Shure SM58 vs Behringer B1 for vocals in home studio?

[reax]

Hello! I'm aware of sm58 is dynamic and b1 is condenser one. I want to choose it for my small home studio just for recording vocals. Please help me to make a choice.
The matter is i never seen any dynamic mics in the studios to be honest, but i read so many advices for sm58, so i'm out of bearing - what is the best mic in my case? i'm using laptop with echo indigo io soundcard (thinking about buying audiofire2 or e-mu 0404 or tc konnekt 6). Will be much appreciated for your advices.

[Jonesfromindia]

Originally Posted by maralez

Hello! I'm aware of sm58 is dynamic and b1 is condenser one. I want to choose it for my small home studio just for recording vocals. Please help me to make a choice.
The matter is i never seen any dynamic mics in the studios to be honest, but i read so many advices for sm58, so i'm out of bearing - what is the best mic in my case? i'm using laptop with echo indigo io soundcard (thinking about buying audiofire2 or e-mu 0404 or tc konnekt 6). Will be much appreciated for your advices.

58's arent a huge studio mic. they are used, but not like the 57. ive never used the B1 so i cant say anything about it.

but you should check out Sterling Audio St51 $100. St55 $200

[staticwhitesound]

what kind of vocals are you looking to record?

i used the b1 and got a lot of good use out of it for vocals, before it crapped out. its pretty sibilant and can be fairly gritty/harsh, so it depends on what kind of vocals you're looking for. i liked the way it sounded when i sang quietly in the lower register (lots of body), but for more dynamic vocals, i didn't really like it much at all. as for dynamics not being used on vocals in the studio, that's not really the case. the best mic for an application isn't always the prettiest mic and plenty of dynamics get used in studios to wonderful effect. they're just unassuming looking so they might get overlooked...

and since someone has to say it on a thread like this, brandon flowers (the killers) and even bono from u2 use the sm58 (bono uses the beta i think?) in the studio.

there are, of course, other/"better" choices for dynamics as well, but i'm assuming your budget is right around $100?

[Jidis]

Maralez,

Unless I got a dud (well, me and staticwhitesound I guess ), I'd stay away from that B-1. I got one for cheap off Craigslist here, looking to get one of the overly bright Chinese LDCs. It has the cheap, sharp high end, but the electronics of mine were pretty noisy (horrible on some preamps). Probably not an extra factor you want to add if everything else isn't 100% clean and quiet. I like 57's a lot, but if you're set on a cheap condenser, there seem to be a bunch now in that hundred dollar range that more people like.

Take Care

[reax]

Thank you for help! Actually, my budget is about 150$ and i read a lot of threads here for now, but i want smth from Shure honestly, especially sm58, but due to it's dynamic but not condenser i'm hesitating. Currently i'm working with male vocals, but i cant be sure that in a some time i will collaborate with females, who knows.
I'm working in a small room with not good sound insulation, thus mics with big membrane isn't good choice for me. I didn't find any condenser mics from Shure for about 150$.
Btw, don't i need preamp for dynamic sm58? I can just turn it into my echo indigo (or TC Electronic Konnekt 6) directly, right?

[aclarson]

I'm not sure how people can be sure what to recommend when they don't know what style of music it's being used for, I see constant threads on here where people just say "which mic?" and don't specify it's use, and there's a dozen responses before anyone asks what style of vocal. I might use either of these mics for male vocals depending on the application, or I may suggest a different mic in the same price range.

That being said, the B1 is a little sibilant, not my fav for vocals. On most male vocals I'd probably pick a 58 over the B1, but I'd pick a 57 over a 58.

Originally Posted by Jidis

Unless I got a dud (well, me and staticwhitesound I guess ), I'd stay away from that B-1. I got one for cheap off Craigslist here, looking to get one of the overly bright Chinese LDCs. It has the cheap, sharp high end, but the electronics of mine were pretty noisy (horrible on some preamps).

You say you got it off Craigslist, so your problems may have been as much a previous owner as anything, it sounds like it was damaged if you were having those kind of noise issues. My B1 has worked great since I got it (NEW) 2 1/2 years ago, A drummer even nailed it with his stick and bent the top grill and it still works fine, I just bent the grill back. I've never noticed problems with noise at all, and it's a mic I would never have a problem recommending, it's an exceptional value, in fact, it and the MXL V67G are probably the most recommended $100 condensers around here.

EDIT: My mistake! I thought you were talking about the Studio Projects B1, not the Behringer. The Studio Projects is great, I've heard lots of bad things about the Behringer.

