I am trying to build a basic mic kit to carry as a standard for smaller live shows. I'm trying to build it with a 16 channel mixer in mind. I already have a handful of 57s, 58s, a beta 52a and some radial DIs. What would you have in your 16 channel kit in preparation for anything from an acoustic act to a decent local rock band?
Basic Mic Kit
- Thread starter Scott Nye
- Start date
Re: Basic Mic Kit
Some good but not overly expensive condenser mics, with foam windscreens for outdoors.
Maybe a lectern mic, XLR connector, and a straight stand.
Clip on mics for misc percussion or extra toms.
SM86 or 865 mics, for those like myself that like condensers on vocals.
Micro condenser and clips, like Countryman Isomax 2, for violin, flute, etc.
Some good but not overly expensive condenser mics, with foam windscreens for outdoors.
Maybe a lectern mic, XLR connector, and a straight stand.
Clip on mics for misc percussion or extra toms.
SM86 or 865 mics, for those like myself that like condensers on vocals.
Micro condenser and clips, like Countryman Isomax 2, for violin, flute, etc.
Tim Weaver
Senior
Re: Basic Mic Kit
I would only have 1 nice vocal mic for a 16 channel gig. Standard 57's and 58's and maybe 3 matching condensers, and a drum mics of your choosing
I would only have 1 nice vocal mic for a 16 channel gig. Standard 57's and 58's and maybe 3 matching condensers, and a drum mics of your choosing
Re: Basic Mic Kit
What I am taking to my multi-band sound gig (mostly classic rock) on Saturday:
Drums: one D6 (kick) one SM57 (OH) three Senn 604's (toms)
Vocals: five Senn 835's (plus two SM 58's if a vocalist requests to use one)
Senn 835's to mic guitar cabs
DI for bass and keyboards
comments:
I don't go overboard on mics. For my local sound provider gigs Senn 835's are fine for vocals. I have never had a complaint from a client.
Keeping all vocal mics the same keeps things somewhat consistent when setting levels.
A three pack of Senn 835's can be had for around $220.00 if you look around.
As with all sound-related music gear you can spend $ for a mic that is suitable for a job or you can spend $$$ for a mic that is also suitable for the same job...
Just my opinion...
Mike M
I have found that if a singer has a "favorite mic", they usually own one.
What I am taking to my multi-band sound gig (mostly classic rock) on Saturday:
Drums: one D6 (kick) one SM57 (OH) three Senn 604's (toms)
Vocals: five Senn 835's (plus two SM 58's if a vocalist requests to use one)
Senn 835's to mic guitar cabs
DI for bass and keyboards
comments:
I don't go overboard on mics. For my local sound provider gigs Senn 835's are fine for vocals. I have never had a complaint from a client.
Keeping all vocal mics the same keeps things somewhat consistent when setting levels.
A three pack of Senn 835's can be had for around $220.00 if you look around.
As with all sound-related music gear you can spend $ for a mic that is suitable for a job or you can spend $$$ for a mic that is also suitable for the same job...
Just my opinion...
Mike M
I have found that if a singer has a "favorite mic", they usually own one.
Re: Basic Mic Kit
Until you need to provide for an acoustic act and want a handful of instrument condensors...
Until you need to provide for an acoustic act and want a handful of instrument condensors...
Tim Weaver
Senior
Re: Basic Mic Kit
In my 20 years of live sound work in Texas, I've only worked with 1 band that needed condensers everywhere. That was the Nashville Mandolin Ensemble.
Every other acoustic band had Pickups and needed DI's, or gathered around one LDC on stage.
Maybe its just my region, but I don't see the need. And certainly those mics could be rented if needed.
In my 20 years of live sound work in Texas, I've only worked with 1 band that needed condensers everywhere. That was the Nashville Mandolin Ensemble.
Every other acoustic band had Pickups and needed DI's, or gathered around one LDC on stage.
Maybe its just my region, but I don't see the need. And certainly those mics could be rented if needed.
Tim Weaver
Senior
Re: Basic Mic Kit
For a 16 channel system I really like the Shure drum kit mics. But, not necessarily for drums!
The Shure drum kit package is a great value and gives you a decent kick mic, 3 57's, and 3 well designed drum rim clamps.
