Where to try out Mics...?

[Big Hoss]

I want to comparison shop microphones. Specifically dynamic mics. Mostly to double check myself...

Right now, we are using a variety of mics, A Behringer XM8500 that we use for mic'ing up a guitar cab, one Shure SM58 that the lead guitar / vocalist uses, and the rest are Nady SP-5s that are now about 14 years old or so.

At our last band practice, we decided to try out vocals with the various mics. And one thing I noticed was it depends on the voice of the vocalist...

The lead singer sounded best with the SM58, and good with the SP-5, where he sounded tinny with the Behringer mic. Hard to describe his voice, the closest I can think is David Coverdale, but not really a fair comparison.

The rhythm guitarist sounded best with the SP-5, sounded too boomy with the SM58, and the XM8500 was a bit bright.

My vocals, the SM58, well it sounded muddy to me, and my band mates. The SP-5 was fine, more definition for my admittedly limited vocal range. Think Leonard Cohen. There is good reason I am not lead vocals! (Oddly enough I do the vocals on "Everybody Knows"). The XM8500 was a close second to the SP-5.

So long story short, it is obvious to us at this point that just because a mic is the "standard" doesn't mean it works the best for a specific vocalist. So we want to try out other makes / models of microphones... But how?

Does Guitar Center, or other brick and mortar shops have any way of demo'ing different microphones? Do we just need to start asking friends in the area that do music / podcasting etc... that use various mics if we can borrow them to test out? How does anyone actually determine if a given microphone works well for them?

 

[tfer]

I was using a SM58 and had the same 'muddy' problem as you. Admittedly, I get right up on the mic, so it was largely proximity effect.

I went to my usual shop and explained it to the vocal teacher there. She handed me a Beyer Dynamic mic and told me to try that out. If it didn't work, they would take it back.

It worked.

 

[Big Hoss]

I was using a SM58 and had the same 'muddy' problem as you. Admittedly, I get right up on the mic, so it was largely proximity effect.

I went to my usual shop and explained it to the vocal teacher there. She handed me a Beyer Dynamic mic and told me to try that out. If it didn't work, they would take it back.

It worked.

I don't think it's proximity, at least with me I keep the mic between 6 and 12" away from my mouth at all times. Maybe I am too far away? Dunno. Like I said, the SP-5s sound fine at that distance, where the SM58 sounds muddy to me...

 

[s0c9]

I don't think it's proximity, at least with me I keep the mic between 6 and 12" away from my mouth at all times. Maybe I am too far away? Dunno. Like I said, the SP-5s sound fine at that distance, where the SM58 sounds muddy to me...

ugh... [sorry, but] You'd get swift "education" from the FOH guy in me.. most dynamic vocal mics polar patterns don't reject outside noise well when you are that far away, and require lotsa gain to work well.
You need to be "ON" the mic when singing on a club/bar sized stage with other vocalists and wedges going!!
You're NOT in a studio!
Like this..

For LIVE use, this approach will NOT work well!

 

[Big Hoss]

Our lead does that... I certainly can try it out... Mind you, I am wagging at the distance. I probably should say, I am far enough away I am not worried about chipping a tooth on the thing...

While obviously not me (I guess nobody wants to photograph a fat middle aged bass player performing!) my position when singing / playing is similar to what you see Geddy doing here... (Photoshop John Goodman in place of Geddy and you get the idea...)

 

[tfer]

I had a FOH guy explain to me mic technique - he used a kid eating an ice cream cone analogy.

I'm no mic expert, but I think that different EQ curves built in, and the one from Shure didn't work for me. But it works well for the other 3 people in our band.

 

[s0c9]

Our lead does that... I certainly can try it out... Mind you, I am wagging at the distance. I probably should say, I am far enough away I am not worried about chipping a tooth on the thing...

My best advice (and point) was that that you need to learn to sing "ON" the mic, as it provides a more consistent level to FOH that is less affected by proximity.
If you are a touring pro with 40 feet between you and the guitar player or drummer (like Mr. Lee) you can do that, but for the average vocalist, you SHOULD be on the mic to prevent them picking up drums, bass, and any other stage wash wandering around, so you don't get horrible feedback in your wedges!

 

[Big Hoss]

My best advice (and point) was that that you need to learn to sing "ON" the mic, as it provides a more consistent level to FOH that is less affected by proximity.
If you are a touring pro with 40 feet between you and the guitar player or drummer (like Mr. Lee) you can do that, but for the average vocalist, you SHOULD be on the mic to prevent them picking up drums, bass, and any other stage wash wandering around, so you don't get horrible feedback in your wedges!

Got it... Going to give that a try... Never had a noise pickup problem, but then again, I am sure I am picking stuff up I shouldn't be!

 

[zontar]

Do any of the local stores rent mics?

 

[seamonkey]

When you use IEM you can actually use better mic technique. Like backing off the mic if appropriate.
Take a trip to a big city, the bit city music stores often have stage area set ups for clinics and where you can try mics.

 

[Big Hoss]

When you use IEM you can actually use better mic technique. Like backing off the mic if appropriate.
Take a trip to a big city, the bit city music stores often have stage area set ups for clinics and where you can try mics.

Uh... League City is a southern suburb of Houston Texas, the 4th largest city in the United States. I thin I can manage that... Perhaps the Guitar Center downtown does, but the one in the Clear Lake area sure doesn't... They do have a pro sound room but they can't seem to be bothered with demoing anything.... I might try Danny D's see if they do pro sound at all...

 

[Big Hoss]

Do any of the local stores rent mics?

Not sure. Hadn't thought of that.

 

[zontar]

Not sure. Hadn't thought of that.

I know some do here--although they might not rent all the ones you want to try.

 

[DWBass]

SM58's are not great mics for female vocalists. They are also the type of mic that you have to be right up on it.

 

[Big Hoss]

SM58's are not great mics for female vocalists. They are also the type of mic that you have to be right up on it.

Well, at least if you are back off of the mic a ways, the SM58 isn't ideal for this male vocalist either... I was going to try working with the SM58 this weekend, but managed to have a trashed voice. (Sinus infection going haywire... Not my idea of fun).

Saturday night's gig got cancelled due to high wind caused power outage, probably for the best. I would have powered through, but felt like excrement.

 

[seamonkey]

SM58's are not great mics for female vocalists. They are also the type of mic that you have to be right up on it.

Oh, I don't know

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