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Microphone Questions

#21
I have a friend who recorded an entire bluegrass record using just one SM58. All of the musicians stood around it and whoever was singing or soloing just took a step forward. I have to admit that it is a pretty good sounding recording. That said, the increased sensitivity of a condenser mic will no doubt add to the quality of a recording.
I would suggest making a recording with the dynamic mike and maybe you could borrow a condenser mic and then compare?
 
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#22
Almost any mic can be used for vox....the key is getting good consistent signal to tape (OK, I know its not "tape" anymore, old habits die hard...) and knowing how to process signal. A lot of folks do not use Normalizing for vocals - I go in with the pencil editor to take down transients then normalize the vocal track. This makes a big difference for me on almost any mic I use but thats just me and everybody's mileage will vary.....Ive used my EV 967 for vocals before with excellent results.....Make sure you have one of these; they are your friend:

71esjdY78mL._AC_SX425_.jpg
 
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#24
A 57 or 58 will always be useful, so get a few.
I just picked up a Neat Worker Bee medium diaphragm condenser at the suggestion of a drummer friend, and I love it!
They're around the same price as a new SM58 and punch well above their price point.
For a little more you can get a Neat King Bee oversized diaphragm condenser, and it's got an extended range response.
Highly recommend.
But any mic you have will be better than no mic, and any mic can be made to work with liberal application of EQ.
 
#26
A condenser mic will pick up the birds chirping across the street when you are inside your house with all the windows closed. Unless you have a soundproof studio, I much prefer dynamic mics. A Shure SM7B is a mic that sounds great on voice (and bass and drums and lots of things) that rejects background noise. SM57 is a very handy mic that is good for just about everything and doesn't cost much.

However if you are recording an acoustic guitar or mandolin etc. a pair of condenser mics is what I would use. When you want to capture every little detail, condenser is great ... but it will capture your breathing and your joints creaking and your fridge running and all the sounds of your neighborhood too
 
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#27
Condenser mics are very sensitive and you need good sound isolation. They're great in studio, but they're going to pickup the traffic noise if you live in a noisy neighborhood. I much prefer to use a good dynamic mic like the sm7b in that case.
 
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#28
I've been engaged in a ongoing covid-crisis recording project, and intentionally using a remote recorder to get just my acoustic guitar and vocal (separately). The last couple EP's linked below (Vlay&Silv - Silv is a multi-instrumentalist playing the awesome upright) have a Sterling Audio ST5050 (Ocean Way, FET LDC condensor) 3' off the bridge and a Sennheiser Mk4 LDC condensor 3' over and 3' off mid-neck. I have to turn the AC off to record the guitar, and wait out the lawnmowers ...
The vocals, however, are Shure Beta 58, and it works a treat from 6-12" away, A/C or lawnmower going full blast.
 
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#31
Get an inexpensive condenser. Don’t let a good performance not get represented well.

I bought a Shure Ksm back in 1999, and I still use it for so many things: guitar amps, ac gtrs, overhead, and of course vocals.

You will get one eventually, so you might as well get one now.
 
#32
I'm going to disagree with a lot of the answers here.

Generally speaking, a condenser microphone is going to produce a much more detailed, accurate recording, and it is going to reach more fully into the whole vocal spectrum. There are some really great dynamic mics, and there are some awful condenser mics, but this holds true in general. You can correct for poor frequency response to some extent with EQ, but you'll never get back the detail. The character of your voice is in the detail.

The SM57/SM58 has adequate sound for stage in a rugged package, at a reasonable price. Its durability is the main thing that sets it apart. In a studio setting, where it is not expected to be mistreated, I would only choose it for recording vocals if it was the only mic I had. (The SM57 does frequently get used in studio to mic cabinets or instruments, but it's not a serious contender for vocals.)

