vocal mics?

  • Thread starter Thread starter tbray
  • Start date Start date
Cult_Status02 said:
For recording or live purposes?
Click to expand...

Both. I would wager that more than half of touring acts use 58s for vocals and to go a step beyond that 99% use a 57 on toms or amps. The 57 is the standard for micing guitar cabs and snare/toms - it also is reasonable on vocals.

However, in the studio, vocals are brought-out better with a large diaphragm condenser microphone.

Gear snobs will diss the 57 and 58 sometimes, but if you look at what the pros use, you'll just realize that gear snobs will be gear snobs.
 
guttapercha said:
Both. I would wager that more than half of touring acts use 58s for vocals and to go a step beyond that 99% use a 57 on toms or amps. The 57 is the standard for micing guitar cabs and snare/toms - it also is reasonable on vocals.

However, in the studio, vocals are brought-out better with a large diaphragm condenser microphone.

Gear snobs will diss the 57 and 58 sometimes, but if you look at what the pros use, you'll just realize that gear snobs will be gear snobs.
Click to expand...
i agree with everything you just said :)

i tried for the longest time to get a more "expensive" mike than the 57 for recording guitar amps, thinking that there has to be something that can do it better.

well, all i've accomplished so far is buying a lot of microphones that i do not use! so i just bought a few more 57s hehe.
 
guttapercha said:
Both. I would wager that more than half of touring acts use 58s for vocals and to go a step beyond that 99% use a 57 on toms or amps. The 57 is the standard for micing guitar cabs and snare/toms - it also is reasonable on vocals.

However, in the studio, vocals are brought-out better with a large diaphragm condenser microphone.

Gear snobs will diss the 57 and 58 sometimes, but if you look at what the pros use, you'll just realize that gear snobs will be gear snobs.
Click to expand...

Oh I meant what was tbray looking to do. But I'm sure tbray appreciated the info, though :)
 
guttapercha said:
Both. I would wager that more than half of touring acts use 58s for vocals and to go a step beyond that 99% use a 57 on toms or amps. The 57 is the standard for micing guitar cabs and snare/toms - it also is reasonable on vocals.

However, in the studio, vocals are brought-out better with a large diaphragm condenser microphone.

Gear snobs will diss the 57 and 58 sometimes, but if you look at what the pros use, you'll just realize that gear snobs will be gear snobs.
Click to expand...


Actually most of the "snobs" you're refering to would tell you a 57 thru the right preamp is still their choice for snare and guitar cab. Try not to jump to conclusions, there are reasons mic's like the 57 are still around and its mostly because of the "gear snobs" you're refering to.
 
Standard touring rig mic packer (in Aus anyway):
6 Beta 58s
12 SM57s
6 SM 81s
4 421s
M88
Beta 52

And, usually, if you're recording a live gig, you'll just take a split of those mics.
 
jonnyc said:
Actually most of the "snobs" you're refering to would tell you a 57 thru the right preamp is still their choice for snare and guitar cab. Try not to jump to conclusions, there are reasons mic's like the 57 are still around and its mostly because of the "gear snobs" you're refering to.
Click to expand...


Oh c'mon, tell me you haven't seen people post things like "....and then I used it [the 57] to go hammer some nails". Those are the folks I'm talking about.
 
Actually, there are a lot of people I wouldn't call mic snobs that don't use the SM57/SM58. Frankly, in the studio roles that many people use a 57 for, I use other cheap mics, particularly AKG D770 and Sennheiser e835. Neither one of those mics is more expensive or any more prestigious than an SM57. And what the hell? I keep an SM57 around because you never know. In the right situation it might be the right mic for the job. However, if you wanted me to mic up a cranked up guitar cab and you handed me an MD421 and an SM57, the SM57 would be put away pretty quickly, in most cases. The SM57 is not a bad mic, and I'm not saying it is. I do believe, however that it is an overated mic.-Richie
 
It's a lot more to do with market saturation and street cred...
Due to sponsorship deals, and the age of the SM series, people see 57/8s a lot more than any other mic, and they just assume that it does the job- which it does.

