Live Vocal Mic

[tINY]

Here's the problem - the guy singing leads has a really nasaly sounding voice with a big ugly at about 2.3kHz. Singing through an SM58 makes this intolerable.

I've been notching it out with the Equalizer at FOH, but that doesn't sound quite right.

So - I'm on a quest. I need a hundred dollar dynamic vocal mic that doesn't have a response boost at 1-3K. Looking at respose plots, there doesn't seem to be much out there.

Any experience here?



-tINY

[aussie_techie]

first thing i would try would be a beta57 with some eq
if that doesnt work then give an M88 a try

what kinda of band and venue is it, do you have time to tune up the venue for different mics?

[greggp]

I suggest you try the Sennheiser Evolution mics. We have had trouble with high transients as well, but the e855 really smoothes them out.

[aussie_techie]

i always find sennheisers hell to control in lound live enviroment but if you time have time to setup the system you can tune it from the sens

[greggp]

That may be true, but it's usually worse with SM58s. They just turn to mud when things get loud.

The N/D series mics often work better with weird-voiced vocalists. Used ones are cheap too.

If nothing else works, try an RE 20 or RE 27. They are big and ugly, but they sound great.

[opentune]

Originally Posted by greggp

The N/D series mics often work better with weird-voiced vocalists. Used ones are cheap too.

Yep, i think an N/D series mic might be the solution. I find them really
open and even sounding. And they fit the budget.

[tINY]

I looked at some of the suggestions here. I couldn't find a response plot of the e855 as they are discontinued, but the e835 has a presense peak that starts between 2kHz and 3kHz, so it makes me a little nervous to spend $100 for one guy.

The Beta 57a looks about the same, but not as bad. For $140 new, I probably could find a used one for around $100 dollars (and I know these work pretty well for things like guitars and congas, because I've used them for that before).

The M88 is not an option because it runs about $350...

The base-line N-Dym is exactly wrong for what I need. The ND267 has a 3dB peak right at 2.5kHz. The RE20/27 is a no starter, unless someone here has a working one they want to sell me for $100 (even a PL20 would work). There is an N-Dym that looks promising: the ND967 with the presence switch off may work, but this is a $200 microphone. For $200, I could get an RE510 (which is what I might do 'cause this mic looks pretty versitile).

The other mic I found was the AKG D 3800m. This mic has been discontinued and GC/MF is blowing them out for $100. It looks flat from 1-3kHz with a narrow peak at 4kHz. Anyone used this one?





-tINY

[Remoteness]

Word of advice -- (you may already have planed for this but) Don't just rely on the numbers and charts alone. Give them all a listen...

Beg, barrow or rent those mics and do a shootout.

[tonymite]

Originally Posted by Remoteness

Word of advice -- (you may already have planed for this but) Don't just rely on the numbers and charts alone. Give them all a listen...

Beg, barrow or rent those mics and do a shootout.

Spot on ... must try em out :

My suggestions ... EV/Nd series ( need bass to be rolloed off where u'd normLLy pump it on a 58) ... Audix series ... and beyer Opus ... are contenderss.

[tINY]

Fair enough (response plots don't address everything).

But, I already know that I need about flat from 1-3k for this guy because I'm pulling out about 6dB at 2.5k when he uses a 58. I'd like to not rely on a parametric EQ to make him sound right.

So far, nobody has had any suggestions or experience with live vocal mics that have the basic characteristics I need.

Thanks for your thoughts anyway.

(still hoping somebody can tell me something about a RE510, AKG D3800, or ???)




-tINY

[Remoteness]

For me it's not just about the microphone used. It's also about what EQ, compression and de-esser you use. Have you considered using a multiband compressor? It may do the trick.

[Jim vanBergen]

a USED M88 or E/V RE20 is going to be around $150 and will have exactly what you want in response curve.

Senn 835 has a pretty even sound... Beyer M69 (also not $100) or M88 would be my first choices, though.

If you look at the Shure Beta87C, you'll see the response curve you are looking for. Maybe not at the price, but again, USED will be a different story.

Jim

[tINY]

A used Beta 87c - there's a thought......

I remember those. May be just the ticket. Now - on to Craig's list.



-tINY