Elvis (SH55) Mic's

[Josh 2]

Could anyone tell me what the Shure SH55 (Elvis) perform like and are they worth carrying and for any specific use?

 

The open sided grill seems to suggest they might not be very directional and subject to picking up surround sound and feedback issues... is this so?

 

Thanks.

PS: are they condenser and need phantom power?

[Shez]

If memory serves, they just have a 58 capsule in them. Hence they don't sound too dissimilar to an SM58 and they don't need phantom. I've only used one once; I don't recall any issues of directionality though.

[aidso]

These do indeed have a SM58 capsule in them. But due to the different case around it they have a different polarity patteren. They basicly have very little pickup at the back. This allows the singer to place their hand around the back with less chance of feedback from blocking any airvents. Very good mic all in all.

[nb705]

Could anyone tell me what the Shure SH55 (Elvis) perform like and are they worth carrying and for any specific use?

 

The open sided grill seems to suggest they might not be very directional and subject to picking up surround sound and feedback issues... is this so?

 

Thanks.

PS: are they condenser and need phantom power?

 

 

Personally, I think they sound horrid, it's tricky getting enough GBF compared to a real microphone, and should only be used for cosmetic uses. However I have heard tell that people have put better capsules in them which improves the performance somewhat.

[DangerMouse]

Hi,

 

I have the Shure 55SH2, and I find it has a lovely warm tone, with the sound quality only slightly diminshed over the SM58. From what I remember the SH552 doesn't have the same capsule as the SM58.

 

I wouldn't worry too much about the directionality of them....the open grills on the side seem to be cosmetic and the pick up pattern won't cause you any extra bother over say the SM58.

 

Also, it is a dynamic mic and won't require phantom power.

 

All in all a great mic if you want this particular look, (and it is a very good looking mic). Though I wouldn't pick it over an SM58 if the look wasn't the key factor. It also means that the performer is tied to the mic stand, but that's just something to consider when you're weighing stuff up.

 

Hope that helps,

[jamesperrett]

The open sided grill seems to suggest they might not be very directional and subject to picking up surround sound and feedback issues... is this so?

 

Grilles at the side and rear actually have the opposite effect - they often mean that the mic is more directional. Mics with no grilles to the side and rear will actually pick up sound better from all around them.

 

Cheers

 

James.

[Josh 2]

Thank you very much Guy's for the input and opinions.

 

Seems like this is a bit of a marmite mic, but I've got the hankering to try one... guess it's the only way to learn.

 

I seem to remember some past performer (might even have been Elvis!) used to swing one of these around on the end of the cable... would wanna be in the firing line if the connector let go!

 

Thanks again.

[Jivemaster]

Get a real one from a real dealer! Shure are often available pirated and these may not represent the sound of a good shure mic, also several vendors will sell you a "50s look mic" that looks OK but is again NOT a Shure type 55

 

I used one for a while, some artists liked the look others hated being tied to a stand mic, sometimes one artist did both.

[dan slv-tech]

Im currently in pre production on an "elvis life story" and we were at the stage of speccing kit etc. trying to keep things as "old tech" as possible to recreate the old sound- The band and the "elvis" are second to none, and even though we have all this fancy nice sounding kit, were trying to use as much "old" style kit thats available both for cosmetics and for sound-

The elvis is actually a very well known "elvis", has gone to gracelands, and infact is friends with the presley family, and he likes the sound of the 55!

Having only had a couple of sound rehersals, I actually like it based on the "crapness" of the sound, its quite easy to work with, though will be interesting to see how it works when we go to our local theatre on a dummy run- I have a feeling things may not be so plain sailing but ill keep you posted.

Interestingly when singing the mic sounds as you imagine elvis would sound. Try talking through it and it sounds awful, then again if indeed it is a 58 capsule in there that explains it.

 

Dan