Yes, condenser mics tend to be more sensitive than dynamic mics. However, that doesn't mean you'll hear more unwanted background sounds. Either type of mic will do that if your placement is wrong; you'll just have to have more gain on the dynamic mic. If you're getting unwanted background in your recording, then get closer to your mic (or wait for your neighbor to finish mowing the lawn). The only way the choice of microphone can help you with this is through its polar pattern.

Regardless of your budget, if you have any opportunity to get your hands on a condenser mic for in-studio vocal recording, do it. Seriously, borrow one if you don't want to buy one. In general, a $100 condenser is going to run rings around a $500 dynamic without even trying. If you're getting one specifically for vocals, a medium or large diaphragm side address microphone is the thing to look for, at whatever price fits your budget. Get onto YouTube and listen to mic comparisons (with your headphones on).

(And then there are ribbon mics ...)
 
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#33
Quap said:
I've been picking my buddy's brain for home studio things, he recorded his own album at home so I consider him knowledgeable, and he said I need a condenser microphone.

I'd like to record vocals and occasionally my acoustic guitar or mic a cab. Is a higher end condenser needed? Can a Shure 57 or 58 do the job I need?

I am running a Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 through a MacBook with Garageband.
Click to expand...

I would say so. They are both rugged, inexpensive, workhorse microphones that have stood the test of time.
 
#34
Quap said:
I've been picking my buddy's brain for home studio things, he recorded his own album at home so I consider him knowledgeable, and he said I need a condenser microphone.

I'd like to record vocals and occasionally my acoustic guitar or mic a cab. Is a higher end condenser needed? Can a Shure 57 or 58 do the job I need?

I am running a Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 through a MacBook with Garageband.
Click to expand...

It comes down to balancing everything - your needs, skills, knowledge, equipment, space, budget and goals. In your case a modest condenser or several depending on your goals would be a good tool for your studio and as you grow it can remain valuable tools. My 2 cents is yes a condenser mic(s) is a good idea but stay in budget there are a lot of sub $200 even $100 mics that do a great job. Behringer makes a pretty decent line of mics at very affordable prices.

Years ago I bought a pair of MXL V63MBP large capsule condenser mics that have remained useful tools and I have used them on everything even though I have other more expensive microphones, still occasionally use these as they are a wonderful matched pair. My first pair of Behringer C2 Small-diaphragm mics are still in use in a live drum kit and fared well in a shoot out with my set of Neumann KM184 mics that replaced them so budget mics are not to be feared in a home studio.

Of course every musician needs a workhorse mic like the SM57/58 but there are so many really wonderful mics now and I am a bargain or frugal shopper.
 
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#35
Working with what I've got in a Covid kind of way but I'm doing what the OP is planning except I record in
"Audacity". I'm very impressed with the scarlet 212 and my sm58 is fine for my studio which is subject to a lot of street noise. The bendygator helps with the sound.
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_7111432.jpg
 
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#38
silky smoove said:
That's so bizarre considering that pop filters are a unique and distinctly different thing as it relates to microphones. That's like calling the tires on a car the steering wheel :p
Click to expand...

There are many instances where the mic grill is referred to as an internal pop filter.

From the SM58 Spec Sheet, "Effective, built-in spherical wind and pop filter" Pretty sure they are referring to the grill. Spec sheet attached.

From Sweetwaters add for the SM58 replacement grill: "The tough metal mesh RK143G replacement grille is lined with foam for effective pop-filter functionality" Shure RK143G Replacement Grille for SM58 Microphone

From the Beta 58A FAQ...note the question references the internal pop filters of the SM58 and Beta 87A.
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
 

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#40
Wasnex said:
Not 100%. Same capsule, but the frequency response and frequency response contour are a bit different. Slightly different sensitivity ratings as well.

SM57 (Response: 40-15khHz, Sensitivity: -56dBV)
View attachment 3901099
SM58 (Frequency Response: 50-15kHz, Sensitivity: -54.5dBV)
View attachment 3901101
Click to expand...
ok, how wrong I am.
Im out.

This is caused by the 58 head basket.

Cheers.
 
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