Gearslutz.com - View Single Post - Handheld Vocal Mics--what else do you use them for?

Jungle Jazz · 11th March 2008

I can see the wisdom in having multiples of the ones I like. I have a couple SM58s, which could be good for BG vox.

Of the mics on the list, the ones I like the least on vocals are the OM6 and the Beta 87A. The OM6 is peaky, and the pattern is really tight, hard for some vocalists to work with in a live situation. For a hypercard dynamic, I prefer the AE6100 to the OM6.

The Beta 87A just doesn't do it for me. The sound is a kind of raspy, and it overloads too easily. Something about that wide flat top just doesn't seem to work well with singers, especially when worked close.

I like the KSM9, but I wasn't blown away by it, as I was hoping to have been. The top end is just a bit bright, even in the hypercard setting, which is supposed to be flatter. It's a good sounding mic, and I like it better than most, but it isn't a magic bullet.

The mic that really surprised me is the ATM710, which has a pretty even response, has a pad and a roll off, has a workable pattern, and rejects handling noise better than most mics on the list. When pointed slightly below the singer's mouth, say at the chin, it picks up a nice combination of head and chest voice, which would be particularly good for a baritone voice. I bought it on a lark, not being able to find many reviews about it. I can see using it on tenor sax as well, or maybe even upright bass.

I like the AE5400, but I found that both it and the AE6100 have swishy sounding handling noise, due to the slightly rough paint texture on the mic shaft. This is problematic in that the handling noise appears in the middle of the vocal range, instead of lower thumps that can be EQed out. These mics might be better in stand mounting situations or for singers that have a light touch.

If I were to get multiples of the ones I've tested so far, I might actually get more of the ATM710, as it has a pretty neutral character, and its workable pattern, pad, and roll off, make it versatile enough for a variety of voices.

I'd still like to try the Neumann KMS105 and the Audix VX-10.

11th March 2008	#4
Jungle Jazz Lives for gear Joined: Jan 2007 Location: Washington, D.C. area Posts: 802 Thread Starter	I can see the wisdom in having multiples of the ones I like. I have a couple SM58s, which could be good for BG vox. Of the mics on the list, the ones I like the least on vocals are the OM6 and the Beta 87A. The OM6 is peaky, and the pattern is really tight, hard for some vocalists to work with in a live situation. For a hypercard dynamic, I prefer the AE6100 to the OM6. The Beta 87A just doesn't do it for me. The sound is a kind of raspy, and it overloads too easily. Something about that wide flat top just doesn't seem to work well with singers, especially when worked close. I like the KSM9, but I wasn't blown away by it, as I was hoping to have been. The top end is just a bit bright, even in the hypercard setting, which is supposed to be flatter. It's a good sounding mic, and I like it better than most, but it isn't a magic bullet. The mic that really surprised me is the ATM710, which has a pretty even response, has a pad and a roll off, has a workable pattern, and rejects handling noise better than most mics on the list. When pointed slightly below the singer's mouth, say at the chin, it picks up a nice combination of head and chest voice, which would be particularly good for a baritone voice. I bought it on a lark, not being able to find many reviews about it. I can see using it on tenor sax as well, or maybe even upright bass. I like the AE5400, but I found that both it and the AE6100 have swishy sounding handling noise, due to the slightly rough paint texture on the mic shaft. This is problematic in that the handling noise appears in the middle of the vocal range, instead of lower thumps that can be EQed out. These mics might be better in stand mounting situations or for singers that have a light touch. If I were to get multiples of the ones I've tested so far, I might actually get more of the ATM710, as it has a pretty neutral character, and its workable pattern, pad, and roll off, make it versatile enough for a variety of voices. I'd still like to try the Neumann KMS105 and the Audix VX-10.