Testing microphones for a session.

[Dr_Jones]

I always wondered about this, but it never pertained to me up until recently (that's when i picked up a few more mics).
Essentially - how do most people go about testing their microphones on a vocalist to see which one works best for that particular session. Do you just have the vocalist use each mic and you listen to the take dry? Or do you adjust the gear - compressor, reverb etc. to match essentially how you are going to want the vocals to sound in the song and then have the vocalist do a take with each mic.
Also, do you have them sing a verse, sing for a few minutes, or sing the whole song with each mic? Thanks.

 

[TheEastGateMS]

i have them sing along (dry) with the material until i know if the mic is the right choice or not. i almost never audtion more than half a song though. if i need to go through half of three songs to find out that it doesn't work, then so be it. once i find the right mic, i then go ahead and start messing with comps and eqs to ensure that the final sound we are after will be attainable. hope this helps.
daved

 

[Dr_Jones]

Thanks for the info dave, but now I have ask - how come you don't ever audition more than half a song?

 

[TheEastGateMS]

if i don't like it that quick, then it probably isn't right for the job. so i take it to another song to confirm or deny that thought. if i still don't like it, it's gone. if i do like it on the second song, i move on to the third, etc., until i feel that i have a solid decision. if i am only slightly sure, i try others and come back to it if nothing is better. just don't be afraid to \"break the rules\" and don't spend all day wondering about one mic, cause it probably isn't right if it takes that long to decide. then again, you make do with what you got. or call eric at http://www.jrrshop.com to buy more gear. : )
daved

 

[Ronnie Wibbley]

It's something I've often wondered about as well - do you have a mental ckecklist like \"breathy female singer = mic A; louder rock type singer\" = mic B\", or do you generally start from an all-purpose favourite and experiment from there?

As I generally do instrumental stuff or my own singing I haven't had too much experience with this, but as my mic collection expands to ridiculous levels it's something I should start thinking about!

Cheers

Ron