Microphones

Here is a list of the microphones that “Vherbal Industries” recommends.

Bang For Your Buck

MXL 2003 A
Now traditionally i wouldnt suggest getting anything from MXL, as it usually sounds very harsh in the highs and upper mids. This mic employs a circuit similar to what they do to a neumann u87 to correct the flaws of the capsule. The result is a cheap mic that sounds leaps and bounds more true and flat than anything MXL has ever made. Even there “high end” stuff. Basically dont get anything from MXL ever but this mic.

RODE NT1A
Now out of the box this mic is definitely usable, but when modded with oktava mods it sounds almost identical to a U87. In itself the mic is a great deal as the anniversary edition comes with all the accessories you would need to record with the mic. It has low self noise and a fairly neutral tone out of the box, but like i said with the mod from oktava mods its a contender in any mic cabinet.

STERLING AUDIO ST55
This was my secret mic for a long time. For hip-hop vocals its almost perfect with the right preamp and settings you want even have to eq it. Its a very odd mic. The capsule itself only goes up to 18khz which for hip-hop vocals is actually a good thing. It has this weird little resonant disc on the condensor element that they say is meant to extend the freq response of the capsule. My theory is this weird little disc is why the highs sound so smooth on it. If you are on a budget this is the mic to get.

Mid-Level

SHURE SM7B
Unless the rest of the mics on this list this mic is a dynamic micropone. Meaning it doesnt require phantom power to operate. Also it isnt as bright as a condensor traditionally is. The downside is it requires significantly more gain (60db capable) from the preamp the get optimal recording levels. This is the mic that some broadcasters use. Also the vocals for thriller and alot of stuff by nas was recorded using this mic. Its alot different but definitely fits well with that boom-bap sound.

MIKTEK C7
This is a fairly new brand. But it is quickly becoming a studio favorite for alot of cats. Its a tube condenser so it has a bit more bite than a FET condenser . It has low self noise and an overall accurate and desirable tone. I like it alot.

MOJAVE AUDIO MA-200
As far as mics that have been released in the last ten years this is the best. Mojave audio mics are made by royer the guys who make the standard ribbon mics. It has alot of versatility but is a great vocal mic. Like the C7 it is a tube condenser as well but a little more detailed. The transients are very accurate yet it is smooth. A very natural sounding vocal mic and is essentially the standard for sub $3000 mics.

Hi-End

NEUMANN U87
Im not gonna beat around the bush or even put any other mics in this genre. If you have the money this is the mic you want. Even today it is used on about 80 percent of all commercial vocal recording and there is a reason. It is the most natural sounding vocal mic ever made. The smoothest mic it sounds like butter. There are some people that bad mouth it, but there must be something wrong with there ears becasue this mic is magic!