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Vocal microphones
Geoff Doane:
--- Quote from: Helge A Bentsen on December 23, 2022, 12:45:36 PM ---Might be a silly question, but from time to time people request Shure SM57 with windscreen for vocals.
Sounds like it works all right when I provide it as per request, is there a reason why they don't get used more for vocals?
--- End quote ---
After trying a whole lot of other things in the 1980s*, SM57s with the Shure A2WS foam windscreens is what I settled on for my primary kit. They seemed to work OK, and vocalists who liked to grab the mic off the stand while singing appreciated that they didn't knock themselves in the teeth. The chief disadvantage seems to be that it was impossible to remove lipstick from the foam. One singer liked a particularly vivid shade of purple. There was never any doubt which mic in the kit was hers.
GTD
* Believe it or not, SM58s were not always the bargain they are today, at least not in Canada. I have a catalog here from 1981 that gives a list price of $290 for ONE. Comparable E-V or AKG mics were well under $200 at the time, so I went through a number of them before the SM57s. Eventually the importer (AC Simmonds) lost the line, and prices became more sane. I think I recall reading a few years ago about the principals of AC Simmonds being convicted of fraud in an unrelated matter. https://www.efootage.com/videos/97701/john-simmonds-fraud-scheme
Dave Pluke:
--- Quote from: Helge A Bentsen on December 23, 2022, 12:45:36 PM ---Might be a silly question, but from time to time people request Shure SM57 with windscreen for vocals.
Sounds like it works all right when I provide it as per request, is there a reason why they don't get used more for vocals?
--- End quote ---
When I was performing, my vocal mic for a decade or so was a Unidyne III / SM57 with A2WS windscreen. I was able to leverage more proximity effect when needed and didn't chip my teeth like I did on SM58's.
True, the foam windscreens get funky and they deteriorate in storage. Today's protocols would dictate swapping out the windscreens for each user, which adds up at $15 a piece.
Dave
Mike Monte:
--- Quote from: Dave Pluke on December 23, 2022, 11:27:41 PM --- Today's protocols would dictate swapping out the windscreens for each user, which adds up at $15 a piece.
Dave
--- End quote ---
When Covid became a reality I purchased 15 black foam windscreens.
I contacted my local elementary school's nurse and asked her what I needed to do to clean them.
Her answer: wash them in very warm water with anti-bacterial soap, rinse, and hang dry.
After drying I package them individually in plastic fold-to-close sandwich bags.
I take a bag of them to every gig and make them available to singers that want them.
I have found that most gal vocalists (that don't bring their own mic) will ask for one. The guys, not so much.
I wash and reuse as needed.
Dave Pluke:
--- Quote from: Mike Monte on December 24, 2022, 08:15:32 AM ---
Her answer: wash them in very warm water with anti-bacterial soap, rinse, and hang dry.
After drying I package them individually in plastic fold-to-close sandwich bags.
--- End quote ---
Good plan!
Dave
Kelly Mcguire:
--- Quote from: john lutz on November 19, 2018, 05:06:25 PM ---Lewitt AMS-MTP-550-DM
Give this guy a try, I think it will surprise you. Not just for the price - it is remarkably clear, smooth, and transparent. Great GBF and low handeling noise too.
--- End quote ---
I’ve been using one for about two years now. I really like this mic. Used to be fond of my old red stripe ATM 41a dynamic
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