Which mic should I get?

Thanks for the insightful reply! I wasn't expecting the Blue to be the least natural 'cos I saw a video a while ago that compared it to Shure SM58 and Audix OM2 and it sounded more natural than the Audix and almost the same as the 58. Haha, I like the Heil, it's clear, natural and accurate but I've not used it in performances yet; just rehearsals and jam sessions. I've got a full band so I think we both are in similar situations. Yea, the swap sounds like a great idea but I only have the Heil and a SM58 so there's only one mike to swap with your arsenal, haha. I'm also eyeing Heil's PR 35 and their wireless capsules.
 
well I thought so too but i guess recordings and hearing live gives u different feedback.

ah yes the PR 35 heard of those... and the capsules make a lot of sense when at places with only wireless shures available.
 
Exactly, and some of them can be pretty beat up. I think beyerdynamic launched a wireless capsule too but it's an condenser if I'm not wrong. Any experience with condensers live? Interestingly, I read somewhere that Metallica used Audio Technica condenser mikes for vocals in one of their shows. That;s pretty unexpected to me.

The new wireless system from Line 6 looks interesting too - runs on the frequency of 2.4Ghz and has "mic modelling" technology.

The PR 35 is definitely interesting, heard so much good stuff about it but some have also complained about its low-end; seems that they felt it was too boomy and its on-board hi-pass switches are too drastic. Still, a bit of EQ from the main board should do the trick. The odd thing is it seems the adopters of Heil microphones are usually quieter set-ups - acoustic, solo, softer bands etc and they almost always have IEMs so that doesn't really show if the Heils can take loud stage volume.
 
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well for wireless mics we use the beta 87a condensers.. works well. but never really explored the wireless market. am wondering how capsules would work.

So in theory, if i place a heil capsule on the shure body it should sound exactly like a heil mic.
 
Any experience with condensers live? Interestingly, I read somewhere that Metallica used Audio Technica condenser mikes for vocals in one of their shows. That;s pretty unexpected to me.
The notion that condensers are unsuitable live is an oft-misguided myth. You'll find that professionals frequently use condensers in concert/broadcast situations. It's all about proper mic positioning, correct gain structure and common sense (on part of the band) to not blast amps/monitors. For example, my drums are miked with almost 95% condensers (whether live or in the studio). Same goes for loud 4x12 guitar cabinets. I would not hesitate in using hand held condensers for vocal duties.

Metallica (as you mentioned) are one of Audio-Technica endorsees. Some other notable AT endorsees include Linkin Park, Evanescance, Good Charlotte and mony more. All these bands are known for their great live sound. You will not find any Shure of AKGs on stage.

The new wireless system from Line 6 looks interesting too - runs on the frequency of 2.4Ghz and has "mic modelling" technology.

Mic modelling technology is frowned upon by professionals. The idea that you can make a SM58 sound like a high-end condenser is ridiculous. If I want to "model" a mic, I can get the similar results using EQ. Choosing a microphone has always been an application specific matter. I'd rather pick the best sounding mic for let's say, the particular vocalist, not rely on a "chameleon" mic that only gets me halfway there.
 
heya!

yeah i've no qualms about using either. If they're good, they're good.
Just thought I'd try something different.. and a lil more affordable haha. and maybe cos dynamics won't be so sensitive so it'll hide problems abit better!

what recommendations would you have for live mics, 2105?

wonder where I can test out some heil mics..
 
i'm beginning to like them too, down to their profile even. Nice and comfy to work with.
I did like the 5400 but didn't hear enough over the 6100 to warranty paying so much more.

I've heard VERY good stuff about the AT825 stereo mic as well.. shall try that one day.

Any experience with the heil PR 35?

Anyway 20% off mics here:
https://www.rmcaudiodirect.com/Articles.asp?ID=150
 
Hey studio2105, thanks for the insights.

I'm not sure if the mic-modelling technology Line 6 has adopted is the same as what you described. It basically allows the user to switch between models of popular microphones like Shure SM 58, Beta 58, Sennheiser etc. on the wireless transmitter without changing the capsule. I'm not sure how that can be done but I guess it's a digital technology, perhaps similar to how keyboards can switch between the tones of different instruments.

The main thing about the wireless system from Line 6 that caught my attention is its usage of 2.4Ghz of frequency. Does that mean it'll have a smaller potential of getting interference and ultimately have a better and clearer signal?

