Selecting a vocal mic. (PV-I?)

Well, it's a bad decision, but since you don't want us to talk about anything but that mic, I can't tell you what you really want. Sounds like your mind's made up.

 

Oh, hell with it. I was born to break the rules. Depending on your budget, you'd at least want to get the microphone used by professionals on stage more than all other microphones combined: the venerable Shure SM-58 (less than $100 pretty much anywhere). It is bullet-proof and has the definitive sound for a stage mic. If you'd like a little more response in the treble end, while maintaining the characteristic Shure presence rise, spend another $30 or $40 and treat yourself to a Shure Beta 58A. Very nice sounding for a dynamic mic.

OK, you've got, say, $250? Try the Shure Beta 87A (hypercardiod) or Beta 87C (cardioid) condenser mics. Fantastic frequency response and fabulous sound. (Call Rik's Music on these ... I think they're at about $219).

Tax refund bigger than you thought? OK. What you really, really, REALLY want is the Neumann KMS-105. Reputedly the best hand-held mic made. The discount price new is about $500, but used ones pop up now and then in the $300 to $350 range.

So there you have it. I am so, so, SO sorry for telling you what you didn't want to hear. But why Peavey? I don't know exactly what they're famous for, but it sure ain't their microphones.

 

I bought some "Samson" mics at Sam Ash that look and sound like Shure SM 58's. They just look like they came out of the same factory, and are the "house" brand. -----Disclaimer: It LOOKs that way--I don't know if it's true.

Anyway, I've uses SM 58's for years and I couldn't tell the difference with these mics. I forget what I paid; but it was a bargain.

 

in a local classified ad someone was selling his PV-I mic WITH a mic cable for 20 bucks. i've never been able to A/B it with a shure, but i'm pretty certain it's a copy of the sm58.

if you're willing to spend the 59.99 retail for the PV-I, then save up 10-15 more bucks and find a used shure sm58 on ebay. i mean, why not?


needless to say, it's a great mic for the money(~20 bucks).

well, then again, any mic and cable for 20 bucks is prolly a great mic for the money, so go figure.

 

Peavey it is.

 

SM-57 works too.

 

Hey Crawling, if ou haven't already ordered it, you might consider a Shure PG series. I like PV's higher mics (PVM22, Studio Pro M2, etc) and have never tried the PVI, but I do like a PG58. Just my 2 cents...

 

Or perhaps an SM-48.

 

Another microphone worth considering is the AKG D880. It's similar to the Beta 58, but with more fullness in the low end. I prefer it to both the Shure SM58 and Beta 58.

The D880 should be available for less than $100, and will likely sound better than the Peavey.

 

Listen guys: He wants to buy a Peavey mic. He doesn't want to hear about the multitude of brands that make better mics. He just wants a Peavey, whether it sucks or not. Don't tell him about any better mics. He likes to live with risk ... the risk of buying a brand of mic you've never seen on stage at a professional show or on TV. So just shut up.

 

munji, you're such a realist... That's why I like you.

 

Regarding the Peavey mic:

I have heard a number of the Peavey handheld microphones, and they were all okay sounding. Not sure if I've tried the PVi. For rehearsals I'm sure that the PVi will be just fine.

I recommended the AKG D880 because I know that it has excellent gain before feedback and sounds better than any of the Peavey mics that I've tried _and_ it is also reasonably priced and within reach of those with a "Peavey budget".

If you are set on Peavey, that it your prerogative. After you have used it for a while, and used better mics as well, you will hear its limitations.

 

hate to burst your bubble, but there's buy one get one free on those D 880s on ebay.

2 for 100 beans. not a bad deal at all.