Dynamic vocal mic : Better than sm57, cheaper than sm7b?

enroper · 9th December 2007, 06:57 AM

Hey there. For some reason, the sm-57 and I just don't jive on vocals. Can't quite put my finger on it, but I just aint "feeling it".

Now, I love my studio projcts C1, however, being a condenser, I can't use it at certain times due to environmental situations.

What I'm looking for is a dynamic mic a step up above the sm57, but not as pricey as an sm7b :)

Something in the 100-200 range, and with similar characteristics as the C1. Is this a pipe dream?

John Suitcase · 9th December 2007, 07:23 AM

Don't know about the C1, but the SM7b is pretty dark, not bright like a condenser.

I used some of the Sennheiser dynamics that are for stage use (don't know the number, they weren't mine) but they sounded really good through my PM1000 channels. They are about $100 I believe, seem like a good deal.

What kind of environmental conditions are you talking about?

enroper · 9th December 2007, 07:26 AM

Well, I just threw the sm7b in there as a price comparison. I probably should of just said <$200

Anyway, as far as environmental conditions, I work out of my apartment. So just the usual stuff, cars driving by, neighbors slamming doors, the usual stuff that a condenser will pick up like dust on a swiffer, that a dynamic may not necessarily grab.

Would using some sort of noise gate benefit me you think?

...this is why I'm hanging in the 'low end theory' board :)

John Suitcase · 9th December 2007, 07:31 AM

I wouldn't use a gate, but you might try treating an area of the room so that you have minimal external noise, if possible. Barring that, I really like the RE20, I think the PL20 is basically the same thing, for a bit cheaper. Has a sort of condenserish sound, very directional, no real proximity effect, etc. The SM58, etc all have the same capsule, so I'd stay away from those, if you don't like the 57.

You might try to borrow a few Sennheiser mics, they're some of the best dynamics out there, I think. And they're relatively affordable, too.

heyheymymy · 9th December 2007, 07:31 AM

If you keep an eye out on eBay, you should be able to score something like an Electro-voice RE15 or RE18. Maybe even a used RE20 (I got mine for around $220).

Guitarzan · 9th December 2007, 07:46 AM

Never tried one but the Heil PR-20 sounds like it might work for ya.

Pohaku · 9th December 2007, 08:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by heyheymymy

If you keep an eye out on eBay, you should be able to score something like an Electro-voice RE15 or RE18. Maybe even a used RE20 (I got mine for around $220).

What he said. Even the RE-10 (which is an RE-15 that wasn't meeting standard) would be an improvement.

Shop used. I bought both my SM7s for $200 each and my RE-20 for $200. It's doable if you are patient.

Starang · 9th December 2007, 08:53 AM

shure beta, or heil pr series?

minus-sounds.com · 9th December 2007, 11:27 AM

At home I use a Senn MD441 in exactly the same situation. Got it on eBay and I just got a second one.
The MD421 is cool sometimes for different sound too, I got three.

You just grab the MD441, lower a little the monitors, no headphones, and sing. Minimal spill (hyper cardiod), almost condenser sound.

Blast9 · 9th December 2007, 12:52 PM

You should try and find a decent hyper or super-cardioid I reckon

Hand held condensers?

Dunno bout the second hand prices of the following, but how bout:

Sennheiser E865 - super cardioid

Audix VX 10

Shure Beta 87 - very nice super cardioid hand-held

Dynamic:

Heil Pro PR-20

Audix i5?

Audix OM7?

Sennheiser E845 - bit brighter than SM58 - super cardioid

How bout the Beta 57 or 58? I think those are super/hyper cardioid

camerondye · 9th December 2007, 01:44 PM

The Heil Sound PR20 is excellent, definitely a better vocal mic than a 58. I don't think it is better than a SM7B though. The PR20 is what we use for live vocals, it seems to mix a good dynamic mic with a little bit of a condensor.
Cam

Acoustic Cloud · 9th December 2007, 04:46 PM

Try the CAD M-179. Its highs are nowhere near as exaggerated as a C-1, and the tight cardioid pattern has killer rejection.

lowfreq33 · 9th December 2007, 05:10 PM

How about a Blue Ball? $100, dynamic, but a more "open" sound than a 57 or 58. It has an active balancing circuit that's phantom powered, but it is indeed a dynamic.

A LaMere · 9th December 2007, 11:25 PM

Have you thought about the sm57 with "Tab" transformer that is sold at www.mercenary.com ??

.... I have.

LoudChris · 10th December 2007, 03:47 AM

I use a Beta 58 live, and in the studio for screamy vocals.

A LaMere, thanks for the link! I'm going to have to get one of those!

3rd&4thT · 10th December 2007, 06:00 AM

Check out the SE Reflexion Filter. You may not need a new mic at all.

3rd&4thT

jaguarsg · 10th December 2007, 08:58 AM

or maybe one of these:

TAB-Funkenwerk Transformer Modfor SM57 and SM58 Microphones

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9th December 2007, 06:57 AM	#1
enroper Gear maniac Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Philly Suburbs, Pennsylvania Posts: 206	Dynamic vocal mic : Better than sm57, cheaper than sm7b? Hey there. For some reason, the sm-57 and I just don't jive on vocals. Can't quite put my finger on it, but I just aint "feeling it". Now, I love my studio projcts C1, however, being a condenser, I can't use it at certain times due to environmental situations. What I'm looking for is a dynamic mic a step up above the sm57, but not as pricey as an sm7b :) Something in the 100-200 range, and with similar characteristics as the C1. Is this a pipe dream?

