Microphone for live performances
PederMadsen
Pro Posts: 3
Hi guys and girls!
I would like to hear Your opinion regarding microphones for live performances. I have been singing for some years (since the 90’s), and way back when I started, I hooked up with the Shure SM58, which was THE WAY TO GO back then. I consider the SM58 a good and stable lead microphone with a nice sound. About a year ago, when I needed a new mic, some sales guy advised me to try the Beta 58A instead (stating that I was a bit old-school using the SM58). The BETA 58A should have a much brighter sound etc. and in his opinion the best vocal mic on the market at that price, he stated.
I decided to try it out, and I quickly found out that the sound was much brighter and more crispy than the SM58, with some nice EQ boosts. However I became heavily disappointed, when I realized that This mic is somehow divided into two areas when it comes to distance. It seems to have a very sensitive area when singing very close to the mic, and then a less sensitive area when dragging away from the mic. Now especially when high belting in cover versions of Axl Rose, Robert Plant and Steven Tyler etc., I find this feature inconvenient, due to the fact that it generates some kind of "hard breaking point" while changing distance to the mic. I don’t like this feature, and I have now decided to go back to the SM58 again. However I find it hard to believe that the SM58 is THE ONE AND ONLY mic after all these years, and I would like to upgrade if I can find a mic. That “suits my purpose” better.
So my questions are:
Have any of you experienced the same with the BETA 58A?
What kind of microphones do you use?
Any recommendations for new mic’s I should try out - based on my story?
I would be so happy if you would share your ideas about this topic. The SM58 is a cool mic, but maybe I could find an even better one.
And thanks to all of you, and not at least to Ken Tamplin, for establishing this nice fora!
Big Hugs!
/Peder
I would like to hear Your opinion regarding microphones for live performances. I have been singing for some years (since the 90’s), and way back when I started, I hooked up with the Shure SM58, which was THE WAY TO GO back then. I consider the SM58 a good and stable lead microphone with a nice sound. About a year ago, when I needed a new mic, some sales guy advised me to try the Beta 58A instead (stating that I was a bit old-school using the SM58). The BETA 58A should have a much brighter sound etc. and in his opinion the best vocal mic on the market at that price, he stated.
I decided to try it out, and I quickly found out that the sound was much brighter and more crispy than the SM58, with some nice EQ boosts. However I became heavily disappointed, when I realized that This mic is somehow divided into two areas when it comes to distance. It seems to have a very sensitive area when singing very close to the mic, and then a less sensitive area when dragging away from the mic. Now especially when high belting in cover versions of Axl Rose, Robert Plant and Steven Tyler etc., I find this feature inconvenient, due to the fact that it generates some kind of "hard breaking point" while changing distance to the mic. I don’t like this feature, and I have now decided to go back to the SM58 again. However I find it hard to believe that the SM58 is THE ONE AND ONLY mic after all these years, and I would like to upgrade if I can find a mic. That “suits my purpose” better.
So my questions are:
Have any of you experienced the same with the BETA 58A?
What kind of microphones do you use?
Any recommendations for new mic’s I should try out - based on my story?
I would be so happy if you would share your ideas about this topic. The SM58 is a cool mic, but maybe I could find an even better one.
And thanks to all of you, and not at least to Ken Tamplin, for establishing this nice fora!
Big Hugs!
/Peder
Comments
I always found the SM58 a bit muddy for my taste... the proximity effect you mention is always a factor; but I like the fact that the 2 I mentioned don't pick up as much ambient stage noise and is more focused on what I am feeding into it.
It's a hard thing to decide on what works for you, as it takes time and money and using them in the way that you're intending to for the end game.
The down-side is that the Neumann costs a lot more than the Shures or the Sennheizer. You would probably like the 945. It's really got a nice upper midrange. My bandmates have betas. I'm not that crazy about the sound of them. I can dial-in a really nice sound on the Sennheizer or the Neumann, but the betas seem muddy and limited by comparison.
If I were forced to choose, I would go Sennheiser E945
/Peder
I personally don't like shure mics but I'm not goin to bump on them. The only way to know how a mic is gonna work with your voice is to test them out.
