SM-58, Switch or non-switch version?

Well, let's say the mic is being used for vocals for the drummer, who only sings a couple of songs, and you don't have a sound man. It's easy to just turn the mic off when he's not using it, instead of somebody turning it up & down at the PA.

You generally don't want to leave a mic live if it's not being used, so you don't pick up extra noise or get feedback.
 
Obstacle1 said:
Just wondering what benefit the switch is supposed to give?
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Well it's good if you don't want your mic to be hot all the time. Say you have someone who is going to be making periodic announcements (or dismissing groups of kids), they can open up the mic at their own leaisure. This kind of thing can also be done using a mic with a button. Of course you don't want to hear a big pop when you turn it on, but other than that it can be handy.

Not really sure there's a lot of use for it in the studio, and you definetly don't want that for a live application where it could accidently get switched off. That's why there are sleeves for wireless mics, never let the "talent" near an off switch, they'll hit it.
 
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It's worse than that

Hi,

Rak is correct. After a singer is done singing they will figure the show's over and turn off the mic.

The next singer to use the mic doesn't know it's off and neither does the sound woman. So she's back at the mixer board cranking the gain. Then the singer sees the switch and bangs it on.

Squeeeeeeeeeal. I don't like that.

It's good for talk back mics because you can leave the gain set and switch the mic on and off.

In summary switches on mics are good for Public Address and Talk Back. Neutral in the studio. Definitely bad for live performance unless the mic is dedicated to one singer and he knows what he's doing.

Thanks,

Hairy Larry
 
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