Can someone recommend microphone for female vocalist.
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Posted on Mar 31, 2007 12:28 pm
iq100
Member Since: Mar 31, 2007
I'm looking for that "sweet spot" where spending more does NOT add a lot.
I am confused.
Some have said the Shure SM58 would work fine.
Others say you need to get a condenser, like AKG 535, or AT4022, or CADM179.
Several have said the inexpensive "Marshall MXL V67G".
Want something that will travel and can be used for live stage performance, preferably hand held, as well as recording.
Other equipment for live recording:
EMU 0404 USB, Dell Lattitude X300, powered amp/speakers.
Oh ... here is a sample of the voice and range:
media.putfile.com/Ann-Fis...SCC-At-Last/800
www.putfile.com/annfisher
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Mar 31, 2007 05:03 pm The Shure SM58 isn't called the industry standard stage vocal mic for nothing! They're practically bulletproof, they sound great, and you can get one for about $90. I would shy away from a condenser for the stage, as they are not as rugged, and they require 48 volt power, which not all mixing boards can supply. Now for recording vocals at home or in the studio, a large-diaphragm condenser may serve you better. I'm not completely familiar with the models you listed, but there are good ones to be had for under $200.
RigsbyUltra MagnusMember
Since: Nov 13, 2004
Apr 01, 2007 02:54 am I'd head down to a store and check out LDCs, find something suitable for your voice. But yeah, start with LDCs. 58s are suitable in the studio if you have a great pre-amp or you're screaming.
cruxTypo SzarMember
Since: Jul 04, 2002
Apr 02, 2007 10:58 am I would think that SM57's are better for female vocals than 58's, since 57's have a bit more of that high end in em. Or maybe it would work the other way? where u would need to add body to the sound? either way, cant go wrong with a 57 or 58. Condensers are pretty hard to take on the road, and if your mostly doing live, it wont be worth it
RigsbyUltra MagnusMember
Since: Nov 13, 2004
Apr 02, 2007 11:29 am Doh! Didn't see the 'live' part fo the post. yeah, 58, tots.
Apr 02, 2007 09:04 pm Every try a OM2 on a snare, Captain? A friend of mine tried one with better results than me and my 57....I think I have the nicer sounding snare, too...I'm seriously thinking of getting one.
As far as the above post subject, don't forget the Beta 58, which is "supposed" to have a smoother high end and less feedback. I would guess it's more suitable for live, female vocals, but I've never used one.
CptTrippsCzar of Turd PolishMember
Since: Jun 20, 2006
Apr 03, 2007 01:01 pm No I have not, and I have two of them, definitely something to think about for my next project. I do like the CO4 i'm using though.
Beta 58 is a nice mic indeed and what my singer in my old band used. The OM2 still had a better "high gain before feedback" imo and for less money. I'd say the sound was very comparable though. Although, you can't beat the on/off switch!
Apr 03, 2007 04:32 pm Well, I've definitely got to get one now.
Apr 06, 2007 03:06 am If you have the money i would go for a Neumann TLM103, although its not the best choice for live performance but one of the best for studio recording, but i think any good condenser mic will do the job in studio work (that depends also in the style of the song, if you are recording metal-like stuff, a dynamic should be better and also less dangerous), a shure beta series should work good for both situations: recording and live.
andyglad to be hereMember
Since: Apr 06, 2007
Apr 06, 2007 03:42 pm the best dynamic mic i have ever used with anyones voice is the sennheiser 441-U. hands down. it is rugged enough for road work ( i have 2 that i have owned for over 20 years ) the only negatives i have noticed is the fragile clip. it usually gets broken when the singer tries to remove it from the boom incorrectly...and it is not designed for handheld use...so singers that have to have something in their hand to sing...it won't work..haha
another very rugged and BEAUTIFUL vocal mic that is relatively inexpensive for it's quality, is the Sure KSM27 condenser. it works real well for female voice, but only with low onstage volume. i play wedding services and it is a MONSTER mic for the singers. it also works well for micing acoustic string instruments. again it is not designed for hand holding.
if proximity effect coloration is part of a singers style, then the SM58 is a good choice. it has the warm mid-range rise that can fatten a thin voice. the SM57 works too as it shares the same capsule as the 58. they can still be found for less than $100 US. they can be handheld...gosh it can be used for a hammer!
everyone has their favorites... those are a few of my choices.
andy
Apr 06, 2007 05:35 pm Though I wouldn't use a 57 as a ball-peen. I've seen their heads snap right off.
