Questioning my new Mic

[BillyBo]

okay, another mic thread, but i hope it doesn't sound repetative as some do.

i was recently in the market for a performance mic. more than one would have been best, but i need it for the weekend. there was a 2-for-1 deal "web only" at GuitarCenter's site for the AKG D9000 (2 for $79).

So I had time to get to my local GC and browse the mics. Didn't find any at that great of a price deal, and I'm super cheap, so I told the dude he had to sell me on a mic or I'd walk out. uh, plus i had to justify spending the dough to my wife, hehe.

Long story short, i tried 3 mics in their "Live Sound" room. those were the Shure SM58, the Audix OM-2, and the Electro-Voice N/D767a -- the last one was said to be "the best new mic they had" -- umm... bad news first: i have enough sibilance in my voice naturally, so the last mic was out. i could tell a noticeable difference immediately with the high end and Essing. so that was out. good, lol, it was more money anyways.

so i tried the Audix and the Shure a few times each and felt the Audix gave a better/bigger sound with the same "color" as the SM58. i liked them both, but felt i had to rap harder to get the same big sound out of the 58. not too bad, but what are ya'lls opinions on this?? is there some advantage over the SM58??

if you can't tell, i ended up with the Audix OM-2 for $99.

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now - i felt a little weird that i spent more for a performance mic than i did for my studio mic (MXL 990), and wondered if i should start recording with the Audix instead of the MXL. i know i know, try it and see... but what are the advantages/disadvantages of a dynamic vs. condensor mics.

can anyone help me out here? the 2 main questions are "what are the advantages/disadvantages of a dynamic vs. condensor mics?" and "is there any advantage/disadv. of the SM58 compared to the Audix?"

again, i tried them out and picked the one that sounded best to me, so that may definitely be my answer; i just figured i'd ask..... and tell everyone a longer story than necessary about my new purchase



Bless!

[mentalattica]

For a sibiliant voice, dynamics are always a good choice. It wouldn't hurt to record with it as long as you have a quality pre. I like the 57 over the 58, you shoulda tried that one out but general consensus is the best dynamics for rap are the Shure Sm7 and RE20. I used to have a SM7, it was a great mic but I opted for the KSM27 condensor and haven't looked back since.

I've never used or heard an Audix mic so I can't comment on it... but generally for studio purposes you should go with what sounds best on your voice in your recording enviornment (too bad GC doesn't let you return mics).

Oh and advantages for dynamics are less room noise, generally a "fuller" sound and usually not classified as "bright" or "harsh" so they are good for sibiliant vocals.

Down side, proximity. Keep your distance if you must.

Those are just basic no-brainers though.

[BillyBo]

(too bad GC doesn't let you return mics).

what?! i'll have to see about that. dang. i was almost thinking that if i didn't like it i could trade it back for another mic.

[mentalattica]

Yeah it's due to some "health risk"... GC sux...lol

[BillyBo]

"Restrictions: ........ and microphones are exempt from this policy"

WHAT THE HECK?! because of health restrictions.... well, this kind of irks me. i'd like as much feedback as possible on this PLEASE!! lol. because IF i have to take this mic back and exchange it, i want to do it tomorrow and talk to the kid that sold it to me. i mean, i understand it's their return policy, but i wasn't informed of this when i bought it, and who reads the back of the receipt BEFORE they buy something? uh - no one. so dude will get an earfull if i want to exchange it and cant.

..... then again, i might find out it's the best mic and keep it.

*sigh* i hope i haven't been had by GC.

[BillyBo]

so..... can i get some responses on my "2 main questions" above?? i need to find out if i should try to exchange this thing or not.

the 2 main questions are "what are the advantages/disadvantages of a dynamic vs. condensor mics?" and "is there any advantage/disadv. of the SM58 compared to the Audix?"

~ i wonder what he'll do w/ the other mics i "spit on" while in the store. i believe it's unhealthy to put it back in the box and sell it, lol.

[BillyBo]

Originally Posted by mentalattica

I've never used or heard an Audix mic so I can't comment on it... but generally for studio purposes you should go with what sounds best on your voice in your recording enviornment

again - this mic is for performing, not recording........ unless of course i decide to use it. but the purpose of buying it was for performing.

sorry for so many responses to myself. i'll go to bed now and hope for more responses in the morning.


over and out.

[mentalattica]

For performing, it should be fine but definitely try it out and record something with it, you might like it better!

And I had a hard time taking a BROKEN mic back to GC to exchange it for the SAME mic... now come on if it's broken why shouldn't I be able to bring it back and exchange it? How am I benefitting?

[Mindset]

Yeah the SM57 mic is better IMO than the SM58...

There's also Sennheiser, they make nice dynamic mic's too. I personally like the 935, and a few other Sennheiser mic's in that price range... The thing about it is that it's 40hz to 6khz. So there's a cut off after 6khz, which has the sibilance, and airy sound from 7khz & up. Might be good for your vocals since your talking about your voice is already has a lot of sibilance.

Audix mic's are usually pretty good too, we use a couple micing drums. Try out the Sennheiser line, and maybe Beyerdynamic if they have any there.

[BillyBo]

hmm... so i should probably stay with the Audix then?

i'm just wandering why the SM58 sounded more muffled than the Audix, and if i'd like it better for performing.... maybe being "held back" is good w/ the 58 so i'm forced to push more energy into performing?? lol... don't want to easily lose breath either.

sorry if i'm starting to sound redundant... it's been a tough morning w/ my car etc... didnt go to work today.

basically it's between the Audix and the SM58. i want to be reassured i made the right decision, or exchange it for the other.

[Change of POETS]

Audix makes a good stage dynamic, I've used a few. I as well, prefer the SM57 for stage performance. Nice clear sound, but I have a bass heavy voice, so I have to make sure it's EQ'd correctly or the crowd is going to feel me too much... literally.

But yeah, the main differences have been covered. Frequency range, pattern type, and colorization are the main issues I don't use a dynamic to record with. I like a mic with a flat response, so I'm getting clear vocals and I don't have to EQ the crap out of them. But like Ment said, you should use the mic that makes you sound the best.