SHURE SM58 vs Beta58 for live vox recording

[cioto]

as the subject says, what's your experience with this two mic for live vox recording (mainly rock bands in small venues)?
I would like nice vocals but I would like to avoid spill and feedback, of course.
Which one should I prefear?
And what about shure beta 87?
Many thanks

[frans]

The answer is simple: neither. IMHO get a Beyerdynamic M201. Better rejection and everything. ;-)
AND it kills on snare and everywhere you would use a SM57.

[Murton]

Depends on the monitor placement. SM58 for wedges directly infront of the mic, Beta 58a for wedges on either side.

This is because of the pickup patterns of Cardioid for the SM58 and Super Cardioid for the Beta 58a.

[Enginearing]

Originally Posted by Murton

Depends on the monitor placement. SM58 for wedges directly infront of the mic, Beta 58a for wedges on either side.

This is because of the pickup patterns of Cardioid for the SM58 and Super Cardioid for the Beta 58a.

+1thumbsupthumbsup

stay away from the 87 for your purposes.

[bishopthomas]

I'm not a big fan of either. There are many better sounding vocal mics out there. Audix OM5 is my favorite but I also like the Sennheiser 835 (in fact I'm ordering 6 of them in a few minutes). If I had to choose between the two you listed I would definitely go with the SM58. I really do not like the sound of the Beta 58.

[Studiodawg]

I respectfully disagree, I like the sound of the Beta 58 better.

[Withnail]

Beta 58.
And ever better: SM7.

/Richard

[fallforward]

I have done a lot of live recording, while running sound at the same time, with the beta87 as the main vocal mic, it was for broadway/jazz/popera type stuff however. I don't really do rock bands, so take that for what it's worth. That doesn't mean there aren't loud monitros on the stage! Sometimes I feel like I'm at a rock show the way these chicks want their vox mixed so hot in the monitors. I also have an older beta57 that I like a lot and use it as my second vocal. All and all, I (and my clients) have been very happy with my results. I haven't tried the beyerdynamic suggested though I am intrigued...

Good Luck man!
Robby

[cioto]

thank you all with your suggestions, more opinion will be welcome.

[mixedupsteve]

They're very similar sounding and I like them both. On a VERY loud stage I prefer the Beta but SM is good in almost all cases. OM7 is really great for feedback problems too.

[EV676]

I've used Beta 58's for vocals for nearly 20 years. I mix the entertainment acts that appear on my station's local TV morning show. For my purposes, they work. But...

I had an act in recently and the vocalist had an endorsement with Beyer. His rep asked if we could use a Beyer mic on his vocals. I happen to have a pair of M-88's so it was easy to comply. They've always been personal favorites of mine and needless to say they sounded great. So for the next few acts we had in where possible I used the Beyer for vocal. Smooth and full is the best way I can describe it. I never realized the Beta 58s had so much grit and gloss to their sound.

I wish I had 6 of the M-88's, they'd replace the Shures for vocals but I don't. So they get used on guitar cabs when I need more than 2 vocal mics.

I just got a used pair of AKG 535eb's from a Slutzer over in the emporium, I've got a feeling they will be my go to mic on female vocals. Beta 87's sound like someone with nasal congestion to my ear!

Yes I know that the current version of the Beyer M-88 (88-TG) is double and a half the cost of a new Beta 58. It's also that much better sounding.

[bishopthomas]

Isn't that crazy that someone can show up with their "endorsement" preferences and not actually have that gear themselves?

[Remoteness]

It has happened to me a few times...
And, it still doesn't compute.

Originally Posted by bishopthomas

Isn't that crazy that someone can show up with their "endorsement" preferences and not actually have that gear themselves?

[RobAnderson]

I've actually had the chance to compare the b58 and the M-88 on vocals.

My one complaint about the M88 was that it seemed to have a lot more handling noise than the b58. Of course, this is no problem if the mic is remaining on the stand, but if the singer is going to hold it and move around...

The M88 has a very robust bass response with a whopper of a proximity effect, while the b58 sounds more bright and thin to me. Depending on the sound system and the room, either of these things could be good or bad.

[KoolAidDrinker]

Originally Posted by Enginearing

+1thumbsupthumbsup

stay away from the 87 for your purposes.

Why? You can get cardioid or supercardioid versions of the BETA87.

[KoolAidDrinker]

Originally Posted by bishopthomas

I'm not a big fan of either. There are many better sounding vocal mics out there. Audix OM5 is my favorite but I also like the Sennheiser 835 (in fact I'm ordering 6 of them in a few minutes). If I had to choose between the two you listed I would definitely go with the SM58. I really do not like the sound of the Beta 58.

If only the OM5's polarity pattern held up across it's frequency range.

[Enginearing]

Koolaid:
The OP states he's recording Rock bands in small venues where i'd suggest spill will already be an issue. using condensers on vocals would only serve to exacerbate the spill from guitar stacks and the drumkit that is likely 4 foot behind the vocalists. I think the 2 versions of 58 he mentions in the title would serve his purpose more effectively .

The 87 is a great mic in lots of situations, but not this one.

[loujudson]

One more opinion:

I absolutely hate Beta mics. The only Shure vocal I use is the SM-87 which is smooth, clean, supercardioid, and sweet. Beta 58s have a harsh bump in the high mids right where sibilance is a problem.

But I prefer Sennheiser 835s, or Audix OM5 though they are a bit bright, or even AKG 535s if you want a crisp and rich condenser sound.

Beyer M69 is the best hyper cardioid mic I know and love, though:
Vocals/ speech

[cioto]

I really thank you all for your kind replys.
Yes, in 70% of my recordings, the stage is little and bleed is a serious issue, so you are right saying that a condenser isn't a good idea.
All your suggestion have been useful, I'm gathering infos

[clw123]

Hi,
Beta 58 will give you a more open and natural sound as opposed to the SM. Beta has a lot more "space" in the sound.

Have you considered Beta 57 ? I actually prefer those to Beta 58. Might be worth a try for Vocals

-Chris

[Enginearing]

Originally Posted by clw123

Hi,
Beta 58 will give you a more open and natural sound as opposed to the SM. Beta has a lot more "space" in the sound.

Have you considered Beta 57 ? I actually prefer those to Beta 58. Might be worth a try for Vocals

-Chris

what you can hear the difference in the shape of the grille... more proximity, smoother top end

[deciferthis]

I'm kind of a noob in the effects thing, but i am looking to make a good vocal for a live sound and here is probably going to be my chain just let me know if its good.
1.shure sm 58
2.fab pedals (delay,chorus,and many others maybe)
3. to my behringer mixer to pa
HERES CHAIN AFTER I INVEST A BIT
1.shure sm 58
2.fab pedals
3.art pro channel pre
4.nady eq
5.bbe maxcom
6.to pa
I don't plan on going crazy with effects i just want a big clean warm vocal for cheap i thought about a rack effects but i won't have much control unless it has pedal.