Mic suggestions

[melkinsbass]

I've been singing through a SM58, but it lacks the clarity and power to compete with the lead singers Beta 58. My vocals sound ok (somewhat), but when I speak to the crowd it is very muddy (my speaking voice is fairly low). Should I try a Beta 58 as well? Someone suggested an EV RE20; any thoughts on that? I'm not sure that our sound guy is the most competent, so that may be a factor. Your help is appreciated.

[MonkeyBass]

Try the Audix OM7. Decent price and good sound. An RE20 is HUGE for a stage mic, but it's pretty good. It's also about $400. The Beta 58 is a great stage mic and you can really hear the difference between it and the SM58 when put side-by-side.

I like the Audix but there are so many many options.

[Dr. Love]

Everyone in my band uses Beta 58's. I didn't think there would be much change before I got one, but I can hear a definite difference in clarity and power compared to the regular 58's and Sennheiser 835's I was using.

[Ryan L.]

I've been using Beta 58a's for years and have always been very happy with them. I'm in the process of picking up a couple more right now for the other two singers in my band, as the clarity difference between my Beta the their SM58's is quite noticeable.

[JimmyM]

ya, beta 58 is quite a bit brighter than the regular 58. our keyboard player uses one for his vocals, while our guitarist favors a beta 57. me, i prefer the regular 58. but if you're looking for the singer's level of brightness, might behoove you to get a beta 58.

[cabrego]

Try an AKG D790 if you can find one. It is a discontinued mic that you can find at some gc locations for about 80 bucks. I like it better than my guitar player's E935 and my drummer's Beta58.

[D.A.R.K.]

you could speak up when addressing the audience.
mumbling in a different/ more expensive mic will give the same results. effective public speaking is an art form also.

[melkinsbass]

Originally Posted by D.A.R.K.

you could speak up when addressing the audience.
mumbling in a different/ more expensive mic will give the same results. effective public speaking is an art form also.

I do speak up. Speaking in a higher register feels and sounds awkward. I just have a low voice.

Great input guys. By the sounds of it, I'm leaning towards trying the Beta 58.

[D.A.R.K.]

sorry, didn't realize you meant baritone when saying "low".
i'd go with the suggestion of getting the same mic as the lead vocalist also.

[TimmyP]

EQ the mic properly (compensate for the big 200Hz boost from the mic's proximity effect).

Stupid stage and/or monitor volume: OM7. Otherwise OM7, E935, E835, 767a.

[kalle74]

Consider a condenser such as Sennheiser e865. Really good for bari register. A bit pricey, but worth it, IMO.

Also look into the aforementioned e935, OM-7 and B58...

[RedLeg]

Beta58A

[lindseyp]

I'm 2d tenor/baritone, and slightly nasal. When I use an OM5 it sounds like my voice with no coloration, just amplified. It's (still) my favorite vocal mic.