Thought I'd ask for suggestions from people doing bigger shows. I'm currently using Heil PR35's and am becoming a little disenchanted. I'd like to stay in the same price range. Thanks
Vocal mic suggestions
- Thread starter Greg Plouvier
- Start date
Re: Vocal mic suggestions
How so are you "becoming a little disenchanted"? Be more descriptive and maybe we can give you more descriptive answers than, "Try an SM58".
Re: Vocal mic suggestions
Any band with a rider will let you know what they want......if they're not carrying their own. Then it's just a matter of digging it out of your locker or finding one for hire. If you're looking to satisfy yourself I'd say a nice selection of different patterns/responses, dynamics/condensers and large/small diaphragm ought to cover it. I have at least a dozen different "vocal" mics in my locker, probably more. And I still have to rent the occasional rider-specified ones that I just can't see buying......like any Shure Beta mic.......
DR
Any band with a rider will let you know what they want......if they're not carrying their own. Then it's just a matter of digging it out of your locker or finding one for hire. If you're looking to satisfy yourself I'd say a nice selection of different patterns/responses, dynamics/condensers and large/small diaphragm ought to cover it. I have at least a dozen different "vocal" mics in my locker, probably more. And I still have to rent the occasional rider-specified ones that I just can't see buying......like any Shure Beta mic.......
DR
Re: Vocal mic suggestions
Upon recent removal of the balls for cleaning(does that sound right?) we discovered that the capsule mounting tabs(for lack of a better description) are broken off on 2 of our PR35's. Never been dropped, abused etc. Not thrilled about that.
I don't deal with riders much anymore - just local fests with acts that rarely have be's let alone riders. The thrust of my question is wanting to know what new models may be gaining acceptance, becoming the preferrred choice etc.
Upon recent removal of the balls for cleaning(does that sound right?) we discovered that the capsule mounting tabs(for lack of a better description) are broken off on 2 of our PR35's. Never been dropped, abused etc. Not thrilled about that.
I don't deal with riders much anymore - just local fests with acts that rarely have be's let alone riders. The thrust of my question is wanting to know what new models may be gaining acceptance, becoming the preferrred choice etc.
Re: Vocal mic suggestions
How about sending the PR35s in to the "Heil Hospital" for repair? I have had 8 since before they came out and have had to send one back. It happens. The best thing is that if you make Bob aware of the issue he will probably figure out why it's happening and make the necessary changes in the design.
How about sending the PR35s in to the "Heil Hospital" for repair? I have had 8 since before they came out and have had to send one back. It happens. The best thing is that if you make Bob aware of the issue he will probably figure out why it's happening and make the necessary changes in the design.
Re: Vocal mic suggestions
8 PR35's in use, between my own personal ones and some at a venue I regularly operate. They HAVE been dropped, banged and bumped. No issues here. I treat them more carefully than a 58, but still, maybe you got a bad production run, or maybe they were subject to some abuse that you aren't aware of.
8 PR35's in use, between my own personal ones and some at a venue I regularly operate. They HAVE been dropped, banged and bumped. No issues here. I treat them more carefully than a 58, but still, maybe you got a bad production run, or maybe they were subject to some abuse that you aren't aware of.
Re: Vocal mic suggestions
Greg,
There is only one preferred choice, and that is the SM-58. Those with a specific artist to please may find a better mic in the cornucopia of alternatives. I have been pleased with the AKG C5 and D5, and the Sennheiser 900 series is also stellar. They are relatively general purpose. It is easy to find a mic that is better than the SM58 in one or two applications, but very hard to find one that exceeds it in most.
Greg,
There is only one preferred choice, and that is the SM-58. Those with a specific artist to please may find a better mic in the cornucopia of alternatives. I have been pleased with the AKG C5 and D5, and the Sennheiser 900 series is also stellar. They are relatively general purpose. It is easy to find a mic that is better than the SM58 in one or two applications, but very hard to find one that exceeds it in most.
Re: Vocal mic suggestions
+1
When you don't know what you're dealing with, a SM58 is often the best way to go. Of course, there are always those "awe shit" moments when you have a singer that actually does eat the mic and can actually overload a SM58. Then you wish you had stuck an OM7 on them. Happened to me the other night. It was a festival style gig with no sound checks, so there was no way to know. Of course, even with a sound check, a lot of vocalists don't "give it their all" until the actual show. So you're in the same boat.
+1
When you don't know what you're dealing with, a SM58 is often the best way to go. Of course, there are always those "awe shit" moments when you have a singer that actually does eat the mic and can actually overload a SM58. Then you wish you had stuck an OM7 on them. Happened to me the other night. It was a festival style gig with no sound checks, so there was no way to know. Of course, even with a sound check, a lot of vocalists don't "give it their all" until the actual show. So you're in the same boat.