So now for mics we have:
1 Beta 52
3 SM57
I would add:
3 audix d2 OR Senn 604's for toms
3 AT Pro37's for hat/OH
2 more SM57's OR Senn 609's for guitars
5 SM58's
4 Radial ProDI's
That would be an excellent package for 99% of everything you would do with a 16 channel rig.
For a 16 channel system I really like the Shure drum kit mics. But, not necessarily for drums!
The Shure drum kit package is a great value and gives you a decent kick mic, 3 57's, and 3 well designed drum rim clamps.
So now for mics we have:
1 Beta 52
3 SM57
I would add:
3 audix d2 OR Senn 604's for toms
3 AT Pro37's for hat/OH
2 more SM57's OR Senn 609's for guitars
5 SM58's
4 Radial ProDI's
That would be an excellent package for 99% of everything you would do with a 16 channel rig.
Tim Weaver
Senior
Basic Mic Kit
Also, I would recommend having one wireless HH mic in your arsenal. It could be a cheaper unit, but it should be a decent performer. I would want it to match my wired vocals so I would go with one of Shures new digital radios with an sm58 head.
The reason for the wireless is that if you end up doing any show with an MC you can put them on a wireless. Talent shows, street festivals, comedy, weddings, etc. they all want a wireless and its cheaper to own than to rent. Especially if you will use it 3-4 times a year or more.
Also, I would recommend having one wireless HH mic in your arsenal. It could be a cheaper unit, but it should be a decent performer. I would want it to match my wired vocals so I would go with one of Shures new digital radios with an sm58 head.
The reason for the wireless is that if you end up doing any show with an MC you can put them on a wireless. Talent shows, street festivals, comedy, weddings, etc. they all want a wireless and its cheaper to own than to rent. Especially if you will use it 3-4 times a year or more.
Re: Basic Mic Kit
My "small" band kit is:
1 B52
4 SM57
5 SM58
1 SM81
4 e604
4 radial Pro DI
Covers just about every 16 channel gig just fine.
Evan
My "small" band kit is:
1 B52
4 SM57
5 SM58
1 SM81
4 e604
4 radial Pro DI
Covers just about every 16 channel gig just fine.
Evan
Re: Basic Mic Kit
Hello
I have condensers on ALL instruments exept for guitar amp, where I have Sennheiser 409, because it hangs nicely in front of the speaker... and MBHO dynamics on vocals.
I am MBHO rep in Finland so I use MBHO - but there are many other quality brands other than MBHO - Sennheiser, Neumann, AKG, Milab, Audix ... just to name few...
Old fashioned maybe - but correct mic placement goes further than any EQ or processing. Minimum distance from drum head in my book is 8 inches...
Hello
I have condensers on ALL instruments exept for guitar amp, where I have Sennheiser 409, because it hangs nicely in front of the speaker... and MBHO dynamics on vocals.
I am MBHO rep in Finland so I use MBHO - but there are many other quality brands other than MBHO - Sennheiser, Neumann, AKG, Milab, Audix ... just to name few...
Old fashioned maybe - but correct mic placement goes further than any EQ or processing. Minimum distance from drum head in my book is 8 inches...
Re: Basic Mic Kit
My only advice is to get "good" mics. By that I mean do a bit of research and buy say SM58 or B58A but not a PG58 etc. Each brand has different price points and you should try and avoid the budget line.
Reason being - that if you look after your mics then you'll never need to trade them up for better ones - sure you may buy more mics which are better but you'll still have your SM58s which you will use when appropriate - but there will come a day when you will never use your PG58 ever again.
I offer this advice because mics are not too expensive on their own.
Buy once cry once I think is what Ivan wrote once ?
Andrew
My only advice is to get "good" mics. By that I mean do a bit of research and buy say SM58 or B58A but not a PG58 etc. Each brand has different price points and you should try and avoid the budget line.
Reason being - that if you look after your mics then you'll never need to trade them up for better ones - sure you may buy more mics which are better but you'll still have your SM58s which you will use when appropriate - but there will come a day when you will never use your PG58 ever again.
I offer this advice because mics are not too expensive on their own.
Buy once cry once I think is what Ivan wrote once ?
Andrew
Re: Basic Mic Kit
Quoted for truth. With the right mic in the right place, you should need almost no EQ. Conversely, I tend to avoid mics with heavily tailored frequency reponses, as I've found them to be "one trick ponies" and not as useful as their flatter brethren.
