Musician Forum - Band Discussion Board - BandMix

Okay, after my last few recording ho-hums and my voice that drives me crazy sometimes. I've been doing a lot of reading and researching, and have decided that this Christmas I'm going to take the plunge and get a Neumann u87. I know it works wonders on male vocals, but I've heard that it's great for females with high timbre voices like mine. I'm still in between about getting an Avalon 737 or a Universal Audio 4-710d (where you get 4-channels of tube FET preamplification) and not just one like the Avalon. The reviews are high on the Universal, but of course everybody whose anybody gets an Avalon, but I don't want to get it because you're "supposed to," I want to get it because it's going to be good for both Cisco and me, plus we have the Waco Taco that comes through whose a major PITA about his vocals.

Of course, I'm going to test all this before I buy anything. If I can get away with a Neumann TLM103 which is far cheaper, I will do that. I know these things make a major difference during mastering.

Anyone else have any of these items?

Chaeya

Chaeya wrote:
Anyone else have any of these items?

Chaeya

don't i wish! just another poor working slob musician here.

let us know your thoughts after you do the taste test.

Welcome back Chaeya, long time no see.

My 2c on the U87...
Fantastic vocal mic for a pro working studio that has a full calendar of paying clients and lots of cash reserves. Probably serious overkill for a project studio. $3500 will by a LOT of vocal booth time in an "A list" studio in SoCal and an engineer with a handful of Grammys on the wall. A better value IMHO.

For 95% of U87 quality, consider one of these:
http://www.zzounds.com/item--RODNT1A

It is a fantastic vocal mic in it's own right comparable to an AKG 414. No one will ever turn up their nose at the vocal sound quality of these and if you need to book a few hours at Planet or Emoto to put the final touches on your vocals, you still have the dough. A top drawer condenser mic for vocals and major bang for the buck.

Some samples from Rode to get the idea:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oOy0EglZ ... ure=relmfu

Thanks, Johnny. I'll check out the Rode, in fact I read up on it last weekend. Here's the thing, we're submitting to television and movie projects, buy if you don't have the quality, they won't even consider your music. I've checked out some mastering facilities, but I wasn't happy with all the work they had to do to beef up the quality and I was still left unhappy with the vocals. Also, we want to open the studio up for more clients, but because we haven't had the right gear, we can't really compete.

But I'll test out the Rode and I think I'll buy one for my home studio.

Chaeya

Chaeya, Darling, My chest is still bigger than yours. Just busting. I would look into some of the BLUE Mics. Not that much, but $1500 will buy quite a bit. Funny is I don't see any used ones unless it is a fire sale.

Now between you and me,,,, You could sing into a paper bag and it would sound great. You are UNIQUE!!!!. I think what you and Cisco have done is GREAT!!!!!

On top of that I read your first version book through. I thought your writing was excellent. So what's the deal,,,, Gwen only tells me some of the news. You guys deserve some major success.

Keep on going. Only when you quit,, do you lose.!!!!!!!!

GLEN!!!!!! I've missed you!!!!

We actually have two Blue microphones, the big Blue condensor mic and the Dragonfly. They're good, especially if you have a great bottom to your voice, but it's not that oh so perfect sound quality that I'm looking for. The Dragonfly is close, but I'm not totally happy.

Now on the live front, I bought a Telefunken M80 in 2011, and this mic is the bomb! I looooove this mic. Cisco bought me a killer mic stand to go with it, but then he swipes my mic every time he gigs, bugger!

Chaeya

No worries, we all want what we want.

Tv and film... cool! Maybe you should to talk to this guy:
http://blueribbonstudios.com/

TV, film and commercials are primarily what he has done for the last 10 years (check out his credits). Kent knows what the film and TV execs are looking for and has great contacts. It's like driving down a well established path vs cutting a whole new road from scratch. Worth a look.

Whatever you choose, enjoy the process of making music.

Chaeya wrote:GLEN!!!!!! I've missed you!!!!

We actually have two Blue microphones, the big Blue condensor mic and the Dragonfly. They're good, especially if you have a great bottom to your voice, but it's not that oh so perfect sound quality that I'm looking for. The Dragonfly is close, but I'm not totally happy.

