Recommend A Good Live Vocal Mic?

[Teahead]

The singer in our band is in the market for a new live vocal mic. He's not a fan of the SM58 or 57, but he does like the EV something or other that we have. I'd appreciate any suggestions of what's out there.

He plays bass too, so something that's forgiving of any improper technique that may arise as a result of that would be an advantage. Priced between $150 & $200, please?

Many thanks.

[where02190]

I'm a big fan of the Shure Beta 87, but I think that may be out of your price range.

Have him check out the Beta 57A. they are awesome dynamic mics for vocal, great rejection, very forgiving pattern for bad technique, and superb sound quality. Retail about $130 I think.

[jwag]

Audix OM-5

-Jake

[daklander]

Flame suit, ON!

Not a thing wrong with the Carvin CM68. Supposed to be a SM58 clone but to me, it's closer to the beta58. Great live vocal mic at a sweet price.

[Teahead]

Thanks for those suggestions guys, I'll have him check them out online. The part about forgiving bad technique will appeal to him lots!

Hi, Dak. :) Good to see you!

Any other suggestions would be gratefully received.

[Scodiddly]

SM-86 is a nice mic, somewhere between the SM-58 and Beta-87 in sound and price. Nice flat condensor, very neutral, street price around $180.

[Teahead]

Thanks, Scodiddly! Say... would the SM86 require phantom power? Or any kind of power for that matter?

Also, will it be relatively forgiving of improper technique during live performance?

We don't have any condenser mics at all, so it would be a nice addition to have for recording. They're quite well priced here in the uk too, which surprises me!

[Badside]

What doesn't he like about the SM58 exactly?

In 5 years of gigging, what I've learned is that most live soundman hate it when you want to use anything else than a SM58. Because they are the standard and everyone knows how to make them work, and they graphic EQ is usually already set to fight feedback based on the characteristic of this specific mike in their specific venue. We're talking live here (very different than studio) where you have like an hour to mic a full drum set, 2 guitars, one bass and 3-4 singers, adjust reverbs, EQs and compressors and feedback is a big enemy. At first we didn't like SM58s because we found them "dull" sounding compared to other mics that are more hyped (the ATM41HE being one popular contender). We got tired of the thin voice sound and the constant fight against feedback and now use exclusively Shure mics and our life is that much better.

[Teahead]

Oh, he wouldn't be taking it to gigs, just using in rehearsals and anywhere we had to provide our own sound... God forbid!

As for the '58, he just always says it sounds a little dull(!) :D Although I'm sure he just wants to try something different. Anyway, he asked me for advice and I thought I'd try and get some experiences here to guide us in the right direction.

Thanks again. :)

[daklander]

Originally posted by Teahead


Hi, Dak. :) Good to see you!


What's up Tea? Good to see you here too.
:wave:

[Scodiddly]

Originally posted by Teahead
Thanks, Scodiddly! Say... would the SM86 require phantom power? Or any kind of power for that matter?

Also, will it be relatively forgiving of improper technique during live performance?

We don't have any condenser mics at all, so it would be a nice addition to have for recording. They're quite well priced here in the uk too, which surprises me!

It needs phantom power. I think it's fairly forgiving on head movement, but not the most P-pop resistant mic out there.

[AudioMaverick]

If he likes EVs and not the SM-57/58 series for their dullness, look at the EV-767a. It is brighter. I have one, and use it when the SM-57 sounds *dull*. They are running about $130.

[Watershed]

Whilst you can deffinately get better sounding mics than the SM58, it is still very reasonable and you can pull a decent sound from it.
If he is finding it "dull" I would be guessing that it's the PA or engineer that's not up to scratch..... If you are using a cheap mixer, that will make anything sound like crap.

[AudioMaverick]

Watershed, Point well taken. None of us asked about the console/mixer setup. I guess we should have.

There are some voices that seem to defy the best mics. Some people just don't sound good on certain mics. I recorded this one guy who sounded great on an AKG C2000B over a Shure KSM-32, Rode NT1000, and a few others. And, I've had similar scenarios with voices that were best flattered on the oddest choices. Some of us prefer not to use inline EQ, whenever possible.

[TimmyP]

Shure SM58 - The standard. To quote the Jon Lovitz cartoon character: "It stinks".

Audix OM5: Also nasty, but in a different region.

Senny 835: Cheaper and sounds better.

Shure Beta 58: Not too bad.

Audix OM7: More revealing of the nuances of the voice, and a little smoother. Lower output, but works fine with even old Mackies.

Audix VX10, Neuman KMS105: Very different sound from each other, but definitely a couple cuts above the rest. Not nearly as good at rejecting stage noise/feedback, so are of much more limited utility.

AT 4050: When you have sufficiently low stage volume to use it, it sounds so much better than the others that it's depressing (if you own a VX10 or KMS105). The AE5400 has the same capsule - anyone tried it?

[where02190]

The SM86 is is Shure's poor mans version of the Beta 87. If he's looking for better high end clarity, either of these is the way to go. They are both condensors. To solve the plosives issue, keep a windscreen on them all the time. I actually prefer the sound of the Beta87 with a windscreen, as it has a bit of an 8k peak that the WS smooths out.

IMHO Audix mics get loud, but don't sound very good. I've never used one I cared for.

Also have him check out the Sennheisser 865, their version of the Beta 87, at a slightly lower cost.

[Lee Knight]

Originally posted by AudioMaverick
If he likes EVs and not the SM-57/58 series for their dullness, look at the EV-767a. It is brighter. I have one, and use it when the SM-57 sounds *dull*. They are running about $130.

What he said. We need the Thumbs up guy. They're good on snare too.

[Phil O'Keefe]

I don't do a lot of live sound anymore, but I do think the SM58 can be a good mic on the right singer. Other mics I've used and liked include the Audix OM-5 and i5, the Shure Beta 87 and the AKG C-535. IMO, that last mic is a bit of a "sleeper" - it can really sound great on the right singer (KD Lang used to - and still might - use them), and it can also serve "double duty" as a general purpose studio condenser mic.

[Meriphew]

I really like the Shure Beta 58. Good enough for Bjork and Bono (even for recording) = good enough for just about anyone else IMO.

[Watershed]

Originally posted by Phil O'Keefe AKG C-535. IMO, that last mic is a bit of a "sleeper" - it can really sound great on the right singer (KD Lang used to - and still might - use them), and it can also serve "double duty" as a general purpose studio condenser mic.
We have 4 of them in our live kit, and I'm always pinching them for the studio.
Way too sensitive for loud rock bands, but for quieter, laid-back intimate stuff (which is what we do most) they are the "bees knees"

But be warned..... they'll show up a bad PA system very well ;)