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Choosing a Vocal Microphone.
- Thread starter pshep68
- Start date
I like Shure Beta mics. I prefer the 58 to the 87 (too "crispy" in the highs for me).
Others hate them.
Others hate them.
Subbed. I've been thinking about picking up an EV RE-20, which I used to use for broadcasting. My vocal range is tenor, but I end up singing baritone in my current band. My voice can be a bit reedy, so the EV accentuates the lower frequencies for me.
TF reminded me: We all use Shure SM-58's in the band.
TF reminded me: We all use Shure SM-58's in the band.
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What's the application? If you're recording a dynamic broadcast mic like an RE20 (for $300 CND that would be a used one) is a good choice as is the Heil PR40. If you're going to use it playing live in places with house systems it's not a bad idea to keep it to SM58 sounding mics as this is what every small to medium venue house PA will have it's monitors EQ'd for. For a long time I used an old EV RE10 and always had to ask for more low mid in my monitor. After I got a Beyerdynamic TG V50D (similar to an SM58) I noticed the monitor EQ in the bars I play was very often was plug and play.
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Are you on wedges or IEMs? If the former, are you on your own mix? If not, you might be best off using the same mics as the other folks on that mix.
s0c9
Supporting Member
Same here.. I also have a standard 58 that I carry.. just in case
However, it would help if the OP could identify the music genre.. For example, audix om series give greater GBF (Gain Before Feedback) levels over a 58, due to their capsule patterns and we be better used for bands with high stage volumes.
The Heil Pro20 also sounds great, but I wouldn't use it for high stage volume situations.
Basically, any mic CAN work.. I've seen plenty vocalists wailing on old SM57's.. thru to condenser mics used on a folks music setting.
Depends on voice range and music style..
Al Kraft
Supporting Member
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I've used SM58's for vocals and SM57's on instruments for decades and find them to be workhorse standards for all the reasons you'd think.
The Beta versions are equally fine, but a little more expensive. For live use I would say the Beta's have a little more high end that can make them sound either less warm or better able to cut through the mix. Likewise the pick-up patterns are different and this can be good, bad or neutral depending on your stage monitoring arrangements. In terms of a broader frequency coverage range, I'm guessing no one could argue that the Beta has an edge.
Bottom line is that an SM58 is a great value pick that may not be the best in every possible area, but it's good enough to have survived in the live music world, as a well known standard, for an incredibly long time. There is a reason many mics have advertising copy comparing themselves to the SM58.
The Beta versions are equally fine, but a little more expensive. For live use I would say the Beta's have a little more high end that can make them sound either less warm or better able to cut through the mix. Likewise the pick-up patterns are different and this can be good, bad or neutral depending on your stage monitoring arrangements. In terms of a broader frequency coverage range, I'm guessing no one could argue that the Beta has an edge.
Bottom line is that an SM58 is a great value pick that may not be the best in every possible area, but it's good enough to have survived in the live music world, as a well known standard, for an incredibly long time. There is a reason many mics have advertising copy comparing themselves to the SM58.
I sing through a Beta 58A, but I have a lot of low-mid quality to my voice.
If OP is singing high harmonies, he or she may be able to get away with a standard SM58 and save a few bucks.
Electro-Voice N/D-767a is a nice mic in the same price range as the Shure SM58. I found the SM58 to be muddy compared to the EV. I think the EV 767 has been discontinued and replaced by the ND76 model. You may be able to find a n/d-767 on Ebay for <$100.
Audix OM5 has been what I sing through the last 6 months and it's impressive.Clear and easy to EQ,and no feedback issues at all with a loud rock band I play with.
The SM58 is celebrating it's 50th anniversary this year, and is still one of the most popular vocal microphones out there. While there may be some mics that are better for a particular user or situation, the '58 is still a very good workhorse. Any decent soundperson can walk into a situation and EQ a SM58.
You can also use them as a hammer.
A few years back, I was consulting with a school and acting as a go-between between them and a sound contractor installing a new system in the school. The contractor was recommending a different mic (I don't remember what), but I changed it to SM58's. Why? They are a known quantity, and I trusted them to withstand the use by Junior High and Senior High students.
You can also use them as a hammer.
A few years back, I was consulting with a school and acting as a go-between between them and a sound contractor installing a new system in the school. The contractor was recommending a different mic (I don't remember what), but I changed it to SM58's. Why? They are a known quantity, and I trusted them to withstand the use by Junior High and Senior High students.
The SM58 is the P-bass of the microphone world.
Taking the analogy a step further, my experience is that the SM58 is the P-bass with old, well-broken-in roundwounds of the microphone world. I'm not saying that's a bad thing. I just found the Sennheiser e835 and EV N/V-767a to have more clarity and presence, which suited my vocals better than the SM58. Switching from the SM58 to EV was like replacing those old & worn strings with a new set of nickel plated rounds. The best course of action would be to test a few different mics and find what suits you best.
I have yet to try pounding nails with my microphones. I have, however, dropped my EV mic with no ill effects.
It's pretty hard to beat a standard SM58. That said, I have both a Shure SM58 and a Blue Encore 100 and when singing live I use the Encore 100. It's hotter than the SM58 and captures the high notes better.
Blue Encore 100s are generally about the same price in Canada as an SM58 at $119.95, but right now they are on sale at Amazon.ca for $89 with free shipping.
Blue Microphones enCORE 100 Studio Grade Dynamic Performance Microphone: Amazon.ca: Musical Instruments, Stage & Studio
Blue Encore 100s are generally about the same price in Canada as an SM58 at $119.95, but right now they are on sale at Amazon.ca for $89 with free shipping.
Blue Microphones enCORE 100 Studio Grade Dynamic Performance Microphone: Amazon.ca: Musical Instruments, Stage & Studio
Every sound guy knows how to make a SM58 sound good, if he knows how to make anything sound good at all. I have a ton of Beyerdynamics, even the highly regarded ones, but our female singer still only uses the SM58 and it sounds very good. As a first mic it is a very good choice.
Our band has switched to AKG D5's from SM58's and 58 Betas (3 vocalists). The D5 just seems to have a richer, warmer sound as compared to the 58's and at $100 a pop they're great bang-for-the-buck IMO. That's our impression anyway, but we also have our own FOH and run our own sound. One more opinion FWIW.
