Which one? AT4047 / RODE K2 / AKG C4000b / KSM44...

[esytsai]

hi guys! I'm trying to find an affordable mic
that's great for Vocals
I'm using it mostly on Pop / jazz and possibly on rock / R&B sometimes.
on a lighter male vocal (Chet Baker-ish)

Here's my list after a long research:
AT4047
RODE K2
AKG C4000b
KSM44
KMS 105

Which one would you guys recommend?
and which one would you recommend that's not on the list?


by the way,
I've heard that mid-priced mics are no-worse than
those expensive pro ones,
(simply cuz there's no "best" mic for a vocal)
would you guys agree (comparing these ones to U87 & C12....)

===>allow me to add in Rode NTK & Rode NT2000 , NT2-A and AKG 414-B XLS

[Audioholic]

KSM44 out of your list.....


As far as these mics being no worse then more expensive mics, eh, I don't always buy that argument. I mean the good news is that there are some pretty nice mics in the mid affordable range that certainly will work well. But to say a AT 4047 will be as good as a U87 most of the time might be a stretch. Different mics can be better for different people, and sometimes a lesser mic is just what is called for. But, overtime, using some of the higher end mics, you can get an appreciation of why they are staples. Sometimes there is a quality that just is there, and no hyped freq, mid level mic will give that depth. I was hearing someone I know once explain to another that his 100 dollar USB mic can compare to a nueman. I just kinda giggled and thought, silly wabbit. Then again someone with not a trained ear might just think that. just my 2 cents.

[mikelava]

Off of your list, I'd say the KSM44, AT4047 and NT2-A are great choices. Beware the mic snobbishness out there. Some people would have you believe that unless you are running the top of the line Pro Tools system and recording with $4,000+ mics, you aren't a real pro. Don't buy into that hype. I personally feel Neumann mics have a built-in snob factor, kind of like BMW's. I own a Shure KSM27 and absolutely adore it. It's no Elam 251, but for what I do, it works perfectly. I compared quite a few mics before deciding on the KSM27. Some mics were many times the price. Close you eyes and listen. Forget the numbers on the price tag.

[aitikin]

In my personal opinion the KSM32's and 44's sound too...sterile. I use them regularly for strings and brass at work, but I always wish I had one more pair of C414s to use. I really could not see the 44's having too positive an effect on most voices, but if this is going to be your vocal mic for your voice, go to a guitar center (or, if you can swing it, Sweetwater themselves) and try out a bunch. See what comes up, see what sounds best, sounds worst, then worry about buying it. I have not worked with the Rodes, but I will say that most people find the 4047 very useful. But seriously, try them out. Let your ears be the judge.