Which Microphone to use for LIVE singing ?

[Dev]

Hello,
I want to purchase a microphone so that I can sing while playing the Fantom. I would prefer to use a wireless mic. Can anyone suggest please? Suggestions for wired mics are also welcome...

Thanks in advance...

Dev

[Xcited]

Depending on how much $ you'd like to spend, you can never go wrong with a Shure SM58. This is a good workhorse mic that many pros use. I use a Shure Beta87A.

Good luck!

[robbie50]

I use also a Shure SM58, WITOUT SWITCH!!!
Great!!!!



robbie

[rashbaum]

This is ok if you are running the mic separately through your pa- but I've found that if you try and run a mic through the fantom the gain is just terrible- are people who are trying this using pre-amps or something?

[Dev]

Thanks for all the replies.

One of my friend too had suggested Shure SM58 mic as you all are suggesting but at the same time he told me that with cord mics the problem is during playing if for some reason you move your face here & there the sound pickup is affected and you have to really be careful in that... so it is better to use cordless [wireless] mics with headset... there you are free in every way...

Any suggestions.... as far as $ are concerned I can go upto 500 USD...

thanks

Dev

[Shambler]

Shure do some, I use a WH20XLR(wired) for my V-Synth vocoder but you could plug one into a transmitter.

Looking at £400-£500 for such a system not sure what prices are like over the water.

[MrPillow]

I've also found the gain/inputs on the Fantom entirely unsuitable for microphones. Not only do you have to set it to the highest gain setting, you also can need another +10dB at least from a compressor/limiter etc. By this time, unless you have a 100% noise free environment, your noise floor will be far too high for any use, especially live.

[Jimknopf]

But you can use something like the Art Tube Mic Preamp if you want to use the Roland input. Such a preamp gives tube warmth, has a low noise level while providing enough gain, is small enough even for live use and not too expensive: that should do the job ...

[Dev]

Oh... the microphone shall be routed through Mixer and not through Fantom...

[eyekahn]

One of my friend too had suggested Shure SM58 mic as you all are suggesting but at the same time he told me that with cord mics the problem is during playing if for some reason you move your face here & there the sound pickup is affected and you have to really be careful in that... so it is better to use cordless [wireless] mics with headset... there you are free in every way...

There is a flip-side to this issue that should be considered as well. I have used both corded handheld mics (on a stand adapter for my keyboard stands) and a wireless headset mic as well at times over the last 20 years. If you are only singing backups, I think the wireless headset works well and is a desirable choice. The wireless was even better in those situations where I was using two keyboard stands set at an angle and my playing position could move anywhere between the two. Otherwise, I would have needed two mics on the rig instead of the one wireless headset.

If you are singing lead however, there are many situations in where you want to control mic placement with regards to your mouth for better dynamic control of the vocals. In these instances a wireless headset does not work. Since I sing lead for 25-40 percent of the night when I gig, I currently use a good ole SM58, or a SM57 on tight stages where feedback is more of an issue.

eyekahn

[Dev]

Hmmm... right... but I am in a situation wherein I need wireless headset mic... which one would you recommend? Although I am planning to purchase SM58 too but wireless headset mic is required as well.

Please suggest...

Thanks

Dev

[eyekahn]

I haven't purchased (or owned) a new wireless headset for years. The one I used back in the late 80's, early 90's was a Samson with an AKG element that sounded really nice. I found it comfortable to wear as well.

I've looked around in the last year or so, and the technology has really changed since I used on way back when so I can't personally reccomend any of them.

Anyone else?

eyekahn