[maxpidge]

Originally Posted by Jonesfromindia

58's arent a huge studio mic. they are used, but not like the 57.

there the same thing, different wind screen....

between the two, i'd get the 58!

[reax]

as to music, it's mostly r&b, pop stuff, but i don't know why style is important, i thought that the situation with mics is the same as for monitors, no?
and please answer about do i need a preamp for sm58? or i can just turn it into my echo indigo (or TC Electronic Konnekt 6) directly and work?

well, yeah i read a lot of positive responses about that mxl model, but nonestly i never heard before anything from mxl, but you know it's just a matter of trust .. i trust shure

[Hi_Flyer]

I would go with the SM58. its a great starter mic for the home recordist.

I am pretty over the bright, cheap condensors, although I don't have experience with this particular Behringer mic, I think most of the mics in this price range are pretty much the same.

As mentioned, style of music is important. I think people often give advice assuming its the same style of music that they record so I'll qualify my advice by saying that my experience is in recording loud rock/punk bands with rough sounding vocalists that tend to scream or yell in key (or just plain yell).

If you are doing more real "singing" then a condensor might work better. If you are doing hip-hop, I don't know but I imagine you could go either way.

[Hi_Flyer]

also if you budget is $150, can you stretch it another $50? you might be able to score a used EV RE20 off ebay for that price (if you are patient).

[reax]

sm7b .. great, but it costs about 500usd here, so it's not my cup of tea for now.
i'm going to purchase art tube mp preamp for my future? sm58.

[reax]

what you have if good for now

what you mean i have?
i don't have any preamp for now

[ohmicide]

Originally Posted by maralez

what you mean i have?
i don't have any preamp for now

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[reax]

thanks a lot alehoe, you're ahead my next question
so let it be, soon i will buy TC Electronic Konnekt 6 + SHURE SM58
although, my friend tells me that sm58 better for live but not for studio

[staticwhitesound]

you will definitely need a preamp for whatever mic you choose. and you'll need a preamp with phantom power if you get a condenser. that won't be necessary with the sm58. doesn't your TC Electronic Konnekt 6 have preamps built in?

[staticwhitesound]

another cool thing to check out, is the john leckie board here. he's recorded pink floyd, the stone roses, radiohead (the bends), countless amazing records and he's a big fan of the sm58. here's one thread where talks about it a bit, but he's talking about the 58 in a LOT of those threads, so skip around and read a bunch...

sm58, beta? other shure dynamics?

[Jidis]

Originally Posted by aclarson

My mistake! I thought you were talking about the Studio Projects B1, not the Behringer.

No problem.

The two got confused in a bunch of the discussions I saw about the Behringer, and many people mistakingly thought it was a clone of the SP mic because of the name (and Behringer's history). It wouldn't surprise me if the B had come out after the SP. I think they changed all the Eurorack UB mixers to "Xenyx" and repainted them after the success of Mackie's Onyx stuff.

[KeithMoonwannabe]

there is no right or wrong....better or worse

it just depends on the source, application, and desired result

I can safely say the SM58 and Beta58 both generate terrific results live and in the studio.

If you can swing it I'd probably suggest a Beta57 or Beta58 over an SM58.

Bottom line is the performance and the recording are always going to be more important than the gear used to make it and the people who listen to your music that aren't musicians and sound engineers aren't going to care what you used to create your music they are going to care about the music. I'd say focus on doing your best with your material and performance and just simply pick gear that won't hinder that performance.

If you know what you're doing you can make anything work and anything sound good. Not every tool will always be right for every job. And with only $150 to spend on a mic you probably aren't going to be getting the prized pick or a locker full of mics to handle anything and everything so I'd just go with a tried and true mic such as a Shure dynamic.

You take too much of a gamble on a low end condenser mic you haven't even auditioned. Some are nice mics and others can be absolutely terrible. I'd rather jump into something when I know there is less risk involved.

Another suggestion I have would be to check out the Electro Voice N/D 767a. They are terrific dynamic vocal mics I've used them live and in the studio and gotten very good results on both males and females.

[aclarson]

Originally Posted by Jidis

No problem.

The two got confused in a bunch of the discussions I saw about the Behringer, and many people mistakingly thought it was a clone of the SP mic because of the name (and Behringer's history). It wouldn't surprise me if the B had come out after the SP. I think they changed all the Eurorack UB mixers to "Xenyx" and repainted them after the success of Mackie's Onyx stuff.

