Alan Bachman

59 minutes ago, Duncan Stitt said:

Alan Bachman - the OP mentioned his favorite mic was the Stellar CM5, which is a C12 style of mic. And he said he doesn't like his 87 clone, which leads me to believe any mic with a lot of low mids - like a 47 or 67 - might not be what he's looking for.  I agree Tony Joe White might use a beefy mic, but I think the OP was using those artists as examples of his repertoire, not the sound he was looking for. 

For harsh singers in rock music, I keep going back to my SM7b, but I cheat a little, using the Cathedral Pipes phantom powered booster and running it through a Tonelux MP5a 500 series preamp with the "tilt EQ" boosting the highs by 1 db. I used to use a Phoenix Audio preamp, which was a truly magical combination with the SM7b, but it's cutting out on me, even after replacing the stepped gain pot. The unit is so old, no one in Phoenix Audio's tech department has even seen one. If I wasn't so near retirement (past retirement, actually) I'd get their 500 series version.

Interesting point on the Stellar.  I do find the 47 and 67 quite different from the 87.  The only 87 I would suggest is the Stam 87 T (Tube) which is quite different.

But I think his best option is to go to a recording studio with many mics, rent mics, or purchase with a credit card several mics with a dealer that has a great return policy.

And as I said, it may be the SM7.  Thanks for your thoughts on your chain with the SM7b.

I suspect that the SM7 Michael Jackson used is a bit different from the new model available today.  But I suspect there are good used ones out there of the same version Michael Jackson used.

Based on your artists mentioned, I do not see it being a C12 type mic.  Likely more of a 47 or 67 as compared to a 12.  I really like the Stam 87t (tube 87 which is not normal) better than any other 87 I have tried.  It has an amazing bottom and sweet high end.   For 47s, I love the Heisermans but I suspect it is over your budget.

Beesneez in Australia make a great 67 that is on the affordable side - in the U.S. - Wind Over The Earth - in Colorado.  

But Duncan gave a lot of good advice - including that you will never know for sure until you get it in your studio.

Might be a good idea to go to a seller that takes returns easily, like Sweetwater, not the best prices but great service.  Put several on a credit card.  Compare and keep the winner.

Another thought is if there is a studio near where you live that you can visit and check out some mics.   For all I know, a mic like an SM7, used by Michael Jackson on Thriller, may thrill you!  It is not all about price.

The only reason I mentioned the Chandler which is not a tube mic, is that it sounds a lot like one and is strangely affordable compared to most chandler products.

For live, I am using a Lewitt MTP 550 DM Dynamic Vocal Microphone and I love it.   I even like it better than the more expensive Neumann KMS 105s I have for my voice and my wife's voice.  I never tried this Lewitt in the studio.   I think it is more of a live mic, but heck, who knows.  This is a very individual thing, which is why great studios have many, many mics.   Michael Jackson chose or was given a lesser expensive mic on what I think is the world's largest selling album (or close to it), and I am sure they could have afforded a much more expensive one.

Enjoy!  

Sounds like it would have to be mostly online.  I suggested in person and livestreamed - presumably with the livestream captured for those that could not make it in the particular time frame.

Anyway, just a thought!

Cheers!

4 minutes ago, Pathfinder said:

So the thread and question I asked is ignored so you can post what you want? Very logical. 

Not exactly.  You asked what people thought of the mic.  I had heard clips of it and clips of the Chandler.    It is difficult, if not inappropriate,  to review a mic without comparing it to others.  I have had other Lewitt mics and they were great.  As to the pure tube, only by hearing clips from others.

I believe people here are trying to be very helpful. 

29 minutes ago, Pathfinder said:

Thanks but I never asked for suggestions. Only asked about ONE mic- period!

Understood.  But when you write on a forum, there are others who are interested as well.  And it so happens that the Lewitt and the Chandler have been compared.

You are free to ignore the posts about other mics that might be considered.

Wishing you the best in your endeavors.

I had this idea today.  Maybe it is good or so-so.

What if Cakewalk had an in person (and livestreamed) convention somewhere.  We could meet in person for a couple of days with training sessions on aspects of Sonar.  And it would be livestreamed. There would be some sort of charge of course.  It would be a way for people to get together as well as learn the various ways that people use the software.

Maybe call it CAMM - (Cakewalk and Music Makers )

Just a thought.

I will toss this out there for consideration - as a relatively inexpensive high end mic.   I have heard some great samples of it.  (If my memory is correct, it was compared with the subject Lewitt. )

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/TGMicTypeL--chandler-limited-tg-microphone-type-l-large-diaphragm-condenser

Even if the Bakers thought it would be out by now and it isn't, this likely means that they are being careful that the product is really ready for release, and it is fair that the popup indicates that it is not far off from now.

So, I would rather they be a little patient on the release and feel good about it, rather than have it come out and too many people criticize it.   If it comes out in April or May, no one is going to say - Oh it is great but I am not happy because it did not come out earlier.   But if it is half-baked (pun intended), there will be a lot of criticism.

We waited this long and we have had the advantage of a free product, so I think we should give them some slack here.

40% is based on predictions about winter and the spring.  If Punxsutawney Phil is correct about Sonar - that will be a 100% success rate.    And both Sonar and Phil can relate to things underground so there is a deep connection here. 

I rest my case.   Carry on.

P.S.  I think many need a little "lightening up" these days.

