Mic recommendation for female singer

[Judge]

We are speccing kit for a little tour and looking for a particular mic for one of our singers who has a really soft voice. This is a theatre/circus act with small live band. Usually we just use whatever is around - SM58 lately, which are great all purpose mics of course but was wondering about deploying something more suited to her. Also it cannot be too specialised, really needs to be something that PA companies and decent theatres are going to have in their stock. I guess we could buy one if necessary.

What say you?

Cheers

[sam.spoons]

What are the problems you are experiencing with the SM58? Not enough gain before feedback, not suiting the singers voice etc?

[Judge]

Hi Sam. Both of the above. By the time we have added enough gain on the board its sounding a bit harsh, just seems her frequency range is not really cutting through. She does lack confidence as a singer, but she is an utterly brilliant performer.

[J Pearce]

I'm a fan of a SM57 or Beta57 on female vocals, it seems to work much better on softer airy voices than a 58. I'm also a fan of the Beta87, and most of the Sennheiser range for female vocals. The condenser based E865 or dynamic E945 should both give better results than a 58, or at the more budget end the dynamic E845 is also a marked improvement.

[TimmyP1955]

I'd say that if it's that important, you need to carry one. OM7, E935, or PL80A. Maybe a PR35 - some say it has good rejection, others say it's so-so. Or a CM311 might give the best rejection, though not the best quality.

 

Note that if she does not have her own monitor mix, this could cause troubles: Every model has it's own problem frequencies. By the time you ring out two different models, there may be nothing left.

 

I'd say she's a prime candidate for IEMs.

[Judge]

Thanks very much for your suggestions. Its probably worth mentioning that she does not stand in front of loud wedges for her performances, so thats not an issue as it might be with some singers. SM57 or Beta57 are going to be the most ubiquitous choices, but I really like Sennheiser kit so I think we'll ask for an E935 and a Shure and see which works out best for her. The EV PL80A sounds interesting though, although EV kit in general would not be my first choice. She does not have time get get IEMs in and out during the show so thats out.

[sam.spoons]

Thanks very much for your suggestions. Its probably worth mentioning that she does not stand in front of loud wedges for her performances, so thats not an issue as it might be with some singers. SM57 or Beta57 are going to be the most ubiquitous choices, but I really like Sennheiser kit so I think we'll ask for an E935 and a Shure and see which works out best for her. The EV PL80A sounds interesting though, although EV kit in general would not be my first choice. She does not have time get get IEMs in and out during the show so thats out.

 

I have SM58, Beta57, SEH1, and various other budget vocal mics (and use E840 and Beta58 at work). If it's a wired mic I'd start with a Beta58 or Beta57, as they are both Hyper-Cardioids they should have better gain before feedback than an SM58, then choose which sounds best. Of the two (and on my voice) I prefer the Beta57 on my system (QSC K12 tops) but the Beta58 on the work system (Crown iTech and EAW 750's). I actually use the SE-H1 if it's me singing (my rig) but it's probably not easily available on hire so maybe a Beta87 may be a good choice. Audix OM7 has the rep for being the best for feedback rejection if that's the main issue but you really need to try a few and see what sounds best for her on your system.

[paulears]

Beta 86 or 87 might work for her, as sam says - they're rather crisp, so work for some, but not others. I'd suggest finding somebody local who has a few mics you could try out. It's a very personal thing. Once you move away from the common Shures and Sennheisers, the differences are quite subtle really.

[sam.spoons]

If she has good mic technique a hypercardioid might solve the problem, better feedback rejection means you have a bit more leeway to eq for her voice.

 

If it's a tour, the cost of a decent vocal mic or two (£100-150 each) should be relatively insignificant in the greater scheme of things, and afterwards there's always ebay.

[Doug Siddons]

My first choice would be Beta 57 next would be Senn E840 but would have to hear her voice first to be really sure

[Electrolytic]

e935 or e945

 

 

buy one and tour with it.

[whisky-zulu]

I'm a fan of the Sennheiser e945 or e965 for vocals as a whole, but they are definitely worth their salt for female vocals.

[Bobbsy]

I'd say that if it's that important, you need to carry one. OM7, E935, or PL80A. Maybe a PR35 - some say it has good rejection, others say it's so-so. Or a CM311 might give the best rejection, though not the best quality.

 

Note that if she does not have her own monitor mix, this could cause troubles: Every model has it's own problem frequencies. By the time you ring out two different models, there may be nothing left.

 

I'd say she's a prime candidate for IEMs.

 

I'd second a vote for Audix but the OM7 is exactly the wrong mic in their range for your purposes...it's deliberately a low sensitivity, very directional mic for use where the stage wash is high and the singer is screaming. It's my go to mic for drummers etc., not for soft-voiced female singers.

 

Instead, I'd have a look at the OM5 or OM6. Both are sort of "modern SM58s"...i.e. similar applications but with a bit more sensitivity and a much smoother, more natural sound. It can sound really nice (kinda silky) on a female voice. Anyhow, highly recommended.

 

And, yes, in a situation like this you really should carry your own mic even if you plug into another system.

[Bobbsy]

Hi Sam. Both of the above. By the time we have added enough gain on the board its sounding a bit harsh, just seems her frequency range is not really cutting through. She does lack confidence as a singer, but she is an utterly brilliant performer.

 

A better mic is certainly a good idea but how much control do you have of the rest of the set up?

 

If the band is going through the same PA, a bit of EQ (only 3 or 4 dB) in the upper mids can really help a voice in the fight with the band.

 

If not through the PA, you should at least make a vain attempt to ask the band to play a bit more quietly.

 

Yeah, I know, I know...

[fincaman]

I do the sound for an amateur group, my biggest problem has always been timid but often quite good singers who can't find what I've always called "the other voice" that is the strong voice that top singers use on stage as opposed to singing to themselves when practising. I have done lots of experimentation and have always come back to the Shure Beta 57A which I find when used with a graphic EQ has great level vs feedback performance, a good sound and is not expensive.