The Vocal Master was actually pretty good when compared with other portable systems in the late 60s.
I have an SM57 that's been banged around for over 30 years. It still sees occaisional use on instruments.
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Anyone not like Shure.
- Thread starter Broadstbully22
- Start date
The Vocal Master was actually pretty good when compared with other portable systems in the late 60s.
I have an SM57 that's been banged around for over 30 years. It still sees occaisional use on instruments.
Exploiter8
Demons run when a good man goes to war
I never had one so I can't say anything bad about them!
I've been a fan of AudioTechnica ATM41's since the early 80's. I now have 5 (or is it 6?) and a couple of Sennheisers.
It's good to hear they back their products!
X8
I've been a fan of AudioTechnica ATM41's since the early 80's. I now have 5 (or is it 6?) and a couple of Sennheisers.
It's good to hear they back their products!
X8
no bad experiences here either. good stuff. the only other company i'd never complain about is yamaha.
I've never had anything other than good, solid performance from any Shure product I've ever used. After 40 years of use I just recently retired an SM57 that was purchased in 1974...I definitely got my money's worth from it!
Our band uses a variety of Shure mics & wireless rigs. They're all made to withstand the
rigors of the road and they do it quite well.
Our band uses a variety of Shure mics & wireless rigs. They're all made to withstand the
rigors of the road and they do it quite well.
We're an "all-Shure" band: We used to use SM58s on the vocals, but got a good deal on some Beta 87As and now use them for most gigs. We SM57s on the drums (Beta 52A on the kick) and cabs (if we're not DI'ing). Rock solid reliable, indestructible, does what we need done well. I understand there are other good mics out there and in a studio setting something like a ribbon mic or large-diaphragm condenser really brings out some nuances in the vocals of our singerbabe we might not get from our good ol' Shures, but we use nothing else live.
Our guitarists wanted to go wireless and were pretty impressed with the Line 6 Relay units (which everybody in our area who was wireless seemed to be using) but both hemmed and hawed on pulling the trigger waiting to see what Shure would come out with in the affordable digital realm. One of them ordered the GLX-D when it came out sight unseen (a $400 gear purchase; which is not an inconsiderable sum for him) based on the his comfort with the brand. The other guitarist followed suit soon after.
This is no diss on the Line 6, btw; seems to be a great unit that revolutionized affordable digital wireless. This is more a testament to the iconic power of the Shure brand.
Our guitarists wanted to go wireless and were pretty impressed with the Line 6 Relay units (which everybody in our area who was wireless seemed to be using) but both hemmed and hawed on pulling the trigger waiting to see what Shure would come out with in the affordable digital realm. One of them ordered the GLX-D when it came out sight unseen (a $400 gear purchase; which is not an inconsiderable sum for him) based on the his comfort with the brand. The other guitarist followed suit soon after.
This is no diss on the Line 6, btw; seems to be a great unit that revolutionized affordable digital wireless. This is more a testament to the iconic power of the Shure brand.
Got my first Shure, a SM58 in 64 or 65. Back then you knew a band was getting good and making money when every singer had their own SM58.
I've sung through other mics I like, but none of them I like for live work as much as the regular old Shure 58.
I prefer better mic's. ... The quality of new 57's amd 58's is just not there. my feeling is that as long as they can so ronnage t Guitar Center with MX made low end mic's like the current 57/58, they will milk it.
I have better luck with audix. I am down to one of my old but well taken care of 57's at ths point. A the price point, the OM-5 is a better, more transparent sounding mic than the Beta 58 to my ear. I want to get a Beta 87 for a ladies mic and do a littleshoot out / comparo as I hear great things about that mic. So I'm not down on Shure... Just some of their product.
I have better luck with audix. I am down to one of my old but well taken care of 57's at ths point. A the price point, the OM-5 is a better, more transparent sounding mic than the Beta 58 to my ear. I want to get a Beta 87 for a ladies mic and do a littleshoot out / comparo as I hear great things about that mic. So I'm not down on Shure... Just some of their product.
I'm very surprised that the usual gang of Shure bashers hasn't shown up yet. They'll come in and proselytize about some mics that are far superior in every way, and they'd never sing through an SM58 because it's dull, bland, tinny, boomy, shrieky and can't compare to the _______ that they use.
Yet if you watch a concert of A-list bands either live or on TV, what mic shows up more more often than all other mics combined? Have you ever seen a Heil mic on stage?
Yet if you watch a concert of A-list bands either live or on TV, what mic shows up more more often than all other mics combined? Have you ever seen a Heil mic on stage?
Ooops. I didn't read that previous post. He showed up. With that in mind, how many A-listers do you see using Audix vocal mics on stage?
