Vocals (maybe acoustic guitar too)-dynamic or condenser mic?

[Jono-60]

I won a bid on a Toneport UX2 so hopefully it should be on its way.

Part of the reason going for one is the mic preamps.

I need to get some good quality vocals recorded. Am I better off with a dynamic or condenser mic?

I might want to record acoustic guitar as well. Although I have an electric acoustic the output is kinda weak.

[Vegetarian]

condensers are generally best for studio vocal work as they usually have a wider, more even spectral balance than most dynamic mics. the same for acoustic instruments imo. if you get a reasonably good quality mic, it should be able to handle whatever you throw at it pretty well.

[frz]

some years ago I bought a rode nt2 condenser and I've been using it pretty much always ever since, specially on vox (male and female) and acustic guits. If I didn't have a 414 which is my fav I'd use it even for guit amps.

I bet you can find one super cheap nowadays and i find it great for the price and super-versatile.

cheers

[dysfunctionz]

Sorry to intrude on the topic, but my question is pretty closely related. I've heard that if you don't have a room with good acoustic properties, it's better to use a dynamic than a condenser regardless of what is being recorded. Even with a room with not-so-great acoustics, are there situations it would still be preferable to have a condenser?

[RockLobsterNet]

If you a have good space to do it in, a 414 would be well worth it. I love those things.
dysfunctionz- I would always stick to a dynamic in a room with not so great acoustics. I find that condensers have a longer throw than dynamics, so the smallest reflections will be obvious in studio. Solo a condenser on a stage and you would be amazed at what you hear (or any mic on stage for that matter). However, I mainly do live, so someone may come and correct me.

[frz]

Sorry to intrude on the topic, but my question is pretty closely related. I've heard that if you don't have a room with good acoustic properties, it's better to use a dynamic than a condenser regardless of what is being recorded. Even with a room with not-so-great acoustics, are there situations it would still be preferable to have a condenser?

good point

it's true that with proper eq and compression you can get pretty good vocals with a dynamic (I did countless recordings with plain 58s/57s cause that was all I had to work with) but for "studio" use I'd always use a condenser if I had the choice, especially for vocals, where a softer mic is preferable to grab all the dynamics. It's not that hard to setup a vocal booth in any bedroom, just place the mic in a closet with some clothes around, or use some heavy blankets and a couple of micstands or something and there you have a damping equipment that might do the job. Obviously don't expect to solve the problems that might raise with your neighbors with this setup.

And don't forget the nylon stockings to make the popfilter!!!

A good engineer has to use his imagination and know his tools well to get the most out of any (crappy) situation, the results might turn out amazing and ears are always the ultimate judge.

cheers

[Jono-60]

Thanks for the info guys.

I mainly record in the house. I dont have a studio. Do dynamics without good compression sound bad or something?

I just need something that will work well for a solo bedroom musician.

[spirulence]

Sort of, they just tend to have a more colored sound that can be almost remediated with good post-processing.
Right? Or did I miss something?

[frz]

Thanks for the info guys.

I mainly record in the house. I dont have a studio. Do dynamics without good compression sound bad or something?

I just need something that will work well for a solo bedroom musician.

It depends much on the vocals you're recording but for an average male voice I would apply the following eq as a starting point:

a low cut to get rid of the basses, a bit of cut around 250hz to add clarity, some boost at highs to add some air (play around with a parametric with a mid-wide q, boosting around 4-5 dbs) and start from there.

for compression I would start with a 4:1 ratio adjusting the threshold to have 5-6db reduction and a sufficient attack to have the hard letters get through. lower the attack if you have too much popping coming out. adjust to taste.

cheers

[Jono-60]

Ok cool.

I mean I dont mind post processing, just as long as I am getting good source recordings.

[Jono-60]

They say dynamics are not good for acoustic guitars as the high end is not great.

Can you recommend a condenser around the $100 range?