As a stage mic, it's good. You can throw one at a brick wall and you can still put it in front of a cab and it will work.
As a studio mic... well, if you're low on cash, then it will suffice. It will do the job where uber-fidelity isn't needed, or where you want to get more of a "stage rock" sound.
 
thexflamesxburn said:
i agree with everything you just said :)

i tried for the longest time to get a more "expensive" mike than the 57 for recording guitar amps, thinking that there has to be something that can do it better.
Click to expand...
Try close miking the amp with the 57 off axis...and a good LD 5ft away...only for lead guitar though...do it on all guitar tracks and you will get a ton of mud.
 
For vocals

I suggest an Audix OM-2 vice the Shure SM-58. About the same price new, MUCH better cardioid pattern and feedback rejection, and they just sound quite a bit better in my opinion.

Jay
 
Richard Monroe said:
Actually, there are a lot of people I wouldn't call mic snobs that don't use the SM57/SM58. Frankly, in the studio roles that many people use a 57 for, I use other cheap mics, particularly AKG D770 and Sennheiser e835. Neither one of those mics is more expensive or any more prestigious than an SM57. And what the hell? I keep an SM57 around because you never know. In the right situation it might be the right mic for the job. However, if you wanted me to mic up a cranked up guitar cab and you handed me an MD421 and an SM57, the SM57 would be put away pretty quickly, in most cases. The SM57 is not a bad mic, and I'm not saying it is. I do believe, however that it is an overated mic.-Richie
Click to expand...


Did I say that all people who don't use 57s/58s are snobs? NO. Please do not twist my words. I said that snobs will diss the 57s/58s sometimes. Go and read the original post if you have to. That is a very different logical statement than what you began this paragraph with.
 
When I bought my Firepod, they (MF) threw in an MXL 992 LDC for free. I was surprised at how lively and clear it was. For now, it has replaced my Oktava 319 as main vocal mic. They're pretty cheap, too ($179 USD)....the only complaint I have is the shockmount isn't hefty enough for this 2 pound behemoth.
 
tbray said:
looking for suggestions for a vocal mic
Click to expand...

It's a bit thin on top but for an inexpensive vox mic I like the mxl 990. For a bit more I like the at4050. A bit more than that and I like the at4060. In my dreams I like a vintage Neuman. :D How much did you want to spend?
 
IMHO through an cheap pre (or mixer), in dynamic microphone under $200,
you'd be better off with something like a Electro-Voice RE15 or RE16.

They work very well with a large variety of vocal types, and aren't as fussy as to "which pre"-like a Shure SM57 or 58. Plus they have the variable-D feature which makes mic placement simpler.

BTW the EV RE20 is also an excellent vocal mic if you've got the $$$.

Chris
 
Great thread!

Richard and Chris talk sense, kudos!

Here's a couple of Steve Albini quotes:

Shure SM-57
Type: dynamic
Quantity: 2


Piece of shit dynamic mic some people are inexplicably crazy about, so we bought one. Sounds equivalently good on everything from snare drum to electric guitar. Unfortunately, not a very high standard of "Good." If you need to record something and there's no microphone available, this will do, I guess.

Similar to: Shure SM58, Beyer M201


Shure SM-58
Type: dynamic
Quantity: 1


The vocalist's SM57. Serves them right. Excellent for holding onto and spitting into. We keep the windscreen clean so it doesn't smell like bad breath.

Similar to: Shure SM57, Beyer M88


Beyer M201
Type: dynamic
Quantity: 5


Hypercardioid dynamic mic, can handle very high SPL. Useful for snare drum, freak high-SPL situations where you still need good midrange clarity. If the SM57 were a microphone, it would sound like this.

Similar to: Sennheiser 421, Shure SM57, Sennheiser 441, Beyer M88


Sennheiser MD-421
Type: dynamic
Quantity: 4
picture 1 | picture 2 |

Versatile, general-purpose dynamic mic. Often used on bass drums, toms, snare, bass guitar, electric guitar, vocals, horns. Can handle extreme SPL. Has high-pass filter variable from flat ("M" for music) to strong hi-pass ("S" for speech).

Similar to: Sennheiser M409, Sennheiser 441, Beyer M201


More: http://www.electrical.com/class.php?page=microphones
 
Just wanted to say...

hey Chessparov! Great to see you back :)
 
Thanks Fab.

Nice to see all "yoose guys" still around.
Will try to pop by now and then.

Chris
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top