Why Every Rapper Uses This Microphone

[@modernemcee]

I got the opportunity to ask Ma$e on clubhouse last year or so about what mic he preferred and he said the c800. I’d never heard of it but he mentioned “the one where you can hear ya jewelry in the back” before remembering what it was called. Obviously any condenser can pick up moving jewelry but the way he mentioned it stood out to me.

[@GgWhyfye]

Thank you for validating my hate of the c800 even more ..... If you wanna be a successful musician you should literally do the exact opposite of everything mase did

[@modernemcee]

@@GgWhyfye Ma$e is still one of the best and most influential to ever do it and now is part of one successful sports show with Cam’ron so I don’t get the hate.

[@GgWhyfye]

@@modernemcee murdahmase? Trashhhhhhhh? Influential??? Barely.... over them wack ass Diddy r&b beats. Got scared of the rap game cause big and pac died and Diddy had his pub. So he ran to the church to scam old people. And nobody but his peer group watch that show 😔 cam got old and soft And took his foot off his neck like a lameeee

[@______user______]

@@GgWhyfye lmao I agree with u, Ma$e is shit honestly. No hate but he’s not good at all

[@Canderson_Beats]

​@@GgWhyfyehang out with Puffy and become a priest?

[@pepesebastiao9654]

The thing is, microphones like the C800, 251, C12, etc., are designed to deliver the most polished sound possible. The problem is that nobody has access to an Ocean Way-level recording room to track vocals anymore. So, most likely, your room (even if treated) will have some resonance between 180 and 700 Hz. When you record with one of these microphones in a room with any imperfections, the high frequencies will pierce your ears as soon as you try to control the resonance. You’ll end up spending all your time trying to rebalance and tame those highs. In home studio environments (and even mid-sized studios that weren’t designed from the ground up to be professional studios), it’s better to opt for mics that are a little more forgiving in the high frequencies.

[@Spencera224]

A lot of studios in la have this mic, the more high end studios maintain the mic and keep the tubes in good condition and others leave it on 48v 24hrs and they sound harsh and mediocre. Also, a lot of rappers have dogshit mic technique and you have to do a lot of of processing to make it usable. Chances are when you are at a studio using one, the engineer has a bunch of plugins on making you think it’s the mic alone when it’s not.

[@jas_bataille]

If you have dog shit technique then using this mic is the worst idea possible... why using a tube mic at all then?? A freaking 57 is gonna be better if you want in your face, compressed vocals. A high caliber tube mic is the worst idea with anyone without technique. Engineers have to stop flattering some of those rappers egos, it's fcking ridiculous. You could take the biggest rockstar in the world and they're told use a 58 they won't say "boohoo I want my 15K mic" or some childish shit

[@2ndearthagepromotions]

tubes dont effect the tone of a mic. the only thing that changes anything is the capsule

[@javierguajardo1760]

You guys wont believe me but we recorded a sex scene on this mic and it worded amazing. It was for the end of this song from some famous Pittsburg rapper that passed away

[@glennfaustino7502]

48v on a tube mic is crazy 😂

[@Spencera224]

@@glennfaustino7502 power supply* they leave the power supply on 24/7

[@prodbykosi]

Your really elevating the sound of all producers / engineers with your content man , grateful !

[@PumpScience]

this mic is trash its marketting

[@breezyoakk]

i didnt really get the hype around the c800g until i heard Tayc - Room 69 for the first time. His vocals on that record are CLEAN and recorded with a c800

[@Warmwinterz]

Proper eq can get those lbright” results. Shelf eq above 10k is a good place to start

[@poindextertunes]

really should’ve mentioned the handpicked tubes that came with the early 90s C800G’s

[@jas_bataille]

The CM800 is really interesting because it's very bright which usually we do not want in a condenser, people like large diaphragms condensers for the warm sound. The funny thing in this video is how people are so intense about it... like dude, I don't necessarily like bright mics, but if the CM800 helps ME get business enough to justify its cost, then what's the problem?! It works great. It's a very unforgiving mic technically. Very clean, very sensitive to sibilance, but if you work in hip-hop at the top level, worth the price. I'd get a U87 ai over it any day, or a 251 or even a Schoeps, But microphones are just tools... there is no need to get upset and rant about something that is objectively great just because it doesn't fit your taste. Producer at 3:42 is right.

