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Post by mcirish on Jun 13, 2023 9:28:18 GMT -6
I'm working with a young artist who has a very breathy voice and plays ukulele. I had another post where I told about my surprise that an AT4060 was chosen for her vocals. It really does sound very good and I probably shouldn't mess with a good thing, but we always do...
I know the frequency plots rarely tell anything about the true sound of a mic but if I go on the published data from Audio Technica, it's response is "similar" to a CK12 type capsule. I'm not sure I even need to look for a different mic at all but it started me thinking about possibilities that I don't have.
Signal chain was: AT4060 - Stam 1073MPA - LA2A - Lynx Aurora
There was additional compression and EQ in the box but the general sound was there already. It's funny that I thought a warmer and bigger sounding mic might help her voice come through, but the AT4060 beat out my usual suspects (mostly M7 and K47 based tube mics). So maybe more airy mics (like the AT4060) might be best. I'm trying to look for mics that are similar but possibly a bit smoother, not that the AT4060 isn't already pretty smooth.
As I look at CK12 type mics, I started to look at a Beesneez Phelicity. Ben's capsules are not as bright (typically) as say a TC12. I wish I had one to test, as that would be the very upper end of my ability to buy right now. As a cheaper alternative, I could get one of Ben's CK12 capsules and install it in a Miktek CV4. I have two of those with different capsules in them already.
I'd love to post a clip, but I'm afraid that might cause some trouble for me.
What have you used on breathy soprano vocals that worked well?
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Post by seawell on Jun 13, 2023 9:32:48 GMT -6
I'll usually use the C12 or 251 cap on my Korby KAT. I haven't used it in this application yet but I imagine the Stam SA-87 Tube would really excel, the top end is sweet!
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Post by Ward on Jun 13, 2023 9:48:38 GMT -6
the BLUE Kiwi is fantastic for this application and cost effective!
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Post by nick8801 on Jun 13, 2023 10:19:39 GMT -6
Or, you want to go opposite and use a ribbon! Depends on the context of the tune. Using the proximity of the ribbon to add some body to the breathiness might be cool!
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Post by drumsound on Jun 13, 2023 10:28:38 GMT -6
414eb, any number of 251 clones, sE T2 all come to mind.
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Post by mcirish on Jun 13, 2023 11:26:36 GMT -6
Or, you want to go opposite and use a ribbon! Depends on the context of the tune. Using the proximity of the ribbon to add some body to the breathiness might be cool! I tried two different ribbons on her. Both were the least favorite mics out of the five we tried. the AT4060 was the best and second place was a CV4 with Ari's Flat 47 capsule (which doesn't have the mid bump of a K47). |
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Post by Deleted on Jun 13, 2023 11:36:07 GMT -6
EV635a. If they want to hold the mic, RE50.
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Post by chessparov on Jun 13, 2023 11:42:29 GMT -6
Am in the process of working on Male Countertenor. Including reducing Breathiness. (It's been helping to extend my legit upper Register) I happen to be Sopeano Coloratura in that Register! Most likely will remain a Harmony and "Accent" R&B voice. So far... Seems there's more latitude in mic choice and type. Compared with my normal Baritone/2nd Tenor. Chris P.S. Got the 635a today as Travel Mic! I'm a "holder" on them too.  |
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Post by chessparov on Jun 13, 2023 11:44:32 GMT -6
the BLUE Kiwi is fantastic for this application and cost effective! Only the Yeti is left. All other Blue Microphones out of Production sadly. Chris |
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Post by thehightenor on Jun 13, 2023 12:01:29 GMT -6
the BLUE Kiwi is fantastic for this application and cost effective! Only the Yeti is left. All other Blue Microphones out of Production sadly. Chris Really, I didn’t know that. I was also about echo Ward and say the Blue Kiwi. I’m so glad I bought another one a few years ago having bought one and then sold it and really missed having one around. They’re a really great multi pattern mic. |
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Post by niklas1073 on Jun 13, 2023 12:25:21 GMT -6
Not owning the 4060, but reasoning that similar tubers should put you anyhow in the ball park with slight variations. As some others here have already suggested, I would have suggested the ribbon as well, as it seems you want some body in the sound and a nice smooth top end. Depending on the ribbons, some will be really eq friendly and you can really dig in there and pull up a nice top if needed like the at4080. Did you dig into the ribbon tracks already to see what they could offer? Though a great sound to start with would ofcourse be the thing.
A wild horse I have seen more and more in places where I could have bet any one would normally reach for the 67 or 47 style is the sm7b with amazing results. Fooling me for sure 😄. I am not sure how it works in the soprano register but if you are looking for another direction might be worth a try.
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Post by svart on Jun 13, 2023 18:45:13 GMT -6
Blue bluebird works pretty well if you don't get a nice C12 type.
