every cent I've put in it. I was doubter, before I've bought it, to be honest. I thought that everybody's darling can't be my darling. Well, now it is ;-) I can't recommend it often enough. Combined with a dry acoustical environment and a nice preamp, you'll put a big smile on clients faces.

I've used a '59 Neumann tube with M7 capsule, U87, AEA ribbon, RE20, Sennheiser MD 421, Neumann TLM103 (yick, artificial high end, same with anything with a Chinese capsule), Tracy Korby CM1, CAD top of the line at the time, Studio Projects top of the line at the time.

The best I've heard and used is Gene Lawson's L47-MP II tube. Not just because it sounds good on my voice, but because it does something I've seen no other condenser do: sound good-to-great on whatever voice I put into it. I record a fair number of people for testimonials and have had exactly one person sound less-than-very good. High-end Neumanns are wonderful when the right voice(s) is put in front of them, but they are persnickety about what they like. The Lawson thinks it's an RE20 or Shure SM57, two dynamic mics that are incapable of making anything sound bad. Not necessarily great on everything, mind you, but never bad. Dynamics are almost always more forgiving.

I have never seen a condenser or ribbon that this is true of except the Lawson tube.

Kara, above, is right about Gene. I've talked to him on a number of occasions, and he is as accommodating as one can get. This is also true of Tracy Korby.

I started out with a Shure SM 57 which is not bad, but not the best for my voice. Moved up to a Rodes NT-1A and it was a BIG improvement!

Hoping to add a Sennheiser 416 shotgun to the mix in the not-too-distant future!

Thanks
Rob Ellis

I started out in early days of VO using an EV RE 20. Then a fellow VO pro (BRIAN LEE) recommended I use a condenser mic. AKG c-3000 was recommended. I bought one back in '96 for about $700. Used it a few years then went to a cheaper MXL Marshall 2001. It had better TOP end than the AKG which had a better bottom end.

Then I heard a TRANSOM MIC TEST on the web which tested a bunch of different mics with different genders/voices/tones. The one I liked the best with a similar voice to mine was the Rode NT1. I have one today and later bought a RODE NT1A. That's my experience so far.

My music group just started putting a studio together and we are using an AKG Perception 200. A Sputnik is in the near future. We've been using various Shure products for performing. But for recording, the 200 is really incredible for the money. About $260.00, it's a condenser type that we really found amazing. The Sputnik is in the 600. to 700. dollar range but rates (I'm told) with the 5k set. I'm also told it can take the abuse of being placed as a bass drum mike. After reading these reviews, I'm looking forward to trying a Neumann U87.

-Pete

It has to be the Neumann TLM193 for me!

Stephanie,

My all time favorite microphone is the original AKG C-12. But, to find one in good shape these days involved many thousands of dollars. I'm very happy using my Audio Technica AT-4033. More importantly, my clients are happy with the sound they're getting.

Be well,
Bob

I have to say that these comments have been very useful in getting an idea on what microphones others consider using. I personally agree with Rob about the Shure SM 57. It works great for me 2

All Tracy Korby (Korby Audio) does is refurbished quality microphones and then put them in his own casings. If you're going to spend money on a microphone, buy an industry standard not a cheap rip off of one.