$310

Does anyone actually record with a dynamic mic? Check out the release on this Samson rig here:

http://www.musicgearreview.com/article-display/2904.html

I always thought it was best to record with condenser mics when laying down vocal tracks.. anyone have opinions?

I know a few people who record with Shure SM 58s for vocals, and they sound quite good -- not master quality but good for demo. I have a few friends who work in or run studios. I'll ask what they use for vocals.

Stevie Nicks Always uses a SM58 to record her vocals. As far as a specific type of vocal mic, often the best choice is a medium to large diaphragm condenser microphone, but in the end it's best to choose a microphone that complements the vocalist or colors the tone of the vocalist in a way that is desired.

Oh my -- do I want to sound like Stevie Nicks? Her voice at times reminds me of Granny from the Tweety Bird cartoons.

Ha Ha Ha, touche Laklander.

Hahah! Laklander, so harsh! Not sure if you saw her sing with Taylor Swift on the Grammy's a few months ago? Check it out on youtube - you would have a field day.

The only dynamic I can recommend in the studio is the Sure SM7B. I began using to track scratch vocals during live studio recordings and was so happy with so many of the takes that I ended up using them in the end. Now when I track vocals, I always set up a U87, Bock 195, and the SM7B - depending on the recording, it can sound great!

Of course, as we all know, a vocal will only ever sound as good as the vocalist (until you run it through 5 layers of auto-tune)!

I'll admit that Stevie sings more in tune than the B52s chicks used to -- at least live. But her vibrato just grates on me sometimes. And I know CSN&Y went into the studio to "sweeten" their vocals for the live "Four Way Street" LP 40 years ago. Everyone has bad nights singing.

Agreed, that performance made me feel bad for her because Taylor Swift butchered a Stevie Nicks's classic! I'll have to check out the CSN&Y thing. I'm a youngin' and guess I was unaware that they did overdubs like that back then...very interesting!

Peter Gabriel has "Plays Live," from the early '80s, and in the liner notes he explains that some tracks had been supplemented in the studio. "This is called cheating," he says. Gabriel also sells individual CDs taken straight off the board from live shows that sound wonderful. You get all the inter-song talk that is usually cut out on video.

I also have a live album by The Association that was recorded over two nights in 1968 -- no overdubs, no sweetening --and they were right on the money both vocally and instrumentally. With IEMs, there's really no excuse for being out of tune, but they take some getting used to.

I guess Taylor Swift had a bad or non-existent IEM mix, so I understand. Her manager didn't help her cause by saying she "isn't the best technical singer."

You never expect your manager to say something like that!

Thanks for all of the info..I've got a lot of listening and watching to do now!