PG Music Home Forums General Discussion Off-Topic New lead vocal live mic needed

I need to buy a new professional lead vocal mic for singing at live gigs. I am pretty confident about Sure as a brand but I have been to their website and it appears there would be 9 different mic models that would be suitable. What are the advantages / disadvantages of these different mics? Does anybody have experience with all of them? Which one would you recommend and why?

The list is as follows:

SM 48 (S)
SM 58
PG 48 (anything to do with PG Music?)
PG 58 (anything to do with PG Music?)
BETA 58A
SUPER 55
SUPER 55 (SE)
565 SD
55 SH

Any other suggestions?

As usual, many thanks in advance

Sam, don't dismiss the SM57. It's the same element found in the SM58 but in a somewhat better-looking package. Both are stage worthy and built like the proverbial brick oothoos (Canadian for outhouse).

A serious caution: Know your source. They are among the most counterfeited mics in the world. An untrained eye will never detect the fakes.

This short clip is an eye opener: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=whfm6F-wK6g

See also under SM57 counterfeits.

I love this one Cad 189

I actually don't like the beta 58a. Too finicky on the pattern. My experience with it is that the singer has to maintain pretty consistent control of positioning of the mic to prevent significant swings in level. Probably designed this way but not very forgiving to those with less than excellent mic technique. Check out EV PL80a as a less expensive alternative. A new fave for me that also works well on acoustic guitar.

Hard to go wrong with the good ol 58. Won't get complaints from any sound engineer if you show up with that.

Another vote for the SM57. If you purchase one its not going to be wasted.

I have had the Sm58 against the SM57 and for me the 57 is more 'musical' it captures the partials better. I find the SM58 to quite a brittle sound. This is when using my sax, may be different when using for vocals which is its main use.

58 is more of a default mic rather than a quality mic. Its very robust and reliable but is this what you want?

Zero

BETA 58 from the Shure lineup. Latest technology, incorporates Neodymium magnet, lots of "gain before feedback" and a great choice for the male voice.

My personal fav has been the AUDIX OM-5 for the past few years. Although I own Beta 58 as well, the Audix OM-5 has won out in quite few situations. It is also Neodymium magnet technology as well.


--Mac

I won't recommend a mic for you Sam.The reason is that there are soooooo many and they all have their own characteristics. You must try out many mics until you find the one that suits your voice.

Scott's correct, of course.

My comment?

That's not a test, that's not even a "shootout" - that's just a video.


Both mics are darn good modern mics, no question, I'd feel good about finding either one on the stand at any show.

The older SM-58 design may sound better to older ears more used to the kind of sound that the older Alnico based magnetics bring to the game. But if you are having to do anything at high volume levels, the newer Neodymium magnetics simply generate more signal for the same amount of moving air.


--Mac

First of all: the choise of a vocal microphone for a singer is an individual choise. It is, like any instrument, something of personal taste and feel. You can pick a good quality mic from a list you find on the net or reccomendation from experts. his will however not guarantee you that that mic is the ideal mic for you! You will have to testdrive some mics in your budget to be able to pick your favourit. Be sure to try both dynamic and condenser type microphones!
(for all guitarplayers: which guitar is the best?)

Having said that, here are some mics and my opinion about them:

- Shure SM58: Good quality dynamic microphone with a clear sound. Used a lot in rental situations because almost anyone can use this mic without any problem. (the PG-series are the budget versions of the Shure microphones: not the same standards as the originals.)

- Shure SM57: Dynamic microphone much like the SM58, used mainly for instruments. Although used by some as a vocal mic I would not reccomend it. Reason for this is the fact that the SM57 doesn't have a built-in popfilter to keep moist (spit) from the capsule.

- Shure Beta 58A: The professional brother of the SM58. Tends to sound a bit warmer.

- Shure Beta 87A: Good quality condenser microphone. Like with all condenser mics, this one requires the singer to have microphone technique. Another thing with condenser microphones is the fact that they need Phantom Power. Make sure your mixing desk can provide that!

- Sennheiser E 845: Good quality dynamic microphone. Comparable with the Shure SM58, but slightly warmer sounding (and much nicer design )

- Sennheiser E 945: Professional version of the 845. Haven't tried this one myself yet.

- Sennheiser E 865: Good quality condenser microphone. I've been using this one (the wireless version) for about 8 or 9 years now. One of my favourit mics!

- Sennheiser E 965: When my 865 dies someday; this is the replacement mic for me.

- AKG D7: Dynamic vocal microphone. AKG makes some pretty good mics (I love the AKG C451 and D112) but I don't like the handling of their vocal mics. This has nothing to do with the quality, just my personal feel.

- AKG C535 eb: Condenser vocal microphone. See remarks on the D7.

- Audio Technica AE4100: Very good dynamic vocal microphone. This one has a cardioid pattern. The AE6100 has a polar pattern. I would reccomend the AE4100 opposed to the AE6100.

Audio Technica AE5400: Cardioid type condenser microphone. This one is very easy to work with, you almost only have to think your lines and this microphone will pick them up. Great microphone.

The there are brands like Rode, Neumann etc who make excellent microphones. It all boils down to personal taste and feel. Not every microphone is suitable for your voice. You will have to testdrive several of them. Take someone with you to have a listen also.

Like Don said: There are a lot of counterfeit microphones on the market. When you buy from a descent store you are almost sure to get the original product you paid for. Buying from private persons on the internet...well, let's say you won't be the first to end up with a cheap fake microphone.

The SM57 as a vocal mic (recorded dry then with EQ):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&NR=1&v=MHBB42rbkJo

This is the sound that I personally prefer for vocals.

Notice the caveat about counterfeit/fake SM57s flooding the market and that music stores will say "It not a VOCAL microphone!" I wish I had a pfennig for every hit that was sung through an SM57. Further, it IS an excellent instrument mic. I used it on acoustic guitar for years. Just my humble opinion. Your mileage may vary.

My son recently bought an expensive AKG and, to my ear, the SM57 sounds much better, FWIW.

All of the vocals on my Motagator site were sung through a 2 quid computer "stick mic". Just sayin'.

Excellent points, Mike. I'm only saying that it (the 57) is, and has been, a popular VOCAL mic in spite of contrary opinion. The 58 has a slightly better response curve but, having owned both, I prefer the 57. I was not aware of an increased "moisture" problem. Also, most studios use external "pop filters" anyway. I was just stating an opinion and opinions are like anal sphincters, everybody has one.

Audix Om2

There's a shoot out on YouTube. The Bose systems are paired with them in presets.

I've heard yer voice on a youtube or two before, Sam.

Be sure to try to audition both the Shure Beta 58 and the Audix OM-5 mics, I think they will do you well.

The older SM-58 design would also be a good choice, warmer but lacking the punch through of the newer designs. That punch-through thang shouldn't be ignored, it translates to being able to belt longer with less fatigue, man.


--Mac