[@microfx]

lol I thought this mic is like 200 bucks... saw one for 25k on reverb. What moron pays that price lol

[@xicoamc]

You should use a C800 to give your voice some clarity and less boominess. Great video, keep them coming!

[@brutal2824]

U got 20k lying around?

[@xicoamc]

@@brutal2824 The Slate emulation is more than good enough

[@wtrpddles]

@@brutal2824lmao

[@MikeMulahMusic]

@@brutal282410k

[@MrRaphaelRobinson]

@@brutal2824 Get a w8000

[@themidasblack]

Your segues into talking about The Acoustics Course be smooth fr lol great video

[@kennethsalter9998]

I heard through the grape vine ....China would buy very high end gear and take out the most expensive components then resell with cheaper stuff installed !! They were especially targeting Yamaha and Sony !! I cannot confirm this but did hear this from a very knowledgeable engineer !!

[@WheelieMix]

IMHO : C800g got hyped for the same reason the CL1B got hyped : Bandwagon phenomenon. Both of these tools can give you a result faster than others. But they can also, because of that, work against what you are trying to achieve. But the "rap" community are often very passionate about all of this. About what the famous artists say, use, how they behave. And so if one piece of gear had been used by a few big names a few times, it's enough to create a massive hype and bump up the demand (and often prices too) like crazy. And all of this is often not dependent on the quality of the actual unit (I am not saying the C800g or the CL1B are crap don't get me wrong). But the overall audio community is a bit like that too : massive bandwagon phenomenon leading to massive hype on some products that see their demand skyrocketing. Which is interesting as music, imho, is all about innovation and not doing the same thing that everybody else does or using what everybody else uses. And engineers should be lead by what will work in some situation andnot what somebody else used. But that's just my opinion :).

[@CompteGoogle-fz7zj]

CL1B and C800g just sound amazing

[@CompteGoogle-fz7zj]

It's not bandwagon when Engineers at larabee studios always used CL1B on vocals, they didn't attempt each others sessions, it was just the best sounding compression unit

[@WheelieMix]

@@CompteGoogle-fz7zj They do share what they use on sessions. And tbh, for having worked with big mainstream name in that style of music, the artist also request it quite often (so it leaves no room for experimentation). And Larabee engineers are as subject as the bandwagon effect as anybody else imho.

[@WheelieMix]

@@CompteGoogle-fz7zj They def sound amazing at what they do that's a fact indeed!

[@AaronZhang-co7ne]

excuse me sir george... can we get a video on less commonly mentioned high end mics like the elam 251 and especially the brauner. thanks for what you do, love these videos

[@RicketyKrickett]

800 is a nice tool to use, don’t rely on it though. I’ll never forget seeing the 800 mic at Namm on media day, then turning around and seeing J-Lo drop a Blue Bottle mic and like eh.. and just paid for it right there and kept on walking around.

[@tommytamagotchi3569]

I made a mistake recording a project with a c800 because I’ve been chasing that sound ever since..it was perfect on our vocals.

[@MxxRie]

Don’t forget that the c48 use the same capsule.

[@abasement666]

I still rock with tylers bastard era vocal recordings lol

[@ChaceBonanno]

It looks weird with the windscreen cuz I’m used to seeing it without it

[@valoelios40]

Telefunken ELAM-251E is decent. ALso the Mojave MA-300 delivers it with presence and warmth. It really matters what preamp you are using and the actual voice that is being recorded. Then also the singer´s / rappers mic technique and the room acoustics come into play as well. So there are many more factors to concider than just merely a mic.