And Dualflip, what is that contraption behind you with the round thingies on it? --gasp-- a tape recorder??
TadpuiI am not a crook's headMember
Since: Mar 14, 2003
Apr 06, 2007 06:12 pm Not many microphones cross that recording studio/live performance threshold. They are very different situations, and need pretty different microphones in order to excel.
For stage use you need something rugged, able to be handheld, with a supercardioid pickup pattern that will only pick up the singer's voice and none of the other sounds onstage to prevent feedback and unwanted noise. Dynamic mics fit this description to a tee.
For studio use, you need something that will give a detailed and faithful recreation of the nuances of your voice. Large diaphragm condensors fit this description to a tee.
Honestly, I wouldn't try to find one mic that does both. I would buy a handheld dynamic mic for the stage and a large diaphragm condensor mic for the studio. If you try to find one microphone for both jobs, then you're going to have to make sacrifices. You could get an SM58 and a V67 for less than $200 for the both of them.
iq100Member
Since: Mar 31, 2007
Apr 06, 2007 06:50 pm Thanks to all for your thoughtful replies.
Can anyone identify the mic being used in these recent performances:
media.putfile.com:80/Stan...er-EastWind2007
media.putfile.com/AtLast-...TalentShow/1024
Is there any generic way to attach a wireless transmitter to the base of normally wired mic and make it wireless? I know that Shure sells a wireless version of the SM58, but I would rather have the option of switching XLR connected transmitters that attach to the microphone.
I guess that most here frown on attempting to use a hand held condenser mic for live performance. Even the AKG 535 (approx $250) which got some excellent reviews, and is a hand held condenser? Although one review said the AKG 534 was NOT good for high ranged female vocalists.
I will try and audition some your suggestions.
Think I will just let the vocalist chose! :-)
And again, thanks for all the thoughtful suggestions.
edit> AKG C 535 EB Stage Mic
www.musiciansfriend.com/p...hone?sku=271120
www.zzounds.com...view--AKGC535EB
And here is a test that echoes the value of the SM58:
www.record-producer.com/learn.cfm?a=3168
Apr 07, 2007 12:34 am I sure as hell won't knock a SM58 but if you get a chance to try a sennheiser 421,you might like it. But it's not much for a hand held mic. But it can be used for soooooo much more.
Apr 07, 2007 02:22 am Get a mic that's designed for wireless. If Shure sells a wireless version of the SM58, it's probably OK. I am not an expert on the current wireless mic systems for the stage, but I can tell you with confidence that you should forget about condenser mics for stage performance. Any marginal difference in clarity will be negated by their lack of durability and their difficulty with high sound levels.
If the review of the AKG 534 said it was not well suited for "high ranged female vocalists", it's likely they meant it couldn't handle loud singers, not that it couldn't handle high notes. All human voices, male or female, are easily reproduced by virtually any modern microphone, and dynamic mics always handle up-close loud sounds better than condensers.
Bluesdues is right about the Sennheiser 421.
Apr 11, 2007 02:32 pm I've researched this microphone thing for a female vocalist quite a bit as you might imagine. I view the microphone as probably the most important piece of equipment I have as it transmits the the sound of my most important inrument, my vocal.
On stage, I use two Shure Beta 87's, and I dont' like to use anything less than a 58 if I don't have my 87's. I carry two 58's just in case they don't have phantom power on their board. I also occasionall use a Crown CM311 head mic (hope i have that model number right).
In the Studio I am using a Shure KSM 44 on my soon to be released album. On my last album I used an AT4050. These two large diaphram mics are both superb. I use them in conjunction with a mackie Onyx mic pre with a LA2A (plug in)compressor.
I've also sang through the marshall mic you mentioned at the NAMM show and I like them as well for the studio.
If I had to choose just one mic for the stage and studio, I would probably use the Shure Beta 87.
hope that helps
