Which Vocal Mic?

[L20A]

Looking for a good vocal mic that is under $200.00.

This is for use in a 6 piece Folk/Grass Band.
I sing Second Tenor and want a rich/full sounding mic that I can use for lead vocals and and also be able to back off several inches for harmony vocals, without dropping off.

So far a Beat 58 has been my first choice but what are other options from other companies like Sennheiser?

Condenser mics are not an option.

[gfirob]

I have an Ear Trumpet Edwina from Ear Trumpet, but I only use it for recording and videos. I use Shure 58's when I play solo or with my band. A couple of band mates swear by the Sennheisers, but I stick with my 58. It has never let me down, sounds great and I can use it as a club in case of a bar fight.

[strangersfaces]

The new Earthworks SR117 is a good choice.

Sound on Sound review: https://www.soundonsound.com/reviews/earthworks-sr117

[Stringmaster]

The Sennheiser e935 is my favorite non-condenser mic, and in your price range. Look for sales, but beware of counterfeits—typically sold on Amazon!

[martingitdave]

Senn 835 and 945 won a mic shootout for me against the 58 Beta. I used to sing first tenor, I’m closer to second tenor now. I settled on the 945. Give one a try and read up on the features and pattern. If your stage volume is not loud you might get away with something less focused.

[martingitdave]

Originally Posted by gfirob

I use Shure 58's when I play solo or with my band. It has never let me down, sounds great and I can use it as a club in case of a bar fight.

Ha! I did a spit take with my tea! lol

[Mobilemike]

I like the Sennheiser e 835 on my voice better than the SM58 variants. Vocal mics are a personal thing, much like headphones are. Is there a guitar Center nearby where you could try a few out?

The Sennheiser e 945 is the equivalent of the "Beta 58" - meaning its an upgrade to the 835.

[Pine Cone]

Originally Posted by Stringmaster

The Sennheiser e935 is my favorite non-condenser mic, and in your price range. Look for sales, but beware of counterfeits—typically sold on Amazon!

My favorite live performance mic as well. Good sound, well built, great feedback resistance.

[CASD57]

I like the Se V3 over the V7 but bought are great mic's for under $100

[sparkysings]

I prefer the Heil PR35.

[Petty1818]

Originally Posted by Stringmaster

The Sennheiser e935 is my favorite non-condenser mic, and in your price range. Look for sales, but beware of counterfeits—typically sold on Amazon!

Was going to suggest the same mic. I switched to the e935 about six years ago and it was such a night and day difference from anything else I had used. I never have to eq it, it always sound warm but with a nice cut in the mix. I too sing a lot where I back off the mic a bit and it's great at picking that up.

[ljguitar]

Originally Posted by L20A

Looking for a good vocal mic that is under $200.00.

This is for use in a 6 piece Folk/Grass Band.
I sing Second Tenor and want a rich/full sounding mic that I can use for lead vocals and and also be able to back off several inches for harmony vocals, without dropping off.

So far a Beat 58 has been my first choice but what are other options from other companies like Sennheiser?

Condenser mics are not an option.

Hi L20A…

There is NO mic (not a single one) that you can 'back off several inches for harmony' that will not 'lose' most of its bass and accentuate the trebles. Fine for traditional bluesgrass (I saw Folk/Grass in your post).

Given you're ok with 'backgrounds' sounding gutless, look for a mic for close up work for melody, since the backed off for harmonies will sound nearly indistinguishable.

If you can get to a large Guitar Center, they often have a PA demo room where you can try out mics. Worth a road trip. I'm guessing you're close enough to Salt Lake City to fine a store who will let you demo and compare mics.

[L20A]

Thanks for your thoughts and suggestions.
I did go to my Guitar Center and tried out the mics.
It was a little confusing though as the mics were all plugged into headphones.

What was confusing was that I could only adjust volume.
When I used a Sennheiser E 945, it was so loud that I could hear a lot of background noise. Much like a large diaphragm condenser mic.

I really liked the 945 but I worry that it may be too hot.
Am I correct on this thought?
Can it be EQ'ed to match up with 3 or 4 other Shure Beta 58 mics?
Would the 835 be a better match?

[Mobilemike]

Originally Posted by ljguitar

[size=2]Hi L20A…

There is NO mic (not a single one) that you can 'back off several inches for harmony' that will not 'lose' most of its bass and accentuate the trebles. Fine for traditional bluesgrass (I saw Folk/Grass in your post).

Check out this new mic from Lewitt:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TnvPPYUsgbI&t=467s
Claims to do just that, and initial demos sound surprisingly good IMO. I know the OP didn’t want a condenser, but thought it was interesting.

Originally Posted by L20A

Thanks for your thoughts and suggestions.
I did go to my Guitar Center and tried out the mics.
It was a little confusing though as the mics were all plugged into headphones.

What was confusing was that I could only adjust volume.
When I used a Sennheiser E 945, it was so loud that I could hear a lot of background noise. Much like a large diaphragm condenser mic.

I really liked the 945 but I worry that it may be too hot.
Am I correct on this thought?
Can it be EQ'ed to match up with 3 or 4 other Shure Beta 58 mics?
Would the 835 be a better match?

The Sennheiser 945 (and the beta 58) are supercardioid microphones, which means that although the pickup pattern for sources in front of the mic is narrower than that of a cardioid mic, they do pick up some sounds from the rear of the mic as well.

The 835 (and SM58) are cardioid, so they have a wider pattern in front of the mic, but pick up less from behind the mic.

So depending on your stage setup it is possible that the Beta 58 or 945 could pick up more background noise.

[YamahaGuy]

Heil PR35 is good. Sennheiser e945 would get my vote. M81 may be a little higher priced but it's good too. Or Miktek PM9.