Microphones, which are best for you?

[Steven Charles]

I get no relief, in my endless quest for the "perfect" mouthpiece, reed, ligature, & mics, I also am trying to find the best one for my vocals (& flute). Part of the problem is that sometimes the same mic may sound/feel different on different gigs, and sometimes I may think it sounds bad, and of course, that's usually when people will compliment me on how I sound.

Anyway, I've got Shures (Beta 57, 58, 87), EVs (ND 767, 967), & even a Sennheiser MD 441, and at various times liked/not liked them all. Finally, has anyone ever tried the Shure KMS9 mic?

[Sean O'Rourke]

The Shure KSM 32's are real nice. It's a condensor mic. I've always loved the 441's.

[Jeni Michelson, Vocal/Keys/Band Leader]

My first mic was a Sennheiser MD431 II, I'm still using it. Nothing else (that I've run across) gives me the tasty sound I'm looking for.

[Steven Charles]

Jeni Jen, how is it different than the 441 (other than appearance)? What exactly about the sound of it separates it from other mics you've tried?

[Jeni Michelson, Vocal/Keys/Band Leader]

I dunno, I bought this and never really messed with anything else in 30 yrs. Whenever I sang through anyone else's it felt muddy to me. I don't know the difference between the 431 or the 441, I imagine it's an upgrade. Mine has a glass tube in it (not good for dropping) :-), maybe that changed? I'm sure you can google the stats. It's an excellent mic. I bought another Sennheiser E840S just because it was cheap @ $200.00 and I wanted a backup. It's pretty nice too, not quite as crispy. Then I got a cordless Sennheiser e100 series EW 135. It does the job. I'm very partial to my 431, it's my good luck mic :-)

[Anne Margaret Kocurek]

All I can offer is my preference of Sennheiser to Shure for live performance. I just tend to sound like me on them and can enjoy the singing part over "what's up with the sound feeling squashed" part.

[George Sandler]

I have used just about everything over the years. When I sang with Tommy Strain, we ALL used Shure 57's and blended very well. Being a drummer, I have used a Crown CM-311 headset and really liked the sound of it. However as well all know, you can't "work" a headset mic very much. So, in the bands that I do sing with I have been using a SM58 with a switch and a boom stand w/ a gooseneck. I also use a Beta 58 and I like the way my voice sounds on that mic. My buddy Brad Williams has a Beta 87 that sounds great and is phantom powered. Any suggestions? I am looking to get something else in the near future.

[Jeni Michelson, Vocal/Keys/Band Leader]

I've finally come to the proverbial fork in the road...after a 27 year love affair. On my last gig, I discovered my Sennheiser MD431 II wasn't working. My tech says he can't find parts for it anymore. The new models have different technology. I'm in a midlife crisis (getting ready to turn 50 and I'm thinking...yeah... I deserve the best!)...so I've been searching... here's what I know...you can pick up the Sennheiser above for about $350.00 but my drummer (who purchases/manages equipment for HighTech) says this is THE mic I should look at. I'll be headed to the music store soon to check it out...

Shure KSM9 Dual Diaphragm Performance Condenser Microphone
Overall rating: 9.45
#271194
Color Options: Charcoal Gray or Champagne

A mic that will bring out the best in your vocals.

Engineered to exacting standards the KSM9 condenser microphone unites the best of studio and stage. With its dual-diaphragm design and switchable polar patterns KSM9 offers nuance and subtlety in a microphone optimized for the most demanding live environments. It captures vocal subtlety with extraordinary detail to deliver clear articulation functional flexibility and precise vocal reproduction for live performance. The hand held KSM9 delivers exceptional consistency across all frequencies provides more gain before feedback and minimizes proximity effect. ÿ Requires phantom power.

Shure KSM9 Dual Diaphragm Performance Condenser Microphone Features:

* Dual gold layered low-mass Mylar© diaphragm design
* Switchable polar patterns (supercardioid and cardioid)
* Advanced suspension shock mount
* Premium electronic components including Class A transformerless preamplifier circuitry
* Gold-plated internal and external connectors including XLR Output Durable aluminum housing
* Full-range frequency response (50Hz to 20kHz)
* Aluminum carrying case

If who want a truly top-end stage mic get the KSM9. You'll love what it does for voice.
$699.99 -or- $21/mo. - Finance Now
List Price: $850.00

[George Sandler]

You go girl! Me, I am a bit afraid of taking a $600 mic on a gig. You know, drunk patrons knocking into your mic stand and it possibly getting dropped or worse. But, I do use a Sennheiser 421 on my kick and it is a pretty expensive mic, so who am I to say?

I would choose the charcoal gray color but you should definitely get the champagne color. You know, as a drummer no one would ever SEE it but a classy, fun vocalist such as yourself should go for the gold.

And by the way, Brad Large told me how you helped him with the traditional Hebrew/Jewish music. Gotta say, that is truly a first class move, Jeni. I do hope we can work together someday.....

Let me know how the mic works out for you.

Peace and great grooves,
George

[Jeni Michelson, Vocal/Keys/Band Leader]

Ha! My drummer says I need the champagne one but honestly, I like the charcoal. Right now I gotta make some bucks to spend'em and things have come to a grinding halt over here (yikes!) :-) Hopefully I'll be able to get this for myself by the end of the year. I think a really good piece of equipment is truly inspiring and will allow you to perform better.

It does worry me that someone will rip me off and I’ll never forget the time that some stupid Best Man at a wedding took my Senn and told me he didn’t need it and swung it 4 ft. up in the air (by the cable) and then let it hit the ground. I believe that’s just about as mad as I’ve ever been. I came right of my bench and chewed his ass out. It busted my mic.

Brad's my good bud...it's just phonetics and funny time signatures anyway (ha!)

Steven-I hope they have one of each for me to try...Tommy told me to go to Sam Ash. He felt that the new Senn's would be better than my old one. I had the old glass tube version. I just have to hear crisp, vibrant response and Senn is the only thing that has ever done it for me.

[Steven Charles]

Hey Jeni, when you go to check out the Shure, will you also be trying out the newer MD431, or any others?

[Jeni Michelson, Vocal/Keys/Band Leader]

Hey Steven.... let's make a date in the near future for lunch and go to Sam Ash and check'em out!-you live over thatta way. I just realized this Shure mic is the one you started talking about in the beginning of this dialog. Someone told me there's a good Thai restaurant in that Sports Authority shopping Center above SA.

[Steven Charles]

You're right, I'm just down the street, & it would be great for me to hear you singing through the various mics, (& maybe vice versa, but only because you can get a "listener's" perspective of how they sound)...

Just ring me, and let's figgah out a day to do it....