What mic for live vocals?

roundthebend

Someone borrowed my SM58 and hasn't given it back. I don't want it now, it's been too long.
I have a small PA that I bought for solo/duo acoustic gigs, all I need is a couple of mics to get it complete again. Is the SM58 still the goto, or is there a more cost effective option these days? Behringer used to do a 3 pack of SM58-like ones that got reasonable reviews.

maltingsaudio

For cost efficiency the Red5 RVD30 is a steal and not a bad mic at all https://www.red5audio.com/product/4-pack-rvd30-dynamic-microphone/

TimmyO

Given that you know the SM58 - was there anything about it you’d change? Better feedback rejection? More high end? Less something or other? It’s so well known it’s a good benchmark to base choices off. 

If you really liked it, maybe just stick with it - they are poopular for a reason. 

fretmeister

I last bought one about 4 years ago and I tested them out thinking I'd get a 58 as usual. I tried that, an AKG and another Sure I can't remember the name of and...

I bought the TC Helicon MP75.

Just sounded better to my ears and / or suited my voice better.

Definitely worth auditioning one along with the usual suspects.

kennedydream1980

roundthebend said:

Someone borrowed my SM58 and hasn't given it back. I don't want it now, it's been too long.
I have a small PA that I bought for solo/duo acoustic gigs, all I need is a couple of mics to get it complete again. Is the SM58 still the goto, or is there a more cost effective option these days? Behringer used to do a 3 pack of SM58-like ones that got reasonable reviews.

I use the Behringer derivative. The model is the XM8500. It sounds great, is insanely cheap and has proven to be very durable having been gigged most weekends for the past 2 years.

danowens

I absolutely love my Prodipe TT1 and its unbelievably cheap:
http://www.prodipe.co.uk/mics/2122-tt1-pro-lanen.html

danowens

Duplicate - oops

Danny1969

58 is overpriced and nothing special these days.  As @kennedydream1980 said, xm8500 is just as good as a third of the price. 
With mics for live use though always consider what kid of PFL the singer has, some singers need a tighter pattern than the typical cardioid, other singers have stronger voices and the spill isn't so much of a problem

roundthebend

I honestly can't say whether the SM58 sounded good or not. I only ever used it in a few pubs, and it worked. That's all I can say. I'm not really knowledgeable enough to know. I just need cheap n cheerful for now, to get me back into it.

I'll look up the Behringer ones again. The Red5 looks to be good value too.

roundthebend

The Behringer 3 pack seems to be XM1800S which might not be as decent as the XM8500. The latter is only £15 so had to be with a punt if it's good enough, and it can be a spare in future.

steveb

Sontronics solo gets good reviews 

kennedydream1980

roundthebend said:

The Behringer 3 pack seems to be XM1800S which might not be as decent as the XM8500. The latter is only £15 so had to be with a punt if it's good enough, and it can be a spare in future.

I’m not really sure what the difference is to be honest, all I can say is I have the XM8500 and it’s great.

robinbowes

The Samson Q7 is good value and sounds good.

Kebabkid

The Shure SM58 Beta is very good but it's another £40-50 more than the regular SM58.

There are various comparison vids and reviews online but to mine and my band's ears, they sound better

Dodge

danowens said:

I absolutely love my Prodipe TT1 and its unbelievably cheap:
http://www.prodipe.co.uk/mics/2122-tt1-pro-lanen.html

This. Brilliant mic for the cash, I'd take one over a 58 any day of the week.

Cirrus

steveb said:

Sontronics solo gets good reviews 

Huh, that does look pretty cool.

WindmillGuitars

Neumann 105

slacker

I use a 58 with the blue boss vocal processor as a preamp.

roundthebend

Anchorboy said:

Neumann 105

I probably should've emphasised my desire to get s better value option. It doesn't matter how amazing the Neumann mic is, I don't need and won't appreciate that quality so the value I get from our won't be good. I want something less than £50. I'm going to try the Behringer cos it's so cheap and gets good reviews. I might only use it twice a year so I can live with it not being amazing.

Modellista

Kebabkid said:

The Shure SM58 Beta is very good but it's another £40-50 more than the regular SM58.

There are various comparison vids and reviews online but to mine and my band's ears, they sound better

I'd second that, I've A-B'd them and at least for recording (for various reasons I've been recording with dynamics recently), I much prefer the Beta.  Not sure if it would make any difference for live, but I'm convinced it's a better mic... 

guitarfishbay

The beta puts out a hotter signal. Our singer owns one of each and uses the beta. We A/B’d then in our rehearsal room and the beta is the better pick for him