What's a decent vocal mic?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Keith_H
  • Start date Start date
K

Keith_H

New member
I'm looking for a decent vocal mic that i can use both for recording as well as live, with emphasis on live performance. I'm willing to spend a little more so it will be decent. Someone told me a Shure SM-58 ??? I have 3 57's for my drums but I don't think those are what I need, are they?? Thanks a lot!!
 
Lots of people use the 57's and 58's as live vocal mics...the 58 is essentialy the same mic as a 57, but with the built-on pop filter (ball) ........
 
Hello Keith, The Shure SM58 is better for vocals. The SM57's are better for instruments. I'm not going into details. Too long to type. Later...Dr.Den
 
No it's not to loong to go into details. Don't claim something without backing it up, it only sounds like you don't know what you are talking about.
 
Yeah , Doc , I'd like to hear this myself......its time for an education.....
 
actually in this case by decent - I meant better than radio shack- because that's what we have now!
 
How about the Nady SCM900...Hey, you said decent (cheap!) It's the same price as a 58, but sounds a little fuller......

.......oops did I say that..... :)


I suppose it really depends on your budget. For $50-100 more you could get better mic (obviously). Keep phantom power in mind if you go the condenser route.
 
Hi..

The SM58 all the way. It's as commonly used for live vocals as the SM57 is for snares and guitarcabs.. It also can take a little falling-to-the-gruond before it breaks..
 
rtzstudios,
Do people commonly use condensers for live vocal mics? I know these are more expensive but I could also use it when I recorded my drums right?
 
oops!!!

Sorry about that. I missed the "live" part!!! If that's the case I would go with the 58. Some people do actually use condensers for live vocals though (usually small-diaphragm.)
 
...By the way, what type of music are you playing? That could be a factor too.
 
alternative/punk

we cover some songs too but basically the same style
 
Yeah, I'd say definitly go with the SM58 if your doing punk! If you were playing *softer* music then you might be able to get away with a SD condenser (which would also be great as a drum overhead for recording.) The 58 isn't necessarily ideal for an overhead...but could work.
 
The SM58 is an industry standard for a stage vocal mic. They are extremely durable, you can almost pound nails with them and then sing into them. I have seen people use 57's as vocal mics also. I believe the frequency response is the same for the 57 and 58 but the ball on the 58 emphasizes the proximity effect slightly which makes the 58 "warmer" (more low end). That is why the 58 is more of a "vocal mic" and the 57 is more of a "instrument mic" (normally you want the instrument "brighter").

I would not recommend a condensor mic for stage use 1) they are more sensitive 2) you would need a mixer with phantom power for the condensor (although these days most mixers have phantom power).

For the sake of discussion, does anyone not agree with my understanding of the 57 vs. 58 "difference"
 
I'm no mic expert by any means but I have both 57's and 58's. I record loud rock'n'roll and use the 58 for vocals and 57's for miking amps plus vocals. The 57 seem to be especially good with guitar amps. I have found them to be pretty much interchangable so far as vocal sound characteristics - our singer likes to sing about 3" off the mic and I can't tell much difference between a 57 and 58 in that instance. I have had several people tell me that the 57 has a narrower pick-up pattern than the 58 but the factory specs do not support this. They are VERY durable and I have never heard of anyone who does not like them for live, loud situations.
 
Hi Mikeh, I agree with you on most of your points. The reason the SM 58 is better for vocals is: the frequency response is tailored for vocals due to the brightened midrange and bass roll off. The roll off in the 58 provides greater controll allowing the user to take advantage of the "proximity effect". The ball on the 58 basically is there to reduce pop and wind. The SM 57 is geared more for recording instruments. The frequency response for the mikes is a little different. The SM58's response is 50 to 15,000 Hz while the SM 57's response is 40 to 15,000Hz. As far as the proximity effect is concerned in unidirectional microphones: when the sound source is less than one quarter inch from the mike, the microphone boosts bass frequencies by 6 to 10 db at 100 Hz thus creating a warmer and richer bass sound than when further away. So, with that said, the proximity effect can also be achieved with the SM57. Later...Den
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top