honest opinions please on this mic please

[happy_days]

I came across this mic recently in maplin electronics store: http://www.maplin.co.uk/module.aspx?ModuleNo=42484&doy=16m4#overview

It has the following specs:

Frequency Response 40Hz - 18kHz
Polar Pattern Cardioid
Output Impedance 300Ω
Output Level -74 dB
Net Weight 365g

The frequency response looks pretty good to me when compared to the industry standard SM58, which only responds up to 15kHz. Has anyone used this mic. It has a logo "Yoga" on the front and I don't know anymore about them other than this. Can someone edcuate me on why I should fork out another 100 euro for an SM58 as opposed to this mic?

 

[hairylarry]

Why pay more for SM58

Hi,

First off I have no experience with the mic at the link. There are many vocal mics under $100 which is about the price of an SM58. Some of them I prefer to an SM58. But the question was, "Why pay more for an SM58?"

The SM58 is:

1. Standard of the industry for live sound.
2. Known reliable.
3. Beloved by many vocalists.
4. A known quantity for a sound person.
5. Holds it's value like no other mic except the SM57.

Because of this every inexpensive vocal mic has an uphill battle competing with the SM58 and many do in fact compete on quality of sound. You cannot, however, tell the quality of the sound by looking at the spec sheet or the frequency response. The only way to tell the quality of a vocal mic is to sing through it.

In the SM58 price range I also like the AKG D770 and the Peavey 520i for basically smoother and rougher vocals.

You can get fantastic vocals mics for just a little more than an SM58. Both the Audio Technica AT4054 and the Beyer M400 Soundstar mics can be found for $150 or less. The AT4054 is silky. The M400 rocks.

And what do I sing through live? A vintage EV 649b omni lav mic velcroed to my harp rack. I bought it for under $30. It's a tiny EV635a.

Thanks,

Hairy Larry

 

[happy_days]

Hi,

First off I have no experience with the mic at the link. There are many vocal mics under $100 which is about the price of an SM58. Some of them I prefer to an SM58. But the question was, "Why pay more for an SM58?"

The SM58 is:

1. Standard of the industry for live sound.
2. Known reliable.
3. Beloved by many vocalists.
4. A known quantity for a sound person.
5. Holds it's value like no other mic except the SM57.

Because of this every inexpensive vocal mic has an uphill battle competing with the SM58 and many do in fact compete on quality of sound. You cannot, however, tell the quality of the sound by looking at the spec sheet or the frequency response. The only way to tell the quality of a vocal mic is to sing through it.

In the SM58 price range I also like the AKG D770 and the Peavey 520i for basically smoother and rougher vocals.

You can get fantastic vocals mics for just a little more than an SM58. Both the Audio Technica AT4054 and the Beyer M400 Soundstar mics can be found for $150 or less. The AT4054 is silky. The M400 rocks.

And what do I sing through live? A vintage EV 649b omni lav mic velcroed to my harp rack. I bought it for under $30. It's a tiny EV635a.

Thanks,

Hairy Larry

thanks for the reply; the AKG model you recommend looks pretty good on paper I have to say and doesn't cost an arm and a leg either. Still the best peice of advice is as you say, plug it in, listen to it and then judge

 

[ausrock]

Yoga are a cheap mic that are frequently sold by electronics suppliers as a "professional" mic, I don't recall ever seeing them sold by a pro audio or music outlet. Maplin's price on the SM58 looks to be the full retail, surely a few enquiries will reveal a cheaper source.

 

[Terfyn]

I use the Stereo Yoga Electret condenser mic for my video work and find it satisfactory for a camcorder.
But it is a cheap mic!
Try the Mics from www.dawsonsmusic.co.uk They recommended Sontronics or SE Electronics for recording.
Based in Warrington, Cheshire, they are a good firm to deal with and their prices are competitive.