Cheaper alternative to the SM58?

[The_BPP]

I'm about the mic-up a choir for live work, and require 8 dynamic mics. Obviously, SM58s spring to mind, but, are there alternatives of similar quality for a cheaper price? Even shaving-off £5 per mic would help the budget no-end.

Build-quality doesn't have to be outstanding, as it's a choir, not a rock band.

Thanks in advance, and appologies if this question has been asked before on this forum.

[Jabba1]

AKG D-5's. Good feedback rejection, good price, well built... worth a look.

[lead ears]

How are you gonna use these mics?
I suspect you're gonna put them at some distance, not close micing...
The SM58 is optimised for close-micing. It becomes thin in distant micing.
SM57 would be more suitable, but certainly not an optimum choice.
There are dedicated microphones for this application:
http://www.dv247.fr/invt/78977/
http://www.dv247.fr/invt/78623/
Even standard SDC's will perform better
http://www.dv247.fr/invt/16186/
You need phantom power for these.
There are a few dynamic mics that would be suitable for your application, but they are out of budget, Sennheiser 606, Beyer M201, EV ND468,

[Mike Stranks]

If you're close micing then I'd agree with Jabba on the AKG D5 - I was surprised at the quality in a straight shoot-out with an SM58. No contest for me.

I'm assuming that you're specifying dynamics as there's no phantom available. You might consider the Rode M3 which can be battery powered and is a very versatile mic. Hugh R liked it! See:

Hugh's Review of Rode M3

Can be got for around £70 if you shop around.

HTH Mike

[John Willett]

If you need the cut-through ability that the SM58 has, then the Sennheiser e840 is a good alternative.

If you don't need the cut-through, the e835 is very good and the e825 and e815 are good but cheaper.

[The_BPP]

Thanks for your feedback so far.

It is for close mic work. When I say choir, they're actually an accapella folk octet. (is octet a word?).

Phantom power is available.

[lead ears]

OK, that makes things much clearer then.
There is a vast number of alternatives to an SM58 when price is an issue. The SM58 concept is probably the one which has received the most "homage" in the audio industry...
Alternatives include Shure's own SM48 and PG48, but every significant manufacturer has a dynamic handheld vocal mic.
Beware of Shure counterfeits that may seem a good deal...
Anyway, I think that if you go shopping for 8 SM58's, you could easily get more the £5 rebate.

[TheReson8or]

Hi, The red 5 audio dynamics are Ok and there are usually deals on em.Dave

[The_BPP]

OK, that makes things much clearer then.
There is a vast number of alternatives to an SM58 when price is an issue.

Question is, are there there cheaper alternatives that sound as good (plus have the same feedback rejection)?

[Bob Bickerton]

Can you describe the environment you'll be working in? Do they require monitoring? I would see sticking them on individual mics as a second option to using condensers and working them as an ensemble.

I have worked with a similar group here and have used a couple of Rode NTG-1's to good effect, with a much more natural balance. The NTG-1 seem to be fairly neutral as far as shotguns go and have a deep null 90º off axis.

In terms of alternative dynamics I'd check out the Sennheiser e835 and e840 - not sure how price would compare.

Bob

[_ Six _]

The Shure PG series aren't too bad for the money. Good build quality and decent sound.

I have a set for live drum miking and they've served me well.

Online for £38 quid each. Bargain

Shure PG 58

[christianmurphy]

If you need the cut-through ability that the SM58 has, then the Sennheiser e840 is a good alternative.

If you don't need the cut-through, the e835 is very good and the e825 and e815 are good but cheaper.

I'd second that. 99% of the venues I play have an SM58 for main vocal. Recently played a place that had a Sennheiser for main vocals and SM58s were being used for backing vocals. Was really impressed. Cut through without being overly harsh, and seemed to project a more "honest" and true sound.
Actually preffered it to the SM58 which I'm not a huge fan of anyway. Especially not a fan of the cheaper sure mics. Feel and sound cheap to my ears.

[The_BPP]

Can you describe the environment you'll be working in? Do they require monitoring? I would see sticking them on individual mics as a second option to using condensers and working them as an ensemble.

