Musician Forum - Band Discussion Board - BandMix

Hey Gang,
I posted on this subject a while back but we've takin on a few new members since SO, I thought Id ask if anyone is using or has used headworn condenser mics. I had a few on and tried them out in stores BUT, as ya know , the real test would have to be on stage. I actually used an Sm10 25 yrs ago when they first came out.Had to duck tape/velcro/ clothes pin/rubberband it to my ears.. Man, I could sure use some news on this subject.The reviews dont look good on any in the 100-300 $ price range..Anyone have any experience with models 5yrs old or less?
Thanks,
john

Good question, John. My band is looking into going completely wireless (instruments, mics, even in-ear monitors). I've just started looking into it myself. As you said, I'm guessing anything decent is going to be pricey.

There's something artistic about a singer singing into a mic on a mic stand. Call it rustic, old-fashioned, or reminiscent, whatever. When I think of a headset, I think of Brittany and Madonna, ugh.

Well, I guess Ill have to buy me some spandex, learn some dance moves becuase PAIN is a great motivator to try something different.Ask any drummer after 30 yrs if he would like to give up a mic front of his face and be able to turn his head and give his neck a break and maybe actually SEE some of those 25 yr old hotties on the dance floor while singing and Ill just bet his answer will be YES. ..Yeah , I do agree that the workin a mic from a stand will always loook more pro out front.Like I say, PAIN is the motivator in my case.

I think that in the musical age we live in, stage performance is probably more important than it's ever been. When anyone can listen to anything they want at any given time, watching a band perform songs means nothing-unless that band brings something special to the performance, something that the listener can't get from just listening.
As I said, my band is definitely moving in that direction. We want to be able to move around and interract with the audience (and not kill ourselves while tripping on cords!!)
Personally, I'm very comfortable with a mic stand in front of me...seems to help me keep my bearings, in a way. However, it also works as a barrier between me and the audience...and we can't have that.

Kramerguy wrote:There's something artistic about a singer singing into a mic on a mic stand. Call it rustic, old-fashioned, or reminiscent, whatever. When I think of a headset, I think of Brittany and Madonna, ugh.

I'm with Kramerguy on this one.

however....

I'm sure technology has advanced to a point wher the current crop of headset mics are better then the sorry ones some of my old drummers tried to use.

BUT..

I still hold to my previous opinion, that if a drummer is simply doing backup vocals, the little buggers could work out fine, but if a drummer is a good lead vocalist (don't laugh, I've known a few) then a mic that can be approached at different distances would seem preferable. (remember the good old "proximity effect" whereby a sensuous bass timbre can be achieved simply by getting close, and a grand bellerin' scream can be performed by backing off! )

I occasionally use a harmonica holder, but to play good blues harp, you need to use your hands. (bad analogy, but hopefully you'll get my point)

anyways...

If I were you, Kidd, I'd stick with a good ol' Shure 57 or 58 mounted on a double boom for live work.

later
Howlin'

Man , you guys are a gluttin for MY punishment.. See I know all that about previous headworn mics with the low end loss etc.Played 6 nites a week for 17yrs straight BUT, during that time , I played with show bands alot where there were 2-3 vocal out front so my harmony and lead work was limited...NOW, Im lead singin 25 tunes a nite and I aint 25 no more. Ive rigged a mic about as many ways as ya can on home made stands, drum HW. etc.BUT, I ask for opinions and your givin em to me. .I aint bitchin at you guys.You guys didnt mess all this up. My Gawd, I cant a have the FX processor I want, cant have an Mp3 player boom box,so it only stands to reason Im not gonna find a mic.. THANK GOD my drums havent been F*** over by technology. Nobody better EVEN look at those bastards crosseyed or Ill go postal.

I have no idea about the sound quality of those mikes. And I agree that they do look "Madonna" when used by a singer that is moving around the stage,

But! It looks cool on a drummer. Phil Collins uses them from time to time.

If looks is the question, and you are singing and drumming at the same time - by all means, nothing cheesy about that.

*edit*

THANK GOD my drums havent been F*** over by technology. Nobody better EVEN look at those bastards crosseyed or Ill go postal.

As long as there is Rock and Roll in one form or the other there will be real acoustic drums with real drummer behind them.

I bought a shure headset mic. Due to the smill size of the mic itself it had no bottom end. I trust bass could be eq'd in, but for me that wasn't an option as it was going directly into my looping setup. I didn't like it and sold it. It also messes with your ability to to use proximity to control volume. I.E. For me Falsetto and the bottom end of my full voice is quiet and I NEED to eat the mic to sing there. The top of my full voice will override a Small clubs P.A. and I NEED to back off to not kill the audience. For me a headset mic doesn't work. And instead of Madonna and Brittany I see Garth Brooks .

Having said all that it makes very good sense for a drummer to use head set mic.

Yeah Neanderpaul, some body like you who has a very wide range and dynamic skills and would need to work a mic for timbre control/voice shaping.BUT, we're talkin about ME Someone who fools the public. I just wanna bang my drum and scream in COMFORT doing my ole classic rock standards going into my "golden yrs"...(who made that up?..piss golden maybe.. )Yeah, you'll see me in 10 yrs walkin around..Ill be easy to spot.Il be the guy lookin up at 60 degree angle all the time, even when Im pissin..

Well the shure was pretty good other than the bottom end. They are pretty much a dream come true for a drummer. I've drummed and sang and man it is tough to stay on that mic.

I cant stand em. I hate hats too. Hell I hate hair so I cut it off. I just find anything hanging on my head bugs the crap out of me playing. I tryed ear monitors and couldnt stand them either. I dont want to be running around with a growth coming out of my head!

Im sure in some preductions where your primary singer is doing dance moves and realy active its cool. But for me I have my mic in front of my monitor and when I sing I go to it. I actually sing backup on most of our songs. It just doesnt look rock n roll with out a SM 58 for the singer to me!

jw123 wrote: It just doesnt look rock n roll with out a SM 58 for the singer to me!

NICE!!

1st time I saw a headset mic was Haggar w/ VH and I thought it looked ridiculous. 'Course I thought van-haggar was ridiculous. The mic/ stand has a good look, I agree with that, but if you're drummin' it would be a completely different scenario, probly look ok, might even look real cool. If you're in pain, dude, it really dont matter what anyone thinks .. right?

Well put ZXYZ