What microphone would you buy for recording hip-hop vocals if you could only spend $100.00 and you didn't want a Shure SM-57/SM-58? Plus, it has to be a mic that can be handheld.

For that price you might want to check the mics that behringer has at www.behringer.com

or rode! very good for very little loot.

And Rode wise… I love the NT1 better than the NT2, but it's for my voice only… (bass baryton)

The SM family (funny is praised by rappers because they can be beaten and still work, useful for guys moving a lot. An accident is easy to take place.

It depends of so many things…

Maybe you can find a rode 2nd hand, usually they are 150$ 2nd hand. Check them thoroughly before buying. Mics are little thing that need close care… and people can be so bad with them.

(I saw GOD -U47- a month ago… I am a believer now

the u47 CAN be called the BEST vocal mic EVER!
the valve version is the best, but the fet version is way cool too.
unfortunately, a valve u47, if you can find one, will cost you £4000
with no great guarantee of reliability.
i own a valve u67, definitely the 2nd best vocal mic ever! more than adequate for grade a vocal recordings.
on the subject of mics for vocals, the akg c414 will usually give great results, and of course, the c12 is right up there with the best.
dynamic mics can be used for vocals in studio situations, the recognised best of which is the beyer m88 for about £2/3 hundred pounds.
the bottom line is that a valve mic will give that classic old school sound that we all know so well, if it 'aint broke' don't fix it...

It also depends on the dynamics of your voice. If you've got a deep to mid range voice I'd recommend a mic with a medium to large diaphram, if your more medium to high range I'd recommend a small diaphram mic. Then again for your budget on good all around mic should suffice. Check out Musicans Friend.

Go there to see a U67 NAKED

(3 sec of studio porn , fairchild optional )

http://www.hestudiotechnik.de/english/repa...pair/repair.htm

(warning this site is full of out of budget stuff, watching too closely could make you drool)

that was beautiful lpm!
bigger in reality though!
davinci IS davici,
hirst IS hirst,
something else IS something else...

1st U47
2nd U67
3rd C414
4th U87 (commercials)

For a Condencer mic under $100. Try the Samson CO1. I did not have high hopes for this mic. one it was Samson, two it was at a price point of the MXL mics, which are ok but not good. The CO1 selling for US$69. is a killer mic. I was so impressed that I had to buy a pair.