Good Vocal (speech) Mic Around $100-$150

[provide86]

I'm looking for something that isn't an SM-57, seeing as how that's all i have at the moment and i'm not satisfied with the way it records vocals. I don't really feel like it has the kind of treble response that i need (or maybe that could be because i don't have an EQ unit with which to change things with, i go straight into my soundcard's preamp). I was thinking about the MXL 2001, but i don't seem to be hearing to many good things about it.

There are times when i need to record speech for school projects. The 57 doesn't do a horrible job, but i am looking for a sound that's a little more defined.

A mic that could also work well with guitar amps wouldn't be bad either.

Any advice would be appreciated.

[AGCurry]

Electro-voice 635A. The radio/TV reporter's microphone. Omnidirectional, great sound on guitar cabs, sturdy as you want. Around $50 used.

[eeldip]

i like the oktava 319 for voice overs.

$99. doesnt sound at all like an sm57.

[@?,*???&?]

Check out the Shure Beta58. It's got a great vocal presence- much improved over the darker, muddier SM58. It's similar to what the KSM27 large diaphragm condensor Shure makes offers. Priced at $159.

[Deja V.U.]

Save an extra $100 and get a used SM7. Well worth it. If you can't afford that, then you can't afford a better sounding mic, unless you don't mind the noise from others.

[bigtoe]

how do you know it's the 57 that ain't cuttin' it? how are you recording the vocals? what's your room like? what's the voice like? blah blah blah blah...

the 635 is a good cheap option but/and man it has a presence thing doing on...a little more than the 57 even...it works for guitar cabs...you can find em for under 50 bucks used...but it does have a weird peak going on from what i can hear...you may not dig it like you don't dig the 57...

the sm7 is the killer mic: smooth top end on vocals and it can rule on amps. i got mine for 225 used.

Mike

[aurelialuz]

sennheiser MD21, not 421. sort of the european 635a. i paid like $26 used and they're great for speech and vocals.

alex

[Deja V.U.]

The reason I suggested the SM7 is for it's killer sounding proximity effect. It's clean, and James Earl Jonesish. How's the MD21's bass response when you get real close to it?

[aurelialuz]

you got me there, it's an omni, so no prox. effect. but it's nice and crisp, more so than the 635a.

the sm7 is probably a better suggestion cause it's useful for other stuff too. the md21, less so.

alex