Which vocal mic are you using?

[buldog5151bass]

SM58 will always work well, and it's indestructible.

 

[skwee]

I bought a two-pack of SM-58 clones (Digital Reference DRV100) from GC to use with my band. I like them. Very consistent (and 9.99 each!). I've also had a good time with Sennheiser dynamic mics--specifically for vocal jazz.

P.S. I am a huge proponent of bringing your own mic along to any gig. Who knows what kind of nasty has been spit or dumped on a bar's mic.

 

[Lia_G]

Here's a cool review article ...
Best Live Vocal Microphones | Microphone Geeks

Based on this, and trying one out, I went with the Blue Microphones Encore 200. The thing that sealed the deal for me is that I need a mic that works well for both voice and flute, and this one sounds great with both. The clarity is wonderful.

I found a few of them on clearance from Performance Audio, $74.99 (about 50% off). Looks like there are 2 still left.
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[4Mal]

I couple of guys whose opinions I respect a lot suggested Audix mics. I'll disagree, specifically because you said you're just getting into singing. You have to be very consistent with your distance to the mic with Audix OM series because the pattern is so tight. I'd suggest a SM58 as a good place to start. Much more forgiving if you move off a bit or turn your head to glance at your neck. OM series mic do sound fantastic though. If you do get a SM58, get a new one from a reputable dealer since there is a booming industry in fakes.

Wrongo.... The om-7, yes. Specifically designed for very, very high volume stages and you simply have to be on it.
The 3 /5 /6 are nothing like it. Any of the bunch are clearer than the sm-58 amd the 58 has no edge off axis to the om-3/5/6. The 5 rocks for a darker, huskier voice. My thinner voice likes the om-6 which is more neutral. I stepped up, to the vx-5 which at $230 is by far the best stage vocal mic I have used. Yep, more than $100 but it sounds like a K buck...

Anthem Audio on EBay often has refurb Audix mics priced nicely. Audix has a great refurb / repair progam. I had a D6 die on me and got my housing back with all new guts for $35. Super fast turn around too. No complaints from me with audix and I own a bunch of them.

 

[4Mal]

I bought a two-pack of SM-58 clones (Digital Reference DRV100) from GC to use with my band. I like them. Very consistent (and 9.99 each!). I've also had a good time with Sennheiser dynamic mics--specifically for vocal jazz.

P.S. I am a huge proponent of bringing your own mic along to any gig. Who knows what kind of nasty has been spit or dumped on a bar's mic.

Amazon. Micro-Foam mic sterilizer... As a sound co guy, I clean our mics after every gig. If I have a performer who is obviously has a cold, sniffles or whatever, I'll swap a mic out after their set and give it a good cleaning. Doesn't cost much, doesn't take a bunch of time. Seems to me a vey reasonable thing to do...

If I do a gig on someone elses mic... Yeah, it gets cleaned...

 

[lokikallas]

I love my beta57

 

[s0c9]

I think the one commonality here is that the answer to the OP's question is - it depends!
The usual slate of industry "standard" mics - SM57, Beta57, SM58, Beta58, OM5/6, E835/845, ND's, PR20's all WORK and do the job!
In my experience the "best" mic depends on singer and type of music.

I personally use a Beta58 - because my BL can EQ it, and most folks at FOH can do the same.
I also like using a PR20 and OM5/6 for male and the Senns for female vox.
I'd like to try a Neumann KMS105 but the $700 price is outta my range..

In other words, most of it is personal choice and budget.

 

[skwee]

Amazon. Micro-Foam mic sterilizer... As a sound co guy, I clean our mics after every gig. If I have a performer who is obviously has a cold, sniffles or whatever, I'll swap a mic out after their set and give it a good cleaning. Doesn't cost much, doesn't take a bunch of time. Seems to me a vey reasonable thing to do...

If I do a gig on someone elses mic... Yeah, it gets cleaned...

You are awesome.

 

[the harp unstrung]

I couldn't tell you how long I've been singing through my SM58...I purchased it from a band mate at least 2 mic stands, and 4 or 5 wind socks ago. David and I played together in a band called The Clue...that's reaching back to the mid-90s anyway.
It's just the way my voice sounds...

 

[drummer5359]

I have enough Beta 58A mics for the whole band. Sometimes if I'm busy setting drums and lights I turn around and find that the rhythm guitarist has setup all of his SM58s. I really prefer the Beta, but I'll use either. In either case our lead vocalist uses a Super 55, which sounds like a Beta 58.

When I'm doing my acoustic gigs I always use my Beta 58s.

