Hi guys,
Quick context : I just released my first studio album, self-recorded and mixed, mostly also self-produced. Played most of the instruments.
During the recording process I got to realize my vocal mics had their flaws.
Sm7b :
Great for my rockier songs, but lacking definition and a bit compressed sounding for slower folkier songs. But it got the job done for 9 of the 13 songs. It has a one of its peaks in my sssss range so it can be sibilant.
Aston Spirit :
Too bright and airy for my taste - emphasizes my SSSSS way too much for my taste and maybe sort of gives the impression that the vocals sit on top of the mix. Hard to describe the effect - perhaps it's just too bright up top. I used it for 2 songs but had to do a lot of manual deessing editing - very sibilant for me.
R84 :
really cool and vibey for some songs, but a bit «hiss»ey when recording softer sung songs. I used it for 2 lead vocals and used it for many back vocals. But I acquired it by the end of the project.
C214 :
I hate this mic for vocals and acoustic guitar (wayyyyyyy to much hi-end above 10khz content)
So... I want to get another mic that solves these issues. I was thinking of a U47 style mic - Not necessarily a clone, but certainly not the real deal either. ;-)
Usual suspects :
TF47 (a bit expansive but could be ok)
WA47
Vanguard V13 gen2
Anything else?
Also, I know most mic can be eqed to sound like you want, but I often find the less you eq the better it sounds and preserves the «character» of the mic. And I'm no sound engineer, so too much sound shaping with eq is not my favorite hobby!
For what it's worth, I really like the texture and ambiance of artists like Gregory Alan Isakov and of The National; ie dark and ambiant.
Here is a link for my album is you want to ear my tone of voice :
https://open.spotify.com/album/0Awm5...Qm-JdleratPjmw