Shure 55 mic?

[Plays_For_Dog]

Lately I've been jamming with a great guitarist who is also a great singer. After a particularly awesome session last weekend where we "clicked", we decided to start writing some material and begin the search for a drummer. As of now, we want to keep it a trio, with the guitarist carrying the duties of lead vocals. After about 4 hours of jamming, we spent about another hour sharing videos of bands on youtube that we like (not necessarily what we want to pattern our music from, just "influences" in some way or another).

I introduced him to Volbeat, we both agreed we liked the tone of their vocals. He has since decided he wants to try a Shure 55 microphone. To be able to give him some insight into these mics, I turn to the vast wealth of experience here on TB. Can any of you share your opinions, experience, pros vs cons of these nostalgic microphones?

Any input is greatly appriciated. Thanks!

 

[Plays_For_Dog]

Anyone? Guitar Center sells these, they can't be that uncommon.

 

[MonkeyBass]

They're hypercardiod so they should be ok on the stage. I've heard them and they sound ok. More about the look than practicality but... why not?

 

[Plays_For_Dog]

Thanks man. Oddly enough, I've never heard one live before. Only seen them in videos. I have seen an array of other vintage mics on stages, but never this one.

 

[RedLeg]

i have become the de facto sound guy for my group. I have learned this:
1. vocs get sm58's
2. horns get sm57's
3. drum sets get AKG c3000 overheads, AKG d112 or Beta52a kick, sm57 snare.
4. aux perc gets AKG c3000's
5. harmonicas get a 520dx or a 55sh

the 55sh is hot and bright. it looks cool on stage. For vocals, I prefer straight sm58's though. Much flatter response. easier to eq (if you need to). There is a reason a sm58 is the industry standard for vocals!

 

[Plays_For_Dog]

i have become the de facto sound guy for my group. I have learned this:
1. vocs get sm58's
2. horns get sm57's
3. drum sets get AKG c3000 overheads, AKG d112 or Beta52a kick, sm57 snare.
4. aux perc gets AKG c3000's
5. harmonicas get a 520dx or a 55sh

the 55sh is hot and bright. it looks cool on stage. For vocals, I prefer straight sm58's though. Much flatter response. easier to eq (if you need to). There is a reason a sm58 is the industry standard for vocals!

Exactly what I was looking for. If the mics are too hot and bright, then we would prefer to go with something a little more controlable. Few things are worse for ruining a sound, then harsh vocals drowning out the band. Thanks for the insight. As you can tell, we don't really know much about mics. I've always used what the venue stuck in front of me, or what the singer (past bands) stuck there. When it comes to knowing what's what in the microphone world, I'm a total noob.

 

[iamlowsound]

I thought the 55 was just a SM58 in a different case? Or is that another mic of theirs? SM58s are nice and easy to mix, but there are better vocal mics out there.

lowsound

 

[Rebop]

The Shure Super 55 is a better mic than the standard 55. I think the standard 55 is an sm58 in a fancy suit but the super 55 is a supercardioid mic and has modern guts. It's also about $100 more.

 

[mcm]

get a vintage one, they are much hotter and wired hi-z. they arent cheap, but the new ones are not either

 

[walker rosewood]

why not go right to the source? Shure is really good with their product descriptions included specs and freq response charts. The Super 55 and the 55SH are different.

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Now this looks cool....
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[Plays_For_Dog]

why not go right to the source? Shure is really good with their product descriptions included specs and freq response charts. The Super 55 and the 55SH are different.

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Now this looks cool....
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Sadly, I don't speak frequencies or have any idea what I'm looking at with those charts. Yes, the red looks cool. Reminds me of rat rods. Just wanting to hear anyone's experience in hearing these firsthand, and possibly using them. Thanks for the responses so far, they are truly appriciated.

 

[Gizmot]

The 55 has always looked cool - but that big chassis has some resonances, so you have to be careful with it on loud stages.
By the way, an SM58 may be easy to mix, but it is FAR from flat - it has a giant presence peak. Shure makes a good product and lots of people are used to the way they sound

 

[iamlowsound]

The 55 has always looked cool - but that big chassis has some resonances, so you have to be careful with it on loud stages.
By the way, an SM58 may be easy to mix, but it is FAR from flat - it has a giant presence peak. Shure makes a good product and lots of people are used to the way they sound

Not to mention that a SM58 is nearly indestructible. I prefer AKG condenser mics when mixing, much flatter and very clear.

lowsound

 

[Rebop]

get a vintage one, they are much hotter and wired hi-z. they arent cheap, but the new ones are not either

Good point. However they do tend to feedback earlier than the new ones.

 

[gbazinet]

Check out an Electro Voice 664. They have a cool vintage look and can be bought on ebay for about $50-75 in tested working condition. They sound pretty good for a cheap vintage mic. We mic our guitars amps with them. You will need to find a 4-pin cable, but new ones can be ordered at most guitar shops.

 

[Plays_For_Dog]

Check out an Electro Voice 664. They have a cool vintage look and can be bought on ebay for about $50-75 in tested working condition. They sound pretty good for a cheap vintage mic. We mic our guitars amps with them. You will need to find a 4-pin cable, but new ones can be ordered at most guitar shops.

Dig it, thanks! I youtube "shure 55" and was able to dig up some good videos of all types of vintage microphones. Some are far beyond what we are trying to achieve in music, but still really cool.

 

[Munjibunga]

The Shure Super 55 is a better mic than the standard 55. I think the standard 55 is an sm58 in a fancy suit but the super 55 is a supercardioid mic and has modern guts. It's also about $100 more.

Yes, the Super 55 has a Beta 58A capsule in it. I found one used for $175. You can get them in this funky black/red color scheme, too.

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[Plays_For_Dog]

I really dig the blue one. I might pick one up just for me. If I sing at all, it's purely backing vocals, so one of these about 3/4 volume of what they have the lead at would probably be ok. Music is still a hobby for me, so I'm happy going with style and cool points as long as it puts out a decent tone.

 

[RedLeg]

if you cannot get your singer to sound good through an SM58 with a competent soundman, maybe he shouldn't sing.

 

[Plays_For_Dog]

if you cannot get your singer to sound good through an SM58 with a competent soundman, maybe he shouldn't sing.

He sings good. We haven't gigged out anywhere, because we just last weekend decided to start the project. His current PA is "meh", so we will want to upgrade that before we start putting ourselves out there. The whole purpose of putting this thread up was to hear opinions and experience with the Shure 55 and variants. He wants to buy a new mic, and we thought this one was cool.

I certainly wouldn't agree to the deal if he couldn't sing and didn't know it. I hate going to see bands that are great, but overshadowed by a lousey singer. I jammed with the dude four times before he finally sang on something. I was surprised in a good way His style of singing is very mellow, but very smooth. Sunday we're going to get together again and start writing. Based off my experience thus far, I think our music will primarily be instrumental with occasional vocals to give just enough for people to relate too.