Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Vocal mic question
- Thread starter AmpedSilence
- Start date
Yes, thanks JimmyM.
I contacted Blue and it turns out the mic is out of warranty and it would cost me almost half of what the mic is worth new if I try getting it repaired by Blue. My local music/repair shops either don't repair mics or have a high bench fee.
I asked the forum because I have had first hand experience with the great people on TB who have knowledge on electronics and figured it won't hurt if I ask. Well, except making myself look like the inexperienced noob I am
I contacted Blue and it turns out the mic is out of warranty and it would cost me almost half of what the mic is worth new if I try getting it repaired by Blue. My local music/repair shops either don't repair mics or have a high bench fee.
I asked the forum because I have had first hand experience with the great people on TB who have knowledge on electronics and figured it won't hurt if I ask. Well, except making myself look like the inexperienced noob I am
I have three Super 55s that we use in my acoustic trio. They have the Beta 58 capsule in them and sound great to my ear.
I also have a Beta 87C that works fine, too. It's the cardioid version of the supercardioid Beta 87A. The Beta 87A has better off-axis rejection than the 87C, but it has a little lobe coming off the back end that will pick up your floor monitors and feed back if you put the monitor right in front of you. You have to put the monitors off center at about 30 degrees off axis.
I really do not like my local GC anymore, I'll have to go to one a bit further away and give some mics a try. I hope most of the mics mentioned here are available!
So, I took a picture of what I "assume" is the problem with my mic:
I apologize for the cell phone picture, I don't own a proper camera. And this is as close as I could get without everything becoming a giant blur.
It seems the red wire is only soldered on by one strand, compared to the black wire. I plan on stripping the red wire back and resoldering. its such a tiny space...
So, I took a picture of what I "assume" is the problem with my mic:
I apologize for the cell phone picture, I don't own a proper camera. And this is as close as I could get without everything becoming a giant blur.
It seems the red wire is only soldered on by one strand, compared to the black wire. I plan on stripping the red wire back and resoldering. its such a tiny space...
I really do not like my local GC anymore, I'll have to go to one a bit further away and give some mics a try. I hope most of the mics mentioned here are available!
So, I took a picture of what I "assume" is the problem with my mic:
I apologize for the cell phone picture, I don't own a proper camera. And this is as close as I could get without everything becoming a giant blur.
It seems the red wire is only soldered on by one strand, compared to the black wire. I plan on stripping the red wire back and resoldering. its such a tiny space...
That oughtta do it. That's along the lines of what I would've assumed the problem to be, given the symptoms. Also check the connection of the wires to the XLR connector on the mic.
I hope to try the repair this week. I've listed the mic on eBay, As-Is, though I am not sure if anyone will bid. I'll attempt to resolder if it doesn't sell.
The truth of the matter is, I want to try a new microphone, lol.
I am impressed enough with Blue mics to give the enCORE 300 a shot. This video helped:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=98qNr4w6LcM&feature=my_liked_videos&list=LLVok5w0CYnNddHsiiQXjhjg
I like how it seems to pick up vocals well from a distance without having to "eat" the mic.
The truth of the matter is, I want to try a new microphone, lol.
I am impressed enough with Blue mics to give the enCORE 300 a shot. This video helped:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=98qNr4w6LcM&feature=my_liked_videos&list=LLVok5w0CYnNddHsiiQXjhjg
I like how it seems to pick up vocals well from a distance without having to "eat" the mic.
I say resolder it asap and get more $ for it. If you don't have time, get it done at a guitar repair shop, probably for a few bucks. No downside to checking into it.
It's a 5-minute fix. Get a USPS Medium Flat-Rate box ($11.35), ship the mic to me (wrapped in bubble wrap), I'll fix it and ship it back if you put $11.35 in the box with the mic.
You can say that again!
Munji, I think you are awesome for offering help!
You'll have a PM soon,
Thanks
During my normal Saturday tour of the local used gear shops I came across a Sennheiser e935 at a really good price.
The e835 gets a lot of love here and elswhere, as does the e945.
Anyone have any experience with the 935?
The e835 gets a lot of love here and elswhere, as does the e945.
Anyone have any experience with the 935?
I use an e935 for my vocals. I like it, and it sounds better than an SM58 on my voice. No complaints...
butchblack
Life is short. Do good. Find and do what you love.
A couple of people have mentioned Beta 58s. I used one in a band I was in and didn't like them. I found them a bit shrill when right up against the mike. They sounded much better when I was a few inches away from them.
I can't really quantify it into words, but my vocals just sound better. A little fuller maybe?
It also seems to be a little less prone to feedback. One of our mains is usually right behind my head, so with a 58 I can easily get a little feedback depending where everything is facing. It's easy to fix, but with the e935 I don't have to worry about it as much. Maybe the pattern is slightly different vs. a 58 that works better for the way we are set up.
Thanks for the reply. I bought the e935 before you posted.
Looking at the published charts for the SM 58 and the e935, it seems the Sennheiser is much flatter above about 2K. My limited listening to the e935 seems to confirm what the specs show.That would explain what you describe as "a little fuller maybe".
I'll be doing a thorough head-to-head listening test with a fully EQ'd system until Sunday evening.
Looking at the published charts for the SM 58 and the e935, it seems the Sennheiser is much flatter above about 2K. My limited listening to the e935 seems to confirm what the specs show.That would explain what you describe as "a little fuller maybe".
I'll be doing a thorough head-to-head listening test with a fully EQ'd system until Sunday evening.
I would definitely say the highs are less harsh, so assuming the 58 is boosted above 2K that makes sense as well.
The comparative output levels of two mic models have nothing to do with their suitability for a given task - all it does is change how much preamp gain you need to get the signal to where it needs to be in the console channel. Once they are both set for the same level into the console channels, you can compare the sound quality and how well they reject all the sounds that you don't want them to pick up.
I've heard that before, but have never experienced it. I have three of them that we used to use in my acoustic trio before we switched to Super 55s, which have the Beta 58 capsule and also sound great to me.