[@MfcoolProductions]

Here before 1 million views! 🔥🔥🔥 video

[@ronrutan]

As an old school hardware guy going way back to the early 90s, I promise if you know how to use plugins and can edit worth a shite.. you can use the cheapest of mics and sound dope as can be. This dude and everyone like em get paid to push this crap. Dudes in the day that either worked in or paid out big bucks to go to big studios were butt hurt for real when those in the know came up on the roland vs studios and just shit on all the big studio work for a fraction of the price. And then come to find out the pop guys had been using the VS stuff.... This is all about money boys

[@Charlesbabbage2209]

That, and the actual talent giving the performance is 95% of the record. A trash rapper on a trash track isn’t going to sound good just because he is standing in front of a 50k recording chain. It’s also ironic because most of the golden age stuff we look back at fondly was recorded with minimal budgets at the lower end professional studios. At the end of the day, a great song and a great performance will always be more important than the tiny differences between various expensive mics and preamps.

[@poindextertunes]

this mic been discontinued for awhile now so…. 😂

[@thejacoshow1]

love these vids bro. keep it up 🏆

[@simonh9034]

Goated content my man

[@YAYYEE]

What mic did you use to record this ? Bass heavy

[@righteousone8454]

I worked in the studio where Chris Brown recorded. It was called Chalice Recording Studio, and this engineer is telling the truth. Chris specifically requested Telefunken 251, and since we didn't have it, we would borrow it from another studio (rent it) for his session, or he would bring one himself. We had a gang of U47/U87/U67 mics and we did have the Sony, as far as I remember, but he wanted 251. Engineer is also right on all that. For my voice U47 sounds amazing. It all depends.

[@thecrow4597]

I was just about to leave a comment about how the Sony is a great choice for most pop vocals but sometimes other choices are just special. Am I example was that Chris Brown sounds fantastic through the 251 and it’s become his signature sound.

[@Aar0n-_-]

"lets pray!, let me hear it" 😂😭

[@who_is_dis]

Honestly.... U87ai >>> Sony C800 🤷‍♂️ Don't shoot me...

[@who_is_dis]

@@BY-up7pw Yes, the Ai's sound great.

[@CompteGoogle-fz7zj]

It's just your opinion their no value to it, I won't blame you

[@aundrestrotter6527]

Every micophone is not for everyone. Different mics are for different people, everyone don't sound the same. Find a micophone that works for you. I use the BlueBird SL. Its a good micophone but the thing is it has a big diaphragm so i have to use eq to cut the high ends a little to get my highs to work with my mid range. You first how to understand what micphone you are using and understand how it can affect your voice when sing through it. Some people need a Sony c800 and some don't. Y'all also how to understand when a person speak through a micophone, where their dynamics on the spectrum look like to understand what micophone is best to use for that individual artist.

[@KillerBros000]

Should try to go more in depth on the types of interfaces and mixers that they used as well I feel like it plays a huge part in the industry.

[@CompteGoogle-fz7zj]

Doesn't do much compare to acoustics, mic techniques and prestation

[@moguld4419]

Hi music engineers and everyone!I'm a male rapper unfortunatly(Im not sure,maybe tenor) with higher voice.I have a babyface pro fs soundcard.What mic do you recommend?Im thinking about:Sony C80,Austrian audio C18,Rode NT1000 or NTK,Lewitt 440 pure

[@harryjj-fk5tx]

you pick a mic based on YOUR VOCAL RANGE AND DELIVERY?

[@garrybartlett6853]

Different pick up types, different frequency range etc... there are many mics for many things... Sweden swears by X mic for stereo recording of a mono source...

[@CompteGoogle-fz7zj]

Stereo recording of a mono source ? what are you talking about ?

[@tylereat]

That C37b though 👀

[@intanettrappin8367]

Yooooooo lol definitely underrated… my homie has had one for ages still uses it

[@dr.dylan123]

I really love my AKG c414xlii, I don't I'd prefer this sony mic even though it costs way more

[@garrybartlett6853]

Not sure you'll find that mic in a pro studio... or maybe like NS 10s it has a reason to be there...

