JPF Home Page Forums Musician Gear and Techniques Microphone and Vocalist Forum choosing a mic

Thanks Dak. Another person who agrees that Shure SM are not the be all and end all.

Thanks so much for the heads up Big Jim!!
Have a wonderful day!

I know there was some talk earlier about some EV mic that I haven't used, but I recently bought a vocal mic for live work, and like many recommended, I auditioned it against several other mics, including the SM58, the Beta SM58a, a few others, and the EV N/D767a, and the EV was easily the best sounding mic. I'd strongly encourage anyone purchasing a mic to audition it first, next to other mics. I'm very familiar with the SM58 - used them for years. And they're a good sounding mic. But the 767 sounds better - crisper, I'd say. More detail, more richness.

Jacquee, you may be surprised how well your present mic will work in a live situation. Usually, if it's good for recording it's going to work live. There are always exceptions so don't take it as gospel.
If you're trying to put a band together you're going to have all sorts of issues if you depend on everyone having a piece of the gear needs, other than their required instruments, amps, appropriate cables and possibly a preferred microphone. Though it's costly as hell you're better off owning all the PA gear. What happens when Rock God Guitar Player decides on greener pastures and takes his gear with him? Yeah, you're out of luck or renting. (That, by the way, it's not a bad way to start out and give you the option to test gear in real life situations without the huge purchase outlay.)
IMO, a four piece band with mic'd drums will require at least 12 to 16 channels and more won't hurt. Main amps and monitor amps as well as loudspeakers for both FOH and stage. How many depends on budget and actual needs, along with venue size. You'll also need EQs, compressors and other miscellaneous gear, cables, stands, hauling carts, and on and on.
You sure you want to do this????
I do solo work as my primary gigging but do run sound for a good friend. His band is a four piece, two guitars, bass, and drums. It happens the he and one other band member own the PS system. That only works because they've been friends for many years and get along through thick and thin. Normally 3 vocals, 3 amps and drums are mic'd and sometimes we'll do co-gigs where I'll do sets between theirs. Then I'll have additional vocal and guitar channels. Add in a channel for talk back and we're pretty full with the channels we have. We run a 16 channel 1200 watt powered mixer, split between FOH and stage monitors. Many gigs are outdoors and it's borderline in many cases though we get by and still sound good. Some places it's overkill but those are pretty small places. I'd like to see them come up with an additional stage monitor amp setup to leave the full amp power available for FOH but I think that's a pipe dream.
So, I consider what we have the bare minimum for a four piece. You'll need more for a five piece and power should really be at least double. You can always turn down without hurting things but if you are limited in power and try to go higher you run a very good chance of clipping an amp and that's not good for the amp, nor the loudspeakers.
Once you start looking into it in depth I think you'll find the microphones are going to be a small part of the picture, though still important. Don't skimp on the quality of cables, stands and so on either. You'll regret it the first time one fails and always have backups.
Good luck.

Added two more Sennheiser 845's at $84.96 and one 945 model at $100. that Roon bought. (will have 3 e845's and one e945)! Now it's up to us to sing great and in pitch all the time to have those great mics worth anything! Iggy sounded good tonight with using a model that is two down from the ones we're getting! So, all looks promising! Roon sounds better too when using that lower model at practice.

Once we get all the mics in and have a rehearsal with them, (for our 24 song show), I'll report what we all heard, and will get specific on lows, mid and high parts, and all else we can think of.

John (Looking out for the Fed X truck every day)!

FED XXXXXXX!!!! Where are you?!!!!

Hi Richard, the EV n/d 767 a is the one I chose as well. I'm pleased with mine.

Did you purchase one yet ? The reason I'm asking, I bought mine online and it didn't come with a waranty card. Just an instruction sheet, mic clip, and pouch. The mic was loose in the box, and wasn't in a plastic bag like the mic clip. I probably wouldn't have thought anything about it, but the lack of a waranty card makes me wonder if they sent me one(mic) that had been returned.

How was yours packed ?

Tony

Hi Dak surprised you still use a powered desk. 1200w does not seem very powerful for most venues. Have you not tried a passive mixer and active speakers? These speakers come in various sizes and are available with bass bins. You can also daisy chain them and use the smaller ones for fold back. Over the last year the prices have dropped dramatically and are actually cheaper than speakers plus an amp or powered desks. Versatile, portable and awesome sound, clipping does not happen and they are impossible to blow. We use a full range of Mackie actives but have JBL eons as backup and would never go back to amps or powered mixers ever again.

Jim, it's what the band has and though it suffices I'd like to seem more power available. That won't happen soon though. Over time I may be able to convince them to pick up a pair of powered loudspeakers as a start to getting more out. Time will tell.
It is enough though, for many of the gigs and when we're doing outdoor gigs for motorcycle clubs, and other outdoor functions the "listening" area is kept pretty small so we can get enough sound out. Though the system is pretty much borderline, their old one was really hurting. I carry more amperage in my little 6 channel solo rig than they had in their old powered desk.

Heh, yeah John, there ain't no hiding bad notes with those mics.

Ooooooooooooooh Noooooooooooo!

Guess the better mics will lead to buying pitch correction, which will require us to buy a better PA system that none of us will know how to use.

Can't we just lip sync?

It came with a warranty card, owner's manual, clip, and bag. I can't remember if the mic itself was wrapped up in anything.

Hey Dak!
Thanks for your contribution.
Yes, I am sure I want to do this.
Have a wonderful day,
J*R

Hi Jacquee One other tip remember that what mic you choose really depends on your voice type. Generally women's voices suit different mics from mics a man might use.
Not trying to put you off but Dak almost said it out. A mic is perhaps gonna be the least of your worries. LOL Best of luck.

Hey Big Jim,
No worries, I am not offended easily.
I can certainly see that from what the both of you had mentioned.
Thank you so much for your insight! I really appreciate it.
~J*R

If excessive brightness is a problem, consider ribbon mics.

If high cost is a problem, consider a modified "made in china" mic.

If both, consider a modified "made in china" ribbon mic.

http://www.jpfolks.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/ubb/showflat/Number/788610/page/1#Post827794

Mike Dunbar wrote:

"There are two basic classic mic sounds, the Neumann and the AKG."

Uh ... ribbons?


"1931
RCA Type 44-A

The 44-A was the first commercially successful RCA ribbon mic and was popular among vocalists. Bing Crosby bought one for himself."

http://emusician.com/mag/timeline-classic-ribbon-mics/

That's pretty classic, the early days of live radio. Predate condensers by at least 15 years.

I recently purchased a Sennheiser e845. For my voice in a live setting, it is a great sounding mic. Build like a tank. A great deal at $139 USD.

FYI,

Lot's of folks on other boards, dedicated to audio gear,
and methods, have been very satisfied with an updated
version of an MXL mic, the 2003a, and an identical mic
with a different "skin", the Cr24.

Google for:

mxl 2003a

OR:

mxl cr24

and you'll get lot's of hits.

These are large diameter condenser mics (LDC), so they
are intended for use in recording, not live performance.

For some reason they only seem to be available in "kits",
incuding a small diameter condenser (SDC),
plus shockmounts, etc.

The small diameter condensers in the kit are versions
of the MXL 603, which is popular for recording
instruments, especially for drum overheads.

I have no association with any vendors, just mean to
share info with all the Folks.

Anyhow, thought y'all might like to know,
Emmit Sycamore