[tmusic16]

I'm looking for a decent mic which will be easy enough to take busking with me but will also be of a high enough quality to record and to take to gigs if necessary. Any suggestions are welcome:)
Thankyou!

[Boydie]

If you want a "pro" level microphone that will last you a lifetime I would highly recommend investing in a SHURE SM58 or an SM58 Beta

They are somewhat of a "standard" in live music and are good enough to record with in a studio

Because they are so popular, and desirable, there are many counterfeit copies out there so I would strongly recommend avoiding eBay for this one and choose a reputable supplier, such as ANDERTONS or DV247

You are looking at around £95 for an SM58 - but I can't stress enough that this is an "investment" in something that will last and you will see on the stage of pretty much every gig you go to - even the very top artists

This deal seems really good with a cable and mic stand for £109

https://www.andertons.co.uk/p/SM58BUNDLE/live-microphones/shure-sm58-bundle-with-mic-stand-6m-xlr-to-xlr-cable

The SM58 Beta is more expensive (£150+)


The "right" answer is to try mics and find one that suits your voice etc.  -but you just can't go wrong with an SM58

[boolio]

Hi,

This 'aint really my parish but I have a sure SM58 and a couple of Behringer XM8500's and whilst I have diagnosed high frequency hearing damage  I sense the XM8500 is almost as capable as the 'industry standard' SM58 - at a fraction of the cost (£16.00 - £20.00) which I guess puts it in a less precious bracket esp if gigging/busking.

Just My $0.02

Phil

[Boydie]

The SM58 is definitely a better mic than the Behringer

Whether it is "4 times better" due to the price difference only you can decide - I would say it probably isn't "4 times better" but is "better enough" to justify investing in an industry standard that has stood the test of time

The reports I have heard about the Behringer is that it has a bit of a harsh high end (perhaps not noticed by Phil due to the high frequency hearing damage) and it can be a bit "muddy" so could suit a singer with a "thinner" voice

The SM58 has a slight frequency bump in the mids, which in most cases flatters vocals, especially in a live setting (but may not suit all vocals)

The Behringer is definitely an excellent budget option and if you are on a tight budget, you need to buy a lot of mics and it suits your vocal then this mic would be an excellent option

If you are looking for a single mic to invest in then I still think the SM58 would be a better long-term investment (especially for potential re-sale value)

Just be careful - there are lots of fakes out there so unless you are confident in spotting fakes I would avoid ebay and buy from a reputable supplier

[tone]

Another vote for the SM58 from me. In addition to being extremely flattering to vocals (especially male) they're also nearly indestructible. I've got a SM58 copy from studiospares which was about £20-25 (I can't remember exactly) and it doesn't sound nearly as good, plus it almost fell apart when it was dropped on the floor by an inattentive performer...

If you want to hear what the mic sounds like for recording vocals, check out any (or all!) tracks from this EP for which I used nothing else https://soundcloud.com/anthony-lane/sets/raised-by-wolves-ep

As Boydie says, make sure you're getting the real thing though - I've yet to hear an equivalent/ copy that's up to the standard of this brilliant mic

[Bill Saunders]

Without hijacking the thread, I'd be interested to hear what people would recommend as a first choice for a good mid range studio vocal mic. I have a ? 15 year old Rode, which cost about £130 back then. I'm thinking of buying another mic, which would never be used in a live setting, but perhaps would give me something slightly different from the Rode which has served me so well over the years.

An SM58 has crossed my mind as offering something "different" but I have never used one, and all I have read indicates it is primarily a stage mic, although more than capable in the studio. In terms of style, I guess I am at the rock end of the spectrum, but I usually have to cut mid range frequencies a bit when EQing, so that mid range boost on a 58 might not suit. Always looking for a bit of "air" I guess 😀

Incidentally, as others have said, it pays to buy quality. That Rode has cost me less than £10 a year, and is as good as the day I bought it!

Cheers.

[mikek]

You can't go wrong with a Shure 57 or 58.

I have a Heil PR20 that I like to use. It's a bit hotter than a 58 but still a dynamic so no phantom power requirement.

[Boydie]

I'd be interested to hear what people would recommend as a first choice for a good mid range studio vocal mic.

What would be the main use? (vocals only? Guitar?)

What budget do you have in mind for mid range?

I would say to go for as good a "large diaphragm condenser" mic as you can afford

I use a large diaphragm condenser mic which has a tube in it - I just love the sound of it and it is always a bit special to use as I tend to use an SM58 to lay down my ideas and scratch vocals

If you want something a bit different how about this (if £1k is in your budget!)

This is a system that emulates different (very) expensive microphones and pre-amps

You can even change the microphone models AFTER you have recorded to try them out

http://www.soundonsound.com/reviews/slate-digital-virtual-microphone-system