Stubborn Singer, Bad Mic Technique

[Dwaine Meskimen]

Our rhythm guitarist/lead singer insists on positioning his SM58 almost touching his face, but 90 degrees off to the side of the mic. He's 85 years old (that's right, I said 85) and is not about to change now. The Shure has to be set very hot, so it often feeds back and picks up too much of the drummer at his rear. Can anyone recommend a better mic choice for him?

[Dave Burris]

Hmmm, my first thought, something that looks like an end addressed but is actually a side addressed mic.

[Live Sound Audio]

Can you record it both ways and let him listen to the difference? Or perhaps he won't care...?

[Tomm Williams]

Would he be willing to wear a headset like a Crown cm-311?

TW

[5454stevef]

Our rhythm guitarist/lead singer insists on positioning his SM58 almost touching his face, but 90 degrees off to the side of the mic. He's 85 years old (that's right, I said 85) and is not about to change now. The Shure has to be set very hot, so it often feeds back and picks up too much of the drummer at his rear. Can anyone recommend a better mic choice for him?

Wow, and I thought I was getting old.... hope you guys don't make him haul gear... : 0

Here are some off-the-cuff ideas, in no particular order of flakiness....

1. Modify a SM58 so the capsule faces the side instead of the front. Might not be that difficult, I can't say for sure how they're put together, or whether it would screw up the cardioid pattern.

2. Someone, I can't remember who, modifies SM57's so they have a right-angle end on them - these are mainly for snare drums so you can have the mic looking over the edge of the drum rather than pointed in at an angle. They have a right-angle "neck" between the body and capsule - you might even be able to get ahold of the "necK" and use it for a 58...

3. There's also a side-address dynamic made by Sennheiser, e906 I think, that appears to be designed for the old "hangin' by the cord" method of mic'ing amps. Might work. I don't know this mic specifically but I've always liked Sennheisers. More expensive than a '58 but you can't have everything, I guess.

SF

[jpleong]

2. Someone, I can't remember who, modifies SM57's so they have a right-angle end on them - these are mainly for snare drums so you can have the mic looking over the edge of the drum rather than pointed in at an angle. They have a right-angle "neck" between the body and capsule - you might even be able to get ahold of the "necK" and use it for a 58...

You mean this guy? http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/G5790/

3. There's also a side-address dynamic made by Sennheiser, e906 I think, that appears to be designed for the old "hangin' by the cord" method of mic'ing amps. Might work. I don't know this mic specifically but I've always liked Sennheisers. More expensive than a '58 but you can't have everything, I guess.

SF

Both the e906 and the e609 are side-address. Good suggestions, Steve!

JP

[rct]

Beta 27

rct

[5454stevef]

You mean this guy? http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/G5790/



Both the e906 and the e609 are side-address. Good suggestions, Steve!

JP

Thanks, jp. Yeah, that's the guy. I had forgotten the "neck" was so long.

Might look a little strange as a vox mic.
Sf

[Live Sound Audio]

I thought he meant the singer is not addressing the mic. If that's the case then a side address won't change anything as the SM58 was already oriented side address...??

[TimmyP1955]

Both the 609 and the 906 (which is much better) are modeled after the 409/509, one of which was used for vocals by Pink Floyd back in the day.

[Lmf]

Our rhythm guitarist/lead singer insists on positioning his SM58 almost touching his face, but 90 degrees off to the side of the mic. He's 85 years old (that's right, I said 85) and is not about to change now. The Shure has to be set very hot, so it often feeds back and picks up too much of the drummer at his rear. Can anyone recommend a better mic choice for him?

Does he wear headset to hear hear the mix? Maybe his hearing is so poor (he doesn't know it or won't admit it) and he has to put his mouth extremely close to the microphone to hear himself even when monitors are used? Maybe a POP Filter six or more inches away from the microphone might help to encourage him to stand back from the microphone? At his age, is he likely to do anything differently without having his feelings hurt? The latter would not be good, but losing other band members over this matter would not be good either.

Best wishes,

Lloyd