Grateful Dead Music Forum

I'm wondering what y'all think is a really good vocal mic. Something better than my Shure SM58. I really know nothing about mics.

Thanks,
Jim

coming off SM58s here are my two favorites (for similar money)
#1 http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/pr ... sku=270475
#2 http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/pr ... sku=270058

The AKG just rocks, IMO! It has the smoothest proximity handling of any mic I've used. The EV is a bit easier to dial in and very sweet for vocals but doesn't handle the proximity as smoothly...

I'll also add that both do very well to avoid feedback.

I would go with a condenser mic. I recommend, if you can find one the Audio Technica AT4055. It's a large diaphragm hand-held condenser mic. They don't make them anymore and I think it's been replaced by the AT5400. It's a cardioid pattern mic so it does ok w/feedback just have to it right in front of the monitors. I hear that the 5400 isn't quite as good as the 4055. I got 2 of them used for about $125ea. I think the new ones sell for about $300. I'm not a great singer but man this sure makes it a lot easier to sound good. It's got the same diaphragm as my AT4050 studio mic.

I used SM57s and 58s for years before making the move to the Sure Beta 87 which is a good condenser stage mic - it's a supercardioid pattern so good for feedback (place off center of monitor). These aren't bad either. I tell you the difference is night and day from a dynamic mic. The low end response and the sensitivity of the AT4055 is unbelievable. Of course they're more expensive and you can't bang them around like a 57 or 58.

For a dynamic mic I hear the Telefunken M80 is good.

mijknahs wrote:I'm wondering what y'all think is a really good vocal mic. Something better than my Shure SM58. I really know nothing about mics.

Thanks,
Jim

I absolutely LOVE mine:
http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/pr ... sku=276672

We have a mix of the e935 like Jeff's, and e835, both good mics. There are a lot of better choices than a 58 for the same money these days IMHO. My last band had Audix mics similar to what S6 posted and had great luck.

A good rule of thumb is to have all the vocal mics in a band be the same brand... in general you get a better blend and mix that way.

Rusty the Scoob wrote:We have a mix of the e935 like Jeff's, and e835, both good mics. There are a lot of better choices than a 58 for the same money these days IMHO. My last band had Audix mics similar to what S6 posted and had great luck.

A good rule of thumb is to have all the vocal mics in a band be the same brand... in general you get a better blend and mix that way.

+1 especially if you all do your own sound. It makes it easier to get things set if you know the differences are coming from the singers not the mics. I still say use condensers if you can afford them.

And it's AE 5400 (the new version of the AT4055):
http://www.audiolines.com/Studio-Record ... ica-AE5400

I use a Sure Beta 87 and love the thing! It is very easy to sing with it.

Rusty the Scoob wrote:A good rule of thumb is to have all the vocal mics in a band be the same brand... in general you get a better blend and mix that way.

I've heard this before and have to disagree. I think it's more important to get vocal mics that suit the singer.

I can't see how the same brand makes any difference at all. Take a $500 Shure vs an SM57?!

Here is a simple example:
ME: I love my AKG so when I do the "Bobby screams" I can back off the mic and it won't drop out but instead not overload it
DRUMMER: has an Peavey that's perfect for him as he does harmonies but it doesn't pic up his drums

I know there is a term for the field around the mic that it picks up but I don't recall it at the time...

Imagined Days wrote:I use a Sure Beta 87 and love the thing! It is very easy to sing with it.

I would have to agree with that one - I have 4 or 5 of them and used to use them before the AT4055s. Not quite the response of the AT but much better that most any dynamic mic out there. I'm sure the Shure is less expensive. I know some folks get nervous about condensers and feedback on stage but they really have not been a problem for me. I use my Yamaha VG96 digital mixer and no EQ other than the EQ in the mixer which is pretty good and flexible but no 31 band and I can get the vocals pumping in the monitors w/o real feedback issues. I'm an EQ minimalist and don't feel it's necessary unless there's a problem. It's all about monitor placement. If your mics are cardioid pattern monitor in front, supercardioid - monitor slightly off to one side.

