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Potential need for a vocal mic upcoming. Suggestions?

I was just going to say that. I have an SM58, but I also play a sunburst tort P bass. I have had two 58s die on me. One fell(in a stand) from about a five foot stage, the other onto a rug, also on a stand. The 90 dollar Sennheisers sound at least as good and have a hotter signal .
 
In my gig bag at all times are both a Beta 58 and a Beta 87. The 87 is a condenser, and feels absolutely divine to sing into, but it's quite a bit pricier than the 58. Grab a regular old 58 for now, and you'll never regret it. You might want to get something a little fancier later on, but you'll still have use for the 58.
 
So Anyway, I haven't read all the responses, but I'm sure there are a lot of mics to choose from.
If the OP was already singing, then he'd already have a microphone. So I'm assuming he doesn't normally sing and doesn't need anything more than a quality durable microphone.

I'd first look at what any of the other singers in the band are using. If you can match their equipment, it's easier to mix and setup.
Everyone in our little trio uses a Shure Beta SM58. Not real expensive, very durable and easy to dial in.

Good luck with your search.
 
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Some years ago, I heard/read a few good things about the products from Audix. When I eventually spotted an OM-2 at a local shop, I grabbed it for just in case. It's worked great for me for several years and it even earned a solid nod from a sound man here and there along the way. When I eventually came across a nice deal on an OM-5, I added that to my stash and that one has also been terrific.

I absolutely can't say that my mic's are any better or worse than other options out there, but for my needs singing backups and an occasional lead, my Audix mic's have given me really nice bang for my buck and they've also been 100% reliable. I trust them and if I go shopping for any more mic's in the near future, this brand will get my first look.
Get an OM-6 to try, I feel they have less mid range "quack" for lack of a better term than the OM-5.
I have not had a chance to try any the new Audix OMX vocal mics.
 
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My only suggestion is that having all the vocal mikes used by the band the same helps a lot with feedback issues in my experience. Every mike will have different peaks and valleys in response. Lots of different peaks means lots of possible feedback points to ring out. EDIT: I see Wasnex already mentioned this

The Shure SM58 has been an industry standard for decades, it’s like the P-bass or SVT of the mike world. There are mikes I much prefer because they have a more open sound, but noone will fire you when you show up with one.

Shure’s more expensive Beta 58 is a neo-dyn redesign that’s quite popular.

I bought a half dozen Electro Voice ND757 mikes with passive HPF back in the 1980s that I love. The 757 sounds more open than a 58, makes it easier for me to hear myself in monitors.They are no longer made but you can get them used for peanuts, way under $100. The current ND76 is it’s successor, but has no HPF…bummer.

Some bandmates over the last decade have started to use Sennheiser dynamics and swear by them. So many good brands around, see what local dealers carry...almost everyone sells Shure.
 
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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.

the og shures were made in USA, mine is probably 20 years old now and was made in mexico. are they made in Asia now?

anyways mine is another vote for the SM58. it does the dynamic thing where you can manipulate it with your fist or with distance or angle etc. great for baritones like me. you can hammer nails with it in a pinch. rock solid choice imho.
 
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If you're going to GC to buy an SM58, do yourself a favor and demo an sEV7 while you are there.


That extra clarity in the low end really swayed me. This made me listen to some other demos, thruth be told I didn't hear much difference between about 8 different mics. But this demo was more thorough with that low register thing he did. I decided on the sEV7 mostly because of this. My voice is a baritone and that low end could make a difference.

Thanks everyone for the suggestions and insight.
 
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thruth be told I didn't hear much difference between about 8 different mics.



love this track. daft punk interviewed Giorgio moroder, he had no idea this was going to be the result...

on moroder's spoken parts they used a bunch of different mics from the 50s, 60s, 70s, etc. afaik nobody can really hear the difference haha!

that demo was really amazing! happy you found a solution this was a really interesting convo
 
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