Good Quality Headmount Microphones?

[Vikki]

I was looking for a reasonable quality headmount mic(non radio) for use in live situations. Can anyone recomend a model that they have used and seems to work with some success. Budget is up to 400 dollars(uk 200 pounds) can anyone point me in the right direction?
Vikki(uk)

 

[Dot]

Vikki, I'd recommend the DPA 4066. That's probably the best mic you can buy for that application. You can also use it on acoustic instruments, and the quality is high enough that you can also use it for recording in the studio. http://www.soundnetwork.co.uk/mini.htm

Don't be fooled by its size - it's a serious mic.

Also consider the Audio-Technica ATM73a.
http://www.audio-technica.com/prodpro/profiles/ATM73a.html

 

[bgavin]

Absolutely avoid the Shure SM10a.

I own one of these, and its problem is VERY low output. At 0.5mV this thing requires a typical channel be cranked all the way up to get anywhere close to an SM58 output.

This is a shame, as the mic is well made and comfortable to wear. Unless one uses an auxiliary preamp, it is pretty much useless for live PA work.

 

[boingoman]

As well as the DPA, (thanks, Dot, hadn't seen that one), check out the crown CM series- they have been a stage standard for years.

 

[Neil Ogilvie]

When I'm drumming and want to sing I use one of these http://www.audio-technica.com/prodpro/profiles/PRO8HEx.html which I bought from www.thomann.de for about £65 I think. It's a dynamic aswell so can take a little more abuse than a condensor and doesn't require phantom power. I've found it to be a great mic - similar in sound quality to the SM57.

 

[jgourd]

If by chance you are not talking about vocal mics, they best "Head Mounted" binaural mics are made by Core Sound.

http://www.core-sound.com/

 

[MadAudio]

Absolutely avoid the Shure SM10a ...its problem is VERY low output.

Yeah, and it sounds like crap, too.

I have the Crown CM113, and I like it a lot. You have to bend the headset for a custom fit, and it can be tricky. But once you do, it's pretty snug. Plus it's a condensor, so it has greater sensitivity and higher output than a dynamic. The belt-pack switch is programmable for 3 different types of on/off options.