Bare Knuckle Pickups Forum
At The Back => Time Out => Topic started by: Twinfan on December 21, 2008, 11:48:17 AM
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I'm thinking of having a dabble with backing vocals in my band, so I'm looking into mics. Primarily for live use, I need something straightforward. Our singer uses an SM58, and my DC singer swears by SM58s too so that was my first choice. I read somewhere that ideally you should all use the same mic live as it helps with the mix - not sure if that's true though.
However.....
I may use it to record guitar parts as well from time to time, and I believe the SM58 isn't best suited to this. Although I think if you remove the pop shield it can work OK.
Also, I like things that are a little bit different and my search led me to the Sennheiser E-835 which seems to be a good alternative to the '58 and a bit more flexible. Anyone used one or care to comment?
So should I try the Sennheiser or just get the industry standard SM58?
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What kind of voice do you have? Or rather, how do you sing?
If it's gruffer rocky stuff then I quite like the Sennhiser e935's. If you're covering all bases then I like Audio Technica AE5400.
But, for a trusty, relatively cheap, workhorse mic, you really can't go wrong with SM58s.
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same mics on stage does sometimes prove to be useful, espec. if you're cranking levels. The 58 is proven to be a brill, rugged, decent mic.... it's the safe card! I've seen E-835's in use, but can't remember what they were like...not that dissimilar I think. Both should give you a half decent amp recording as well.... obv. the SM57 is better for this, which you could use for B. vox without much hassle...I guess it depends where your priorities lie - singing or recording!
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Vocals is the priority and I have a reasonably high voice, similar in frequency to Dave Grohl but not as high and I can't scream like him! I sing fairly musically - I don't 'talk on pitch' like Mark Knopfler.
SM58 or 58A Beta seems like the way to go then?
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Vocals is the priority and I have a reasonably high voice, similar in frequency to Dave Grohl but not as high and I can't scream like him! I sing fairly musically - I don't 'talk on pitch' like Mark Knopfler.
SM58 or 58A Beta seems like the way to go then?
... are you going to get two...?
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V
SM58 or 58A Beta seems like the way to go then?
I'd go 58....makes sense imo and same type as your singer - helps and looks cool :D
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You will want 2 mics, ultimately.
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Yeah TO, I know I will :) Just trying to get one that will be OK at the moment :)
Stock SM58 it is then. Cheers guys!
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Couple of thoughts:
If you are going to buy a Shure mic make sure you go to a reputable dealer - LOTS of fakes on eBay, some of which are very hard to tell from the real thing - Beta 58 is a better mic than the SM58 but does not have an on/off switch on the mic - you may/may not find this useful! I have both - I use the SM58 for practice and the Beta 58 for gigs.
Good luck!
Mike
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Get the Sennheiser MD421... it's got an adjustable do-dad that sweeps from voice to music, and sounds great on guitar cabs, bass cabs, toms and kick drums, it's really versatile. I can't comment too much on the vocal side of it, but it was designed with that in mind, so it shouldn't be bad. It is a bit more pricey though, but worth it I feel.
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Yeah TO, I know I will :) Just trying to get one that will be OK at the moment :)
Stock SM58 it is then. Cheers guys!
I think it's worth getting 2 mics, each specialized for it's purpose. There's a reason why most people don't use a 58 for guitar, nor a 57 for vox, as a gross generalization.
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denim'n'leather is right - 2 mics would be best. however i use a sm57 very often for vocals - i like the way i can shout into it and not get any ill effects, its quite tolerant of hard sounding Ts etc etc too.
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I've read that if you remove the pop-shield from an SM58 you've essentially got an SM57 so the SM58 is the one I'll go for. When I learn how to sing better, and work out what I don't like/don't like about the '58 I'll go mic shopping again :)
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Didn't Plant use a SM57 on TSRTS?
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Couple of thoughts:
If you are going to buy a Shure mic make sure you go to a reputable dealer - LOTS of fakes on eBay, some of which are very hard to tell from the real thing - Beta 58 is a better mic than the SM58 but does not have an on/off switch on the mic - you may/may not find this useful! I have both - I use the SM58 for practice and the Beta 58 for gigs.
Good luck!
Mike
The SM58 doesn't have an on/off in any version... :?Well, bar the radio mic :lol:
As a general rule, on/off switches are a terrible idea on mics. Fastest way to silence yourself onstage by accident and easiest way to spike a PA when you can't work out why you're not getting a signal until...
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http://www.dolphinmusic.co.uk/shop/flypage/product_id/5769
Sorry to start a pi$$ing contest but yes they do!
:-)
Mike
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I have come at this one late and I would just say that getting the same mic as the singer is a good idea and SM58's have served me well for years.There are "better" mics out there I am sure but SM58s are the industry standard for a good reason. I am not sure about taking the pop shield off and getting a SM57 but maybe I should have a go at that.
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http://www.dolphinmusic.co.uk/shop/flypage/product_id/5769
Sorry to start a pi$$ing contest but yes they do!
:-)
Mike
Strange, is that a recent thing? I have four, two of which were bought in the last couple years, no switches on any of them. I had to go check to assure myself I wasn't insane :lol:
EDIT: It's only the SM58 S that has the switch, the common one is the SM58 LC. Which doesn't. I didn't realise there were three version of the basic mic, I've never ever encountered anything other than the LC - having worked in music shops for 4 years selling hundreds of the things :?
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Can't be that recent - mine are about 3 years old - both are switched versions - although I use my Beta 58 for gigs - I bought it in the US so made a bit of a saving.
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I've read that if you remove the pop-shield from an SM58 you've essentially got an SM57 so the SM58 is the one I'll go for. When I learn how to sing better, and work out what I don't like/don't like about the '58 I'll go mic shopping again :)
You're actually pretty much on the ball with that one; both microphones contain identical capsules.
It's also worth bearing in mind though, that neither sound good. I've had a lot of experience with microphones over the last couple of years, and the 57s+58s, while they are great for cutting through live, sound horrible for guitar/vox on their own. They are very loud, harsh, and often shrill microphones. Good results can be achieved using them in conjunction with other mics (or with very good positioning), as often they add the right 'kick' to a sound, but generally the only thing i use either of them for is a 57 below the snare.
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Mics are a whole new world aren't they - so many opinions!!! :lol: