Searching for a good vocal mic

[robj61]

It’s tough to recommend a vocal mic. Everyone is so different. Obviously trying them in person is best, but that’s rarely doable. Here’s a few that generally get great reviews and I’ve been able try and recommend. But just because they work for me, doesn’t mean they will work for you. Best of luck in your search.

MBHO 219 sc - my favorite vocal mic
Heil PR-35 - excellent mic with clear highs.
Beyerdynamic M88 TG. - another excellent all around mic
Lewitt MTP 550 DM - great cost effective mic
Sennheiser e935/945 - a no brainer when they were a $100 mic of the month special

[kramster]

+1 on the Audix OM5

[lkingston]

Originally Posted by YamahaGuy

Curious why you prefer a dynamic? I have 3 condenser mics I've been using live that I rather like. Blue Encore 300, AKG C5 and the e965. They reject feedback as good as most dynamics. And the detail is more crisp.

What I like about a dynamic is the shorter distance before the sound drops off. With a condenser mic, when you back off from the mic, it is picking up everything quite a ways back in the direction the mic is pointing. A dynamic mic is far less sensitive and sounds fall off far more sharply with distance. This is exactly what I want when I am playing guitar and singing. I want to move up to the mic when I am singing, get right up on it if I am singing softly, back off a little if I am belting something out, and if I move away from it to play instrumentally, I want it to kind of ignore me. Dynamic mics are a good choice in this context in this context.

[SpruceTop]

Originally Posted by napman

Which store is on sale? Thanks.

Sweetwater

[canerod]

Originally Posted by lkingston

What I like about a dynamic is the shorter distance before the sound drops off. With a condenser mic, when you back off from the mic, it is picking up everything quite a ways back in the direction the mic is pointing. A dynamic mic is far less sensitive and sounds fall off far more sharply with distance. This is exactly what I want when I am playing guitar and singing. I want to move up to the mic when I am singing, get right up on it if I am singing softly, back off a little if I am belting something out, and if I move away from it to play instrumentally, I want it to kind of ignore me. Dynamic mics are a good choice in this context in this context.

Agreed. I've used every combination of LDC, SDC, Ribbon,...... you can configure. For the ability to control vocal dynamics. I've come to prefer dynamic mics.

[fwphoto]

I use Senn e835 & e935 mics for live vocals. I've had them for a while now. I also like the Heil dynamic mics but haven't needed a new mic since I got my e935.

Frank

[SpruceTop]

Originally Posted by fwphoto

I use Senn e835 & e935 mics for live vocals. I've had them for a while now. I also like the Heil dynamic mics but haven't needed a new mic since I got my e935.

Frank

Heil Rocks! I've got two Heil PR20 mics and a Heil PR40. The Heil PR35 is essentially the PR40 in a handheld format.

[fwphoto]

Originally Posted by SpruceTop

Heil Rocks! I've got two Heil PR20 mics and a Heil PR40. The Heil PR35 is essentially the PR40 in a handheld format.

Yeah, I'd take either the PR35 or PR40 myself. One of them might be my next vocal mic if I ever need/want one.

Frank

[napman]

Originally Posted by SpruceTop

Sweetwater

Msg at Sweetwater site: "Sorry, the Blue Microphones enCORE 300 is no longer available. We've left this page up for reference only".

Thanks anyway

[Puerto Player]

Get a SM58 and a nice two channel preamp like an RNP or something similar. It'l make the guitar sound better too.

[The Kid!]

Originally Posted by lkingston

With a small PA or vocal channel in a guitar amp, you have three band EQ with maybe a sweepable mid if you are lucky. That is simply not enough EQ to change the natural EQ curve of a mic enough if you aren’t happy with it.

For most of us who aren’t working with great mixing consoles and qualified sound-persons running them,

This.
Heil PR35 is my personal favorite, but you definitely have to match a mic to your own voice.

[JWJ915]

I've tried a handful of mics and have a few favorites:

Sennheiser 935 and 945. 935 if you like to move around the mic when singing, 945 if you've developed greater mic technique. For the price, I think they are some of the best dynamics available.

Audix OM3. Personally, I thought it sounded better (with my voice) than the OM5.

Heil PR35. My favorite dynamic, hands down. I have a baritone register, and this mic is extremely clear on the low end, and produces highs very well too. You'd swear it was a condenser, at times.

Sennheiser 965. Best condenser I've used. Unbelievably clear. Every nuance (good or not-so-good) comes through.

[guitarwebguy]

Wow great comments, I am unfamiliar with the Audix but will look into them, I appreciated the comment re: EQ and the importance of a sweepable mid EQ, both my amp and the Felix I’ll run it through have that. I’ve never tried the two Sennheisers (935/945) but will look for them as well. A long time ago I tried both the Shure 57 and 58 and they both did not seem to fit my voice. I’ve never looked into the Heil but the positive comments are certainly there and will now look at them as well. As was mentioned, the condenser mics I’ve borrowed (AKG) had a long falloff distance, I do know my way around a mic and prefer the short fall off distance. All in all, great advice from everyone, thanks! I’m learning a lot on this thread!

[Nama Ensou]

Originally Posted by guitarwebguy

...switchable would be nice...super cardioid is preferred.

This to me says one of my favorites which I have three of, the Sennheiser 845s, which is the switched version. Silent switch that you'll fall in love with.

[Nama Ensou]

Originally Posted by Al Acuff

For what it's worth I avoid stage mics with switches. A switch can break or get stuck.

Only on cheap mics. The switch on the Sennheiser 845s is a magnetic reed design which won't break or make noise.