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Post by paulcheeba on Jun 13, 2023 22:05:14 GMT -6
There’s nothing like a real C12 through a focusrite 215 for me for breathy female vocals. I have worked with so many women who don’t like that sound though and would rather have a U47, C37a or a Ribbon or something else dark that takes the brightness from their voice which unless they are sibilant I find a shame.
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Post by phdamage on Jun 14, 2023 8:04:04 GMT -6
the BLUE Kiwi is fantastic for this application and cost effective! Only the Yeti is left. All other Blue Microphones out of Production sadly. Chris Wait, are you joking? I see bottle, kiwi, blueberry, mouse, dragonfly, hummingbird, bluebird and baby bottle still for sale on vintage king. Guess they could be old stock but seems there are some things on back order |
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Post by chessparov on Jun 14, 2023 8:34:34 GMT -6
I think it's old stock. David Rick at GS originally posted this. So pretty  reliable. Like when RE16's went bye bye... Chris P.S. They got bought by Logitech. And I'll double check. (Hey that rhymes!) |
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Post by Chad on Jun 14, 2023 9:37:15 GMT -6
With your question, I immediately had in my mind Sarah McLachlan’s 1997 album, SURFACING. I looked up what the producer used on her vocal for that project, and it seems to be the Neumann M149: "In Sarah's case, I recorded her with a Neumann U47 until Surfacing, and then switched to Neumann 149, which has a sweeter top end. I don't have to EQ it later at the mix. I compress her voice a little with a Tubetech CL1…” Here is the URL for the whole interview: www.soundonsound.com/people/pierre-marchand-producing-sarah-mclachlan |
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Post by christopher on Jun 14, 2023 10:30:43 GMT -6
BeesNeez. I had someone come to me years ago, quiet breathy female vocals and uke. She had some tracks that were done by someone on a BeesNeez and wanted to do more. I had a good 251 clone, I couldn’t find any info about BeesNeez back then. But those damn tracks were so perfect, it made my life miserable! Many sleepless nights not able to get that soft present top end, mine were way too bright and airy with sibilance. Really bummed me out she had some great music
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Post by Ward on Jun 14, 2023 10:48:45 GMT -6
An old U87 can really capture that breathy sound too.
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Post by Ward on Jun 14, 2023 10:49:36 GMT -6
An old U87 can really capture that breathy sound too. Example: Some of Karen Carpenter's tracks. |
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Post by mcirish on Jun 14, 2023 11:13:19 GMT -6
An old U87 can really capture that breathy sound too. Example: Some of Karen Carpenter's tracks. This person is anything but Karen carpenter. Karen had a strong and deep voice. this is frail and light. I will see if I can post a snip of the tune she is currently working on. |
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Post by chessparov on Jun 14, 2023 11:14:30 GMT -6
My first love had a voice similar to Karen's. That's like a Siren call for me. So sexy! Dusty's another one. BTW had a nice chat with Ben Sneezby yesterday. Sounded like it's good to have both "flat" and rounded headbaskets in the Studio quiver, depending on the singer. On my voice for example, he said a "flat" headbasket is preferred (other things being equal). This includes "inclined flat" ala 49 or C12-as the BU67 is also. Partly due to 2nd and 3rd degree Harmonics. Sounds like a Masonic Lodge without the Handshake! I thought this was all quite interesting. Of course I plan to nerd this out, in Male Soprano too. Chris |
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Post by mcirish on Jun 14, 2023 11:36:35 GMT -6
BeesNeez. I had someone come to me years ago, quiet breathy female vocals and uke. She had some tracks that were done by someone on a BeesNeez and wanted to do more. I had a good 251 clone, I couldn’t find any info about BeesNeez back then. But those damn tracks were so perfect, it made my life miserable! Many sleepless nights not able to get that soft present top end, mine were way too bright and airy with sibilance. Really bummed me out she had some great music I'd be curious on what Beesneez mic it was. |
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Post by Ward on Jun 14, 2023 16:24:14 GMT -6
Example: Some of Karen Carpenter's tracks. This person is anything but Karen carpenter. Karen had a strong and deep voice. this is frail and light. I will see if I can post a snip of the tune she is currently working on. Weren't you presenting the question under the guise of "breathy female vocals" and didn't exclude technique used? Karen Carpenter may have had a lower alto voice, but she had tons of 'air' in her singing. |
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Post by chessparov on Jun 14, 2023 18:06:29 GMT -6
Yes. To "air" is human.
Or Focusrite.
Chris
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Post by phdamage on Jun 14, 2023 19:44:51 GMT -6
Not that I record breathy vocals often but I have been surprised enough by my 414B-ULS to put it in the lineup when I get one
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reliable. 