[@zenemij]

That’s my dream microphone

[@kingech_B15]

Go get it.

[@zenemij]

@@kingech_B15I don’t have the money bro but I have AKG 420 and the Neumann TLM 49

[@MxxRie]

Not all tubes sound the same and these run on high voltage so they burn up quite fast. God knows why they used also a tube as the Rectifier. Awesome that Sony copied a capsule and made it way better than the original

[@a.recordz8394]

the craziest part was seeing the guy that mastered burnas love damini ,

[@jonathansaxton9954]

What kinda mic do you use, the VocalFry-3000? LOL jp nice vid.

[@i.g.806tx]

Dr. Dre really put this mic on the spot light!

[@voodoohex72]

You actually classified DJ khalid as a rapper? LOL

[@AppAxis]

Sweet! What does it do?

[@kingech_B15]

Those who can afford it will buy it again and again.

[@TigroGumi]

All you need is some laptops and some nice gear (there small amount of bits of gear there was well over 40K... the laptops were quite cheap in comparison

[@VMussic]

I use the Neuman TLM 102 MIC listen on my channel

[@REALEXIT]

it's good mic but i hate it cause it's harsh

[@trvf7053]

They’ve discontinued the production of that mic. It cost 10k used lol!!

[@JuanNungaray]

It’s not discontinued, still being made!

[@PandaPotPies]

people need to bring back plosives in recording like brazilian funk artists plugins can make it a sausage later

[@wneup]

😭😭😭

[@BlockBallerRecords]

All you need is a decent interface and a good guitar stomp pedal tha has good eq on it and compression and you can make ANY MIC 🎙️ SOUND GOOOOD🫡It’s Called the GHETTO PRE AMP TRICK 💯Thank me later 💨💨💨

[@CompteGoogle-fz7zj]

Oh so that's how they made vocals on ghetto house records !

[@wtrpddles]

i like the rode right now but i also am in need of funding

[@DSane206]

The running theory on the sound differences in the newer C-800Gs is that Sony changed some of the components in it to be compliant with California's Prop 65 regarding lead content. Apparently, some of the mic parts had lead in them. IDK how much truth there is to that, but I guess it makes sense. 🤷‍♂ Also, another longstanding rumor is that Sony produced the original C-800 (minus the heatsink) in 1992 for Mariah Carey to compliment her voice. She still uses it to this day, and has obviously churned out hit after hit on it. So, people can talk all the crap they want to about it, but the fact is that it is the mic of choice for many hit-makers. I've owned one for damn near 20yrs and will NEVER regret buying it. EVER. EVER, EVER, EVER! The only real problem with the C-800G is the finite supply of vacuum tubes for it. They're becoming increasingly scarce and Sony is starting to charge outrageous amounts of money for them. I purchased a large batch of identical Russian tubes in the inevitable event that my current one burns out, and am just hoping some of them will have low enough noise and similar characteristics to the ones Sony uses.

[@CompteGoogle-fz7zj]

Yep you are smart with an objective argument ! Though why don't you test the tubes right now ?

[@DSane206]

@@CompteGoogle-fz7zj Disassembling the C-800G to swap the tube is not fun. The tube is laying in a heatsink tray and lubricated with thermal grease, then they have copper tape wrapped around it holding it in place. It's a real pain to deal with. I've taken mine apart several times to swap out the tube and torn the copper tape in the process. The copper tape is very delicate and easily damaged. Sony also charges ridiculous prices for a new piece of copper tape. I finally decided to buy a roll and just use the spare copper tape that I have as a template for the next time I need to replace it. I don't want to mess with it until I have to. The tube I currently have in it has lasted the longest out of all of them. They normally only last 1 or 2 years, but this one has lasted like 7 years now. Although, I'm sure it will probably die soon.

