AKG D 310 or AUDIO TECHNICA ATM63HE?

Jmoog

New member
Im getting ready to do my first solo acoustic gigs at a local bar. I have two older microphones that I can use as my vocal mic, an AKG D 310 and a Audio Technica ATM63HE. I have heard that the AKG is somewhat comparable to a Shure 58 but I have read good things about the ATM63HE as well. Any suggestions as to which I should lean towards? Has anyone used either of these mics as vocal mics in the past?
 
OK- The ATM 63 is a discontinued hypercardioid dynamic mic intended as a live instrument mic. It excels on guitar cabs and snare drum in particular, sort of Audio-Technica's spin on the SM57.
The AKG D310 is a cardioid stage mic with an internal pop filter intended as a stage vocal mic. Although I don't use it, I have extensive experience with the D320, which is a hypercardioid mic in the same series. Given it's neodymium magnet and hypercardioid polar pattern, I expect the AT mic has higher output, and better gain before feedback. It is also quite likely less forgiving and picky about positioning, as well as having a more aggressive and abrupt proximity field. In other words, when you get real close to it, the bass output goes way up, and it happens real fast.
My opinion- as a live vocal mic, I would prefer the D310, especially if you are not an expert with mics. It is, however, more prone to feedback, so if I was playing with a loud band in a room with parallel hard walls, and feedback was a problem, I might use the AT mic, find the distance from it that sounds good, and *don't move*. In your case, I'd say-use the D310 and never look back. Put the AT on something that doesn't move, like a guitar cab. Good luck-Richie
 
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