Listening Laser

Which microphone is the best choice or you? A Shure? AKG? Some sort of wireless system? There are lots to choose from and I’m going to tell how I choose.

It wasn’t too long ago that I joined a band and found myself acting as a singer only. For years I had been singing but from behind the security of my Gibson Les Paul, so to take on the role of “Front Man” was a new deal for me. I thought to myself that if I’m going to do it properly, I had better buy myself a new wireless microphone system. I’ve always believed a front man should move around a lot on stage and who wants to be tripping on a cord?

I’ve had all kinds of microphones over the years and for the greater part they’re all good. BUT… They’re not all the same and that is something you should keep in the back of your mind when you’re out shopping for a mic.

It is generally accepted that the Shure SM58 is the hottest, most popular microphone being used in clubs today. Actually they’ve been around for years and for some reason seem to be cheaper to own now than they ever have been. They are a good mic. Their sound is crisp and clean and they sure seem to be able to take a beating. If you’re out at your local music store looking to buy then you can bet at least one salesperson is going to say “buy an SM58″.

I loved my SM58 but it eventually got stolen so I had to replace it. I ended up at my local music store and they didn’t have one but they did have an AKG D880. I tried it out and liked it right there on the spot so I bought it. It was a slightly hotter version of the SM58 but it required a little bit more EQ on the low end. All the same I’ve had several soundmen over the years comment on it being a good sounding microphone.

Unfortunately this mic was not wireless so I had to shop around for a while to find the right one. Naturally there was a favorite mic in the wireless field to and it was the Shure Beta 58. I was already familiar with the difference in sound quality between the SM58 and the Beta 58 and knew it would sound good as a wireless too but I wanted to shop around. I tried an Audio Technica but found it didn’t have enough channel variations for my liking. On the plus side though, the on/off switch was on the very end of the mic so it couldn’t easily be switched off by accident. I ended up having to choose between the Shure Beta 58 and an EV wireless microphone, the RE510. I ended up choosing the EV after doing some side by side comparisons of the two mics right there in the store and this is exactly what you need to do when you’re trying to find the right microphone for yourself.

Don’t just simply rely on the opinions of friends and store workers to say that the SM58 is the best mic going. It certainly is a contender but you should really try it out first. Not only that but you should compare it, noting how much EQ is necessary. Maybe it sounds muddy when you sing low bassy stuff. Maybe it sounds thin on the high notes. Just because it’s a good one doesn’t mean automatically that it’s the right choice for you. Shop around. Even when speaking you have a different voice than your friends or the store owner so recognize that you may require something a little different. Even consider a tube mic.

Most manufacturers offer competitive microphones that are competitively priced so don’t be afraid to shop around. I’m glad I did. My EV wireless mic is one of the best sounding mics I’ve ever used and I was lucky that it was a little cheaper than the Shure. However, like I said above, that doesn’t mean it’ll be the right microphone for you either. But go try a whole bunch out. It won’t take you long to see that one brand may work better for you than another brand does. And the bottom line is this… If you don’t have good gear, you won’t sound good. Good gear goes a long way towards giving your performance a little something “extra” that you can’t quite put your finger on. Certainly a mic that offers superior clarity throughout your entire range will do the same for you.

Ian Kurz is a singer/guitarist and the owner of the website http://www.discoveryoucansing.com and has been performing for many years. You can visit his site and learn more about which microphone may be the best choice for you.

Source: EzineArticles.com

Whether you are a musician or not and you own a microphone, it is necessary that you take care of it to ensure that it’ll last long and still function perfectly. Maintaining the cleanliness of your microphone is the key to an optimum sound. If your microphone is neglected and dirt accumulates, you will not get the optimum performance of your microphone.

Microphones are subjected to moisture. This moisture can cause buildup of bacteria and airborne particles which can clog your microphone. The screens of your microphone can catch saliva as well as cigarette smoke. When your microphone is continually exposed to a lot of saliva, it can cause your microphone screen to rust.

Depending on the type of microphone you own, the proper technique of cleaning the microphone varies. Usually, most models of microphones have removable screens which can be unscrewed from the top of the device. There are some microphones that contain a foam screen which can also be removed. These two can be cleaned together in order to remove the dirt that has accumulated. However, keep in mind that you need to detach the screen from your microphone first before washing it.

Once you have detached the screen, you can wash it with warm water and a small amount of dish detergent. You can gently brush the screen so that the particles that are stuck in the screen will be removed. Afterward, you can rinse it thoroughly until the detergent is removed. Remember to keep it dry before you will put it back on the microphone. If it is not dried properly, it can cause permanent damage to the internal parts of your microphone.

If in case your microphone’s grille or screen can’t be removed, you can still clean it but you need to be very extra careful. You can use a soft, dry brush to remove the particles that are stuck on the grille and the screen. Once you have removed the loose particles on the grilles of your microphone, you can hold it upside down and carefully scrub the grille and screen using a soft, slightly moistened brush. Remember not to let the microphone components become soaked and once you have finished cleaning it, maintain it in the upside down position until the microphone is completely dry.

Maintaining a clean microphone will make it last longer while providing optimum performance. Aside from cleaning it regularly, you can also take good care of it by not dropping it or allowing it to hit hard surfaces. Avoid storing your microphone in a place where there is moisture because it can cause damage to the internal parts of your microphone.

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Source: EzineArticles.com