Auditioning mics for vocals

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Also, I just realized that slightly more expensive microphones that are
more likely to retain their value may be worth considering as well. So
If I can sell the mic later on for nearly what it cost me, I'd
certainly like to audition it.
Thanks,
Jeff

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No, I haven't considered that, although I can sing pretty well. But I
have a feeling a singing teacher wouldn't teach me how to make my voice
grittier. I may have a misconception about mics and what they can
accomplish. Thanks for the suggestion.
Jeff

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straightnut wrote:
> I want to go into a studio and audition mics before I buy one for my
> home setup. I'm hoping to find an inexpensive mic(preferably under
> $300)that fits my voice.

That sounds like a noble effort. I suspect, however, that a studio that
you'd go to to try mics would have a reasonable assortment of $1,000+
mics (and maybe one inexpensive mic that someone there likes) or you'll
find yourself in somoene's personal studio - someone just like you but
who has more loose cash and just bought a bunch of mics in the
under-$300 range.

> I was hoping that some of you can give me a list of inexpensive mics
> you've had good results with when recording male vocals, especially
> somewhat muddy vocals that need some brightening.

You name it and it'll be on somebody's list. It's that bad today. And
your requierments are just like everybody else's.

> Although I'm just recording songwriting demos, I want them to sound as
> good as they can, and I know the right mic can really help.

It's not likely that you'll find "the" mic, but you could get lucky if
you try enough of them. I'd suggest that you visit a dealer rather than
a studio, take your preamp and recorder along if you want to, go before
lunch time on a weekday (when they aren't busy) and make some test
recordings with several different mics. If you bring some tracks
recorded on your Zoom recorder, you can sing to those. Then set it up
for playback on some reasonable speakers in the store, listen to the
playbacks, and buy the mic that you like best.

The salesman will be impressed by your thorougness (or will be totally
bored and will leave you alone - both are equally effective) and you'll
have an opportunity to try what you can actually buy. One of the things
that you should be aware of is that when you get really cheap, there's
can be as much variation from one mic to another of the same make and
model as there is between different models. So when you hear a vocal
recording that you like best, take that mic off the stand, carry it to
the cash register, and say "I'll take this one."

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Like you suggested, I was having no luck finding a recording studio
with a selection of mics in my price range. Thanks for the great
suggestion of taking my recorder into a dealer. I considered going into
a dealer using their equipment, but your idea makes a lot more sense.
Jeff