if you're really on a budget the sure sm58 can do really well with an ok tube amp. compressor/gate/limiter is good to add to that signal chain. yes, its designed as stage mic n prolly the greatist, but yes it can do good for recording especially if your sound proofing aint to good.

however

my favorite all time hiphop mic is the SENNHEISER MD 421 II. this is tried n true in studio setting. wat was used at "ready or not" studios (131 and st nicholas, harlem, the "make it or break it videos" tv show home base circa late 80's to early 2000s). recording 1000's of hiphop songs n demos in its time, many you know well.

i just wanted to put it out there cause it can be had for a few hundred dollars as opposed to 1000's and its even forgiving in non sound booth envions.

and also im curious what else is good cause mic selection is quite hit or mis wen it comes down to recording hiphop well.

if you find info stating it's a drum mic dont worry, just think of the many voluminous percussive consonant sounds in hiphop and you'll quickly see why some of the fanciest, most sensive and expensive condensers on the market can fail the mc while this can save him.

if youre a recording mc and you find a mic that works really well for you, you may want to consider owning it so you can take it to various studios you record at so you can tell the engineer to patch you in with it.

"The MD 421 II is one of the best known microphones in the world. Its excellent sound qualities enable it to cope with the most diverse recording conditions and broadcasting applications. The five position bass control enhances its ‘all-round’ qualities. Colour: black, sound inlet basket: refined steel, black."

There is no such thing as a "hiphop mic," you need to suit the mic to the voice.

I like the AKG C414 right now. But my dream mic to own, and one I have only used in major studios right now, is the Sony 800G because it has this smooth yet in your face feel to it.

Im not really a fan of the Neumann mics, they are ok, but not amazing in my opinion.

On a budget I would recommend the Studio Projects C1 for a condensor, its an alright all purpose type of mic. But like I said, if you are serious, you need to really match your vocal chain to your voice, there is no magicical hiphop mic.

Nice thread though.

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A SENNHEISER MD 421 II is the worst thing you could user to record vocals with. It is a dynamic mic. Different mics are ment for different recordings. the MD 421 is not a vocal mic. It GREAT to use when recording a drummer or putting it in front of a guitar amp. But vocals? HELL NO! Vocals should be recordind with a condenser mic, unless you are an opera singer and have that dynamic range in vocals that need to be expressed and can only be captured through a vocal mic and lets face it no rapper falls into that catagory. The MD 421 is a classic mic but why the hell would you want to record vocals with it, especially for hip hop? Do you want to hear their lips smack or or saliva forming in the person mouth?

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^^ Some dynamic mics are fucking awesome. I love the way my voice sounds through an RE20 but you just need a shit load of gain on them.

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