9th December 2007, 07:23 AM	#2
John Suitcase Lives for gear Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 1,260	Don't know about the C1, but the SM7b is pretty dark, not bright like a condenser. I used some of the Sennheiser dynamics that are for stage use (don't know the number, they weren't mine) but they sounded really good through my PM1000 channels. They are about $100 I believe, seem like a good deal. What kind of environmental conditions are you talking about? __________________ --------------------------------- Suitcase Recordings Indie, Punk, Garage - On Location Recording

9th December 2007, 07:31 AM	#4
John Suitcase Lives for gear Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 1,260	I wouldn't use a gate, but you might try treating an area of the room so that you have minimal external noise, if possible. Barring that, I really like the RE20, I think the PL20 is basically the same thing, for a bit cheaper. Has a sort of condenserish sound, very directional, no real proximity effect, etc. The SM58, etc all have the same capsule, so I'd stay away from those, if you don't like the 57. You might try to borrow a few Sennheiser mics, they're some of the best dynamics out there, I think. And they're relatively affordable, too. __________________ --------------------------------- Suitcase Recordings Indie, Punk, Garage - On Location Recording

9th December 2007, 07:46 AM	#6
Guitarzan Gear nut Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Vancouver, Wa Posts: 97	Never tried one but the Heil PR-20 sounds like it might work for ya. __________________ Garbage in....Garbage out.

9th December 2007, 07:26 AM	#3
enroper Gear maniac Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Philly Suburbs, Pennsylvania Posts: 206	Well, I just threw the sm7b in there as a price comparison. I probably should of just said <$200 Anyway, as far as environmental conditions, I work out of my apartment. So just the usual stuff, cars driving by, neighbors slamming doors, the usual stuff that a condenser will pick up like dust on a swiffer, that a dynamic may not necessarily grab. Would using some sort of noise gate benefit me you think? ...this is why I'm hanging in the 'low end theory' board :)

9th December 2007, 07:31 AM	#5
heyheymymy Gear nut Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada Posts: 113	If you keep an eye out on eBay, you should be able to score something like an Electro-voice RE15 or RE18. Maybe even a used RE20 (I got mine for around $220).

9th December 2007, 08:53 AM	#8
Starang Gear nut Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 139	shure beta, or heil pr series?

9th December 2007, 11:27 AM	#9
minus-sounds.com Gear addict Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Athens, Greece Posts: 466	At home I use a Senn MD441 in exactly the same situation. Got it on eBay and I just got a second one. The MD421 is cool sometimes for different sound too, I got three. You just grab the MD441, lower a little the monitors, no headphones, and sing. Minimal spill (hyper cardiod), almost condenser sound. __________________ ioanni www.ambrosia.gr www.myspace.com/ambrosiagr

9th December 2007, 12:52 PM	#10
Blast9 Lives for gear Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: London Posts: 2,816	You should try and find a decent hyper or super-cardioid I reckon Hand held condensers? Dunno bout the second hand prices of the following, but how bout: Sennheiser E865 - super cardioid Audix VX 10 Shure Beta 87 - very nice super cardioid hand-held Dynamic: Heil Pro PR-20 Audix i5? Audix OM7? Sennheiser E845 - bit brighter than SM58 - super cardioid How bout the Beta 57 or 58? I think those are super/hyper cardioid __________________ :: my band is called protoangel My guitars: Atkin OM (sitka spruce top walnut back: sweet mids):: Atkin Small Jumbo (cedar top, rosewood back: big bottom, sparkly top):: Jap Tele with fat frets (rude and fat):: . My amps: 1973 Hiwatt DR504::Framus Dragon ... Latest purchases Kel Audio HM-2d TC Electronic Nova System, Chameleon Labs 7602 Digi 002 + PTLE, Addictive Drums

9th December 2007, 01:44 PM	#11
camerondye Lives for gear Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Durham, NC Posts: 723	The Heil Sound PR20 is excellent, definitely a better vocal mic than a 58. I don't think it is better than a SM7B though. The PR20 is what we use for live vocals, it seems to mix a good dynamic mic with a little bit of a condensor. Cam

9th December 2007, 04:46 PM	#12
Acoustic Cloud Lives for gear Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: around the corner Posts: 1,964	Try the CAD M-179. Its highs are nowhere near as exaggerated as a C-1, and the tight cardioid pattern has killer rejection. __________________ If the Earth wasnt created, where'd all the dirt come from?

9th December 2007, 05:10 PM	#13
lowfreq33 Lives for gear Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 1,895	How about a Blue Ball? $100, dynamic, but a more "open" sound than a 57 or 58. It has an active balancing circuit that's phantom powered, but it is indeed a dynamic. __________________ Is Wayne Brady gonna have to choke a bitch?!

9th December 2007, 11:25 PM	#14
A LaMere Lives for gear Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 748	Have you thought about the sm57 with "Tab" transformer that is sold at www.mercenary.com ?? .... I have. __________________ www.myspace.com/aaronlamere

10th December 2007, 03:47 AM	#15
LoudChris Gear Head Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Vancouver Posts: 69	wow! I use a Beta 58 live, and in the studio for screamy vocals. A LaMere, thanks for the link! I'm going to have to get one of those! __________________ Harbourside IT - Vancouver School of Audio Engineering and Music Production

10th December 2007, 06:00 AM	#16
3rd&4thT Gear addict Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 429	If you love the C1.... Check out the SE Reflexion Filter. You may not need a new mic at all. 3rd&4thT

10th December 2007, 08:58 AM	#17
jaguarsg Gear Head Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 66	or maybe one of these: TAB-Funkenwerk Transformer Modfor SM57 and SM58 Microphones

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