Potential need for a vocal mic upcoming. Suggestions?

[Rip Van Dan]

Is there any reason to go with something different than what's around $100 at a local shop or GC? Will be taking it to rehersals and potentially small gigs.

Also will probably need some ear plugs. Suggestions there appreciated as well.

I recall back in the early 70's the first time I ever saw an SM58 mic. They were selling for $229 in 1972 dollars. I was using the Shure 565SD, which was the standard at the time before the SM58. it came as a high-impedance mic, but you could switch the wires inside to make it low impedance if you wanted.

It was a bit weird to see the SM58's because all the mics at the time were shiny and these were not/are not shiny. If I recall correctly I paid $125 for my Shure 565SD back then. Shure just recently reissued the 565SD. The SD on that number signifies that it has a magnetic leaf on/off switch on the mic. The advantage of that is that you don't hear that annoying "pop" over the PA when you switch it on or off. And now the SM58 is cheaper than my 565SD was.

 

[RasJay]

Loop ear plugs are the only ones that keep a seal or me. And I sing backup. Others break the seal when I move my jaw.

 

[salmon256]

Shure 58 is used by Tame Impala still today for drums, NPR desk uses the 58... its' just that good and a great starter. I go with that.

 

[Smooth_bass88]

this is an absolute no-brainer. Get a Shure SM58. It's the industry standard, the number 1 mic in the world. It will last you a lifetime. The SM58 is to microphones as the Fender Precision is to electric basses.

 

[pbassnut]

Is there any reason to go with something different than what's around $100 at a local shop or GC? Will be taking it to rehersals and potentially small gigs.

Also will probably need some ear plugs. Suggestions there appreciated as well.

Here you go ... a Shure SM58 ... the industry standard microphone since as long as I've been in the music bizniz (1973 to be exact). Rugged, reliable, inexpensive ... there are plenty of good reasons why they STILL rule.

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/de...MIoOGf05rFjgMV4F1HAR3BFxAuEAQYASABEgITzfD_BwE

 

[Thunderthumbs73]

Is there any reason to go with something different than what's around $100 at a local shop or GC? Will be taking it to rehersals and potentially small gigs.

Also will probably need some ear plugs. Suggestions there appreciated as well.

Shure SM58. A very durable good-sounding industry-standard live, gigging vocal microphone. I've had mine at least 20 years now.

 

[gumtown]

Is there any reason to go with something different than what's around $100 at a local shop or GC? Will be taking it to rehersals and potentially small gigs.

Also will probably need some ear plugs. Suggestions there appreciated as well.

Here you go ... a Shure SM58 ... the industry standard microphone since as long as I've been in the music bizniz (1973 to be exact). Rugged, reliable, inexpensive ... there are plenty of good reasons why they STILL rule.

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/de...MIoOGf05rFjgMV4F1HAR3BFxAuEAQYASABEgITzfD_BwE

AKG D5 is a nice vocal mic, my band has now replaced all Shure SM58/beta with these.
The D5 has a nice midrange bump for warm vocals, where the SM58 is flat and sterial.

 

[Ostie]

For many years I used a Shure SM58. A couple years ago I got a Shure Beta 58. The Beta 58 is an updated version of the old standby SM58 and is designed to suppress feedback at stage volume levels. If you decide on the Shure SM58 I would pay a little more $$ and get the Beta 58.
Also, be advised that there are counterfeit SM58 mics that are being imported from Asia. Do your homework and buy from a reputable source.

 

[Wasnex]

If there are multiple singers, it can be beneficial if all vocal mics are the same model. Using matching mics tends to make it easier to tune the system and result in higher gain before feedback.

If there is not consensus, try find a store that has a mic demo station. The idea is to try and pick a mic that complements your voice and singing style. A mic can sound great on one singer and awful on the next. It's also possible a mic can sound great on one part of your vocal range and awful in another range. Ideally you want a mic that sounds good with minimal processing.

If you are going to be singing on a regular basis, I suggest buying the highest quality you can afford. $100 is pretty much entry level.

Will you be using a vocal monitor? If yes, one or two? The polar pattern of the mic determines where the monitor(s) should be placed.

If the mic has a cardioid pattern, then the monitor should got directly behind the mic (180 degrees). If the mic is super cardioid or hyper cardioid, the monitor or monitors should be off to the left and/or right in the nulls.

The exact location of the nulls varies a bit from one model of mic to the next.

 

[s0c9]

So, this sounds like it would be good for feedback rejection in challenging environments. I find myself doing some gigs in clubs that definitely fit this description (small, loud crowd, tight stage, so-so pa). Do you have any other suggestions for this situation? Should I be looking for a mic with a certain pattern? I’m using a beta 57 currently, and it sounds good, but chasing feedback with eq is tiring, and I’m interested in trying something different in the couple of venues we play where this is a problem.

Edit: unlike the OP, I can afford to spend 200$+ if need be.

Yeah, the Audix OM series are known to have good GBF.
The Heil PR's too.. but more $$

 

[Toptube]

If you're going to GC to buy an SM58, do yourself a favor and demo an sEV7 while you are there.

I came in here to suggest the SE V7. Its great. I use two for a handheld podcast. I dont need any post EQ. And by design, it picks up very low handling noise from fingers or cable rubbing.


They also come in various colors. So its easy to differentiate, if needed.

 

[erratick]

SM58 or Se V7

Great live. Either is actually acceptable in the studio as well. Will work forever.

 

[bordinco90]

I had this same dilemma a few years ago. I went with a Shure SM58 and never looked back. I did get an Audix OM3 mic for free recently and I think it sounds good as well, but the Shure is easier to dial in with the EQ imo.

 

[DanAdams]

I think that a sm58 sounds "stuffy". Most respectable manufacturers make an excellent cardiod dynamic in the same price range.
Perhaps the sm58 makes some vocals stand out in a certain mixes better than others, but I feel like it loses in most comparison videos I've seen with solo'ed vocals.
However they are built to last, and that may be the most important factor.
FYI, there are now tens of thousands of fake SM58s all over the market. if you go in that direction, only buy from a well known dealer.

 

[MIMike]

I will cast another vote for a SM-58. I also love EV products, but in my own experience, I own six SM-58’s w/o any failures.
I have owned four EV-ND967’s and only two have survived. The EV’s sounded great, but not worth the cost of a 50% failure rate.

 

[iiipopes]

Are you a Rockin' band that has a lot of sound on-stage? Are you singing the occasional lead, and usually backup? There is only one real microphone to purchase: a Shure Beta 58. It was designed for on-stage, feedback suppression, presence peak, and easy to slot the mix. I have both a Beta 58 and a Beta 57, and I prefer the Beta 58 if I have to sing something. More importantly, so does my sound man.

 

[Pdaddy1978]

A Shure 58.
You can use it as a traler hitch..and it will still work when you get to the gig.

 

[JamesGrant]

Shure SM58 - sounds great live with a male vocal. If you are male ‘rock’ vocal then even more so. Every sound tech/engineer will immediately know what to do with it.

 

[primussucks9126]

I say start with an SM58 as many others have said.

Its far from my favorite. But its reliable, and I found that sound guys are just used to it and know what to do with it. I have much better mics that I prefer to use and sound guys always seem to struggle with it on gigs.

 

[Bar Band Bassman]

I have a couple of Shure Beta 58's which I've used regularly over the years. I sing a lot. Last few years I've been using my Beta 57, though. I like the way it handles mids a bit better.

BBB