Only thing I've ever seen on stage or TV broadcast is Shure and Sennheiser, and I suppose folks may have some AKGs on drums that you can't really see. But it's predominantly the two Ss, and I'd say more Shure than Sennheiser. And if you ever watch those 'Rig Rundown' videos on YouTube, seems like 90% of the stadium touring bands are using Shure UHF-R systems.
Now, as my bass instructor always said, "I'm banned from a mic in eighteen states", so I'm not really the one to expound upon the finer nuances of the various vocal mic options. But I own UHF-R and ULX-D wireless systems from Shure, and they're pretty awesome. And I've seen SM58s put through more abuse than anything should rightly have to suffer and keep on truckin.
Now, as my bass instructor always said, "I'm banned from a mic in eighteen states", so I'm not really the one to expound upon the finer nuances of the various vocal mic options. But I own UHF-R and ULX-D wireless systems from Shure, and they're pretty awesome. And I've seen SM58s put through more abuse than anything should rightly have to suffer and keep on truckin.
I like one mic that Shure makes, the SM87A, which is my main vocal mic. The 58/57, while it is an industry standard, really isn't all that accurate though it does mask some "source issues." I don't have anything bad to say about them, as said they are workhorses that are virtually there's just better options at the same price points.
I Rode Shure into the ground!!
Seriously though... I have a Beta 58 which I use for most gigs (take the beat up SM58 out of the stand that everyone else has blown snot into!) and put mine in. But if money was no object, I would be buying Rode. The first time I heard my own voice thru a Rode was the first time I said "thats how my voice is supposed to sound" They seem to have a flavour for everyone.
Seriously though... I have a Beta 58 which I use for most gigs (take the beat up SM58 out of the stand that everyone else has blown snot into!) and put mine in. But if money was no object, I would be buying Rode. The first time I heard my own voice thru a Rode was the first time I said "thats how my voice is supposed to sound" They seem to have a flavour for everyone.
Munji,
Make the investment... Put 'em side by side, honest evaluation... then come on back... As I mentioned in my post. I'm not down on Shure. They make some great product but... The 58 has lost it's luster and partly due to a lack of quality control on new production. There was a time when it was the top dog... Time passes and if you don't keep up... Shure really doesn't have to worry about it at this point. They do tonnage in the $100 market through GC....
I did that comparison and replaced my 4 front line 58's and all but 1 backline 57's with OM-5's and I-5's because they sound better and are well built and very well supported. If you don't see them on A-list lips that may have more to do with endorsements or habits as we all know...
I saw the Richard Thompson, Emmy Lou and Rodney Crowell tour a week back... Were those 58's ? I don't think so...
Make the investment... Put 'em side by side, honest evaluation... then come on back... As I mentioned in my post. I'm not down on Shure. They make some great product but... The 58 has lost it's luster and partly due to a lack of quality control on new production. There was a time when it was the top dog... Time passes and if you don't keep up... Shure really doesn't have to worry about it at this point. They do tonnage in the $100 market through GC....
I did that comparison and replaced my 4 front line 58's and all but 1 backline 57's with OM-5's and I-5's because they sound better and are well built and very well supported. If you don't see them on A-list lips that may have more to do with endorsements or habits as we all know...
I saw the Richard Thompson, Emmy Lou and Rodney Crowell tour a week back... Were those 58's ? I don't think so...
There's a few Shure microphones i've owned which I personally don't like (beta 52 for example) but that's just my preference. Nice that so many microphones are available on the market from so many manufacturers though, so many to choose from…
If you check out the microphones used on Fallon and Kimmel these days, the in- house (unless user is endorsing something else) is telefunken. I've worked with bands who have been on both of the shows in the last couple years. Liked them so much I bought some.
If you check out the microphones used on Fallon and Kimmel these days, the in- house (unless user is endorsing something else) is telefunken. I've worked with bands who have been on both of the shows in the last couple years. Liked them so much I bought some.
Not a bash, but an honest assessment: Shure products work, and are rugged and reliable - but for my money, the Sennheiser 935(vocals), 609(guitars), and Audix drum mics - (particularly the D6 for kick) are better alternatives...
I have atleast 3 sm58s, but haven't used any of them since I got my 935...
- georgestrings
I have atleast 3 sm58s, but haven't used any of them since I got my 935...
- georgestrings
Shure is the stage mike standard for at least two generations. Why is that? Is everyone clueless? Or just the overwhelming majority of performers?
I think it's mostly because the stuff is indestructible.
Highly competent, even if not spectacular.
I think it's mostly because the stuff is indestructible.
Highly competent, even if not spectacular.
