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What microphone would you suggest for recording intimate, quiet, whispery vocals at home, in an untreated bedroom "studio"?

The style would be something like this:


Mixed with Elliott Smith style quietness.

(Except… well, bad, because I can't sing. But never mind that.)

There is faint, low-end, noise from my computer in the room, but I think that can be EQ-ed out if it is at all audible when there's actual vocals, and it'd get lost in the full mix anyway. However, the room sound is, though not complete shite, unlikely to be flattering. Feel therefore free to also suggest some stuff I can do to mitigate it being after all an untreated space—e.g. cheap stuff I can buy, or techniques I should employ.

I already have a couple of SM58s (who doesn't), and might just end up using one of those unless the suggestions are particularly compelling, but I'd like to weigh my options. Good old trusty SM58 might be my best bet after all though, since using a dynamic mic is less of a pain in an untreated room. Then I could spend money on a reflection filter, or whatever, instead of a new mic.

My current idea is to get a reflection filter, maybe also a pop filter, and then prop up my "bed" (I only use a fairly thin mattress on the floor) against the opposing wall.

Do you have a closet/wardrobe/klesskap?
If you do put your mic in there somehow.

Mics: depends on your budget, but Shure Sm7b is often used when the room is not ideal.

interesting news to me about the Sm7b

ognoy wrote:Do you have a closet/wardrobe/klesskap?
If you do put your mic in there somehow.

Mics: depends on your budget, but Shure Sm7b is often used when the room is not ideal.

I have a klesskap and know about that hack, but it's not exactly conveniently placed with regards to the computer. I've already looked at the SM7B and read precisely what you suggest, however it is about twice my budget for now.

SM7B sounds great for more aggressive vox, so if you ever want to yell a lot, in addition to not yelling, I can't recommend it enough.

added it to my watch list

slight derail - how is it as an acoustic instrument mic?
i mean, obviously, not every mic can be great at everything, but i've had a couple that were pretty decent all-rounders
i realize this depends on the instrument, but let's use standard tuned acoustic guitar as the baseline? thx

goroth wrote:SM7B sounds great for more aggressive vox, so if you ever want to yell a lot, in addition to not yelling, I can't recommend it enough.

I actually prefer condenser microphones placed half a metre away for yelling vox. Mighty chuffed with how it turned out for the last released track I did that on, which was a sort of in the style of emo anno '93.

The band I'm recording for here will be pretty quiet/whispery, likely from the throat/head. I don't foresee a lot of yelping.



BTW, Dandolin, from what I read about the sm7b is pretty much great at everything *except* acoustic guitar. People recommend it for kick, snare, cymbals, brass, whatever. I've used it for recording kicks (on the side opposite to the pedal), wrapped under a duvet and pillow, in a full-band recording setting, and those sounded great.

thanks VREEEEVROOOOOW
sounds like it could be a nice utility player, but i'll hold onto a condenser too

Op, people are suggesting the sm7b.

It’s a great mic. Used it on my first album.

Switched to a sennheiser 431 dynamic for my second album. It’s a little hotter. Not as dull. Might be the perfect fit for intimate. Check out the link in my sig. every track is md431.

It sounds a bit more eq’ed out of the box in the best way possible.

The SM7 is low output, so a lot of the “I’ll start my own podcast” guys presume getting a Cloudlifter or similar pre-preamp booster will fix why no one is listening. Check Facebook Marketplace for bargains. But another factor on budget considerations.

I’ve got an old Peavey dynamic mic thing, I think the PVM 520. Seen it described variably as a voiceover or kick drum mic, and it has an integrated yoke like you would buy aftermarket for a V-O mic. Not as big sounding on typical dialog or singing but it has a kind of crispy top end that is in the range of sibilance and might get there for louder vocals. I’ve only pulled it for whispery stuff, though, where it makes everything sound detailed and intelligible. No real catcher for it that I can tell but also not that common, so it may be cheap but you may never come across one.

Hard to do a rec for good and cheaper than an SM7. Maybe you get lucky on a Beyer M88. Stronger output so less need of a booster. Hypercardioid pattern in a dynamic mic is usually very untreated-home-studio friendly. And sounds good on almost anything, though there was some caution about fatal air gusts using them inside a kick drum’s port.

I will second the Beyer M88. I regularly use it for vocals. Like Gone Fission says, it's on a lot of sources.

I definitely recommend making or purchasing actual sound absorption blankets and panels vs. any foam products. Those are for tuning. Without sound absorption you can get weird echoes and risk noise complaints. And definitely agree with the SM7B recommendations for your mic purchase. It’s insanely versatile and definitely loves loud/aggressive.