Bluebird Mic - any recommendations?

[Dwayne Russell]

Unless you work in a space where the difference can't be heard; how 'bout it, Dwayne?

I dont see how the space changes a mic's accuracy. I dont know how to explain it to some one if they never heard it.

I just know that any one who has the more expensive mics will rarely pull out a cheap one no matter what space they record in.

I'm saying, it's worth it to wait and save your money. One good mic is better than two or three budget mics.

But I do consider some of the modded mics to be good.

[Dwayne Russell]

The problem is, sometimes you can buy a mic for a grand or 1500 and not like it. Honestly, I haven't found price to be a good indicator when it comes to mics.

If you dont know what your buying it for then that can happen. If you also dont understand what you are listening for that can happen.

Its easy to buy cheap and sell for what you paid for it on ebay. So it's not like you would be stuck.

[mojobone]

Unless you work in a space where the difference can't be heard; how 'bout it, Dwayne?

I dont see how the space changes a mic's accuracy. I dont know how to explain it to some one if they never heard it.

I just know that any one who has the more expensive mics will rarely pull out a cheap one no matter what space they record in.

I'm saying, it's worth it to wait and save your money. One good mic is better than two or three budget mics.

But I do consider some of the modded mics to be good.

Not tryin' to be a prick, here Dwayne; (but let me know, if I succeeded, heh) I'm only trying to point out that many of the folks on this board are dealing with unruly and untreated rooms. A space doesn't change a mic's accuracy, but it damn sure changes the sound. (and it does, whether or not the mic is accurate) I'm aware that you're an expert on building pristine studio spaces, it's just that most of us don't have that luxury. You are constantly on about shit that most of us can't hear; we have too much noise in our rooms. I'm happy for you, that you have a better situation and can hear more, but I'm about getting it done under less than ideal circumstances. I value your opinions, you've more than earned them, but I think they might be further enhanced by some consideration of other paths to audio enlightenment.

[Dwayne Russell]

Not tryin' to be a prick, here Dwayne; (but let me know, if I succeeded, heh) I'm only trying to point out that many of the folks on this board are dealing with unruly and untreated rooms. A space doesn't change a mic's accuracy, but it damn sure changes the sound. (and it does, whether or not the mic is accurate) I'm aware that you're an expert on building pristine studio spaces, it's just that most of us don't have that luxury. You are constantly on about shit that most of us can't hear; we have too much noise in our rooms. I'm happy for you, that you have a better situation and can hear more, but I'm about getting it done under less than ideal circumstances. I value your opinions, you've more than earned them, but I think they might be further enhanced by some consideration of other paths to audio enlightenment.

Prick status does not come easily with me man!

I dont think the room changes the mic sound. The room changes the room sound. Right? If we are talking dynamic mics then there is allot of good cheap ones. But that is not what started this. He wanted a condenser. I just think that when it comes to those mics that its better to save the money and get a tried and true all around good one. If I am not mistaken that Blue Bird is not a versatile mic.

Maybe it's just me. I'm cool with that. Not the first time i've been alone in an opinion. Maybe I dont understand what you are saying.

[jonathansorensen]

$197 new, great deal, Let us know if it works for you....!!!!!!!! Can't have enough mics .....

I'll definitely get back with a review. I'm not in tracking phase so I'll have to wait til and track and mix some stuff. That's usually when I really find out if I like the mic.

JS

[jonathansorensen]

The problem is, sometimes you can buy a mic for a grand or 1500 and not like it. Honestly, I haven't found price to be a good indicator when it comes to mics.

If you dont know what your buying it for then that can happen. If you also dont understand what you are listening for that can happen.

Its easy to buy cheap and sell for what you paid for it on ebay. So it's not like you would be stuck.

I was looking for a vocal mic for myself. I've been using the SM7 alot and it's phenomenal but there's a denseness and grittiness that's great for my heavier stuff, for blues, etc. but the singer songwriter stuff with really light airy vocals hasn't been what I wanted. The SM7 works beautifully with my greatriver pre but I have the A-designs pacifica as well and I wanted a mic that doesn't get in the way of what it can do. All that said, even though I've treated my "room", it's bloody noisy by any professional studio standards so I'm going to have to take the blue into the vocal booth and get back to everyone.

