I am an amateur, looking for a good microphone that will give me both great live and recording performance?

Question

I researched some mics and the best 2 I found yet are the Shures SM58S (105$) and KSM9(700$). I'm fed up with the bad mics that are provided by show arrangers... any suggestions, people on my choices? Or further suggestions?

Answer 1

Hi, umm i would not waste 700 bucks on a mic.

I'm no mic professional but yeah.

Hey, sorry i'm asking a question on your question but do you have a good easy to use recorder?

Can you please tell me how much it was and which one it is?

Answer 2

Both Shures are great, it depends on how much you can afford to spend. Since you're an amateur right now, it might behoove you to go with the sm58s (with the switch), unless you have a lot of extra $$. My son's vocal instructor has both, she tends to use the ksm9 on tour, but she says she wouldn't recommend putting that type of $$ out until you are a pro, that it's really not necessary. (And it needs phantom power.) She says Shures will outlast other mics and continue to sound crisp for a long time. Good luck!

Answer 3

Funny thing about those Shure SM58's.  Not to expensive, but yet they've been an industry standard for years at any level of performing.  Thats all ive used on stage for 30+ years now.... and my very first 58 bought in 1976 still works!  I would make one suggestion though.... dont get the on/off switch on the mic.  Those will eventually break or wear out. Ive seen instances where someone went to turn the switch on.. never quite made it and broke the switch.  Mic didnt work and had to be repaired.... on a show night no less!  Thats what the mute button on a mixer is for. Let the sound guy worry about that.  Plus.. I know a few who will tell you not to shut the mic off with the switch.  If they are not watching you turn the mic off, and dont mute the channel ahead of time.. .this real annoying noise comes through the pa. None of the six I own right now have them.  

  While the Shure KSM9 is a great mic... I wouldnt use that on stage. Main reason being its a Condenser mic,... which requires phantom power.(48volts)  Ive seen a ton of sound techs,  including myself.. who arent to fond of firing up the phantom power for just one mic.  Especially if its  a 32 channel board.... and have all the drums and guitar amps mic'd,  plus  direct feeds from  bass and keyboard amps, and  other singers.  Ive seen a ton of stuff go whacky over the years when this has happened.  You could provide your own preamp with phantom power BEFORE the mic goes to the mixer though.

    So.... 100 bucks for the SM58... and if your on a 700 dollar budget..... for a studio mic .....the Blue Bluebird at 349 is a good buy, as well as the Blue "Joe" at 299.  Both of these are large diaphragm condensor mics,  and excell in recording vocals, and instruments too.  Another studio mic I really like is the Rode NTK.  This mic is just a touch over 500.. and in this price range for a mic dont think theres any better.   This is a large diaphragm Tube condenser mic, and ive achieved outstanding results with this mic too.  My personal favorite for studio work is the Neumann TLM 49.  Took a couple of years of saving to get this mic.. but... its my studio staple right now.

   By the way..while im partial to Shure SM 58's for stage vocal mics, heres 2 others that are VERY good mics as well.  The Beyerdynamic Opus 89, at 249.  This mic can literally be  screamed into, is very good at feedback rejection, and has a super fast response into the mic as well.  Last, and certainly not least by NO means.. the Audix OM6 Dynamic mic at roughly 219.

  Bear in mind.. this is my opinion only.  There are a ton of great mics out there... these are just the ones I would recommend to get the most bang for the buck.