Wow, Jim, that gal has some "pipes!" She has great microphone technique, so my only suggestion is to get a great compressor inline with any mic you may choose.

As a recording engineer/producer for 25+ years, I'll just have to say to capture the performance of her vocal. That's the main thing. I hate it when producers/engineers nit-pick over every little detail. Let it rip, and be happy!

I recorded a lady with a "smoky" voice awhile ago, and I must agree with Mazz. Sometimes a vocalist will sound really great on a dynamic mic. I used an EV RE-20, which you always see in broadcast studios. That MAY be the mic for her style. It's a fabulous dynamic mic, which might be better if your daughter hasn't had experience singing on condensor mics.

Just a thought,

Ern

After hearing this wonderful clip (MAN she sounds great!), I think you can't go wrong with the SM7b. It's pretty flexible with the switches on the bottom, where you can roll off bass and make it brighter if needed, and it's also a mic that can stand a powerful voice without distorting, which could be an asset for Danielle IMO.

The SM7b will also hold it's value, so if you decide to let it go, you won't have a problem with selling it or trading it in for something else.

One thing to be aware of, though. It's a dynamic mic, and it needs a lot of gain from a preamp. It tends to sound better with high end preamps (a good investment for life too), like a Great River me-1 nv or in similar league. Without a good preamp, any dynamic mic can sound somewhat dissapointing. If you have a cheap one, or even just use the ones in your soundcard, beware that they might not be doing the SM7b justice (Im sorry, I know gear upgrades are endless in this business, but a good mic and a quality preamp is a really clever start).

Based on the video, I believe the SM7b will prove to be a good mic for Danielle either way, though. You should definitely try before you buy, but if she's into jazz (you mentioned Norah Jones) and rock like Raitt, you don't want a mic thats too bright and sibliant (like most China made condensers - tracks recorded with those need some tweaking to sit really good in mixes). If you go there anyway, brands like Rode, Heil and Octava can sound great.

That's funny ern because in my "mic quest" it came down to the re-20 and sm7b as the final two choices. After having used both I can tel you that they are VERY similiar sounding. The sm7b is a bit more versitle has a bass roll-off and mid boost switch. I was scratching my head between the two when I saw the Sm7 go on sale for $299 & figured that was a sign.

BTW I'm using an old 1st generation Joe Meek pre with my sm7, it's not known for being quiet or having a lot of gain but I'm not having any problems. However, if it were to die on me today I'd seriously consider the Golden Age Pre 73. It's highly thought of . . .
http://www.zenproaudio.com/goldenagepre-73.aspx

don't know if your still looking but here's another clip. Hard to tell if this is a video for the song or for gear promotion!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z-n8Ku-U ... r_embedded

Thanks, Bill, for sending that Youtube clip. It turns out, I AM still in the market for this mic, and this just reinforces my earlier decision.

Priorities have changed, however. Danielle has assembled some local musicians, and together they have been invited to participate in a state-wide competition with some of her original material. So lately I've been investing in a basic PA system, and next I'm getting her a stage piano. The recording studio improvements have taken a back seat - temporarily. But that's okay, since she'll be able to perform on her own in small venues now, which I think is kinda cool!

This is a complicated - and expensive! - arena that you all are playing in! Good thing my tax refund is quite a bit bigger this year. As soon as I'm done investing in her live performance gear, I'll be ordering that SM-7b.

Jim