It is Groundhog Day!  And we have the most exacting way of indicating when Sonar is going to be available for all - it is going to be in early Spring!

Punxsutawney Phil did not see his shadow today.  This is good news.

If for some reason this is wrong, then we should file a class action against PunxsutawneyPhil!   Registered agent is in Pennsylvania.

All I can say is "YAY!"  This notice was a good thing.  

Great River makes a nice PWM compressor: https://vintageking.com/great-river-pwm-501?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiAqsitBhDlARIsAGMR1RgXLhPcO6TBqU4N1KjLZ5nksQIrWBDJd2ftpMciuxKJdJniPIqhwUAaAqqnEALw_wcB

Dan Kennedy of Great River is a great guy (no pun intended), and he is also known for some really clean mic pres that were awesome for acoustic music.  (The original Great River mic pres.)

Buzz Audio makes amazing opto compressors that are also really nice on vocals and not intended to be mojo type compressors and very clean.  Same with David Hill of blessed memory with his Titan compressor.

David Hill at NAMM used his Titan compressor on grand piano and I was amazed at how well it did while still retaining all the grand piano detail - of which I am a fuss nut about.

But as Craig indicated (I think), the cleanest is to adjust the envelopes.  And I would add - to ride the faders.  I am just not that good at it.   And I just like equipment - perhaps too much!

 I find the writing in the markers too small.  Hopefully, changing the size of the text in the markers is something that can be fixed in the upcoming Sonar.

I should mention that if I use compression while recording a track - I use light compression - even if I use two compressors - one for peaks and often one for tone.  For instance, I use a Wes Audio N76 (1176 type) for peaks and a Highland Dynamics for tone and some extra smoothness.  But both compressors are set with very little compression.  And it depends on the singer whether to use it at all.

Some also blend compression with no compression.

Using no compression can work too, as Craig points out above.  Craig - it would be nice if there was a way to have Cakewalk, or a plugin, automatically adjust the envelopes, so that all one has to do as is check them out and maybe make some tweaks from the application of the auto envelope adjuster.  And some are able to ride the faders if a mixer is involved.  However, sometimes it is nice to have something capture peaks if a recording session is tight timewise and one needs to capture something without fear of overload distortion on a track.  

Everyone is different which makes all of this more fun imho.

A lot of times two hardware compressors are used for at least two reasons:

1.  Sometimes it is great to have one fast compressor like an 1176 type that tames the peaks and the second compressor is set with a slower attack and at extra smoothness and sometimes color - like a great tube comp.

2.  Sometimes two hardware compressors are used because some compressors sound better with lighter compression, and two units set with lighter compression equal more compression with a better sound.

Does this apply to plugins?   I think so.  By the way, my favorite color plugin comp is the TDR Molet GE.  It sounds so analog and smooth for a plugin!

I suppose it can be archived, but is the same thing accomplished by simply clicking on it in the effects section, so it is clicked off?

If you do go the microphone route - consider a good ribbon mic like a Samar VL37 or AEA 84 or 44.

The Steinberg is a nice beginner interface.   I am wondering if there are some used RME interfaces that are within reach.

2 hours ago, Herky Acuff said:

Long shots, but:

Using a gate or some sort of ducking by parallel... could that silence or eliminate the notes or portions you don't want?

Or, make a pattern with volume automation, effectively muting every second note, copy-paste down the track?

If I am understanding the OP, I thought of this volume envelope pattern usage.  Once the volume automation on a measure or two is set, to eliminate the notes not wanted to sounded on that track - copy and paste it to the end of the track.  There should be no need to delete the notes, though it will help if they are quantized.

It does not work in the current version.   But it may not work in the earlier version either!  I hope to find out soon.  Thank you kind people.

There is no download in my purchases section for these programs and I am trying to open up an old file.

I have a CD for Pro Audio 9 - and I have the CD key - but the serial number is missing and not on my purchase list, even though I purchased it.

Any thoughts?

48 minutes ago, John Vere said:

An interesting side note to this is that they added the off line activation to Cakewalk Next back in early December. 
Let’s face it CbB is more or less abandon ware and not really supported anymore. 

That may be a good thing.  It may mean that Sonar is coming out soon!

Welcome Zion Vec to the forum!!!  What are your display settings?  Do other programs have icons that are too small?

16 hours ago, JnTuneTech said:

Sorry to hear that, but what you are describing is a bit unclear. For instance, most of the time, VSTs that the DAW uses are separate from the presets that are saved from/by/for them.  I would be worried about needing to add a documents folder as a VST scan source. -Yes, there will likely be presets saved in the documents folder, but it's not normal to place/source the VST dll file(s) there.

Are you sure you didn't somehow move the VST files to the documents folder(s) somehow, or delete the ones in their original location(s) at first? Did you mean that you also lost the VST instruments as well as the presets at first? -It's a bit confusing.

Normally, VST files are not located in a typical documents folder.

I did not lose the presets until I installed the latest UAD software.  I wonder if it is  bug in it.  Thank you.

So, I lost quite a few hours last night as almost all my presets were gone!

Finally, I found a bunch under "documents" in the computer.

I added "documents" as a folder in the VST scan and that saved the day.

But why did this happen?  And after a reinstall of CWB, why did not it not search for these presets in documents automatically?  I just do not get it.

Anyway, maybe this helps someone else.  Or maybe someone else has better advice for me.