Different dynamic mics. Which one should I get?

[AndreasH]

So, lately, I've been thinking about getting myself a dynamic microphone for live situations. I've tried the "poor mans mic setup" with a Shure SM57 and rubberbands, and that was ok, but maybe not what I'm looking for. I also had the oppurtunity to try an EV RE2 (which sounds amazing) , but unfortunately it is out of my price range. Then I did som reading about the Sennheiser e906 and someone who had it placed in between the bridge-legs with rubberbands, which seems like a great idea! And what about the Sennheiser e602 II ? Have anybody tried this one for bass?

So, the question is; what would work best for me?
I play a fully carved german bass with guts and/or garbos and I play unamped 90% of the time. And I would be happy if I could spend less than $300 on a micorphone!

Any experience, comments, other suggestions or whatever is welcome!

/Andreas

[wdnewman]

Why amp at all? I play with a 25+ piece big band and have no problem being heard on the dance floor. For concert work, I play with an 80+ piece symphonic band and have received numerous positive comments on how the bass adds lower resonance to the group. Few jazz greats played amped. Perhaps if you are in a rock band, with three amped guitars and drums then it would be needed, but I would go with a bass guitar in that situation. I guess I just don't get the big push for amplified musical instruments.

In all honesty...don't try to mic the bass with a dynamic mic. Especially an SM57. Especially on a fully carved with gut strings. Your best bet is to go with a Realist string bass pickup, they go for about $200. Or if you're dyin for a mic, you could go with a K&K condenser mic-it hooks around the bridge and is easily installed.

[tito mangialajo]

Originally Posted by ncbassplayr

In all honesty...don't try to mic the bass with a dynamic mic. Especially an SM57. Especially on a fully carved with gut strings. Your best bet is to go with a Realist string bass pickup, they go for about $200. Or if you're dyin for a mic, you could go with a K&K condenser mic-it hooks around the bridge and is easily installed.

why do you not suggest a dynamic mic with a fully carved with gut strings? is your opinion different if the bass is a solid wood flatback with gut?

Originally Posted by tito mangialajo

why do you not suggest a dynamic mic with a fully carved with gut strings? is your opinion different if the bass is a solid wood flatback with gut?

Theres really no difference...I'm just saying a bass with that mature of a sound ought to be goin through something other than an SM57 considering if the bass is going to be on stage often. Of course a dynamic is appropriate for stage, but a pickup could stay attached (for conveniece) and, depending, would probably transduce a fuller sound

[AndreasH]

Originally Posted by ncbassplayr

In all honesty...don't try to mic the bass with a dynamic mic. Especially an SM57. Especially on a fully carved with gut strings. Your best bet is to go with a Realist string bass pickup, they go for about $200. Or if you're dyin for a mic, you could go with a K&K condenser mic-it hooks around the bridge and is easily installed.

I have a RS II for that purpose. Anyhow, I don't use it if don't absolutely have to. I'm not looking for piezos or other contact microphones. Neither am I interested in condenser microphones at this point.

[Mark Perna]

I use an RE20 and it is the only mic I've used live that I like. I've tried the AMT a bunch of times and always give up on it. I've tried an SM57 and an SM58 beta and few others but they pale in comparison. It's a pain to haul around along with a mic stand but it sounds great and resists feedback really well for a microphone. For lower volume gigs, I use the RE 20 by itself. For louder ones, I mix a pickup with it. Even at loud volumes where the sound coming from the amp is mostly pickup, the RE 20 adds just enough wood to make it noticeable (and not in a good way) when it isn't there.

On softer gigs, I point the mic at the bridge from about a foot out. For louder ones where I have a pickup going, I aim more toward the G side f hole to get more volume from the bass into the mic. The nice thing about having a mic on a stand is you can move and adjust the bass while you are playing to get the optimum sound for the room and the volume you are playing at. It somewhat makes up for the extra haul needed to and from the gig.

Andreas, if I were you, I'd wait and save for the RE 20 instead of settling on some lesser mic. It is absolutely worth it.

As far as going unamped. I love doing that but the guy who hires me the most absolutely insists that I use an amp even when we play duet (sax and bass). So I have a choice, sit at home and play without an amp or gig with one. I choose gigging but that's just me. My ethics and moral fortitude are clearly situational.

mark

[Ed Fuqua]

I use a Sennheisser 409, I like it a bunch. FWIW Neal Miner uses an SM 57 almost exclusively. And he sounds freaking great.

[Ed Fuqua]

Originally Posted by ncbassplayr

In all honesty...don't try to mic the bass with a dynamic mic. Especially an SM57. Especially on a fully carved with gut strings. Your best bet is to go with a Realist string bass pickup, they go for about $200. Or if you're dyin for a mic, you could go with a K&K condenser mic-it hooks around the bridge and is easily installed.

Not to unduly harsh NC, but from your posts here, you've been playing for about 6 years and are looking to buy your first upright. You may not have the most informed opinion presented.
I'm just sayin'...

[Ed Fuqua]

Originally Posted by calivox

I love doing that but the guy who hires me the most absolutely insists that I use an amp even when we play duet (sax and bass). mark

You oughta insist he starts using #5 reeds...

