Mics: live, studio, custom
Custom Mics
I’ll bet you’ve never considered a custom mic. Neither had I. But I had someone build for me the V-251 kit from micparts.com and it is now my go-to mic for everything.
The music I grew up loving was all recorded on the Telefunken 251, so I wanted one for myself. I couldn’t afford the real thing, so I bartered with a soldering-skilled friend to get this kit built into a cheap enclosure. I’ve never been more happy with the sound I get from a microphone. It’s as simple as that. I sometimes use it with the Millennia simulation on the Focusrite. Eventually I’ll probably get the Millennia HV35-P, or at least the Focusrite Liquid Channel.
Other studio options
My second go-to mic, especially for voiceover, is a Rode NTK mic with a Telefunken Black Diamond tube. I’ve also enjoyed the Aston Origin for some things like spoken word with the rolloff engaged. But then I gave it to CLVS who’s doing great stuff with it.
The AKG C414XLS is also great for everything except being reasonably priced. I liked it with the Grace 101 preamp with the detented knobs and clean performance. But eventually, I determined I couldn’t pick the 101 out of an A/B test so I got rid of it. I recommend Popgard for pop filtering. Its especially good for point-blank proximity.
Also don’t forget Lewitt. Their LCT540 is in the top 3 sax mics I’ve heard, though I haven’t heard the more recent replacement for it. I’m seeing these everywhere now. Picked up an LCT 440 PURE and I’ve been liking it for voice. Also helped beta test their LCT 1040.
Live
My wireless rig for shows is a fantastic Shure Beta 98H/C into a Sennheiser 300 G4 wireless system via a Performance Audio Yellow cable adapter. I considered using a Shure system, but I can’t depend on anything in the 2.4 band due to the number of cell phones in Surfaces’ audiences and nothing under $1000 or so from Shure fits that requirement without sacrificing sound quality.
Thought about switching to an AMT LS or DPA 4099 but I’ve heard the AMT is darker in tone which is a no-go because I’m very happy with what I’m getting straight out of the Beta 98, and the DPA may in fact provide better tone quality but is said to transfer more key noise, have a more finicky clip, provide worse isolation of other onstage sound and cost way, way way more.
Had some decent results with the Beta 57 for speaking in-between songs and even for sax. Needs some processing though.