I have used AKG and Sennheiser products in the past, and I like them fine. I do like the idea of all backup vocalists using the same microphones, I think that it makes life a little easier getting the balances right.

 

[Justice]

I have never liked the way I sound on a SM58 and have been using Sennheisers for years. I use an e935 now which replaced my stolen e835 (which i got back and is now a backup) . So buying untried from your list I would go with the Senn.

 

[musicman7722]

Get the Sennheiser 835 it is really nice. i bought them for my band for Christmas so we have the same types. Sound very good. You can find packages where you get 3 of them for $250.

 

[Munjibunga]

Watch some concerts live or on TV. The Shure SM58 is used by more A-list performers than all other microphones combined. They are the industry standard for a reason - they sound great and they're very durable and rider-friendly. Other mics sound good, too, but to recommend them gets down to splitting hairs. Some people like John Mayer and Celine Dion use mics like the Neumann KMS-105 or Shure KSM9. If you want to spend $700 on a mic, you'll sound good, but not seven times better than if you get an SM58 for a hundred bucks.

BTW, the best place to buy Shure microphones is Northern Sound and Light (Northernsound.net). To get their price, you have to call them on the telephone. Their website will show MAP. You will save a ton of money.

In my acoustic trio we all use Shure Super 55s because they sound great and look cool. Their capsule is based on the Shure Beta 58A, another very good microphone.

 

[fourstringgirl]

I own both an SM58 and a Sennheiser e845S. The hacks in charge of sound in my two cover bands prefer that I use the 58 because they have no idea how to EQ the Sennheiser so that it does not feed back. I need alot of gain because I'm not a very loud natural singer. On the occasions that I've gotten to work with pro/semi-pro sound guys they have preferred that I use the Sennheiser over the 58. The local cover guys cry hogwash! Even in talking with pro soundguys they ALL chose the Sennheiser over the 58. But around here the 58 is all anyone ever uses. I always use my own mic anywhere I go because I'm kind of germophobic. Not quite to Howie Mandel levels, but I cringe when anyone gets near my mic. Got some GermX wipes for such occasions!

Anyway, I prefer the Sennheiser, but the simpletons around my area can't grasp anything above the simplicity of the 58.

 

[fourstringgirl]

P.S. I am a huge proponent of bringing your own mic along to any gig. Who knows what kind of nasty has been spit or dumped on a bar's mic.

And I thought I was the only one! I'll take mine off the stand between sets too. It's amazing the number of drunks who will go up on the stage and attempt to speak into the mics when you're taking a break.

 

[Justice]

i found for me, the Senn e835 and e935 both sound great to me with the EQ flat. I think they sound nice and full. My guitar player thinks they sound too boomy and when he EQs my mic like his it sounds too thin so i have to slap his hand every once in a while when he messes with my EQ setting up the system.

Overall I find the Senns much easier to EQ than the SM58s

 

[Yango]

I don't have a terribly powerful or deep voice, and I split duties between an AKG D-880 which is fantastic for my type of voice, and a Shure Beta 58. I think the feedback rejection is better on the Beta 58, but I think the D-880 is better suited to my type of vocals. I like them both, and am happy working with either.

 

[bassmeknik]

While I use a Beta 58 (about $150) now I have owned and used a standard SM58 ($99) for 40 years and you simply can't go wrong with an SM58, it has been the industry standard for stage vocal mics for decades. My first SM58 lasted 35 years and was easy to fix (broken wire inside...). Also Shure has a repair program where you send them an SM58 (any age) and they will fix it for about $55 flat rate. For that you get a new capsule (the heart of the mic). Used SM58's can be found for about $60 on CL and fleabay, I usually recommend used and as these are indestructible as a previous poster noted it is worth considering. Replacement wind screens are $8 at many music suppliers (GC for one) so easy to fix, parts are cheap and if you are worried about germs a new windscreen will fix that.

I own an e835 also and I don't think it is much more sensitive than the SM58. And yes, sound guys seem to twist their nose at anything other than Shure.

I have also owned a Digital Reference DRV100 and although it is more sensitive than the SM58 it has HORRIBLE noise rejection properties and imo is unusable for the stage. I sold it to my neighbor the DJ...

 

[Atshen]

SM58 is the one and only correct answer. So good I have two of them.

Okay, actually, my wife has two of them that she lets me use...

 

[Biggbass]

I pack 4 vocal mics in my gear bag:

Shure SM58
Shure Super 55 ( has a Beta 58 capsule )
Shure Beta 87a
Sennheiser E835

they all work equally well but it depends on the room and the sound guy as to which gets used. One thing for sure: I never use a house mic.