Double Bass Shure SM27 for Stage Use?

[John Spiro]

I have the opportunity to pick up an SM27 for a very favorable price (no it's not stolen!). I have been reading about it, it looks like it has the right characteristics for micing an upright in a live setting. Has anyone ever tried this? As always the biggest issue is being able to get enough signal without also picking up the drums and other louder instruments. If anyone has used one of these I would love to hear about your experience.

 

[Don Hergert]

The SM27 is a nice, well made Large Diaphragm Condenser mic. I also have a number of other LDC mics in my collection. I like them all, mostly from a techie POV, but I almost never use them. I rarely do studio work at home anymore, having a preferred studio to work at, and I've learned that on stage LDCs pick up far too much of what I (and most audiences) prefer not to hear -- background noise.

For stage use, I prefer good dynamic mics like the SM27's less expensive dynamic siblings, or other similar mics. I even try to stay away from SDCs unless someone else is managing them (FOH).

So if the price is excellent and you're in a techie mood, I'd say go for the SM27. But if you're like me you may not like it on stage, except perhaps the most quiet and controlled of stages.

If you're not in a techie mood and want something that just works, I'd stick with an SM57, SM58, or similar dynamic mic for on stage work.

 

[bassically_eli]

I'm with DH, I wouldn't use a LDC on stage. I use a SDC that mounts on the bass. That's as small as mics get, which allows you to get close enough to the bass top that bleed isn't a problem.

Dhergert, why do you prefer dynamics over SDCs? The only benefit I see is not needing phantom power. Is there something else that I'm not aware of? The first mic I ever used for bass was a Superlux dynamic, side address mic, but I prefer my tiny Prodipe with its gooseneck. I know you use a clip-on dynamic (e604?). If I were gonna use a dynamic again, that'd be the one

 

[Don Hergert]

...
Dhergert, why do you prefer dynamics over SDCs? The only benefit I see is not needing phantom power. Is there something else that I'm not aware of? The first mic I ever used for bass was a Superlux dynamic, side address mic, but I prefer my tiny Prodipe with its gooseneck. I know you use a clip-on dynamic (e604?). If I were gonna use a dynamic again, that'd be the one

Mostly, while I admire SDCs a lot for their technology, it is simplicity and cost that consistently bring me back to dynamic mics. Simplicity in that they don't require phantom power or batteries. Cost in that a really good dynamic mic still costs lots less than a really good SDC, plus SDCs are pretty fragile, plus there may be added costs related to providing phantom power and tone shaping.

While they may tickle the techie side of me, when I'm on stage I don't want to worry about sound technicalities. I want to get into a single-minded groove with the other musicians as quickly as possible, and I don't want to worry about costs if the mic stand gets bumped and the mic hits the floor.

With my Sennheiser e604 mounted dynamic mic on my DB, it's sort of a different situation too, but simplicity and cost came into that decision too. The e604 is definitely low cost, but it's also remarkably light and easy to mount, plus it produces quite good tone for my DB. At around 1/10th the cost of a really nice mounted SDC mic, it was just the right answer for what I wanted -- a worry free, clear mounted dynamic mic feed to function as a more tone-minded alternative to my mounted pickup/pre-amp system.

 

[Povl Carstensen]

I use a SM27 Beta on a stick (mic stand). Previously used SDCs mounted on the bridge, then went to SM58 Beta (dynamic) on a stick. The SM 27 has a class better sound IMO. But I am not a freelance gigging musician, just play in a few circumstances where we try to make it work