Vocal Mic Recommendations

This is really dependent on the vocalist. It's easy to say, "pick up a Neumann or Rode condenser mic", but how do you know how the vocalist will sound in the mic?

If anything, I picked up a couple of inexpensive mic's for vocals and acoustic guitar which I feel sound really good. One of those mics that I have been using more and more is the Apex 210 Ribbon Mic, which is a very fragile mic by comparison to my other mics, but the sound is super sweet. You definitely want to use a pop-shield with this mic. I found that I hardly had to do any real processing with this mic. I haven't tried this one on my guitar just yet, but I just may give it a try just to hear how it sounds.

I also picked up a couple of Tube Condenser mics. I've tried both of these on my guitars and they sound fantastic. One of them is the Apex 470 Pencil Tube, which I find brings out a warm quality from my Ovation 12-string guitar. I may get another one of these to try as drum overheads. The other is is the Apex 460 Wide Diaphragm Tube Condenser which brings out even more character from my acoustic guitars. I haven't yet tried them on vocals as I just got them. But considering how bright my guitars are, these mics definitely warm everything up, IMHO.

These mics go alongside my Apex 415 Wide Diaphragm Condensor. It's warm, but not as warm as a tube condenser. However, it is definitely suitable in certain songs that I do.

If anything, however, these are nothing more than my opinions and very subjective. They work for me and YMMV. What I would recommend is that you rent a few microphones and try them out for a week or so. You will then see which mics work for you and which ones don't.

jord

hi tristanjove,
nice budget.
Audio Technica: 4047, 4050, 4060(valve).
Rode: their valve mics.
Neumann: any mic suitable for your use and budget.
Peluso: Custom Classic Mic copies, precision made in USA. excellent value for what you get.(original capsules.)
go to these company's web sites to get the full info.

David r.

Look into the Avatone CV-12! It is a great sounding microphone!

Hi TristanJove

For acoutic guitar. I bought a match (apparently) pair of NT-5's which I love. They are pencils. They are great on my Martin OM and my SJ Gibson. And they're great on cymbals too. They have a nice natural roll off at around 12K which personally like. They were about $ 550 Canadaian Dollars. They're not really a vocal mic but I've used them for vocals and they sound pretty cool but maybe not what you are looking for.

I traded some work and a cymbal for my U87. It's very cool for vox. There are so many good larger diaphragm mics for vox in the price range you mentioned. Check out Rode. There are a number of them that I like under your price range. Is there a store in your area that will let you take mics home and return until until you find the one you are looking for? There's one here in Ottawa ... trial and error is the best way I've found. I can never decide on a mic or monitors in a store.
Hope that helps.
Cheers
Dee