Yeah, they're definitely different mics, and I've heard quite a bit about both, I was just paying half-baked attention.

And to elaborate on the point of your thread, if you're doing R & B and pop stuff, that would be a circumstance where I'd be more inclined to give a condenser a go.

BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY (I'm sure someone saw this coming) - you should make some sort of small acoustically absorptive "booth" for surrounding the mic, whether it's a dynamic or condenser. It doesn't have to be fancy, a blanket hung around the mic would be far better than nothing at all. I assume in saying you do pop music means you often want an intimate vocal sound, which means you want the recording to be really dry, and without treatment it'll be difficult to do.

[KeithMoonwannabe]

honestly a leftover drape or duvet, packing blankets

a few boom stands

place all that behind and to the sides of the singer and you have a cheap, easy DIY ISO booth.

It makes a world of difference.

[YUGA]

I have the indigo io (not used anymore but still have it), SM58 and TC Konnekt 24D, and had had the Behringer B1 (or B2 don't remember very well) and ART Tube MP.

First of all, don't sell the indigo io if yours is the old PC card version. It sounds very good and the driver is much better than TC. It uses the same converter chips as the Apogee Duet and AD conversion sounds pretty similar (I also own the Duet, the DA conversion is better on the Duet but not a huge difference).

Secondly, don't waste your money on the ART Tube MP. Buy the smallest Mackie VLZ mixer which is still quieter and sounds better than the ART Tube MP and AFAIK costs nearly the same. Cheap starve-plate tube designs just add noise and cut off some high frequencies. No tube warmth or whatever. Just a marketing hype.

I don't know which microphone is better for your voice. But if your room isn't quiet, the B1 will easily pick up noise. But it still sounds like a condenser mic and, for good or bad, much clearer than the SM58. I had better results with the SM57 or Beta 57 than the SM58 for recording my own voice. But sooner or later you will probably sell the B1 when you can afford a better condenser mic but you will keep the SM57 and can find use of it even when you have expensive condensers. So I'd get an SM57. Beware of fake Chinese copies if you decided to get a 57 or 58.

My two yen worth.

[Jonesfromindia]

Originally Posted by maxpidge

there the same thing, different wind screen....

between the two, i'd get the 58!

for the most yes. but not exactly...read the freq response sheets!!

[reax]

thank you guys, i decided to purchase sm58 (w/switch or not?) and konnekt6
despite some people on the board and my friend tells that this mic is better for live (not for studio recordings) (btw how do you think about that?) i think that due to my low budget it's better choice.

[OMorgan]

Originally Posted by maralez

thank you guys, i decided to purchase sm58 (w/switch or not?) and konnekt6
despite some people on the board and my friend tells that this mic is better for live (not for studio recordings) (btw how do you think about that?) i think that due to my low budget it's better choice.

there is no 'better', live and studio are different beasts. A 58 is great live, and great in the studio, for different reasons. We have 12 or so 57's (which are pretty much the same mic inside, though there are slight differences) at the studio and they are used all the time.

As for your worry about dynamics, don't be! many really famous studio mics are dynamics, Sennheiser 421's, RE-20's, 57's and 58's, SM7's, D12's, D112's, D25's etc etc! there are loads and they are all over all the biggest and best recordings you can imagine!

A 58 is a fine mic, super robust, reliable and flexible. I think it is a good idea to go for that over a cheap condenser. A 58 is not a super bright, clear mic but it is a sound that is very useable, so much so that they are used in the biggest studios in the world! A condensor is often brighter and clearer BUT the cheaper ones betray their cost in the 'sound' of this extra brightness. They can sound brittle or grainy and harsh.

Basically, you have to pay a bit more money for a realy good condensor than you do dynamic. And you see a lot less low priced condensors in top studios than you see low priced dynamics. There are some gems though, and when you expand your colection there are a lot of cheap condensors around which really sound quite good. But for me, 58/57 is the right way to go for now.

[RTR]

I once had the behringer b2-pro and used it on pop,rock,hip hop vox and it worked really well, never had a problem and no noise!!

[KeithMoonwannabe]

think about it if Bono from U2 will record with an SM58 (which he has on a lot of earlier U2 material) or a Beta 58 (on the newer stuff). Than why would it not be good enough for you to record with?

