What's a step up from the SM58?

[warlock110]

I bought it for 100 and now i'm gonna need something slightly better for vocal. I was limited to dynamic because my cheapo mixer can't use condenser, but i'm gonna get a mic pre anyways so now i'm open for condenser/dynamic.

I'm hoping for something better but still in my budget (around 150), I'm doing a seach in the forum but i just want to have some update info on the subject.

[Big Kenny]

What will this mic be used for?

[warlock110]

Originally Posted by Big Kenny

What will this mic be used for?

vocal as stated in the post.

[Big Kenny]

CAD M179
AT 4040
Marshall V67
AKG 2000
Studio Projects C1
or there are ribbons if your preamp has enough gain

[warlock110]

Originally Posted by Big Kenny

CAD M179
AT 4040
Marshall V67
AKG 2000
Studio Projects C1
or there are ribbons if your preamp has enough gain

i checked out all of those and they're well above 150, i think the only one that really fits the budget is the SP B1. not sure if the C1 beats the pants out of the B1 or not.

[Richard Monroe]

Actually, AKG C2000B can be found on ebay for $150 new most days. Kenny
mentioned it above, and it is a pretty good entry level condenser. AKG Perceprion 100 and perception 200 are also in the ball park. I remain a fan of the C2000B, though. It is a versatile little bugger.-Richie

[Kevin Deschwazi]

Don't go with a condensor just 'cos you can.

If the voice suits a dynamic mic the shure SM7 would be a worthwhile upgrade.

[Big Kenny]

Keep an eye out here in the classifieds and at gearslutz and you can score a nice mic for a couple hundred, add Rode to your "take a look at" list

[Golden]

Originally Posted by Kevin DeSchwazi

Don't go with a condensor just 'cos you can.

If the voice suits a dynamic mic the shure SM7 would be a worthwhile upgrade.

I completely agree with this. If you want a "better" vocal mic/step up from the 58, then the sm7b would be a wise move. Just something to think about... do a little research on this mic and see what you think!

[warlock110]

Originally Posted by Golden

I completely agree with this. If you want a "better" vocal mic/step up from the 58, then the sm7b would be a wise move. Just something to think about... do a little research on this mic and see what you think!

that thing is ~300 bucks, that's a little too much for me right now

[TelePaul]

Originally Posted by warlock110

that thing is ~300 bucks, that's a little too much for me right now

Save a little longer man.

[Obstacle1]

I'm no expert and haven't tried anything better but the AKGC2000b was definately a step-up from my 58. Much warmer, more clarity and with the right placement can produce a way better result than the 58. but as someone has already said, a condenser may not be the answer. Hope this helps.

[warlock110]

Originally Posted by Obstacle1

I'm no expert and haven't tried anything better but the AKGC2000b was definately a step-up from my 58. Much warmer, more clarity and with the right placement can produce a way better result than the 58. but as someone has already said, a condenser may not be the answer. Hope this helps.

isn't the AKGC2000B a small Small-diaphragm Condenser? is that good for vocal? alot of people suggest big diaphragm.

[lapieuvre]

I bought a AKG C2000B and I am dissapointed in it, If you want to go one step above, Just get the Shure Beta 58, not that much expensive but sounds way better than the SM58. I also have The AT4040, for 400$ it is worth every dollar.

[lapieuvre]

C2000B is large diaphragm

[89gtsleeper]

I purchased the AKG Perception 200 which is in my opinion a very sweet mic for the price. Really does a good job on my vocals and acoustic guitar. Haven't tried using it for cabs yet, but it can tolerate pretty high SPLs. Comes with afoam padded case and a nice shockmount with extra bands. Normal price as 159. Right in your price range.

[Obstacle1]

This link http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/jun0...s/akgc2000.htm gives a review of the mic and how it sounds on vocals. Think it was only £100 when i got it. I also have an AT3035 which i have used on vocals but I think it lacks a warmth and is often too bright on my voice. I've heard good things about the AT4040

[cusebassman]

If you are trying to upgrade from a good 100 dollar mic to a good 150 dollar mic, you are wasting the money. I always hate it when people tell me to save for something better, but in this case, it is warranted. You don't necessarily need a condenser to get a good vocal sound - hell, the SM57 has been used in conjunction with a good pre and recording chain on countless albums for vocals. If you are hell-bent on a condenser, wait. A SP B1 or C1 is probably what most would recommend around here for anywhere near that price range.

[sleeper414]

you know warlock, if you have a decent room,have a popscreen and have a good signal chain(preamp,compressors,EQ) an sm58 is fine.
especially if you don't have phantom power.

[Innovations]

If you think that your voice would sound better with a condenser then the SP B1 or a Marshall V67 or some of the other choices would make a good upgrade.

If you thought that sticking to a dynamic would be better than saving up longer for a SM7 or an RE20 would be the step up. If you were really set on spending 150 and no more then try to find a good used price on a RE15 or RE16

[Izzy Pop]

Warlock-
My preferences over a SM58 are the Heil PR20, and Sennheiser E845, both of which are around your price range. The Heil has a much flatter frequency response than the characteristic SM58 presence boost. I've also used the Sennheiser E865 condenser for studio and live work and loved it (this is Sting's live vocal mic of choice), but it clocks in around 250. Good luck.

Ian

[warlock110]

Originally Posted by Izzy Pop

Warlock-
My preferences over a SM58 are the Heil PR20, and Sennheiser E845, both of which are around your price range. The Heil has a much flatter frequency response than the characteristic SM58 presence boost. I've also used the Sennheiser E865 condenser for studio and live work and loved it (this is Sting's live vocal mic of choice), but it clocks in around 250. Good luck.

Ian

I've used the SM58 and the Sennheiser 835, to be honest i think the Sennheiser 835 sounds slightly better. the Sure SM58 gives off that "normal" sounding that's slightly darker, that's probably just me. I'm doing this as a hobby rather than anything else, and when i have a little money i'll use it, as poor as i am, it'll probably kill me to spend 300+ on a mic (lol for sure).

I guess the 1st thing now is to look for a good mic pre, then try the SM58 to see if there's any noticable difference, then pop my MXL 990 in and see if it sounds better, if it is then i'll probably sell my arm to get a good mic. thanks guys it's been very helpful, it truely suck balls to have this as a hobby, everything is so expensive

[bubbagump]

You never really stated if this was for live or recording use. Live, the Sennheiser e835s are a great mic as are the Audix OM5s. I use both a lot. Recording wise, pretty much anything mentioned above works. The Heil, SM7, the Studio Project offerings, CAD, etc.

[RandyW]

A few weeks ago I picked up a CAD M177 for around $90.
I compared quite favorably to my AT4040. I guess you could
pickup a VTB1 pre and the CAD for $200. For a cheap pre
I don't think you can beat the VTB1.

[leddy]

What kind of preamp are you using?

Generally, dynamic mics are more affected by the preamp because they usually require more gain. Using my SM58 between a cheap mixer pre and my Sytek (or even my VTB1) are night and day.

In studio use, I typically prefer a condenser mic on vocals. I have had success with an Oktava MC012 on vocals and for some voice-over projects. For live recording, an SM58 through a good preamp is great. An SM58 through a cheap preamp is usually just ok.

I would either get the Oktava condenser or a VTB-1 preamp for the SM58 depending on your preference. Either one would offer a cheap improvement (assuming you are using cheap mixer preamps now).