[Mark Perna]

Originally Posted by Ed Fuqua

You oughta insist he starts using #5 reeds...

I've worn him down a bit and I've done more than a few ampless gigs with him but he's 80, knows what he wants, lets me solo on every tune, doesn't mind if I go with just a mic and hires me constantly. He just likes the bass more present than it can go without an amp. I'm not complaining. I could be sitting at home watching my gut strings rot. The RE 20 through an AI Focus into an AI cabinet sounds remarkably good with really no compromise on sound. There's just the haul to and from the gig which would be easier if I just had to haul the bass.


mark

[hensonbass]

I use this: http://www.vektor-bass.de/pickup.htm and it sounds like a microphone to me without the feedback issues.

Search 'vektor' on Talkbass for opinions.

[AndreasH]

Originally Posted by Ed Fuqua

I use a Sennheisser 409, I like it a bunch. FWIW Neal Miner uses an SM 57 almost exclusively. And he sounds freaking great.

Ed,

Is that the MD409?

[larry]

Originally Posted by Ed Fuqua

You oughta insist he starts using #5 reeds...

That is classic.

To the OP-

Dynamic mics can be a great choice. There's nothing wrong with an SM57, either. There's a reason it's been made for decades.

I've tried many different mics on my bass, they all have their sound. Hard to say what you'll like. The RE20 is really great. The Beyer M88 is too. Ribbon mics can be nice (which are still considered dynamic mics I think). I have not used the Sennheiser you mentioned, but if Ed likes it I'm sure it's great too. Just about any mic beats a pickup.

Lately, I have fallen in love with the DPA 4099 (condenser), but it's not cheap. Check out the threads on it. If your budget was only a couple of hundred bucks, I might suggest to keep using the SM57 until you can spring for one (about $600).

[Ed Fuqua]

Originally Posted by calivox

I've worn him down a bit and I've done more than a few ampless gigs with him but he's 80, knows what he wants, lets me solo on every tune, doesn't mind if I go with just a mic and hires me constantly. He just likes the bass more present than it can go without an amp. I'm not complaining. I could be sitting at home watching my gut strings rot. The RE 20 through an AI Focus into an AI cabinet sounds remarkably good with really no compromise on sound. There's just the haul to and from the gig which would be easier if I just had to haul the bass.


mark

No worries, I was just being a smart ass. Sonny prefers electric bass and , believe me, if he called me, that's what I'd play!

[Ed Fuqua]

Originally Posted by AndreasH

Ed,

Is that the MD409?

Yep, that's it.

[massimo]

a question: is possible to put the RE20 in foam under the bridge between the top and the tailpiece or you need absolutely a stand ? Has someone compared RE20 and HEIL 40 regarding sound and resistance to feedback?

[AMJBASS]

The RE20 is pretty bulky. I am not sure you could get away with mounting it on the bass without altering the acoustic sound a bit(not to mention the size of the mic). Probably would have to go with a small boom stand. There really is nothing wrong with an SM57/SM58 though. They aren't the BEST all the time, but they certainly work. And as Ed said, Neal Minor always sounds great with one!

[Phil Redman]

Originally Posted by calivox

I use an RE20 and it is the only mic I've used live that I like. I've tried the AMT a bunch of times and always give up on it. I've tried an SM57 and an SM58 beta and few others but they pale in comparison. It's a pain to haul around along with a mic stand but it sounds great and resists feedback really well for a microphone. For lower volume gigs, I use the RE 20 by itself. For louder ones, I mix a pickup with it. Even at loud volumes where the sound coming from the amp is mostly pickup, the RE 20 adds just enough wood to make it noticeable (and not in a good way) when it isn't there.

On softer gigs, I point the mic at the bridge from about a foot out. For louder ones where I have a pickup going, I aim more toward the G side f hole to get more volume from the bass into the mic. The nice thing about having a mic on a stand is you can move and adjust the bass while you are playing to get the optimum sound for the room and the volume you are playing at. It somewhat makes up for the extra haul needed to and from the gig.

Andreas, if I were you, I'd wait and save for the RE 20 instead of settling on some lesser mic. It is absolutely worth it.

As far as going unamped. I love doing that but the guy who hires me the most absolutely insists that I use an amp even when we play duet (sax and bass). So I have a choice, sit at home and play without an amp or gig with one. I choose gigging but that's just me. My ethics and moral fortitude are clearly situational.

mark

+1 to just about all of that but substitute Sennheiser MD421 for me. A lot of players don't like the idea of using a stand for the mic but I figure if I learned to sing into one I can learn to play through one. I also don't like the "dynamic mic with a sock stuffed in the bridge" approach. Too much of the sound is coming off axis and makes for a muddy sound IMHO. Get one of the big dynamics, put it on a stand and point it at the bridge. Blend with pickup when necessary.

Cheers,
Phil

[Ed Fuqua]

Different strokes for different basses, I get a much more defined center to the sound with the mic in between the bridge feet wrapped in foam. The sound coming out of the F holes on my bass is much too airy when mic'ed live.