Members ptkbass Posted August 10, 2014 Members Share Posted August 10, 2014 Ladies and Gentlemen; Good month for gigs, so I've some money to fix my weakest link. Solo act; guitar and male vocals. Songs by Steely Dan, Springsteen, Supertramp, etc. I don't sing as High as Donald Fagen, most those tunes are down a minor third. Current mic is the cheaper Carvin unit (Carvin M-50), an SM58 look-alike type mic. The replacement will be cardiod, not super or hyper cardiod--I'm looking at charts, audience, guitar neck, etc. and can't/won't be able to keep my head still enough for super or hyper mic's. Feedback is never a problem anyway, as stage volume is not that high. I had a Shure headset WH-30 (a condenser mic) that I liked a lot until it crapped out; I liked the definition and articulation a whole lot, but want to nix the headset thing because I've become more adept at working the mic and more confident with my material. I've got it whittled down to the Senn e935 and the Shure SM86. Common advice is of course to use both and see which works best for me. That's not going to happen 'cause they aren't available where I live; That, and I never really know what I think about any piece of gear until I've owned and used it for a couple months. I figure either of these will be a major upgrade; no wrong choice between them. So I'm looking for a tipping point from the pro's. What's your thoughts on these two? Peace Paul K Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Axisplayer Posted August 10, 2014 Members Share Posted August 10, 2014 Not a Sennheiser fan. I owned quite a few SM86. Wonderful mic...YMMV. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Don Davis Posted August 11, 2014 Members Share Posted August 11, 2014 Not a Sennheiser fan. I owned quite a few SM86. Wonderful mic...YMMV. I'm slowly adding more and more 86's to my kit. Really like that mic. But like all mics, they don't work for all voices. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Axisplayer Posted August 12, 2014 Members Share Posted August 12, 2014 As I said...YMMV (your mileage may vary) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CMS Author Craig Vecchione Posted August 12, 2014 CMS Author Share Posted August 12, 2014 When it's this close of a decision, I expand the criteria to service...who has a better warranty, who offers better service, who's gear is available locally?....etc. etc. I know from experience that Shure's flat rate repair program is a good deal. Not sure what Sennheiser offers in this regard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members dedmeet Posted August 12, 2014 Members Share Posted August 12, 2014 Have not used the SM86, but the e935 is my personal mic of choice when I am singing (baritone-bass male). It and the e945 are some of my favorite vocal mics. Where are you located, OP? One of us may be close enough to let you try one of these mics. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Scodiddly Posted August 12, 2014 Members Share Posted August 12, 2014 When it's this close of a decision' date=' I expand the criteria to service...who has a better warranty, who offers better service, who's gear is available locally?....etc. etc. I know from experience that Shure's flat rate repair program is a good deal. Not sure what Sennheiser offers in this regard.[/quote'] Sennheiser has a reasonably good service program these days, but turnaround time and prices are still usually both higher than with Shure. But if you live in Europe the turnaround time might be a lot better, I dunno. We're a Shure dealer and usually get everything back within two weeks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members ptkbass Posted August 12, 2014 Author Members Share Posted August 12, 2014 I went with the SM86. Will check in after I've used it for awhile. Thanks, all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Don Davis Posted August 13, 2014 Members Share Posted August 13, 2014 As I said...YMMV (your mileage may vary) Sorry Axis, this was not pointed at you, I should have addressed it to the OP. Forgive my lack of forum decorum. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Axisplayer Posted August 13, 2014 Members Share Posted August 13, 2014 No offense taken. I knew you were talking to the OP, just pointing out I already agreed with that sentiment. ;-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members ptkbass Posted August 19, 2014 Author Members Share Posted August 19, 2014 SM86 arrived yesterday. I like it so far. It was real easy to record with, easier than my MXL V63M. I just set levels, and go. Looking forward to the next live solo gig, but that'll be next month. One take after setting levels: https://soundcloud.com/paul-kempkes/rosalita-8-18-14 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Axisplayer Posted August 20, 2014 Members Share Posted August 20, 2014 Nice. Glad you like it. Don't tell folks…the price will go up. ;-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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