Recommend me a microphone for live vocal abuse (and other things)

SM57 has a lower output / can take even higher sound pressure than the 58. If you’re really screaming and holding the mic in your mouth, the 57 might be the better choice.

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@esq had some mics going cheap earlier this year, might have sold the last beta 58a now though

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SM57 is probably more useful than a 58 in the long run, has bit more cut on vocals and good for quite a few things, snares and guitars especially, you rarely see a 58 used for much other than live vocals but both will do what you need.

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Ok, since you are not interested in hi-end (which the sm58 clearly isn’t as well ) there are cheaper choices. For singing live I use a Røde M1 (dynamic Mic).

Much better frequency response than the SM58 and cheaper. Fits all your needs and has a nice presence and does not have the typical mid-hump the Sure SM58 has.

As a backup an on vocoder I use a Superlux PRA D1 which isn’t bad at all.

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You might want to think about where the monitors are gonna be on stage (and if there will be other audio sources that could bleed into your mic). If unwanted sound comes from the front go for a cardioid like the sm58, if it comes from the side go for a super cardoid. Could save a lot of work on stage. But also keep in mind that with a super cardioid it is more important not to sing from the side:)

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Bjork, Beastie Boys and others exclusively used the SM-58 in the studio as well as live, so definitely sounds good enough sound quality for live wankery, yelling into vocoders etc.

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Also consider the el cheapo clone -

Under 20 quid on Amazon atm.

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You could go true analog, it could be your ‘thing’ on stage…

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The mic won’t be for me.

I’ll be shouting (Russell Haswell style) without a mic in between things probably.

I can shout really fucking loud.

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In all seriousness, you could have a lot of fun with kiddie voice-changing mics

Pro-Tunes-I-Am-T-Pain-Mic-Beats-Voice-Change-Microphone-Records-MP3-Compatible-F_d6afc6a8-1863-47e9-81b6-2bac31bb2c92_1.bea4924920b06f587d4f74ae4bb42ccc

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Got loads of them at home already.

There was one really good one that my wife’s mate got from fuck knows where that acted like a ridiculously high gain distortion on everything that went through it, but I killed it trying to wire in a jack output.

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Mozart struggled for years trying to get some of his work completed

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Mug

Now that all the mainstream suggestions were given, you’re ready to be enlightened.

Superlux D112C Dynamic Bullet microphone - can be used in Studio. Cardioid Harmonica Condensor Microphone

  • Super cheap ~£35
  • sounds like an old radio, best feedback ever if connected to a rat distortion and a dl4
  • war proof, indestructible
  • coolest vintage look
  • volume knob incorporated and longest lead ever

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Seconding that: harmonica mics are great at dirty vocals. But… dirty only :slight_smile:

Before you express the need for a beerproof one, I was about to say Shure SMS7B.
SM58/57 and Beta 58 are more suited then: cheaper, handier, indestructible. You can see some on every single stage, from the local open mic bar to the stadiums.

Also… I would not go for the Bhrngr ones. They may sound the same but I wouldn’t bet they’ll last as forever as the real thing.

We tried a few when vocalists would bring them through our club. The beta caused feedback problems like I’ve never heard with the regular 58. Ymmv, but I don’t care for the betas.

One advantage of the B__ clone is that you could pretend it was Uli’s head you were screaming at

No effing way! That’s insane!

Sorry, late to the party - haven’t been on the forum in ages.

I run all the live stuff for a bunch of venues, have done for many years, and the best option is the Beta58. Firstly the feedback rejection is genuinely better. Secondly, they have a much stronger grill than the regular 58. Whether you like the sound or not is another debate.

Please don’t use a 57 on vocals. And regular 58s won’t last as long or work as well with loud monitoring, trust.

One top tip – when you get them new, check that the screw holding in the xlr connector at the bottom of the mic is tightly screwed in… these days the build quality isn’t quite as good as it used to be and those can occasionally come loose and disappear.

But a further benefit is that replacement clips and grills are readily available for both the 58s (often from amazon) which can help vastly extend the lifespan of the mic. Even a battered grill can often be worked back into shape relatively well!

In terms of sound and a nice hot output, my much preferred / fave mic in this category / use case is actually the Sontronics Solo – but the mic clips don’t stand up to the rigours of rough live use (and the mics are fatter than the regular shure clips can take) so I’ve had to stop using them in venues and I just use keep a few in my own personal mic box now. Also, the fact that most vocalists don’t recognise them doesn’t help… they tend to feel happier with the standard familiar option which is predicatbly, a 58.

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