Live Mic recommendation needed

tmcconnell · 6th January 2009

I have a studio client who does a lot of live shows. She is a multi-instrumentalist.... mando, small guitar, flute, and a principle singer with a 4 octave range.

she loves what my r84 does for her in the studio (I usually add a little high end) - and needs a mic rig for performance work. She changes instruments between songs a lot, and she hates the sound of her directs. Thus she needs a high quality pickup field, with a "flat" sound at 2 feet, but excellent and smooth off axis rejection.

A ribbon might not be idea because of monitors and live gig roughness in general (but it might work). Also, I think two mics (one low for mando and guitar) and one high (for flute and voice) might be a good solution.

Her voice has a natural 3k presence peak without any help from precence boosts in microphones - in fact I eq a bit out with flatter mics.

I don't know about much that has excellent rejection and excellent "reach" without proximity effect. At least with 2 mics she might get within a foot, but still so many stage mics sound like hell at a foot. A shotgun maybe?

Anyway, I'm sure this is a typical problem. also, she's not rich. t.

Jungle Jazz · 6th January 2009

That sounds like a bit of a challenge, especially for a one mic solution. If it were a recording thing, then I'd suggest something like a C414, KSM44 or KSM32, or, on a budget, a CAD M179. However, if it is mostly for sound reinforcement purposes, maybe she could try a stand-mounted handheld condenser like the Shure KSM9, Audio Techinca AE5400, or Beyer TG-X 930.

For a two mic solution, based on your description, I'd try a Beyer MC930 on instruments and an AE5400 on vocals. On a budget, I'd try an AT3031 on instruments and an ATM710 on vox.

6th January 2009	#1
tmcconnell Lives for gear Joined: Aug 2005 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 552 Thread Starter	Live Mic recommendation needed I have a studio client who does a lot of live shows. She is a multi-instrumentalist.... mando, small guitar, flute, and a principle singer with a 4 octave range. she loves what my r84 does for her in the studio (I usually add a little high end) - and needs a mic rig for performance work. She changes instruments between songs a lot, and she hates the sound of her directs. Thus she needs a high quality pickup field, with a "flat" sound at 2 feet, but excellent and smooth off axis rejection. A ribbon might not be idea because of monitors and live gig roughness in general (but it might work). Also, I think two mics (one low for mando and guitar) and one high (for flute and voice) might be a good solution. Her voice has a natural 3k presence peak without any help from precence boosts in microphones - in fact I eq a bit out with flatter mics. I don't know about much that has excellent rejection and excellent "reach" without proximity effect. At least with 2 mics she might get within a foot, but still so many stage mics sound like hell at a foot. A shotgun maybe? Anyway, I'm sure this is a typical problem. also, she's not rich. t.

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Live Vocal Mic Recommendation	Lek	Remote Possibilities in Acoustic Music & Location Recording	45	1st November 2009 04:03 PM
Mixer for live act recommendation	jkamata	Electronic Music Instruments & Electronic Music Production	7	29th June 2007 06:27 PM
Need recommendation \| Session guitarist for live performance	mtrepani	So much gear, so little time!	2	16th April 2007 01:40 PM
live jazz recommendation	duckyboard	Remote Possibilities in Acoustic Music & Location Recording	12	29th November 2006 09:46 PM
Edgy female vocalist live mic recommendation	jangoux	Remote Possibilities in Acoustic Music & Location Recording	8	30th October 2006 04:33 PM

6th January 2009	#2
Jungle Jazz Lives for gear Joined: Jan 2007 Location: Washington, D.C. area Posts: 802	That sounds like a bit of a challenge, especially for a one mic solution. If it were a recording thing, then I'd suggest something like a C414, KSM44 or KSM32, or, on a budget, a CAD M179. However, if it is mostly for sound reinforcement purposes, maybe she could try a stand-mounted handheld condenser like the Shure KSM9, Audio Techinca AE5400, or Beyer TG-X 930. For a two mic solution, based on your description, I'd try a Beyer MC930 on instruments and an AE5400 on vocals. On a budget, I'd try an AT3031 on instruments and an ATM710 on vox.