Quoted for truth. With the right mic in the right place, you should need almost no EQ. Conversely, I tend to avoid mics with heavily tailored frequency reponses, as I've found them to be "one trick ponies" and not as useful as their flatter brethren.
Re: Basic Mic Kit
Thanks for the input thus far. I'm building it around the SM58/beta 58a range as they aren't at the top of the list, but are not the bottom either. I don't mind spending the money to do it right as it will save me in the long run. Right now I have 6 SM58s, 4 SM57s, a Beta 52a, 4 PG 81s, 2 Radial Pro DIs, 1 ProAV1, 1 JDI and a Whirlwind PCDI. It's all in a Pelican 1510 and I still have plenty of room. I'll probably add 3-4 e604s, possibly 2 e906 or e609, potentially a Sennhieser option for vocals and something along the lines of a SM81 to phase out the PG81s. My goal is to offer a kit that isn't the cheapest, stays reliable and pleases most bands.
Thanks for the input thus far. I'm building it around the SM58/beta 58a range as they aren't at the top of the list, but are not the bottom either. I don't mind spending the money to do it right as it will save me in the long run. Right now I have 6 SM58s, 4 SM57s, a Beta 52a, 4 PG 81s, 2 Radial Pro DIs, 1 ProAV1, 1 JDI and a Whirlwind PCDI. It's all in a Pelican 1510 and I still have plenty of room. I'll probably add 3-4 e604s, possibly 2 e906 or e609, potentially a Sennhieser option for vocals and something along the lines of a SM81 to phase out the PG81s. My goal is to offer a kit that isn't the cheapest, stays reliable and pleases most bands.
Re: Basic Mic Kit
Tim, I actually carry a Shure PGX with a handheld SM58 in the compartment under my QU16. I found myself constantly needing a wireless so I kept that in mind. I had the case built to take advantage of the QU16's design so I could build a wireless router and wireless mic setup into the case. I DJ as well, and work with a lot of DJs, so it's nice to have in there for emergencies. Luckily with it being hidden where it is under the mixer, it isn't obvious to the client that it is there. I have nicer 2 and 4 mic wireless racks that I'll add for extra money, but the PGX is there just in case.
Tim, I actually carry a Shure PGX with a handheld SM58 in the compartment under my QU16. I found myself constantly needing a wireless so I kept that in mind. I had the case built to take advantage of the QU16's design so I could build a wireless router and wireless mic setup into the case. I DJ as well, and work with a lot of DJs, so it's nice to have in there for emergencies. Luckily with it being hidden where it is under the mixer, it isn't obvious to the client that it is there. I have nicer 2 and 4 mic wireless racks that I'll add for extra money, but the PGX is there just in case.
Re: Basic Mic Kit
I started with a basic kit with shure 52, 57/58, sennheiser 604 and some akg 480's. Somewhere along the road I decided that I wanted fewer, high quality mics in my kit, you can always get hold of a 57 somewhere. So now I carry DPA 2011/4011/4018/4099, d:facto, a pair of Royer 121 and a AT4050.
Sent from my iPhone
I started with a basic kit with shure 52, 57/58, sennheiser 604 and some akg 480's. Somewhere along the road I decided that I wanted fewer, high quality mics in my kit, you can always get hold of a 57 somewhere. So now I carry DPA 2011/4011/4018/4099, d:facto, a pair of Royer 121 and a AT4050.
Sent from my iPhone
Re: Basic Mic Kit
For general use in pubs and clubs with a "typical" rock or country band I really like Evan's list, although I might pick something else in place of the SM81.
If you start doing more acoustic-based music - jazz, bluegrass, classical - you'll want 2 -4 small diaphragm condensers. The best value, the balance of sound and cost, goes to Audio-Technica's Pro37. I'd buy a pair of them instead of the single SM81 on Evan's list and unlike most 'value' microphones, you'll happily keep using them.
Alternates and other thoughts:
For form-factor you might want to consider Sennheiser's e609 or e906. The 609 is cheaper but sounds too much like the SM57 to me and the extra $ for the EQ on the 906 was worth it and makes it happy for trumpets and trombones.
