If you are just starting out, looking at buying a PA, or even just upgrading your microphones, the task can be daunting so I thought I’d share a bit of knowledge in picking the right microphone for your PA without breaking the bank.
Picking the right microphone can be made into a simple task by having a look at what you do and what you want to achieve.
You can of course purchase a microphone for every situation if you want, and have a fair bit of cash stored to do this.
Or you can keep it simple and pick a couple of different microphone types that will suit many different situations and uses.
I use to play live more than recording so the choice of microphones to cover vocals and instruments was pretty much all that was needed.
I/we used Shure in pretty much all of the bands I was in after we started to play regular pug and tavern gigs.
Shure are a great microphone brand, I still have the original ones I bought and can pretty much guarantee that when I get the urge to set up the PA and give it nudge I just plug them in and they still perform as new after years and years of use and travel.
There were the 2 options, again this keeps the selection down for you and if your main vocalist wants to fork out for a premium vocal microphone they can.
Shure SM58 microphone for Vocals
For vocals I used the Shure Sm58
Just set up your microphone stand, set up the Shure SM58 into the clip, set your levels and your ready to sing for the night, easy.
Here are some specs on the SM58 for you.
What is the SM58 best suited to?
SM58 is an ideal choice for a professional vocal artist in any live performance setting.
SM58 is tuned to accentuate the warmth and clarity of lead and backing vocals.
Even in extreme conditions, the SM58 microphone is tailored to target the main sound source while minimizing background noise.
It is also very popular with djs and presenters in clubs and in small and large live venues.
Can the SM58 withstand the rigours of touring?
Durable construction, a proven shock-mount system, and a steel mesh grille ensure that even with rough handling, the SM58 will perform consistently
Features of the SM58
- Frequency response tailored for vocals, with brightened midrange and bass roll off
- Uniform cardioid pickup pattern isolates the main sound source and minimizes background noise
- Pneumatic shock-mount system cuts down handling noise
- Effective, built-in spherical wind and pop filter
- Supplied with break-resistant stand adapter which rotates 180 degrees
- Legendary Shure quality, ruggedness and reliability
- Cardioid (unidirectional) dynamic
- Frequency response: 50 to 15,000 Hz
Tech Specs of the SM58
- Transducer Type: Dynamic
- Polar Pattern: Cardioid
- Frequency Response from: 50 Hz
- Frequency Response to: 15 KHz
- Sensitivity (dBV/Pa): -54.5 dBV/Pa
- Sensitivity (mV/Pa): 1.88 mV/Pa
- Weight: 298 g
- Frequency Response Curve, see the SM58 User Guide
I also found this PDF with loads more information on the SM58 for you “SM58 User Guide”
Shure SM57 microphone for Instruments
For the next choice of microphone for the PA I went for the Shure SM57 microphone.
The SM57 microphone
So the SM57 microphone covers the live sound and also recording sound environment if you need it.
So you can use the SM57 to mic your guitar, bass, keyboards and of course drum kit
I can remember running a bit of the drum kit sound through the PA and also a bit of guitar and bass too.
This was so we could feed some of the sound back through the monitor system too so you could hear everything you needed too in the mix so you don’t miss your cues.
Here are some specs on the SM57 for you;
What is the SM57 best suited to?
It’s the most popular choice for a professional musician who wants to mic up their amplified or acoustic instrument such as a guitar amp or bass amp, saxophone, trumpet or drums.
It is used on stages and in studios around the world.
How does the SM57 sound?
The contoured frequency response with its presence rise, helps the instrument cut better through the main mix.
The extremely effective cardioid pickup pattern isolates the main sound source and will simply record what you point at it while rejecting sound from the rear.
Features of the SM57
- Contoured frequency response for clean, instrumental reproduction and rich vocal pickup
- Professional-quality reproduction for drum, percussion, and instrument amplifier miking
- Uniform cardioid pickup pattern isolates the main sound source while reducing background noise
- Pneumatic shock-mount system cuts down handling noise
- Extremely durable under the heaviest use
- Frequency response: 40 to 15,000 Hz
Tech Specs of the SM57
- Transducer Type : Dynamic
- Polar Pattern: Cardioid
- Frequency Response from: 40 Hz
- Frequency Response to: 15 KHz
- Sensitivity (dBV/Pa): -54,5 dBV/Pa
- Sensitivity (mV/Pa): 1,88 mV/Pa
- Weight: 284 g
- Frequency Repsonse Curve, See the SM57 User Guide
I also found this PDF with loads more information on the SM57 for you “SM57 User Guide”
So there you have my two microphones of choice that cover pretty much every situation from recording to live performance.
I carry them around in an old pencil case and then the go in to my PA toolbox and this has kept them still working all these years (I still have the Shure microphone cases too).
The only maintenance I have had to do over the years is wash the foam in the SM58 to stop it smelling and also when the venues use to have smoking allowed too they used to reek.
I hope this helps you with picking the right microphone for yourself, your instrument and also for your band.
There are many ranges of pricing on these microphones, so make sure when you are looking at buying a microphone that you do a bit of research as there are some bargains to be had still in stores and online.
Now get out there and play!