You are talking about legendary recordings with a band like U2 and that's only ONE example of many that use the 58 in the studio for recording voice. My point is don't get so wrapped up with gear because gear only determines to some extent what you music sounds like and what it conveys. Bottom line is the performance and emotion in it are key. If you are full of passion and fire when you perform and have the talent it won't matter whether we throw an SM57 in front of you or a C12 because you will still be a talented performer being captured and that piece of the puzzle will always shine through.

Like we've all said there really is no better or worse it just comes down to preference. Sometimes a particular ribbon sounds best on a source, sometimes a particular condenser, sometimes a particular dynamic. You never know and probably 9 times out of 10 no two engineers will reach for the same piece of gear unless it's the only tool they have at their disposal.

I'd rather spend up to $150 on a mic that gets the job done well and will last me a lifetime than on some cheap piece of junk noisy condenser mic with a bad reputation. I'm sorry I've used the Behringers maybe it's great for the money but personally for that money now and when I was ignorant I knew there were better mics out there. If the SM58 or a Beta 57/58 are tying you over then let them. Really they shouldn't even be considered that way because they are true workhorse mics. Save up the money you need to get whatever you really want it will really be worth it in the end.

Would you buy a hammer that could barely perform it's task and would only last a year or two because you got to save a couple bucks up front?

Would you buy a car at full price despite it needing new tires, an oil change, a new battery, high mileage, etc?

PROBABLY NOT so stop asking for other people's opinions and formulate your own. Go audition as many of these mics as you can. Choose for yourself for your needs. Because unless you are doing that and not reporting that you greatly increase the odds of being disappointed with your purchase. Because instead of buying what YOU really want and enjoy using you are buying what someone else SOLD YOU, and at that end people you don't even know at all.

I really can't say what you should or shouldn't buy because there isn't enough info for me to make an educated guess, I'm merely saying what I'd do if it was me with $150 for my needs. My needs are probably different than yours. And every other person posting here on this "which mic" thread isn't going to give you info pertinent to your scenario they are giving you subjective and biased opinion based on their experiences and their needs. Do you really think a vague thread on an internet forum is going to find you zen for $150?

A vocal microphone and audio interface are the foundation of your recording setup you really should be the one making the decisions here because you will be the one working with and using it. Be a little more confident in yourself. Don't listen to what other people think do what works for you. So what if an SM58 isn't your friends first choice, everyone is different and everyone has different opinions. What if that SM58 or another mic altogether from those two is the perfect mic for you and you never find it?

And seriously if you are recording vocals at home seriously do at least some basic DIY treatment. I'd start off at least drying up the signal by hanging packing blankets, comforters, or duvets to the sides and rear of the singer. Try to get as little of the room into the mic as possible. Before you even setup a mic listen to the sound in the room. Does it sound naturally flattering to the source on it's own? If you answered no chances are you are going to have a harder time making it sound good when it's recorded to tape/hard disk.

Next focus on the actual performance and material make those as strong as possible.

The stronger the source, material, and room are the easier it gets to make great recordings.

[maxpidge]

Originally Posted by Jonesfromindia

for the most yes. but not exactly...read the freq response sheets!!

your wrong sir, order any replacement part... they are exactly the same except for wind screen!!!!!
fuuck

[Jonesfromindia]

Originally Posted by maxpidge

your wrong sir, order any replacement part... they are exactly the same except for wind screen!!!!!
fuuck

then how does the 58 go to 50hz-15khz.. and the 57 go 40hz-15khz....



and here...

http://www.audiologicltd.com/product_pdf/sm_series.pdf

read the frequency response sheet before you assume you are right....its different...

there you go Slick..

[staticwhitesound]

Originally Posted by Jonesfromindia

then how does the 58 go to 50hz-15khz.. and the 57 go 40hz-15khz....



and here...

http://www.audiologicltd.com/product_pdf/sm_series.pdf

read the frequency response sheet before you assume you are right....its different...

there you go Slick..

i'm not the guy you're responding to but the frequency responses quoted are taking the windscreen into account. i believe its the windscreen that cuts some of the lower frequencies (you're singing further from the capsule and through a filter).

[Jonesfromindia]

Originally Posted by staticwhitesound

i'm not the guy you're responding to but the frequency responses quoted are taking the windscreen into account. i believe its the windscreen that cuts some of the lower frequencies (you're singing further from the capsule and through a filter).

exactly...They arent the same mic. but they are very similar.

You dont see people buying 58's and taking off the windscreens and saying Holy Hell ive got a 57.

i was backing up my statement when saying, studios use 57's more than 58's. because of that same exact reason you just stated.

you and I are on the same track.