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Re: Vocal mic suggestions
Im a huge fan of the newer EV PL80a mics. Hypercardioid pickup pattern, high gain before feedback and very clear full sound. Musicians friend is selling them buy one get two free (149.00) as we speak, so I will probably pick up 3 more. They very quickly became my go to mic. I had a band come through with all sennheisers and after they couldn get enough gain before feedback (mostly due to a quite artist who wanted a screaming monitor), I had him try one of these and he was blown away. Actually had to turn it down, and we replaced all the vocal mics on stage with them.
Im a huge fan of the newer EV PL80a mics. Hypercardioid pickup pattern, high gain before feedback and very clear full sound. Musicians friend is selling them buy one get two free (149.00) as we speak, so I will probably pick up 3 more. They very quickly became my go to mic. I had a band come through with all sennheisers and after they couldn get enough gain before feedback (mostly due to a quite artist who wanted a screaming monitor), I had him try one of these and he was blown away. Actually had to turn it down, and we replaced all the vocal mics on stage with them.
Re: Vocal mic suggestions
Sometimes you just can't beat the good 'ol SM58.
Though, I tend to favor the Sennheiser e900 series. The e945 is my personal favorite.
Evan
Sometimes you just can't beat the good 'ol SM58.
Though, I tend to favor the Sennheiser e900 series. The e945 is my personal favorite.
Evan
Re: Vocal mic suggestions
Greg, how did you feel about the sound of the PR 35?
I happen to be a big fan of the PR 35 but it's a mic that a lot of artist are not going to be familiar with and would be more comfortable with the SM58. Whip out the PR 35 for that special situation.
Greg, how did you feel about the sound of the PR 35?
I happen to be a big fan of the PR 35 but it's a mic that a lot of artist are not going to be familiar with and would be more comfortable with the SM58. Whip out the PR 35 for that special situation.
Re: Vocal mic suggestions
I agree... that model generally serves well as the corner stone of most relivant mic cases.
Re: Vocal mic suggestions
Pr35's and the 945 Senns have become my go to mics. But i never leave the house without 3 or 4 SM 58's. Call Heil, they are great to deal with and have a pretty decent turn around time. I juat pulled one apart to see what you are talking about and can't figure it out. Can you post a pic? I'm thinking that to break anything in this thing would take a pretty hard hit. Sounds to me like you just weren't aware of it.
Pr35's and the 945 Senns have become my go to mics. But i never leave the house without 3 or 4 SM 58's. Call Heil, they are great to deal with and have a pretty decent turn around time. I juat pulled one apart to see what you are talking about and can't figure it out. Can you post a pic? I'm thinking that to break anything in this thing would take a pretty hard hit. Sounds to me like you just weren't aware of it.
Re: Vocal mic suggestions
Thanks a lot for all the replies. Don't get me wrong - I like the PR35's for most voices - of course there's always going to be voices that suck on certain mics - PR35 included. I'll post a picture as soon as the rig is out of the truck of what happened with the PR35's before I send them in. My original intent in posing this question - however tired it may be- was to gain some insight from folks that are on bigger tours/stages as to what newer brands may be gaining acceptance and/or favor. I'm sorry but I've done audio for many years and I'm just really over 58's. I suppose I should carry a few just because. Anyway - thanks again for the comments. Experience with Blue mics anyone?
Thanks a lot for all the replies. Don't get me wrong - I like the PR35's for most voices - of course there's always going to be voices that suck on certain mics - PR35 included. I'll post a picture as soon as the rig is out of the truck of what happened with the PR35's before I send them in. My original intent in posing this question - however tired it may be- was to gain some insight from folks that are on bigger tours/stages as to what newer brands may be gaining acceptance and/or favor. I'm sorry but I've done audio for many years and I'm just really over 58's. I suppose I should carry a few just because. Anyway - thanks again for the comments. Experience with Blue mics anyone?
Re: Vocal mic suggestions
OK - after my last post I had to pull the workbox and get these out. Now all 4 of them have experienced some degree of what appears to be rotting of the little rubber suspension bands attached to the capsule. These have not been dropped and they ride in individual foam lined compartments in our workbox. If memory serves they're about 3 years old. Heil owners check this out - hopefully it's an isolated deal.
OK - after my last post I had to pull the workbox and get these out. Now all 4 of them have experienced some degree of what appears to be rotting of the little rubber suspension bands attached to the capsule. These have not been dropped and they ride in individual foam lined compartments in our workbox. If memory serves they're about 3 years old. Heil owners check this out - hopefully it's an isolated deal.
