Anything actually better than an sm58 for live rap vocals?

[The Beatsmith]

Hi there

My friends are sick of the mics at venues being broken/bashed/missing when they do their shows, and are probably gonna buy mics their own to take along with them so they don't have to deal with the crap that comes along with relying on the equipment at venues.

The SM58 is sturdy and can take a few knocks, but is it really the best thing for the price, or is it just routine for everyone to use it? Is there something better that can be had for the price?

I hear there's some sennheisers that are actually better than the 58?

The main application is rap vocals...

Thanks guys

[Remoteness]

IMO, you can find plenty of mics that (may) sound better for your particular vocal sound but, you cannot change the fact that an SM58 can take a serious beating and still work for you day in and day out.

[Harley-OIART]

Originally Posted by The Beatsmith

I hear there's some sennheisers that are actually better than the 58?

The main application is rap vocals...

Thanks guys

Can't Remeber the model number sorry.... but I am a huge sennheiser fan, and I was using what could have been an E-835 for vocals and I was really suprised how terrible the thing sounded. I am sure it has it's uses but for basic vocal that day it just was sounding really nasaly at best. We tried another of the same model to ensure it wasn't a defective cartridge but no still bad... Popped in a SM-58 and boom... there was the fullness that was missing from the sound.

They're may be better mics for Vocals on many a day then the SM-58, but the thing takes a licking and still sounds the same day after day. I love the things!

P.S. Try a Electrovoice N/D967

[Remoteness]

SM58 is the perfect microphone for RAP, period!

[over-man]

I had to use a house Sennheiser mic about a week ago, sounded awful. It was even worse with my UA610, had to switch to the plain old firepod pre. It was better, but a 58 w/ 610 sounds amazing on rap vox. SM7 in the studio is great too, but it wouldn't really work live, funny shaped.

[LK7]

I use to run FOH for a hip hop club. Most of our vocal mics were SM58's and looked like scrap metal from people dropping the mic. The SM58's that were in decent condition only sounded good on certain vocal types (ie; big guys with raspy deep voices). When I think of SM58's..... I think of really boring muddy sound.
We also had Beta 58's that I would give to the guys I knew weren't going to drop the mic .
Huge difference between the Beta58 and SM58. The Beta still has that low-mid thing going on like the SM58, but its not mud. It adds alot more detail. I use it on female or male hip-hop/rap vocals.

Beta 58

[Jim vanBergen]

Sure! How about an E/V 635a, or Shure VP64? These are omni dynamics, so they sound like they are going to sound when the rapper covers the capsule and changes the pattern from cardioid to omni. Wish I could get a rapper to try and use an RE20! The 635 can be used as a hammer and still sound decent...but SO CAN A '58!!!!

I had Flava Flav pick up an omni on Halloween and not quite get it...he found someone else using a '58 and quickly stole that for his use our broadcast.

Funny!

[leddy]

How about an M88?

[Remoteness]

Originally Posted by leddy

How about an M88?

Yeah, but it cannot be used as a hammer!

[Sound Chaser]

Why would you want a better sounding mic, when they smother it in their hands?

[hughesmr]

Speaking personally, I would prefer they not be given any mic, so that I wouldn't have to hear it.

[The Beatsmith]

Well that's certainly very helpful 'hughesmr', thanks for your input.

I think i will recommend the SM58 beta nad get one for myself - if my friends can't get that or don't want to pay that much or whatever, they can go with standard 58's

Thanks for your help guys.

[Remoteness]

I still think the standard SM58 rocks it best!

[Jim vanBergen]

I'd be very reluctant to lose an M88 to a rapper. If they have your trust, then fine. But most guys are gonna want what they are used to seeing: a straight up (non-Beta) '58.

I'm thrilled when I find someone I can convince not to cup the mic. When I recorded Dru Hill's DVD, I quietly got Cisqo to back off the capsule, then brought him and the other guys in the control room to show them how well it worked and how it opened up the sound-they got the point. The sound improved tremendously.

[Jeff16years]

Originally Posted by Remoteness

SM58 is the perfect microphone for RAP, period!

+1




in the studio maybe an sm7 but for live you almost need a 58 if you are cupping and yelling into it

[Remoteness]

Originally Posted by Jeff16years

+1




in the studio maybe an sm7 but for live you almost need a 58 if you are cupping and yelling into it

You know what I'm saying...

[Jim vanBergen]

WHERE BROOKLYN AT?

WHERE QUEEEEEEENS AT?

WHERE MY DAWGS AT?

WHERE MY BEYATCHES AT?

THROW YA HANDS UP...THROW YA HANDS UP....

tutt
Did I mention Flava Flav did not know what to do when handed a mic that was NOT a '58? When mixing for Sirius, he tried to sing into the SIDE of the mic. I will find a pic.

Jim