Now on the live front, I bought a Telefunken M80 in 2011, and this mic is the bomb! I looooove this mic. Cisco bought me a killer mic stand to go with it, but then he swipes my mic every time he gigs, bugger!

Chaeya

BUGGER! no,,, DOUBLE BUGGER!

Thejohnny7band wrote:No worries, we all want what we want.

Tv and film... cool! Maybe you should to talk to this guy:
http://blueribbonstudios.com/

TV, film and commercials are primarily what he has done for the last 10 years (check out his credits). Kent knows what the film and TV execs are looking for and has great contacts. It's like driving down a well established path vs cutting a whole new road from scratch. Worth a look.

Whatever you choose, enjoy the process of making music.

I've been close, Johnny. I got my tune "Demons of the Mind" selected for the TNT Show "Witchblade" back in 2002, but they canceled the show before they could use it. Then my song "The Red Rider" was almost selected for the Vampire Diaries, but the producer said the recording needed to be fixed, but he really liked the song. I get a listing of tv programs and movies seeking music once a month. I listen to what gets selected and the recordings are always prima. I would love to talk to your guy though and see what he has to say.

Chaeya

Chaeya wrote:

Thejohnny7band wrote:No worries, we all want what we want.

Tv and film... cool! Maybe you should to talk to this guy:
http://blueribbonstudios.com/

TV, film and commercials are primarily what he has done for the last 10 years (check out his credits). Kent knows what the film and TV execs are looking for and has great contacts. It's like driving down a well established path vs cutting a whole new road from scratch. Worth a look.

Whatever you choose, enjoy the process of making music.

I've been close, Johnny. I got my tune "Demons of the Mind" selected for the TNT Show "Witchblade" back in 2002, but they canceled the show before they could use it. Then my song "The Red Rider" was almost selected for the Vampire Diaries, but the producer said the recording needed to be fixed, but he really liked the song. I get a listing of tv programs and movies seeking music once a month. I listen to what gets selected and the recordings are always prima. I would love to talk to your guy though and see what he has to say.

Chaeya

Very cool! I think TV and film is where it's at right now with original music. As I'm sure you know, you gotta have the goods and then it's ALL about relationships in this biz. Good luck in your hunt.

Thejohnny7band wrote:

Chaeya wrote:

Thejohnny7band wrote:No worries, we all want what we want.

Tv and film... cool! Maybe you should to talk to this guy:
http://blueribbonstudios.com/

TV, film and commercials are primarily what he has done for the last 10 years (check out his credits). Kent knows what the film and TV execs are looking for and has great contacts. It's like driving down a well established path vs cutting a whole new road from scratch. Worth a look.

Whatever you choose, enjoy the process of making music.

I've been close, Johnny. I got my tune "Demons of the Mind" selected for the TNT Show "Witchblade" back in 2002, but they canceled the show before they could use it. Then my song "The Red Rider" was almost selected for the Vampire Diaries, but the producer said the recording needed to be fixed, but he really liked the song. I get a listing of tv programs and movies seeking music once a month. I listen to what gets selected and the recordings are always prima. I would love to talk to your guy though and see what he has to say.

Chaeya

Very cool! I think TV and film is where it's at right now with original music. As I'm sure you know, you gotta have the goods and then it's ALL about relationships in this biz. Good luck in your hunt.

Thanks, I'm just tired of all these "almost" things happening and need a door to open. Been trying too long. Hey, if I contact your friend, do I just tell him Johnny sent me?

Chaeya

Chaeya wrote: Hey, if I contact your friend, do I just tell him Johnny sent me?

Chaeya

Haha, that might not get it done. "Dave from The Johnny7 Band" will probably work better. His wife just had twins, healthy baby girls.

Right, Dave! Ha ha. Unfortunately, I tend to remember pictures and names together and it overrules real names . . . like in a Hooked on Phonics kind of way. I have the attention span of a gnat. Thank you! I'll try to give the guy a bit of a break, he's probably not getting much sleep right now.

Chaeya