Hummin'bird on an Shure SM7b

[hummingbird]

Hi - I got some great advice on mics at the Rally, from Matt, Mazz & Fett. So I rented a Shure SM7 today to try it out.Here's a quick sample a capella to test it. I have to do some more serious recording work with it to tell, but.... I think it has more depth & less sizzle. Comments?http://www.taximusic.com/song.php?song_ ... tream=true

[mazz]

Hi Vikki,I think you're headed in the right direction with the SM7, it's a good fit for your voice. Could you post this without any reverb? The reverb isn't necessary for this evaluation, IMO.Thanks,Mazz

[hummingbird]

Quote:Hi Vikki,I think you're headed in the right direction with the SM7, it's a good fit for your voice. Could you post this without any reverb? The reverb isn't necessary for this evaluation, IMO.Thanks,MazzHI Mazz - thanks for the listen. I've taken the reverb off

[ciskokidd]

Hi Vikki,I don't know if it is my listening environment, but the sound is a bit mid-rangy for me. There doesn't seem to be any definition. Of course we would also need to know the signal path. Is there any compression, EQ, involved? What type of pre-amp are you using? It just sounds dull to my ears and of course it is a streaming MP3.What do you think Matt?My two cents.Cisco

[hummingbird]

Quote:Hi Vikki,I don't know if it is my listening environment, but the sound is a bit mid-rangy for me. There doesn't seem to be any definition. Of course we would also need to know the signal path. Is there any compression, EQ, involved? What type of pre-amp are you using? It just sounds dull to my ears and of course it is a streaming MP3.What do you think Matt?My two cents.CiscoHi - I was asked to post the raw vocal, I've gone back and removed everything but the voice. I have a good preamp (m-box). I'm not sure if I like this mic as much as the Neumann TLM103 but I have to give it an honest try by recording more than a quick ad lib.

[squidlips]

My two cents......it's crisp, clean (and you're rockin' on expression too! ).I think I liked you on the Neumann betta but honestly? I don't think anyone's gonna be able to tell the difference if they hadn't heard you on the Neumann first. The Shure would do ya jes fine.That's my two cents anyway.

[daniel481]

I've used the SM7 almost exclusively for the past two years, and I LOVE it. Not only do I use it on all my vocals, but also on electric guitar and even acoustic guitar on occasion. The TLM 103 is a great mic, as well, and is definitely a bit brighter, but I've chosen the SM7 over it in a mic shootout many times. You can't go wrong with it in my opinion, especially for the price!Dan

[anne]

Vikki - I think the mic sounds good, but I did like the previous recordings also. I haven't been following your mic issues, so my op may not be too helpful. I like AKG C1000 (about $140 US on-line) on vocals like yours. I have a couple of them and find them to be full and detailed. I know they are a bit more than a 57 but if you can find one around you may like them. The 57 is a tried and true unit, and again I think it sounds good, giving you a solid mid-range and picking up your expression as well.

[hummingbird]

Quote:Vikki - I think the mic sounds good, but I did like the previous recordings also. I haven't been following your mic issues, so my op may not be too helpful. I like AKG C1000 (about $140 US on-line) on vocals like yours. I have a couple of them and find them to be full and detailed. I know they are a bit more than a 57 but if you can find one around you may like them. The 57 is a tried and true unit, and again I think it sounds good, giving you a solid mid-range and picking up your expression as well. Thanks for the listen Anne. Just to clarify, this is an SM 7b dynamic microphone. It says "has a smooth, flat, wide-range frequency response appropriate for music & speech in all professional audio applications. It features excellent shileding against electromagnetic hum generated by computer monitors, neon lights, and other electrical devices."I note it has a switchable bass rolloff and mid-range emphasis (presence boost) settings. I'll have to see what it was set to when I was recording.It has a "cardiod polar pattern, uniform with frequency & symmetrical about axis, to provide maximum rejection and minimum coloration of off-axis sound."Supposed to be good for instrument & vocal recording including voice over.Retails here for $415 Canadian + tax; Sweetwater has it for $350 US +shipping.cheersHummin'bird

[stick]

Yeah, that SM7 is a pretty solid all around mic. It's maybe not as "hi-fi" as a higher end LDC (large diaphram condenser, like your 103 or a U87 or whatever), but it's known for adding some "vibe". If you're not after crystal-clear reproduction, but rather want to give your recording a little edge, that could be a nice choice. That said, for a vocalist like you, it's ALL about what works for your voice. If it sounds good it IS good. I'm not in the studio today, but when I get back in there tomorrow, I'll take a listen to your clip.