BTW, while I have your attention, it sounds like this is your area of expertise . . .what do you think of the MA-200. I haven't been able to use it in my current environment.

JS

[Dwayne Russell]

I was looking for a vocal mic for myself. I've been using the SM7 alot and it's phenomenal but there's a denseness and grittiness that's great for my heavier stuff, for blues, etc. but the singer songwriter stuff with really light airy vocals hasn't been what I wanted. The SM7 works beautifully with my greatriver pre but I have the A-designs pacifica as well and I wanted a mic that doesn't get in the way of what it can do. All that said, even though I've treated my "room", it's bloody noisy by any professional studio standards so I'm going to have to take the blue into the vocal booth and get back to everyone.

BTW, while I have your attention, it sounds like this is your area of expertise . . .what do you think of the MA-200. I haven't been able to use it in my current environment.

JS

Why didnt you say this in the beginning?

What I would do is find the nearest mic rental place and rent several mics from top of the line to bottom.

Find which one works best and buy it. If it is a really great match for your voice then it might be worth saving up for it if it is expensive.

[mojobone]

Yeah, if it's primarily going to be a vocal mic for one specific voice, you'll just have to try a bunch; I'd hesitate to offer suggestions without hearing your voice through a known mic and pre. If you're looking for airy and transparent, maybe look at a transformerless FET design; there are lots in that category, most of the Blue range, Audio-Technica (4033 and 4050) and the Mojave mic you mentioned.

[gtrmann]

$197 new, great deal, Let us know if it works for you....!!!!!!!! Can't have enough mics .....

I'll definitely get back with a review. I'm not in tracking phase so I'll have to wait til and track and mix some stuff. That's usually when I really find out if I like the mic.

JS

I had a friend and fellow Taxi member email me about wishing he had one of my "expensive" mics. Just as a trial, on the next song I tracked lead vocals on, I put this mic up next to a Shure SM 58, same distance, about 12 inches off , and recorded a lead vocal scratch on two tracks. I mixed the song twice, same instrument mix, same effects, slightly different EQ, muteing one of the scratch vocal takes. I emailed the two mixes to my friend and asked him to tell me which mix had the SM58 vocal. He picked it out, but he felt a lot better about his current vocal mic.... The current group of "inexpensive" mics and recording equipment is getting pretty friggin' good compared to what was available 10 or 15 years ago.... You should be able to get great results with either the SM7 or the Blue mic..... I want a SM7.....I AM JEALOUS..........LOL ...... Hope you get lots of forwards, and placements......!!!!!!

[Dwayne Russell]

I had a friend and fellow Taxi member email me about wishing he had one of my "expensive" mics. Just as a trial, on the next song I tracked lead vocals on, I put this mic up next to a Shure SM 58, same distance, about 12 inches off , and recorded a lead vocal scratch on two tracks. I mixed the song twice, same instrument mix, same effects, slightly different EQ, muteing one of the scratch vocal takes. I emailed the two mixes to my friend and asked him to tell me which mix had the SM58 vocal. He picked it out, but he felt a lot better about his current vocal mic.... The current group of "inexpensive" mics and recording equipment is getting pretty friggin' good compared to what was available 10 or 15 years ago.... You should be able to get great results with either the SM7 or the Blue mic..... I want a SM7.....I AM JEALOUS..........LOL ...... Hope you get lots of forwards, and placements......!!!!!!

Sorry, all that tells me is it was someone with untrained ears listening to a bad mix.

Seriously, this does not tell us anything. Mics are a tool. They get used as needed. Very rarely does a good engineer reach for a sm57 on a vocal unless it calls for it. And I would estimate that would be 10% of the time. Most of the time any good engineer will reach for his most expensive mic, or one of them.

If that was not true then a C12 would not go for $5000 to $10,000. Certainly there is not parts worth that much in that mic. The mic simply sounds awesome! If you use one for period of time then you will know.

No little shoot out can determine that.