Musician Forum - Band Discussion Board - BandMix

Hey peeps, I was just wondering what, in your experience is the best performance mic as far as vocals are concerned. Let's say my budget is . . $100-200? Would the Shure 57/58 be the best ones?

I had been using the Shure SM58 for a long time, and just recently stepped up to the Beta 58. What a difference!

The Beta58 runs $160 at Guitar Center, the SM58 is $100. I found a pair of Betas on Craigslist for $140.

For obvious health concerns, I replaced the wind screens for $13/ea.

So the Beta 58 is vastly superior to the S58?

Let's just say, I thought the SM58 was good until I hooked up the Betas.

Having both plugged into the board at once, you can do a side by side comparison and hear the difference. Cleaner sound, and less prone to feedback.

Check out what they say here....

http://www.guitarcenter.com/Shure-SM58- ... 1126419.gc

http://www.guitarcenter.com/Shure-Beta- ... 1126428.gc

Sure there's AKG, Sennheiser, and the like, but for the price you can't beat the durability and sound quality of the Shure mics.

Your mileage may vary.....good luck!

I started with an SM58 then moved up to the Beta58 it is a great mike. Now I have moved up to the Beta87A it is a condensor mike so your mixer has to have phantom power. The Beta 87a is a vastly superior mike it sells at G.C. for about $250.00
When it comes to picking the right vocal mike it is best you put your voice thru them and find out which one best suits your voice. when you go to a studio to record they have all kinds of mikes and a good studio will try till they find the right one that fits your voice, some are darker and some are brighter.

Live weve always used SM 58s.

Ive never tryed a Beta series, thanks for that input, might have to check the Beta out sometime.

Yea same here; I'll give the Betas a try. But from experience, SM58s rule.

If you like the SM58 you'll like the Beta 58 more it is a better mike with better frequency responce. I used one for 10 years I still have it and it works just like it did 14 years ago. About 4 years ago one of our members was envovled heavily in his churches music ministry and we were able to go in one day and record live thru their million dollar p.a. system and I was using my beta 58 while one of my other bandmates was using a Beta 87a when I heard the playback I could not beleive the difference. The next day I went and purchased a Shure Beta 87a for myself what a difference!

So:
Beta 87A > Beta 58 > SM58
?

Andragon wrote:So:
Beta 87A > Beta 58 > SM58
?

Beta 58 hands down for me, more rugged than the 87 and better gain before feedback.

That is something I should have put in my post RGM if you are singing thru a small p.a. without feedback supression the Beta 58 is a better mike. If you are singing thru a larger p.a. with in ear monitors and feedback supression the Beta 87a is the better mike. I have both and I have not found that there is any difference in durability. I never ever have to deal with feedback because of the way I run my p.a. system.

Ah. I see. Right now, I'm happy with the SM58... good quality for a good price at least.

The Beta 58 has a rising low end response unless it is several inches or more from the source (easily fixed with EQ or filters).
Check freq. response here:
http://www.guitarcenter.com/LMS/Viewer.aspx?vid=56251
The supercardioid pattern is what really helps with feedback resistance.
I haven't used one, but I'd like to try it.

Hey good topic. I'm about ready to purchase a new mic. I'll check out the beta58. Thanks.

Just got an AKG D5.
Haven't tried it out yet as both bands I'm in provide mics at the practice space.
I think my next gig is mid Apr. so we'll see how it goes, but I've read some good reviews of this mic.