Mic preamp for SM58

  • Thread starter Thread starter cboe
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I'd say a limiter is probably very useful for karaoke, maybe even essential,
and most compressors can probably be dialed in so that they're limiting but that would be more for protection in the event that you get a real screamer or very hard plosives, mic drops, etc.

Ideally the compressor/limiter would be acting when the loud singers go too loud - Something happens that's much louder than the average singing.
If you wanted to use your compressor to that effect, protecting your listeners ears and your gear then that makes sense.

If the goal is to automate some sort of consistency between whisperers and shouters, though, someone riding the gain knob is the best bet.
Using a compressor to achieve that would mean constantly slamming the louder singers which, most likely, isn't going to sound very good.

Encouraging the quiet singers to keep the mic very close to their mouths, and encouraging the screamers to hold it farther back, would make a huge difference too,
but I appreciate you can't always rely on that.
 
"Also seen videos of podcasters doing this and sounds great." There is a VAST difference cboe between a recording where things can be 'managed' and modified ad inf and running a live show.

There is a lot of very clever kit out there these days but for live PA you really cannot beat a bod on the faders and even then, if you have a kid with its chin down and a voice like a mouse there is little anyone can do. Similarly if someone clips the front end of the mic preamps you are also stuffed!

Dave.
 
I guess I haven't mentioned the concerns about the PA but that was a reason too. Is there something like a limiter you could add before the pre-amp? Also just out of curiosity (not planning to spend money anytime soon) could I add a DBX268S before the preamp? It has its own preamp...
 
Not really, no.
Audio processing and effects is done at line level so preamp comes first.

Units combining preamp and effects or processing will work the same way internally.


Usually what we do is have the performer perform as loud as they're going to and set the gain such that there's no problem.
In reality you'll end up pulling gain back again because 'as loud as they're going to' is never as loud as they're going to. ?

Limiting would be to protect the output side - the speakers and, of course, the listeners.
 
cboe said:
2 Shure SM58 -> Behringer MDX2600 -> Soundcraft Notepad 8fx -> PA.
Click to expand...
Switch the Behringer compressor and the Notepad. Like @Steenamaroo said, you need gain (provided by the preamps in the mixer) before compressing the signal (Behringer).
MAKE SURE that you don't use the phantom power for the mics if they are UNBALANCED the 48V phantom power will damage the mic. Phantom power is used for condenser mics. The 58 is dynamic.

Compression is used in many different applications. Your example of a podcaster is one use. In that application, it's used to "flatten" the speakers voice: "shouts", "pops" and the like are compressed, and the "soft voice" is expanded. This makes for a very level output. In music, it's used for entirely different purposes.

You don't need a bigger mixer, you just need to put things in the right order: SM 58 => Notepad => MCX2600 => PA
Ideally you would use the compressor as an "insert" on the mixer (thus putting it IN the signal chain) rather than outboard.
 
My son runs sound with community theatre doing musicals. In this setting, a compressor (RNC) worked great with the more dynamic singers. But he set the up the compressor settings (threshold, ratio, attach, release, and output) during rehearsals and was there to ride the faders as needed. Set it and forget for karaoke would not accomplish much. I can see the role of a brickwall limiter to protect the speakers (and the audience). Glad to hear that you were able to figure things out.
 
I can see that this is not a "competition" but surely everyone want to come over at their best? Being a good singer means of course bei ng in tune and in time but also being aware of and controlling your dynamics. For centuries there WAS no electronic assistance and if you could not be heard you didn't get the gig!

Dave.
 
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