I agree with you, though, that a single microphone best for a particular singer or application is better than having a "chameleon" microphone. That's the reason sound engineers usually have a cabinet of microphones, I guess.

slowth, the wireless microphone capsule is suppose to sound like its wired brother but I've not used it so I don't know how true that is. And let's do an exchange soon, let me get my band together. I've seen Heil microphones at Hung Bros @ Sim Lim but I got mine slightly cheaper from the Internet.

Audio Technica has been on my radar for a while but I think other brands like Sennheiser, Audix, EV and AKG do have their share of endorsees, even Heil does. It really boils down to preferences. A while ago I wanted to (but never got to do it) try AT's budget range of microphones to see if you really get what you paid for, haha. I was looking at the Midnight Blues series, any experience with those? They have four models - Mk1 which is the "introductory" model, Mk2 is mainly for instruments, Mk3 which is the "standout" model and Mk4 which is the hand-held condenser.
 
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mmm i'm gonna try the Heils tomorrow... but they are expensive though... So i'd have to reconsider price-wise.

looking more at dynamics at this time... also read very good stuff about the Rode M1 and the Telefunken M80.
 
How do you get your hands on the microphones? It seems that you can get pretty much whatever you want to try! hahaha. Yea, the Rode M1 and Telefunken M80 have gotten pretty good reviews but they cost about the same as the Heil PR 35, if I'm not wrong. That makes them more expensive than the Heil PR 22, which is what I have. Which Heil are you going to try? They are all dynamic, Heil doesn't believe in condensers, haha. But of course there are guys out there who'll take him on regarding that.
 
the Heil i'll try at Hung Bros tomorrow.

My friend represents AT pro-audio so i tried the AE series..

Blue and EV I bought.

Rode M1 is cheap.. 99 USD. M80 yeah expensive. Heard much good things about M1, may just buy that to try if i can't find a demo here.. don't like it just sell it.
 
Rode M1 for USD$99? Didn't know it was that cheap. How are the Heil microphones? And I realised we've kind of hijacked this thread, haha.
 
so I went to Hung yesterday...

tried the PR22 and 35.. unfortunately they don't have a proper audition area I could only test it through headphones and some sorta Mic preamp.

sadly disappointed by the 22. there was little body to it and it didn't lend itself well to my voice. A bit too much edge for my liking.
The PR 35 thought.. woah.. that is some mic with alot of "meat". Much smoother with a very balanced sound. It's also HUGE and not very pretty looking and it's close to 400 SGD. online merchants are much cheaper if you're looking for one PRR.

So of course I've to compare with my own mics right so that's what I did. The Blue was kinda between the 35 and the 22... there's some meat and some edge.. a nice balance, pretty warm sounding.
The EV767a sounds closest to the PR35. And I think the reason is that both have HUGE diaphragms. We're talking 1.5" on either mics. The EV was just slightly less thick and abit more on the higher frequencies.

So though I was quite impressed with the PR35.. couldn't justify paying close to 300 more for it compared to my EV.

And I used the EV today when I was singing in church again. Man it's nice... really cuts through very nicely.

Looks like it's the EV and the AE6100 for me.. and just possibly the Rode M1 JUST to see how well it actually sounds.
 
If there is a character different, it is good to get it. Cos, some record engineer will rather change mic to suit the music of the recording rather than to do more EQing in latter stage.
 
Hey, slowth, each voice is different, I guess. The thing is I may have the same reaction as you've had to the PR 22 if I record with it. So far, it has worked well in rehearsal studios but that's of course not entirely accurate.

Yea, all the reviews I've seen for PR 35 said it's a BIG DOG, and yep, if I do get it, I'll definitely get it online. I didn't know the EV 767 has a 1.5" diaphragm too, saw it at Luther the other day but forgot the price. It should be less expensive than the 35, I reckon. Maybe the 35 cost that much partly because it's made in USA.

kongwee, I agree with you, I feel it's best to start off right than to try fixing things afterwards.
 
yup i agree... why bother to fix something if the simplest thing to do is try a whole bunch of mics.

oh I didn't know they had the EV at luther.. well i got mine duper cheap anyway so I'm not complaining.

One thing I must say though, the workmanship on the Heil surprisingly didn't look all that great to be honest. When I opened up the grill to take a look, didn't look as cleanly assembled/soldered compared to my EV which I think is also made in the US?
The AE6100 which is handmade in Japan was also very "clean" upon inspection.

the EV has a shockmount within the capsule which took away quite alot of the handling noise. more so than the Heils.
 
Hey, slowth, those are great points; I usually won't look inside the microphone since I'm not sure what to look for. I think I should try the EV 767 and the AE6100 and even other AT microphones. AT seems like a really good microphone maker.
 
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