When I was looking for a replacement, I took into consideration allot of the advice on here, and I've been a Sennheiser E945 guy ever since
I also like how it doesn't get boomy if you eat the mic, and doesn't get thin if you back off from it.
The problem is that nowadays, even places like Guitar Center are carrying minimum stock on-hand. I bought both my Neumann and my Sennheizer 945 sight-unseen-unheard. Paid up front. They'll give you store credit if you don't like it after you buy it, but that's kind of risky, especially if you don't feel like taking several hundred dollars that you saved up for a microphone and then deciding to buy other items instead because you don't like the mic.
I like both of those mics a lot, so I don't have any regrets about them, and didn't want a refund.
Even the 835 destroyed the '58! The guys in the band were all "What the hell did you do???" lol
- Noise rejection was stellar...
- Presence and cut through the mix was amazing
- up close proximity boominess: barely there
- Ruggedness over 9000!
For studio, I am probably going to start with either a Shure SM7B or a Sennheiser Mark4 for best bang for my buck... if I can find a used Neumann TLM102 for a comparable price, then that'd be my target!
Peace, Tony
However, i did see a video with some comparisons, and i must say that the e945 seems amazing for the money @Furious_Phil
Here, you can find the e945 for around 200 euros, maybe a little more. The Shure SM58 is around 100. So the e945 is definitely on my wish list. From what i heard, the clarity is just so much better, more towards a condenser mic it seems. Of course they are not the same, but condenser mics are known for their good clarity.
I think that the e945 is worth the money for sure if you are serious about performing.
Just my two cents!
Does the E945 come close to a condenser mic with clarity? I have seen some comparisons, and as i am still interested in the E945 (found it for a good price) i would really like to hear your thoughts specifically on clarity.
I know it blows the SM58 out of the water, which i am currently using. Even without comparison, i notice that my SM85 is too 'flat' for my vocals. When i sing without a microphone, my vocals are just so much more 'crisp' and clear on the whole, and i want this translated through the mic of course.
Of course, the E945 is not a condenser, i so i don't expect that ultra clarity, but i just want the most natural representation of the 'clearness' if you will, of my voice.
And by any chance, did you also use a E935? I think the E945 is more appropriate for lead vocalists.
One last thing, i notice with the SM85 that i have to be relatively close to the microphone, and that it's very sensitive to its distance. How does this go for the E945?
Thanks!
Ben
Peace, Tony
I totally understand that, but it is now my only reference point as it is the only reasonable microphone i own. I started with it just to have a 'good' microphone, but find myself wanting something better already. I read a lot of great things about the clarity of the E945, and it's also still affordable compared to some others.
All the best,
Ben
The SM57 generally gets used for mic'ing my amps, but I have used it as a vocal mic before. With some EQ, it isn't too bad. Its what I used for my contirbution to VideoAce's Christmas song challenge.
The SM58 is also decent, and great if you're a loud singer... however it starts to feel a bit muffled in comparison with the Sennheisers.
Senn E835 was an immediate improvement in clarity and nuance. It kept its sound tonality even when I moved off axis to the capsule, and didn't boom too much when I was all up in its grill. The guys noticed the difference immediately.
Senn E945 entered another dimension of clarity and refinement. Again, the guys noticed it immediately, and I found that I didn't have to run with as much volume to the monitors, as I was able to hear the nuances without difficulty. This in turn made me more acutely aware of where I was losing support, and where I could focus more on finesse. It is very directional, so as to superbly reject stage noise... meaning you have to keep your mouth lined up on it to stay in the goldielocks zone.
Thanks so much for your detailed answer @Furious_Phil
I guess my mind is pretty much made up, but am always interested in more thoughts and opinions.
As for not playing on high-end systems, you will still notice a difference between certain microphones to a certain extent. The difference between ultra high end will of course not be present, but for me a 500+ microphone is not needed anyway. Having that said, the Shure still is very good, and i will not be getting rid of it! I am not talking down the SM58/57s, just looking for that little extra.
