Live Sound Microphones for Vocals and Instrument

[Elbutcho]

I'm looking to purchase some mics for my sound system for my band rehersal room. I'm guessing the Shure SM58 would do for both vocal and instruments but because I'm on a low budget I was wodering if some of the Behringer XM1800S would work, they are 1/2 the cost.

Just looking for the best bang for the buck.

Thanks!

[nightflameauto]

I'm a cheap bastard when it comes to most any gear, but I spring for quality when it comes to working mics because, frankly, they aren't that expensive until you get into studio level stuff. If you wanna save money, buy new for vocal mics, buy used for instrument mics. You can't hardly kill a 57.

[Dickarms]

bad news: sm58 and sm57 are the minimum in the vocal/instrument mic world. you are cheating yourself by getting anything less. its the one thing you really cant skimp on. that and guitar pickups.

good news: they may be the minimums, but they are also outstanding and you don't NEED to get anything else, really.

[overdrivenel34s]

I would stay away from behringer mics for live sound. The only budget mics I have used that were half decent were GLS. They make knockoffs of the sm 57 and 58. They are not true replicas though. I think the handling is more sensitive i recall and response frequency wise is a little different as well. Their cables are pretty good as i have some old cables from them that work as new while i have a monster cable i got around the same time that was more expensive that picks of noise (probably needs soldering on one of the connections).

I would recommend getting fewer but better mics to start with and or maybe going used. As long as they are in good condition, you can clean or even replace the windscreens and they'll be as good as new.

As for vocal mics i have several including rode m1 which i had been using for a long time. I had recently gotten a
Audio Technica ATM510 for 79 (new) and its a nice mic too but haven't had and used it long enough to fully evaluate and compare.

I have used my shure sm57 as a vocal mic before sometimes with windscreen added on top. Works great as instrument mic. Also audix i5 i have used before as vocal mic which is not the greatest but works ok especially for backing vocals. Works great as intrument mic but does have a little brighter response and little less mids compared to the sm57.

Also have a Akg D5 which wasn't too expensive (less then the sm 57 i recall) and sounds pretty good but does have super cardoid pattern that is tighter which can be good or bad. You really have to be right on the mic more so then the other mics and when playing guitar and singing to me i prefer cardoid mics which are a little more forgiving in that regard.