Shure or Sennheiser

[pdadda]

Here's the deal. My band just finished our demo, and we plan on doing a lot of live work for a while. I have about $200-$300 to spend, and I want to buy something that will sound great live. It would also be nice if it could be used in our studio too.
We are a 3 piece band that plays mostly rock/electronic music. Influences include Radiohead, Sigur Ros, Pixies to name a few. As of now, the only mics I have are an Audix OM2 and a Behringer B1. I have friends that can loan us some mics for gigs.
I am a guitar player (mostly electric)/vocalist. I am looking to either drop the money on a mic (or two) or some effects I can use live.
As far as mics go, I am looking at either an SM57, a Sennheiser e609 (silver), or a Sennheiser MD421.
As far as effects go, I currently only have what is on my amp (Fender Princeton Chorus). While the distortion and chorus on it sound good to me, I want to expand my live sound. I am leaning towards a delay pedal (maybe Boss or Digitech). Can the TC Electronics stuff be used live?
Any input from you guys/gals on the most effective way to spend this money would be awesome. Thanks in advance.

 

[sprayfe]

One Mic i cannot reccomend enought is the Sennheiser E855. I love it. Period. Sounds great and I never go anywhere without it. As far as effects go, if you're into electronic stuff, get a Line 6 Delay Modeler. Rocks,
Rafe

 

[pdadda]

What do you use the E855 on? I mostly want the mic for my amp.

 

[sprayfe]

Oh, allrighty, I wasn't too shure. I use the E855 on my vocals for the most part. It still kicks on guitar amps as well. I would also recommend a Beta 57 for guitar amps. It can be a bit bright though (some might say). I think as far as writing and stuff, just grab a 57 and a delay. You'de love it,
Rafe

 

[pdadda]

Any other opinions (bump)?

 

[Innovations]

I am a fan of the MD421, but it really isn't fair to compare it to a SM57, which is a whole lot less expensive.

 

[kid klash]

If you can spring the brass for an MD-421, you'll never regret it IMHO. It's the kind of mic that you'll find works very well for lots more than mic'ing up a guitar amp.

 

[CanopuS]

Oh, allrighty, I wasn't too shure

Pun intended?

 

[sprayfe]

Very much so CanopuS.
he he, with all these models of microphones and the numbers and everything, does anyone else get dizzy?

 

[deepwater]

Audix OM3 and OM5 best mics hands down.

http://www.audixusa.com/artists.html

Check out the users of these mics -

Alabama
Blink 182
Casting Clowns
Gloria Estefan
Pear Jam
Ray Charles

etc

 

[Sklathill]

I dunno about Ray Charles these days, but...

Yeah, those Audix dynamics are very nice mics, rather underappreciated. Though I must admit, I like my OM2s more on snare and tom than guitar amp...

 

[deepwater]

I dunno about Ray Charles these days, but...

Yeah, those Audix dynamics are very nice mics, rather underappreciated. Though I must admit, I like my OM2s more on snare and tom than guitar amp...

Do like the Om2 better than the Audix D1,D2, etc mics on your drums?

 

[Han]

Shure or Sennheiser?

Sennheiser for s(h)ure!

 

[Hard2Hear]

I have used alot of live mics, fortunately I didnt have to buy most of them. But the thing I learned quick is that you can't judge them on who made them. The mid to high end of all the manufacturers mics sound good, and the cheap ones sound cheap. For example, I've personally used almost every mic mentioned in this thread. I dont like the OM2, but I like the OM3 and I love the OM5, I don't like SM58's, but I love SM87's, I don't like Senn 815 or 825's, but I really like 845 and 855's. Once you decide to get the good quakity series' of the manufacturers, then it just becomes what you happen to like on that source at that time. Even the live setting can make the decision of which mic I will want to be used, lots of factors involved that you should keep in mind.

H2H

 

[Big Kenny]

I only like these mics for live application and I use a Beta 58, a senn 845, and an EV N/D 857B. The EV gets the most work overall and the Beta and the 845 split the rest depending on the venue

 

[pdadda]

Thanks for all the replies. I think I have decided to get a Sennheiser. However, I have 2 questions left:
--Should I buy one of the MD 421 U5s or get an older model used on e-bay.?
-- Noone really mentioned the 609. Is this mic worth getting (about 3 times cheaper than the 421)?

 

[pdadda]

Also, how does the Audix OM2 compare to the SM57? It is what I am currently using to mic my amp.

 

[noisedude]

Didn't Ray Charles die the other day? I might've imagined it, and all the grieving around my house will have been wasted. RIP.

Mics ... well I'm a big fan of the Sennheiser E series ... certainly over the '57/'58 (similarly priced over here). Not heard any Audix mic myself (actually that's a lie but I can't remember the model number and the PA cabs were crap that night anyway). Shure Betas seem to be a safe bet too. Just picked up a Shure 545 (retro!) which I'm liking for my voice too.

 

[pdadda]

I don't have to make my decision for a couple more days, but I am currently thinking I will go to Guitar Center and test out a e609, and buy it if it doesn't suck. Then I will still have dough to check out those delay pedals. I'm sure the MD421 would be great, but if I sit on this money I've been saving up any longer, I'm sure the wife will manage to find another use for it.
After listening to the online samples, I am leaning more towards the Boss (probably DD-6) delay pedal. I will have to check those out in the store though too. If I can remember to, I will report back on how I like my purchases. Any more feedback is still very welcome.

 

[Markd102]

Can your live system handle a condenser? If you can find a 2nd hand CAD E100, they were always killer on guitar cabs, and drums and..............