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mooseherman
Published on 05/06/09 at 18:18
This dynamic vocal mic is a great studio/live mic. Though it's advertised as a handheld vocal mic, it has a variety of uses, including guitar cabinets.
OVERALL OPINION
I've only recently tried using this mic. I think that, though it sounds a lot like the cheaper Shure SM58, it's arguably a better purchase. The sound is generally richer than those competitors in the price range, and it definitely gives a more detailed response. I like the fact that it doesn't pick up bleed from surrounding sources that much, which makes it an ideal choice for a band who rehearses in close proximity spaces. While it does tend to be a little screechy in the higher registers, it's not quite as bad as some cheaper models (including the SM58). For some reason, the mic does pick up some bleed from behind it. Be careful if the vocalist is standing in front of an amp or drumset as you will probably get more bleed from an amp positioned behind the mic than from an amp on the side of the mic. I've also noticed that when put on a stand (as opposed to being held in the singer's hand), the response doesn't remain as consistent. This is partly due to most singers' inability to stay the same distance from the mic, but the difference is much more exaggerated in this mic than most.
That being the case, if you're going to put this mic on a stand, you'd have much better luck using it on a guitar cabinet. I've tried this and arguably liked the sound more than when I use it for vocals. I've tried it on snare drums, which I'd heard was a totally viable option, but I wasn't a huge fan of the sound.
Overall, I was pretty impressed with this mic. I think that for the price, it's worth it, but only if you already have a few Shure SM57s/SM58s, simply because those mics are more versatile and are definitely cheaper. I've also found that the SM58s control bleed a little bit better in loud live settings (which I unfortunately find myself in often, being in a bar band). I would probably make the same choice knowing what I know now, simply because I have found some good sounds with this mic. I wouldn't swear by it, by any means, but I wouldn't knock it either.
OVERALL OPINION
I've only recently tried using this mic. I think that, though it sounds a lot like the cheaper Shure SM58, it's arguably a better purchase. The sound is generally richer than those competitors in the price range, and it definitely gives a more detailed response. I like the fact that it doesn't pick up bleed from surrounding sources that much, which makes it an ideal choice for a band who rehearses in close proximity spaces. While it does tend to be a little screechy in the higher registers, it's not quite as bad as some cheaper models (including the SM58). For some reason, the mic does pick up some bleed from behind it. Be careful if the vocalist is standing in front of an amp or drumset as you will probably get more bleed from an amp positioned behind the mic than from an amp on the side of the mic. I've also noticed that when put on a stand (as opposed to being held in the singer's hand), the response doesn't remain as consistent. This is partly due to most singers' inability to stay the same distance from the mic, but the difference is much more exaggerated in this mic than most.
That being the case, if you're going to put this mic on a stand, you'd have much better luck using it on a guitar cabinet. I've tried this and arguably liked the sound more than when I use it for vocals. I've tried it on snare drums, which I'd heard was a totally viable option, but I wasn't a huge fan of the sound.
Overall, I was pretty impressed with this mic. I think that for the price, it's worth it, but only if you already have a few Shure SM57s/SM58s, simply because those mics are more versatile and are definitely cheaper. I've also found that the SM58s control bleed a little bit better in loud live settings (which I unfortunately find myself in often, being in a bar band). I would probably make the same choice knowing what I know now, simply because I have found some good sounds with this mic. I wouldn't swear by it, by any means, but I wouldn't knock it either.