Live Vocal Mic Recommendation

[vitreouswindows]

You might enjoy the Schoeps CMH 64 (or the predecessor - CMH 54). Nobody seems to know about these, but they're still made (albeit expensive) and they sound wonderful. I liked them better than the Neumann hand-held.

[Misja]

I can't believe nobody suggested the Senheiser E865 yet. This is a nice mic. A condenser it is but a very good vocal mic. I use it in rock bands all the time and it's always good.

[Bob Bickerton]

Maybe I missed it, but I don't think anyone has mentioned a very basic concept here. We may all have our favourite mics, but the real issue is finding a mic that suits your voice and your style of singing. And the only person who can answer that question is yourself, through trying out as many options as possible.

I can only generalize by saying that I use the KMS105 on a lot of voices, but I find I'll use it more on female singers and it doesn't perform so well on singers who 'eat' the microphone.

I like the Electrovoice RE510 when I'm after a darker sound, perhaps when the singer is working the mic from further away.

My preferred dynamic is the Sennheiser e935, but I think the e840 is a great mic and good value and is certainly more 'open' than a 58.

Having said all this, some people just sound great on a 58.

Bob

[jowillie]

Seriously study the New Heil PR35. It sounds like exactly what you describe you're looking for.

[Jim vanBergen]

And there is, of course, the sleeper: the Telefunken USA M80 dynamic vocal mic. It sounds like a condenser, only not as sensitive (so it doesn't distort so easily) nor does it have the 'presence peaks' or quite as much proximity effect as most dynamics.

I used them on Grace Potter at Jazz at Lincoln Center as was astounded at how good they sounded.

Cost is under $300, I'm told. I think I'm getting four or five!

[mialin]

Originally Posted by Sebastian

My vote goes for the AT 5400. I sold my KMS105 when I heard the 5400 on my voice. Very clear. Before the Neumann I had a Beta 58. The 5400 is one of the best gear purchases I've made in years.

I shot out a lot of mics: KMS105, KMS 150, Beta 87, Beta 57, Beyer 88, MD431, 835, and some others that I can't remember. I never tried any of the Audix. Out of all of them I liked the 5400, even better than the 150 and 431. But see if you can demo/borrow one because voices are so idiosyncratic.

Did you ever compare the md 431 to E935?

By.

[Gabriel Sousa]

hello

anyone knows the difference between sennheiser E935 and SKM 935 ??

thanks

[LX3]

The SKM sennheisers are the wireless transmitter versions of their mics (although there are one or two capsules in their SKM range where it's hard to identify a direct equivalent from their wired mic range. Some of the Sennheiser transmitters contain "Neumann" capsules)

What's slightly confusing is that the cardioid SKM 935 head-grille is more like the e945 (super-cardioid) that the e935... and I was always led to believe that the e935 has to be that slightly squarer shape to maintain its cardioid pattern.

Maybe the 935 and 945 are really only different shapes so that people can quickly tell between them...

I have a couple of 945s and really like the results off them. I know others who swear by the 935, so I plan on picking up a couple of those too at some point. Can never have too many mics

[grab]

At around the same price as (or cheaper than) the SM58, don't forget the Senn e835 and e840. Perfectly adequate mics. Compared to a stage condensor or the higher-end dynamics they sound a bit grainy, but I can hand one of those Senns to an unknown vocalist and be sure it's going to come back alive afterwards.

I've not got the money for a lot of expensive mics, but I've got an AE3300 for better vocalists. It's a touch on the sibilant side, but for a vocalist who's worth it, it's a good mic, and I think it's a bit more accurate than the KMS105. I'd like to try the AE5400 and e965 and see how they compare though. Most stage condensors are just SDCs with different packaging, and consequently sound rather fizzy, and the AE5400 and e965 are the only ones out there with 1" capsules.

For a left-field alternative, has anyone tried the Superlux Pro238 mark 2 yet? Demo recordings on the Superlux US site sound promising enough to get one and see how it goes. Superlux's UK importer hasn't got any yet though.

[Roland]

The guy did say he's in a rock band, chewing the mic, I assume this to mean loud guitars, bass & drums, KM105 isn't the mic for this gig, even if his voice sounds good on it.

As Aussie Tech said, you are looking at Beta58, possible Telefunken M80, Beyer ME88, Sennheiser 845/865. KSM9's Neumann 104/105, Shure Beta 87's are all great mic's, but not (IMHO) rock band stage mics.

Regards


Roland

[rwhealey]

If you're trying out a bunch, take a look at the EV N/D767 and the new PL80A

[mixedupsteve]

Originally Posted by Roland

The guy did say he's in a rock band, chewing the mic, I assume this to mean loud guitars, bass & drums, KM105 isn't the mic for this gig, even if his voice sounds good on it.

As Aussie Tech said, you are looking at Beta58, possible Telefunken M80, Beyer ME88, Sennheiser 845/865. KSM9's Neumann 104/105, Shure Beta 87's are all great mic's, but not (IMHO) rock band stage mics.

Regards


Roland

For loud stages I must agree.
Beta58, Telefunken M80, Sennheiser 845/865.

[Geert]

Audix OM6, a real workhorse like the 58, but a more refind and transparant sound.

Geert

[Jarp2600]

Beta 57a, never let me down in such cases!

[Track 7]

Another vote for the e935. Excellent. Would also compare it to the Heil PR35.

[Jim vanBergen]

are we going to continue answers to a thread from Nov 2005?