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[Will Drury]

Hello,
Even after reading the Shure web site I am still not sure which of these two versions best meets my needs.  Here is a little info about how I would use them:
Live applications only, no recording
mostly male lead vocals
monitor wedges, not in ear
smaller stages (ie slightly crowded for full band)

Any input you have as to which one would be best suited for my application is appreciated.  Feel free to ask more questions if I haven't provided enough information.

Thanks

[Bill Staley]

For wedges get the 87a.  For in ears get the 87c.  My singer has used both and bought the 87c because it was better with his in ears.

[Dave Barnett]

Bill Staley wrote on Mon, 26 March 2007 20:56

For wedges get the 87a.  For in ears get the 87c.  My singer has used both and bought the 87c because it was better with his in ears.

Gee, I like the C better for wedges too, less extreme high frequency "wispies" to control.

[Dave Dermont]

In general terms, the advice Bill Staley gives is correct. This does not mean the seemingly contradictory advice Dave Barnett gives is incorrect.

That's the way it is with vocal/mic/wedge combinations. The parameters of each variable can be pretty wide. Performance will vary with each situation.

I find the B87 to be kind of "hit or miss" with male vocals. Sometimes stellar, sometimes, um... "Less than stellar".

Good results seem to be much more consistent when used for female vocals.

...but that's just me

[Will Drury]

Thanks for the responses.

Dave, if you find the beta 87 to be hit or miss with male vocals, do you have a recommendation for my needs?  I will be doing some contract sound so I need something that will be accepted by the artist.  Thanks for the quick input guys...

[Jason Dermer]

If you are contracting sound, I would start with 58s if you do not have them already, as they are the most commonly requested mic on riders (at all levels) and very rarely the "wrong" choice. If an act is specifically asking for an 87, they will likely request either the A or C, the one requested being the one that you do not have
You could always subrent the 87s or another mic from a bigger shop if they are really needed and pass the cost on to the promoter/band/whoever. I would also look into the rest of my system before spending $250.00 or so each on vocal mics. Would you be better served spending the money on a decent 2 or 4 channel comp? Do you have good backline mics/DIs? Is your mixer up to par? Do you have a good multipinned I/O for faster more efficient setup and teardown, so on and so forth?

Myself, I own 4 87A's and 4 87C's. They come out only:
when specifically requested
when I have the time to try both and/or another mic to see what works

To throw another possible solution out there, if you are not specifically trying to meet riders but want to offer a vocal condensor, try the Audix VX5. It runs about the same price as the 87, does not have the 8k-10k harshness that I find the 87 has on many vocals, and has a tighter pattern than either 87 so it picks up less stage wash.

Last possibilty, and probably the best, is demoing/ renting each of the candidates to see what works for you.

Good luck.

[christian yrizarry]

Hey thanks in advance for your time.  I have no idea how this forum works I just signed up after seeing your answer to another guy about the Beta 87A versus C... I was wondering if you had any advice on what mic might work good for someone like me.  I'm a singer in a five piece band.  I usually use a Beta 58 or recently have been using an AKG 880.  Although the latter mic is talked down upon by a lot of my colleagues I've found it to suit my needs better because I like the "balls" it has.  More lows in my opinion... I'd like to step up on a vocal mic for myself though, any recommendations besides the Beta 87?  And if so which is better A or C?  I play reggae... Lots of bass and drum Vocals must cut through though....  thanks again

[Michael 'Bink' Knowles]

Keep using your 880. Don't worry about what others think... the only that matters is how it sounds with your voice.

-Bink

[Dan Brown]

Will Drury wrote on Mon, 26 March 2007 20:12

Hello, Even after reading the Shure web site I am still not sure which of these two versions best meets my needs.  Here is a little info about how I would use them: Live applications only, no recording mostly male lead vocals monitor wedges, not in ear smaller stages (ie slightly crowded for full band) Any input you have as to which one would be best suited for my application is appreciated.  Feel free to ask more questions if I haven't provided enough information. Thanks

For small stages I would use a SM58.
If I had to use a 87 I would choose the 87c for wedges.

I have wired 87c mostly and 2 87a wired
I have all 87a wireless.

I would rather have the 87a for people that hold the mic farther away.

As I said earlier if the stage is small definately go with a SM58
or stick with the AKG880 you already have

sincerely,
db

[Christopher Simons]

Quote:

For small stages I would use a SM58.

sorry if this is a stupid question, but wouldn't a Beta 58 be a bit better with a smaller stage?

i'm actually wondering about them...cause we have a few SM58's but we're looking to buy a few more mics and we have a fairly small stage.  also, we make sure that everyone that sings keeps the mic up fairly close to their mouths.

so....Beta 58??

thanks..
Chris