Sennheiser/Audix shootout

pdadda · 2nd July 2004

Hey folks. I have seen similar threads posted here, but I have a slightly different question. For live use, I currently only have an Audix OM2. I used to just play solo at really small places, so this was enough (running both mic and guitar through amp). I recently started a band consisting of me on vocals and e. guitar, a bass player, and a drummer.
We recorded a demo with borrowed equipment, and we got some small local gigs. SO HERE'S THE DEAL. I have around $100 (max of $150) to spend on another mic. I am debating going one of two routes.

1. Use the Audix OM2 for my vocal mic and buy something like the Sennheiser e609 (or SM57) for my amp).

2. Use the Audix OM2 on the amp and buy a new vocal mic (looking at Audix OM5, Shure beta57a, Senn E835).

What would you guitar players/vocalists recommend. Hopefully I will have more money to put into gear once get paid for these gigs.

As for vocals, I tend to be a mic eater. Also, I have a somewhat gritty tone.

As for guitar, I tend to plat sounds similar to Johnny Greenwood (not to compare myself to him). Distortion and delay. My amp is a Fender Princeton Chorus.

pdadda · 2nd July 2004

To my ears, it sounds like the Audix picks up my vocals more accurately than it picks up my amp. When I put a bit of reverb and chorus through the amp, I don't think the audix picks it up well. This could just be my mic placement though.

pdadda · 2nd July 2004

Any opinions would be very welcome. I am going to get one of these mics on Sunday. Right now, I am leaning towards the e609.

pdadda · 3rd July 2004

Someone told me that the e609 sounds a bit harsh on amps. Would the beta57a be a better choice?

eberrong · 3rd July 2004

I haven't heard the Audix mic, but you would never regret getting an SM57. They are very useful on gtr amps, bass amps, snare drums, vocals (w/ a good preamp), etc....

pdadda · 3rd July 2004

OK, so my pre-amps are the ones on my MOTU 828mkII and a Studio Projects VTB-1. Are these high enough quality to get a good sound out of a SM57?

Jay Kahrs · 4th July 2004

Any of them are fine. What comes out of the guitar rig matters more then the mic you use. Having said that, IMHO the humble SM57 sounds better when coupled to a mic amp with an input transformer. I also own three OM2's which get used mostly on live vocals and tend to sound better (again IMHO) then SM57's with non-transformer based mic amps. I've only used the 609 a few times and it seems cool enough.

pdadda · 4th July 2004

OK, so if I only currently own a Behringer B1 and an Audix OM2, which would be the most versatile mic to get? I want to record my band's demos, and I think I can get a simple recording with 3 mics (overdubbing each instrument separately).
I still mostly need the new mic for live use now, but I will also use it when recording. Would the beat 57 be the most versatile? More so than the e609?

pdadda · 5th July 2004

OK, I went to Guitar Center and picked up the e609. I'll post how I like it after I get a chance to use it.

2nd July 2004	#1
pdadda Gear interested Joined: Jan 2004 Posts: 16 Thread Starter	Sennheiser/Audix shootout Hey folks. I have seen similar threads posted here, but I have a slightly different question. For live use, I currently only have an Audix OM2. I used to just play solo at really small places, so this was enough (running both mic and guitar through amp). I recently started a band consisting of me on vocals and e. guitar, a bass player, and a drummer. We recorded a demo with borrowed equipment, and we got some small local gigs. SO HERE'S THE DEAL. I have around $100 (max of $150) to spend on another mic. I am debating going one of two routes. 1. Use the Audix OM2 for my vocal mic and buy something like the Sennheiser e609 (or SM57) for my amp). 2. Use the Audix OM2 on the amp and buy a new vocal mic (looking at Audix OM5, Shure beta57a, Senn E835). What would you guitar players/vocalists recommend. Hopefully I will have more money to put into gear once get paid for these gigs. As for vocals, I tend to be a mic eater. Also, I have a somewhat gritty tone. As for guitar, I tend to plat sounds similar to Johnny Greenwood (not to compare myself to him). Distortion and delay. My amp is a Fender Princeton Chorus.

3rd July 2004	#5
eberrong Gear nut Joined: Mar 2004 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 145	I haven't heard the Audix mic, but you would never regret getting an SM57. They are very useful on gtr amps, bass amps, snare drums, vocals (w/ a good preamp), etc.... __________________ E.B. Music Recording Studio http://home.cfl.rr.com/ericberrong

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4th July 2004	#8
pdadda Gear interested Joined: Jan 2004 Posts: 16 Thread Starter	OK, so if I only currently own a Behringer B1 and an Audix OM2, which would be the most versatile mic to get? I want to record my band's demos, and I think I can get a simple recording with 3 mics (overdubbing each instrument separately). I still mostly need the new mic for live use now, but I will also use it when recording. Would the beat 57 be the most versatile? More so than the e609?

5th July 2004	#9
pdadda Gear interested Joined: Jan 2004 Posts: 16 Thread Starter	OK, I went to Guitar Center and picked up the e609. I'll post how I like it after I get a chance to use it.