MN
43 posts
Jan 30, 2011
3:21 PM
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What vocal mic do you prefer to use, and why?
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LittleJoeSamson
472 posts
Jan 30, 2011
3:52 PM
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For singing, I like my Audix i5 for the price and the specs are comparable or better as to a SM57 or SM58. A Beta 58a is great, but obviously pricier. The Beta is superior for side rejection...so if you have loud bandmates that would be the way to go.
If you don't have that problem, then the i5 is a bargain...as it can be used also for micing the cab, and I have even used it for a harp mic in a pinch.
Also, the i5 I feel has better handling noise than either an SM58 or Beta 58a, so if you're a singer that holds the mic out of the clip it's good there, too.
See if you can find a music store that will let you try them out.
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Joe_L
1026 posts
Jan 30, 2011
4:23 PM
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I'm not much of a singer, but when I do sing and I need to provide a mic, I'll use my Shure SM-57.
Why?
The SM-57 was a standard vocal mic in Chicago clubs for vocals. People would use it as a harp mic when plugged into the PA, either on or off the stand. It can be used for mic'ing instruments. The are inexpensive and they sound prety good. They are the Swiss Army knife of microphones.
I like the SM-58 Beta, too. That'll be my next mic.
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Last Edited by on Jan 30, 2011 4:25 PM
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Jim Rumbaugh
390 posts
Jan 30, 2011
5:56 PM
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I don't care.
But I prefer all the mics in the PA match.
It's hard, if not impossible, to adjust a PA to sound good for all of the mics if they are different
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Matzen
4 posts
Jan 30, 2011
6:27 PM
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A SM58 is the standard in vocal mics. A SM57 is more of an instrument mic. Although my bass player loves singing through his Beta SM57 (I really dislike it!).
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Greg Heumann
1025 posts
Jan 30, 2011
10:30 PM
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I find the 57 too directional for singing. I have an Audix OM-6 which is a WONDERFUL (and expensive) vocal mic, but its proximity range makes it more challenging to use for acoustic harp. I sing through an Ultimate 58. The SM58 is a perfectly good vocal mic, it works well for harp, and having the built-in volume control is very, very useful. I own a Beta 58 and really don't care for it, especially for harp.
Some people, myself included, like to have the mic touching their lip when they sing - but I want to get my hands between the back of the harp and the mic when I take an acoustic solo. For that reason I like the mic a little hotter for harp - the volume control solves that. Others sing 6-12 inches from the mic, and then pick it up or cup it for harp - which can make peoples' ears bleed. Once again - having a volume control solves the problem. You don't have to use an Ultimate mic, you can use my regular low-Z XLR volume control with any dynamic vocal mic.
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/Greg
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nacoran
3757 posts
Jan 30, 2011
10:33 PM
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Whatever mic the open mic provider provides! :)
I'm still struggling to find the right vocal mic myself.
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apskarp
414 posts
Jan 31, 2011
12:22 AM
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Doesn't matter. I find that usually the monitoring is so lousy that you are lucky if you even hear yourself singing.. :)
Usually SM58 is what they use in restaurants and that's what we use in our training venue too. I've tried SM57 but I feel the same way as Greg - it's too directional, you have to concentrate more to keep the mouth in right position/angle.
For recording purposes I have Rode NT large condensator valve mic.
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mOOnerken
14 posts
Jan 31, 2011
6:27 AM
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I've had the same SM58 for over 20 years. Still works like a charm. Used it to record my first harp song which I just posted last night.
Ken C.
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7LimitJI
369 posts
Jan 31, 2011
12:59 PM
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It always surprises me how many singer/harp players spend lots of money on vintage mics and great amps.
Yet skimp on the vocal mic.
To the audience the vocals are the most listened to instrument on the stage.
Get the best mic you can afford.
I use a Sennheiser E865 condenser mic.
Its very warm, has little proximity effect, which means you can sing or play off the mic with no loss of bass.
I've had Shure mics 57 and 58 Beta.
The Sennheiser is waaayyyyy better.
Last gig we did with a sound engineer, he asked what mic I was using as it sounded so good. He usually used SM58's
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shbamac
89 posts
Jan 31, 2011
1:11 PM
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Sennheiser are nice. Don't sing myself (in public) but my singer friends love Sennheisers.
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