Alternatives to SM58 for live use

[Garry Sharp]

Our band is now starting to go out. Blues/rock, fast and loud. Our female singer is very well used to the SM58 for live use, but in the last few months we have been recording with an AKG condensor, which she loves, but that won't work live because she needs a mic she can hold and of course feedback is a problem with the condensor.

Going back to the Shure in rehearsals has been a bit of a regression though; she is having to work it so hard that it's taking away from the range of her singing, if you know what I mean. It's viable, she's very experienced and is used to it, but I was wondering if there were any suggestions for alternatives that don't need as much vocal "attack" as the Shure.

We didn't have this in our budget, but could scrape together £150 (think £=$ as UK prices are much higher).

Thanks in advance for any suggestions

Garry

 

[DJL]

Maybe she'd like the Shure Beta58 better or have you tried the SM58 with a hotter preamp... maybe that will help.

 

[shortyprs]

I second the beta 58. Also getting good vox from a sennheiser 845

 

[eeldip]

if you are buying a mic for a single singer, you should grab that singer, head down to the store, and try out everything by shure, beyer, sennheiser, and ev.

all make great vocal mics that are a bit more full ranged than the 58.

i would aim for a beyer m69... but that is just me.

 

[Garry Sharp]

Thanks guys. DJL we run through a Focusrite pre - not sure I can afford a better one as the price hike up from that seems rather high.

None of the music shops here in London will give you a proper listening / testing envirnment. They do accept returns though. Does anybody know about the AKG C900? Sold as a hand held condensor for stage use.

Thanks again.

Garry

 

[DJL]

I've never used that mic before so I don't know... but I believe the Dixie Chicks have used Shure KSM32's live... so maybe if she used in-the-ear type monitors she could use that AKG mic she likes without feedback?

 

[chessparov]

Garry, on the C900, it comes with a removable presence boost filter-if you take it out it becomes flatter, more like a AKG 535 EB.

The AKG 535 EB and Shure Beta 87 handheld condenser microphones (either used), would also be worth trying.

The 535 EB has been used by James Taylor for his live concerts with excellent results BTW. The Beta 87's have been used on some "small" show called "The Grammy's" before.

Best of luck,
Chris

 

[Light]

My favorite live vocal mic is the Shure Beta 87. If you have been using an AKG LD, you might also try the AKG 535, which has that AKG sound. I also like the Beyer Dynamic M88. These are three very different mics, so between them you could probably find a mic that you liked.


Light

"Cowards can never be moral."
M.K. Gandhi

 

[shAkEz_gk]

I suggest Behringer XM8500A

 

[Garry Sharp]

Thanks again - exactly the sort of ideas I was hoping for.

Yes, DJL she could use the existing AKG with in ear monitors but the other consideration is that I want her holding the mic and moving round the stage, not stuck behind a mic stand.

Will look into all your suggestions - that's a great list of ideas.

 

[wilkee]

I have been using the AKG C900 for live work for 6 months (I bought 4).

I have found it to be very clear and clean with good feedback resistance.

They are very good value in the UK being cheaper than the SM58.
I cannot say if it is better than the SM58 but to my ears it just sounds more correct.

Beware of the high output, your mixer input may need a pad, I need to use the -20db pad on mine.

Tony

p.s. and of course you need phantom power.

 

[Garry Sharp]

Thanks Wilkee. Very useful to know from your first hand experience. I'm planning to try one. It also has the advantage of looking quite nice (she's a girl...)!! It will be going into a dedicated pre-amp so levels would be taken care of there.

 

[wilkee]

Thanks Wilkee. Very useful to know from your first hand experience. I'm planning to try one. It also has the advantage of looking quite nice (she's a girl...)!! It will be going into a dedicated pre-amp so levels would be taken care of there.

Wait till she handles it, It has a special non slip finish which feels like er. er. well you know??

Tony

 

[Garry Sharp]

I'm Garry's singing bird. (Just hijacked his logon) Ooh can't wait!! He's getting one tomorrow.

 

[wilkee]

Let us know how you both get on with it !!!!!!!!!

Tony

 

[Garry Sharp]

Well Tony, bought it, brought it home, plugged it into the Focusrite and boy are we happy

There were some feedback problems but our living / rehearsal room (warbling bird and me are a couple) is all hard surfaces and absurdly lively. We're in a rehearsal studio Sunday week so we'll see how that goes at performance volumes.

But it sounded great - cut through in the way the Shure doesn't, but she could play with proximity in a way she can't with her beloved recording mic (a C3000B, which I know gets slagged off a lot but works for female vox).

I see what you mean about the hot signal, had to attenuate a lot with the pre but it's so much easier when you have to cut rather than push. What a lovely microphone.

 

[wilkee]

Just a quicky, if you lady friend sings very close to the grill then fit another foam sheild inside of the ex. foam this stops the capsule/electronics clipping on very loud plosives.
This is a very common problem on hand held condensers. To fit just unscrew the grill from the mic body.

What does your good lady think of the Mic. Finish?

Tony

P.S. I book bands and do P.A. work in the West Mids get in touch if U gig in our area?

 

[Garry Sharp]

Thanks for the tip - we'll do that. She was singing across the top of it last night to avoid the plosives. As for the finish....well that's between the two of us! Strange, very strange.

If you ever need a band doing blues/rock with original material, (for which I will concede there is rarely a huge demand!!) let us know. Rough demo's here http://www.nowhereradio.com/artists/album.php?aid=2045&alid=-1 to give you an idea of her voice and the kind of material, but these don't have our new guitarist or drummer on them.

Thanks again for the input Tony, very helpful.