I have worked with a similar group here and have used a couple of Rode NTG-1's to good effect, with a much more natural balance. The NTG-1 seem to be fairly neutral as far as shotguns go and have a deep null 90º off axis.

In terms of alternative dynamics I'd check out the Sennheiser e835 and e840 - not sure how price would compare.

Bob

No, they don't need monitoring, and in an ideal world, I'd happily use condenser mics, but they seem to be keen on having their own, individual mics.

[Mike Stranks]

Bearing in mind you're looking for cheaper than SM58, I'd still favour the AKG D5, but I have a couple of these:

Samson C05

which constantly surprise me (positively) when I decide to use them.

[Matt Houghton]

No, they don't need monitoring, and in an ideal world, I'd happily use condenser mics, but they seem to be keen on having their own, individual mics.

Then why not pick the mics you need for the job (eg pair of condensers), and put up some cheap as chips 'comfort' mics for the vocalists. They don't need to know how it was recorded do they... or are they going to require you to mix with 'more me' at a later date?

Alternatively, persuade them to trust the engineer to know more about recording than they do

[grab]

An extra thought to throw in - not all mics suit all singers. I often find SM58s are simply awful on some singers, particularly tenors and female singers, and no amount of EQ will get an acceptable sound. Swapping for an e835 immediately gets a good sound with little or no EQ needed. Conversely some voices (rock baritone in particular) respond well to an SM58.

It'd probably be worth getting a half-dozen of one type, and a couple of another. Then you've got options.

[chew_rocket]

No, they don't need monitoring, and in an ideal world, I'd happily use condenser mics, but they seem to be keen on having their own, individual mics.

All the folk singers I have worked with have been real funny about microphones. I had one lady who said she couldn't sing without a microphone with loads of reverb on it.

funny folk... these folkers!

[tubster]

Prodipe TT1 pro. €30. The non pro with a switch seems more common. Has been positively reviewed on SOS

[ef37a]

Prodipe TT1 pro. €30. The non pro with a switch seems more common. Has been positively reviewed on SOS

Yes they are good I compared one to an SM57 a year or so ago, very similar (don't have a 58).

If cost is really an issue the Behringer XM8500 is remarkably good for half the money.

Dave.

[Wonks]

9 year old thread revival!

I can't find the TT1 for anything like €30 (unless you are excluding tax), and the official Prodipe web price is €39. I've just ordered one for a few pence under £33 on Amazon UK (a bit over €37). I'll report on how it compares to an SM58.

I've also ordered a more expensive Prodipe M-85 (which I expect will be a bit more SM58 like) so will test that out as well in a user review. That is (currently) on a par price-wise with the AKG D5, so it will need to be very good.

But the XM8500 is currently my cheap SM58-style mic to beat (as long as you don't mind cutting the bass and adding a bit of treble on the mixing desk).

[John Willett]

The SM58 is dirt cheap!

40 years ago it sold at about the same price as it does today.

The %age of salary it costs is negligable to what it was then.

If you bought an SM58 in 1980 and looked after it - it will still be working today - so good value - and especially good value today.

BUT - make sure it's a genuine one and not a fake!

[Wonks]

The Prodipe TT1 Pro (no switch) arrived today, and I must say I'm very impressed (as was my friend who with his far less-damaged hearing confirmed my thoughts) Good solid sound, strong output, low handling noise, no excessive sibilance and pretty plosive resistant. The supplied mic clip looks rather flimsy, but it's better than nothing and a sturdier replacement won't cost that much.

The TT1 is a bit different sounding to an SM58, but would certainly complement it in a stage mic collection. A definite thumbs up! The Behringer XM8500 isn't that far behind it, but behind it it is, even if not by much. Then again, it is under half the price of the TT1.

The Prodipe M-85 arrives tomorrow, so I'll let you know if it's worth the extra £16 I paid for it over the TT1.

[tubster]

Wonks - here’s a link for €30 - it’s local to me in sunny Chiclana.
https://www.multisononline.com/microfonos-voz

[Wonks]

Thanks for the link. €34 for the Pro version but still a good price.

Why do you pay more for a mic without a switch? Oh well.

[Wonks]

My TT1 Pro review is now in the user reviews section. https://www.soundonsound.com/forum/view ... 27&t=70742