I use my large diaphragm studio mics for my amp and when we do acoustic trio gigs for my guitar with no problems (unless someone else is running sound ) - my bluegrass only uses 2 large diaphragm condensers for the whole band - again no issues w/feedback. Just gotta be careful not to drop them and put them back in the case after the show - don't let drunk friends help pack those down

strumminsix wrote:

Rusty the Scoob wrote:A good rule of thumb is to have all the vocal mics in a band be the same brand... in general you get a better blend and mix that way.

I've heard this before and have to disagree. I think it's more important to get vocal mics that suit the singer.

I can't see how the same brand makes any difference at all. Take a $500 Shure vs an SM57?!

I know there is a term for the field around the mic that it picks up but I don't recall it at the time...

yeah, I didn't read that too closely - I think using the same mics is good, at least for me to make sure issues are coming from something other than the mic and for consistency. Brand I don't think matters as all mics are different - sometimes even mics that are the same model especially as they age.

the field around the mic is the pickup pattern or other similar term. Generally stage mics are cardioid or supercardioid - cardioid is a heart shaped pattern

the indentation is behind the mic that's why you put the monitor directly behind the mic. These aren't as tightly focused as the supercardioid as is more prone to bleed in from the sides.
the other is supercardioid - this is more focused, better at rejecting side bleed in and generally for reducing feedback problems. It has a little bubble of pickup directly behind the mic so placing the monitor off to the side a bit works best for these.

I meant roughly the same mic, too.... a model or two up or down the price chain at most.

It's a rule of thumb, not a hard and fast law. I do agree, if you can take the time to find the best mic for each singer in a set lineup that's the best scenario... but if you're a guy with a PA buying vocal mics for whoever might use them, buying multiples of the same mic is usually the best plan. And if you're a guy with a band who needs to buy a microphone and don't feel like doing hours of research, a good bet is to buy the $100-or-so Audix/Senheuser/EV/higher-end-Sure that matches what the rest of the band has.

I just need a good mic for myself to play with different groups/bands. My voice tends to be weaker than others and more on the bassy side.

Thanks everyone for your advice. I appreciate it. Right now I'm torn between a Sennheiser e935 and some condenser mic. I'm sure the condenser would be awesome but a little pricey for me. Maybe a used Shure Beta 87...

Jim, like you my voice is prone to sounding muddy and the EV above is a great solution. I tested out out MANY mics. Tried that Sennheiser e935 and wasn't any clearly for my lower range than an SM58.

Rusty the Scoob wrote:I meant roughly the same mic, too.... a model or two up or down the price chain at most.

It's a rule of thumb, not a hard and fast law. I do agree, if you can take the time to find the best mic for each singer in a set lineup that's the best scenario... but if you're a guy with a PA buying vocal mics for whoever might use them, buying multiples of the same mic is usually the best plan. And if you're a guy with a band who needs to buy a microphone and don't feel like doing hours of research, a good bet is to buy the $100-or-so Audix/Senheuser/EV/higher-end-Sure that matches what the rest of the band has.

Oh, very much agree! If I was outfitting a general PA rig it'd be a 57s and 58s and e609s.

mijknahs wrote:I just need a good mic for myself to play with different groups/bands. My voice tends to be weaker than others and more on the bassy side.

Thanks everyone for your advice. I appreciate it. Right now I'm torn between a Sennheiser e935 and some condenser mic. I'm sure the condenser would be awesome but a little pricey for me. Maybe a used Shure Beta 87...

mijknahs, if you decide you want a Beta87 - I'd be happy to part with one of mine - cheap. If it's not what you want you can send it back. PM me if interested.

87A's a good choice for a bassy voice IMHO... my GF had one (or still does? I can't keep track of it all) and I remember it having a good tight bottom, the opposite of boomy.