Instrument Mic
Choosing the Best Vocal Mic
Though many microphones are in the same price range, price doesn't necessarily determine the quality of the sound you'll get. The mic to use depends on the singer that will be singing through it. No two voices have the same qualities or timbre. The microphone to use takes these factors into account.
All microphones have a particular pick-up shape. This can bring about a huge difference. There are a few different pickup patterns but the most common are the cardioids, omni and bi-directional. The mic that you pick will influence the overall vocal sound and how it projects.
Most people that choose cardioid pattern microphone will need it if they plan on using it with a noisy background. Essentially it mitigates a lot of the room sound. Many choose to use this for karaoke, for example. A noisy room, live venue or an outdoor setting will really benefit from this type.
The omni microphone is generally preferred if you are in a space that has superior ambient sound already. It will help bring out a more natural tone to the voice. It is a multi pattern style and really sounds great for many such situations.
The bi-directional is most often used for acoustic ensembles or an orchestra. The reason for this is, it receives sound waves at the front and rear but much less from the sides. You will pick up the instrument being played more easily. If used for a singer, you will pick up on the entire vocal performance but not as much of the instruments standing next to them. This may be a good choice, depending on how much the singer projects.
You may need to try several types before deciding which one will work best for you. All are not the best quality and it might benefit you to practice using various types and makes to find the ideal mic for you. If it will be employed for an extended amount of time, doing this is certainly worth your while. You don't want to be bound to something that isn't appropriate when you absolutely do not need to.
Another way to go about this is to question other pros for their choices and find out which ones they are most passionate about . It would be worth your while also, to talk to a sound engineer that has preferences and opinions in achieving the best results. This will help you skip a few steps and possibly choose the best one sooner and more easily than you thought.
Recording vocals is an important situation that really should be taken seriously. Consider this. Once you've chosen a particular recording pass, it lives forever. You should never take any short cuts. A microphone that's a good fit aids in making a vocal sound the best it can be. With the new technology that is out there you should have no excuse but to sound really good.
Getting the right microphone might appear difficult with all of the different types and makes, but if you adhere to a couple of key steps you can choose the one that's best for you. It's worth your effort and time spent. Remember to get advice when you can. Get recommendations from others that you know and respect for their expertise. Also look at reviews online from past customers too. You'll end up having your own microphone that you can carry with you for any live performance or recording session. With that approach you can have more confidence in the results as well.
About the Author
Bruce Hathaway has been a recording engineer and
musician
for over 25 years. Through this experience, including his own home project studio, he has become an audio expert offering advice to other musicians interested in recording. If you're interested in purchasing
microphones
and mic accessories, click on the link to see Bruce's online shop.
Shure SM57 Instrument Microphone
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