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Gear / Technical Help => Microphones & Setup => Topic started by: cybergaloot on February 16, 2012, 01:00:44 PM
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I'm curious about what stage vocal mics you would recommend besides the ubiquitous Shure SM58's. They have to be tough and in the ball park price of the SM58's up to about $200 each.
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I had good luck with some of the EV N/D 7xx series microphones back 15+ years ago when I had a PA system.
I don't know much about the currently available mics though.
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I'm just contemplating adding some better mics to the club's collection. I know, for $200 they wont be top of the line but if its possible to improve the vocals some that would be nice. I know one model mic doesn't fit all. One elder bluesman's soundman told me that he gets better results with his vocals with a cheap Nady mic.
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I don't own any, but many people are fans of Bob Heil's vocal mics.
http://www.heilsound.com/pro/products/pr.php (http://www.heilsound.com/pro/products/pr.php)
PR-22 in particular. Great frequency response, mechanical dampening of handling noise instead of a rolloff filter.
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I've wondered about that brand but didn't know anything about them. Audix is another though I've seen requests in artist's riders that they not be used. Why I don't know.
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Bob Heil is a legend in Audio, he worked with the Grateful Dead, he built the first Talk Box for Joe Walsh, and is well known for his work with Ham radio microphones. After years of being out of the Live Audio business, Joe came to him and asked him to build a better vocal mic. The two main features are the capsule suspension so you get the undertones in the vocals and high (40db) rear rejection in the cardioid pattern.
http://www.heilsound.com/pro/aboutus/index.php (http://www.heilsound.com/pro/aboutus/index.php)
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It looks like the PR-22 UT is a deal. Same mic but just one metal windscreen. That would work fine for me. I might plan on picking one up and see how it goes over with the performers.
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Audix OM7, Sennheisser e865, and the Telefunken m80 are some of the better vocal mics that won't break the bank. I have just recently used the EV e/n mics (the ones with the flat grill) and like what I've heard so far. It really all depends on how much you need in your monitors... sometimes you have to sacrifice a "natural" sounding vocal mic for a mic that can get extremely high gain before feedback.
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I think that a vocal mic is going to be entirely dependent on the vocalist. the subtle differences in the eq curve of each mic can either work with or against that particular person singing. The 58 is slightly different than the beta 58 which is slightly different than the EV so on and so forth. If you are just trying to pick a vocal mic that works well with everyone....well there is a reason the 58's are THE mic you see everywhere. If you are trying to pick a mic for a particular person I'd highly suggest you try out a few before making a decision.
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Audix OM7, Sennheisser e865, and the Telefunken m80 are some of the better vocal mics that won't break the bank. I have just recently used the EV e/n mics (the ones with the flat grill) and like what I've heard so far. It really all depends on how much you need in your monitors... sometimes you have to sacrifice a "natural" sounding vocal mic for a mic that can get extremely high gain before feedback.
I've been doing live sound for sometime and have a good collection of vocal mics. The comment that there is not one mic for all is spot on. As for the mics listed above I have 2 of these models. The OM7 has great isolation and needs gain. It doesn't handle plosives well so a wind screen might be needed for those that like to swallow the mic. I usually use this for drummers that do harmonies. It is not my go to mic for lead. It is a bit gritty sounding. The M-80 requires significant EQ'ing to make it usable. It has a very hyped high end and is edgy and zippy sounding. I never use this mic. and most, if not all singers do not like the sound.
I had a Senn 935, and it was a great sounding mic but mine was cardiod and could take on too much of the stage. I have heard good things about the 945, which is somewhat the same but hyper.
I have the PR-22 and 33 and both are safe mics. Nothing bad to say about them.
I also have some Shure 87A-Beta 87's. Which are nice condensers for vocal that won't break the bank.
I have a few older Senn 431, which I tend to use more often, which provide excellent sound for live shows. I also have a Neumann 105. Great sound, poor isolation.
My newest baby is my Shure KSM-9. The best live vocal mic I have used to date....but expensive.
I also have a few AKG 535's and Beyer M-88 but seldom use them.
I have others but in summary, I would say the Heil's are a good chioce with a ebay search for used old style Senn 431.
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Thank you! I understand the 'one size does not fit all' aspect.