Depending on the kick drums you encounter you may want a mic that's easier to position in the drum (most port holes are 4" or so).
Don't forget good cables, stands and booms... and don't let the bands steal or abuse them.
For general use in pubs and clubs with a "typical" rock or country band I really like Evan's list, although I might pick something else in place of the SM81.
If you start doing more acoustic-based music - jazz, bluegrass, classical - you'll want 2 -4 small diaphragm condensers. The best value, the balance of sound and cost, goes to Audio-Technica's Pro37. I'd buy a pair of them instead of the single SM81 on Evan's list and unlike most 'value' microphones, you'll happily keep using them.
Alternates and other thoughts:
For form-factor you might want to consider Sennheiser's e609 or e906. The 609 is cheaper but sounds too much like the SM57 to me and the extra $ for the EQ on the 906 was worth it and makes it happy for trumpets and trombones.
Depending on the kick drums you encounter you may want a mic that's easier to position in the drum (most port holes are 4" or so).
Don't forget good cables, stands and booms... and don't let the bands steal or abuse them.
Re: Basic Mic Kit
That's pretty similar to my small mic kit too, but for the record, here are the details and reasons
6 SM58s - Vocals obviously, but can get pressed into service if an extra horn mic is required.
1 MD421 and 1 RE20 - One of these will get used for the kick, depending on what sounds right. The leftover is still a great horn mic.
1 SM58 with Beta57 windscreen - Sounds just like a SM57 on snare, but drummers can't kill it.
1 AKG C451+CK1 - Classic hi hat mic, or if I run out of channels, works as an overhead with just kick and snare (no tom mics).
3-pack of e604s and clips - Toms on the kit. Bring up the fader and they sound good
2 e609 - Cost effective, sound good, and you may not need a stand for guitar amps. Work on horns too.
1 MD441 - Another killer horn mic, or can work for snare if you really trust the drummer.
6 OhmBru DIs with Jensen JT-DB-E transformers inside. They're not active, but probably the next best thing without any of the active DI drawbacks.
1 Whirlwind DIRECT2-JT - 2 Jensen transformers in the same box. Same as above.
This was the kit I used last Saturday for a reggae/R&B band with 5 vocals.
Drum kit was just MD421, SM58/B57 and C451+CK1
Bass was direct off his amp (no DI required)
Guitar was an e609, and so was the keyboard amp (he likes the amp sound and it wasn't going to be stereo anyway)
Alto sax had his own wireless rig, trombone was on the RE20, and the 6th SM58 was used for the tenor (he likes 58s, what can I say?)
Congas got an e604 on a stand, and I think I had one channel of the LS9-16 left over for iPod playback with the stereo DI summed to mono.
GTD
That's pretty similar to my small mic kit too, but for the record, here are the details and reasons
6 SM58s - Vocals obviously, but can get pressed into service if an extra horn mic is required.
1 MD421 and 1 RE20 - One of these will get used for the kick, depending on what sounds right. The leftover is still a great horn mic.
1 SM58 with Beta57 windscreen - Sounds just like a SM57 on snare, but drummers can't kill it.
1 AKG C451+CK1 - Classic hi hat mic, or if I run out of channels, works as an overhead with just kick and snare (no tom mics).
3-pack of e604s and clips - Toms on the kit. Bring up the fader and they sound good
2 e609 - Cost effective, sound good, and you may not need a stand for guitar amps. Work on horns too.
1 MD441 - Another killer horn mic, or can work for snare if you really trust the drummer.
6 OhmBru DIs with Jensen JT-DB-E transformers inside. They're not active, but probably the next best thing without any of the active DI drawbacks.
1 Whirlwind DIRECT2-JT - 2 Jensen transformers in the same box. Same as above.
This was the kit I used last Saturday for a reggae/R&B band with 5 vocals.
Drum kit was just MD421, SM58/B57 and C451+CK1
Bass was direct off his amp (no DI required)
Guitar was an e609, and so was the keyboard amp (he likes the amp sound and it wasn't going to be stereo anyway)
Alto sax had his own wireless rig, trombone was on the RE20, and the 6th SM58 was used for the tenor (he likes 58s, what can I say?)
Congas got an e604 on a stand, and I think I had one channel of the LS9-16 left over for iPod playback with the stereo DI summed to mono.
GTD