Mic for backing vox and guitar recording? SM58 or E835?

[Twinfan]

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?

[nfe]

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.

[rohlfo]

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!

[Twinfan]

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?

[MrBump]

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...?

[rohlfo]

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

[Denim n Leather]

You will want 2 mics, ultimately.

[Twinfan]

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!

[mikeluke]

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

[Oli]

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.

[Denim n Leather]

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.

[gwEm]

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.

[Twinfan]

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  :)

[hunter]

Didn't Plant use a SM57 on TSRTS?

[nfe]

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...