[@djcuda]

It’s the urban u87 Lmaooo

[@PumpScience]

I think it is an ad and I dont think they r actually usin it I tried it sounds bland and boring compare to my Neumann u 87 this is the best mic in the world im sorry but all sony music equipments fukin trash its marketing 100% also lotta rappers use sony mdr 7506 headsets extremely trash headset never ever buy that shit buy beyerdynamic DT-770 instead these 2 items literally gonna last u forever again Im sorry I used lotta sony music equipments and it was always a disappointment

[@djcuda]

@@PumpScience yeah I gotta break in my DT770 pros and mdrs but idk I haven’t tried this Sony before, my friend recked one and got another one he was telling me it’s a good mic but it’s based on the sound chain and what you’re running it on, I like Neumann’s but I got a Lewitt 540 SubZero lol

[@PumpScience]

@@djcuda it just sounds pre mixed way too clear I dont like that

[@PumpScience]

but if you gonna buy a new mic you gotta try it with your setup first somehow some people prefer sony but I like raw shit

[@djcuda]

@@PumpScience right naw you right 100 precent I do voice to mic matching, but honestly we as audiophiles and producers We Tripp over things the audience don’t care about…. And I don’t give a damn lol if it don’t sound good to us it’s a big deal lol did you get a re-Issue Neumann?

[@PSILOCYBINISTHEWAY]

Didn’t realize it was a $10,000 mic lol

[@Thatmeee11]

Yeah use to be like 20 to 30,000

[@CompteGoogle-fz7zj]

Stam as a clone version, and you can be sure with him that every mic is tested and sound proper

[@johnsuggs7828]

They all use it because they've been sold on the idea that it's best that they use it and not that it actually is.

[@ignacedhont9816]

Lot's of weird comments.. That Sony is one of the elite microphones for a reason.. other than status or bandwagon nonsense.

[@scarvello]

Loved this video, just made a subscriber out of me.

[@VonteBrown]

Bro get you 3 audio speaker references with ns 10s being one of those three. A Sony c800g, Apollo twin a MacBook and a few DSing plugins and you have everything you need anywhere anytime 🖕🏾 anything they tell you.

[@TuMalditaMadre]

It's real simple. The price.

[@ChiefofThangz907]

Im not paying $10,000 for a mic though...rappers that rent a studio? ok...but im not on that level yet..I can afford the c80 at this point and thats fine...

[@djcuda]

I do offer a Unique Voice to Mic matching service in pretty good too I just have to hear your voice ATP and I know exactly What mic that’ll take anything you’re doing to the next level immediately HMU I got good rates!

[@zxcvbnmmification]

Cause they love maria carey and thats what she used to

[@Dr-Curious]

WTF would a rapper know about mics. They go by cost and exclusivity of a product. You can CERTAINLY get awesome vocals from a dynamic stage or broadcast mic. You just have to have real engineering chops to do the right production job.

[@travislee9662]

Same reason every rapper and celebrity on MTV Cribs back in the day all had the same cars and Sub zero refrigerators…it’s an expensive status symbol to own/use and they have no thoughts of their own so they follow the crowd.

[@poindextertunes]

incorrect 😂

[@Trentstone121]

Sounds like it's a decent mic for guys with deep voices. I wouldn't pay that much for it, too many cheaper/better alternatives. I also don't record rap. Seems like this mic is useless to singers. Rappers aren't singers. Most of them couldn't sing their way out of a wet paper bag, even with autotune. Basically, use it if it works for you, don't use it if you don't like it. What's the problem here? I don't get it.

[@ignacedhont9816]

The ONLY line that rings true is "rappers aren't singers". Lol about the rest of the statement

[@hithere4289]

i usually dont respont but i had to on your comment. wdym "seems like this mic is useless to singers" ?? lol have you ever heard it?? its the most popular mic for singers 😂 dont jump to conclusions with information coming out of your head

[@KennyLauderdale]

That bihhhh cost BIG

[@All_Ent]

Everyone else as far as rappers they clout chase and everyone using it cause dr Dre said it was what’s he used

[@rockboy360]

Rappers only use it because it's one of the most expensive ones. It's like flashing jewelry for them.