All the best,
Ben
The E945's real super power is the rejection of off-axis sound. I have noticed that it stays pretty consistent between 4 fingers away and 2 fingers away... however, with lips occasionally touching the grill, you will get more warmth, but not the low end boom response.
SO this mic is best suited for singers with good low and midrange tone... probably not the greatest for screechy high end singers?
As long as it can replicate the clarity, i would be tremendously happy. It surely will out-do the SM58.
Thanks so much for the info on the E945. It's good to hear about your experiences, which i consider very reliable. I guess my mind is made up!
I am indeed looking for a clean and crisp sound, so this should be the way to go.
Thanks again!
Ben
One last thing... Shop around, for price. I think Sennheiser may still have an online sale on... and don't be afraid of going to different music stores and getting them to price beat (within reason. I saved about $50 doing this
Happy hunting!
Phillip
Couldn't really find any great Sennheiser deals here, but i live in the Netherlands. Did find it for 19 euros cheaper than usual though, every penny counts i guess!
Man, really starting to look forward to it now, haha.
All the best,
Ben
Maybe my 57 will have to retire to instruments only if the 945 sounds as good as people say.
Peace, Tony
the price seems to be similar here but in euros, so with the exchange rate that makes it more expensive, with no regard of tax that is. The normal price here is 219 euros, and found it cheapest at 199 with free shipping.
Guys, you sold me too! I've been wanting to up my game by getting my personal mic, and I think I'll order a 945 soon! Thank you all for sharing the valuable info and your personal experiences with it. I'm super excited now. As I have a limited budget, can I use it for both my weekly 3-hr band rehearsals and occasional gigs? Would that wear it down fast?
And is it ideal for male high-pitched singing (like Led Zeppelin and Steelheart) and distorted sound (Judas Priest and Skid Row, etc)? Looking forward to your input.
But I do agree with your statement that having a variety of mics on the stage is going to cause issues with the soundman. To that end, I am a big advocate of having a homogeneous microphone stage environment.
I used the SM58 for many years as well, but it didn't work all that well for my voice, as I don't output allot of volume. I test drove a Sennheiser E835, and it was allot closer to picking up the subtle rasp of my voice without making it sound brittle or harsh... almost sounded like I added an aural exciter to my signal chain.
Last year I took Bob's advice and bought a Sennheiser E945, and it was that much difference again! It had really good noise rejection and crisp sound, without sounding harsh... Then I got the VoiceLive Play, and OMG!
Between the new gear and a year of KTVA training, people were blown away!
I can only imagine what it would do for you, as you have a really nice full range... I only hope to have chops like you in the future!
They seem to be 'live' condenser microphones. I am interested if anybody has experience with these, or similar ones.
All the best,
Ben
another thing if you´ve heard Glenn Hughes in Australia DVD he uses a Beta 58a and the dvd sounds great
I haven't had much luck with AKG's, the one I bought on Flea-Bay was DOA. I think it was the model that Freddie Mercury swore by???
I've used SM58's in a pinch, but I just don't get the clarity I'm used to.
And you're right, the 57 and 58 use the same cartridge, albeit the windscreen allegedly shapes the sound a bit differently
I used the Sennheiser e835 for about a year, and it was a measure-up on clarity from the 58. The noise rejection was maybe a little better than the 58??
The Sennheiser e945 is a beast unto itself!
It is very sensitive to all of your hard-won vocal nuances, yet rejects stage noise superbly!
The only caveat I've found is that you have to keep your pie-hole right up on it and in line with it, as you'll get volume drops if you don't. I discovered this during a playback at a recent gig. I was playing some pretty difficult Dokken guitar work, which forced me to look at the fretboard during the tricky parts. As luck would have it, some of those tricky parts were while I was singing.
Maybe some day I'll be a solid enough singer to maybe not have to play guitar as much... maybe just the solos???
Shure SM58 is bad mic (unless you equalize it...then it's ok)
Beta 58 is very similar. Louder and has more bass and treble.
Sennheiser e935 is much better. Very natural and clear sound.
Sennheiser e945 is amazing! ☺🎤 It makes singing easier for me. I can sing without stress and tension...also - it sounds great.