[@darionblue11]

10K mic

[@DezzyYBR]

I used to think it was the U87 😢😢I’ll trade someone 😏😏😏

[@joelbaraza]

Nah the U87 is better keep it

[@worldparfum8564]

Warm-8000

[@ignacedhont9816]

.... no

[@worldparfum8564]

@@ignacedhont9816 no?

[@ignacedhont9816]

@@worldparfum8564 It's not a bad mic but sorry to say not one of the better clones. But "Warm" Audio is good at marketing.

[@phisharkk]

Sony C-800G is a $10k microphone lol

[@petertarentaal983]

Mass production kills quality

[@CHInative1]

travis scott vocal

[@MikeRP3147]

A 251 for me

[@andyanderson398]

I owned one- good mic IF, and only IF the vocalist has a GREAT tone to begin with. LIke on all star vocals yes, amazing mic- but on average mid vocals Nooooooo sounds horrid.

[@poindextertunes]

so like every mic then? 😂

[@InfamousAWJ]

@@poindextertunes😭😭😭

[@PumpScience]

I think it is an ad and I dont think they r actually usin it I tried it sounds bland and boring compare to my Neumann U87 this is the best mic in the world im sorry but all sony music equipments fukin trash its marketing 100% also lotta rappers use sony mdr 7506 headsets extremely trash headset never ever buy that shit buy beyerdynamic DT-770 instead this headset and u87 literally gonna last u forever again Im sorry I used lotta sony music equipments and it was always a disappointment

[@JuanNungaray]

Gotta be the stupidest fool here commenting nonsense, I own both mics and the sony blows the u87 out of the water. U probably can’t afford the sony hence your trash talking. The C800G is an elite mic that’s worth every penny, cope with it!!!

[@in70x]

This has too much high end. Something most rappers don’t even need or want.

[@aleksamrkela831]

One of the most overrated (and overpriced) microphones ever to grace the market. It's an extremely bright mic, and once that top end is there, it's hard to shape into something that sounds pleasing.

[@Charlesbabbage2209]

But it makes the track sound sooooo good when you hear it playing from that one trashy chicks’s cell phone speaker on a bus. Lol.

[@poindextertunes]

just say you don’t record rap lol

[@aleksamrkela831]

@@poindextertunes Trust me, when you try something more neutrally voiced on rap vocals, you'll never look back.

[@JuanNungaray]

Learn how to mix first!

[@wyatterb4124]

lol stop this....u87 or nothin

[@Gang-25j]

Black ppl like anything that you tell them that it’s good

[@darkcharmrecords]

Not all

[@ChaceBonanno]

Low key U87 > C800

[@JuanNungaray]

Nah no comparison at all I own both, the C800g blows the U87 out of the water!!

[@chucky3296]

@@JuanNungaraysame, noticeable difference in c800 imo

[@GgWhyfye]

Pleasee pleasee no C800 GET IT AWAY FROM ME . its only for ariana grande and tay swift and .... Drake . Its for people who wanna put out doo doo music that cuts through on the radio

[@zeenuf00]

Because it's expensive.

[@Kay_Locc]

Not every rapper uses that mic that’s a lie. U87 has been used way more, and longer than that sony mic are u smoking rocks lil bro

[@SpeakHerMusic]

Not only did they not say that they showed you countless examples of mainstream artist using it. Most mainstream rappers fs use this mic

[@letdabeatbang7642]

U87 is the most used but a large slice of artist do use the c800…..prob the 2nd behind the u87

[@letdabeatbang7642]

And i think dre is a huge part of the popularity of the c800 in hiphop

[@stalwartzero7001]

I’ll take a vintage 404, always worked for me 😂, or my SM7B. Rappers just buy whatever’s expensive and “in”, they never do they wandering and experimenting of most other musicians/engineers

[@yeshua3374]

​@@letdabeatbang7642yea he ONLY uses that Mic JLO too not that she's any good at using it 😂.

[@intanettrappin8367]

Naw take a vintage u87 all day over the c800