Which Mic is best ?

Jerry Bull · Post by **Jerry Bull** » 1 Mar 2010 10:04 pm

I'm needing to mic my NV112's. Which kind is a really good quality for that? I don't want to break the bank, but I'd like to get something that's suitable for live and recording. Thanks in advance for everyones feedback ! - Jerry

Gary Jones · Post by **Gary Jones** » 1 Mar 2010 10:28 pm

My favorite is still A Shure SM-57($99 from Musician's Friend).
I thought that the NV112s had an XLR direct out. Wouldn't using that be better than using a mic?

Gary Jones

With a sufficient amount of thrust, pigs fly just fine.

Eric West · Post by **Eric West** » 1 Mar 2010 10:32 pm

Sennheiser 609. Made to hang over the amp.

EJL

Bob Hoffnar · Post by **Bob Hoffnar** » 2 Mar 2010 2:09 am

I am a fan of the Sennheiser e609 also. For around a $100 they come in very handy, sound fine and are sturdy. No need for a mic stand.

Jerry Bull · Post by **Jerry Bull** » 2 Mar 2010 5:50 am

There is a model right above the e609, is it worth the extra few bucks?

Greg Cutshaw · Post by **Greg Cutshaw** » 2 Mar 2010 5:57 am

I use the Sennheiser e609 and the Shure SM-57. Both are excellent but the Shure picks up a little less noise off axis, like pedal clatter and other mechanical noises. If you record other instruments you may find the Shure a bit more versatile as well. It can take really loud sounds without overloading.

Greg

Pit Lenz · Post by **Pit Lenz** » 2 Mar 2010 6:33 am

The form factor of the sennheiser x09 mics is great: no mic stand,sturdy and lightweight to carry.
But if you have the chance, check out the older 409 or 509 (Sennheiser changed the capsule design at the later updates).
They sound a lot clearer and less muddy but still warmer than a 57. When you hang a mic right in front of the speaker grille, the proximity factor boosts the low end pretty much, and the older versions compensate that very elegantly.
If I use a 609, I attach a folded up mic clip to create a little distance to the grille to get around this effect.
If you want to buy new,I recommend to spend the extra few bucks and get a 906 instead of the 609.
This one has a switch to change the frequency response to match different situations.

pit

Olli Haavisto · Post by **Olli Haavisto** » 2 Mar 2010 10:17 am

I agree with Pit. If you can find one, get the old 409. The Beach Boys even wrote a song about it...

Chris Dorch · Post by **Chris Dorch** » 2 Mar 2010 11:40 am

SM-57

Roger Francis · Post by **Roger Francis** » 2 Mar 2010 12:41 pm

Ditto on the sennheiser!!

Ron Bryson · Post by **Ron Bryson** » 2 Mar 2010 5:01 pm

Audix i5

Wayne Franco · Post by **Wayne Franco** » 2 Mar 2010 11:53 pm

Sennheiser e609 is a great mike that doesn't break the bank.

Henry Matthews · Post by **Henry Matthews** » 3 Mar 2010 2:22 pm

If you are wanting to record or play live, save your money on a mike and plug straight into XLR jack on back of amp. I get a better sound into a recording board or a live mixer with the line out than I do a mike. JMHO

Jerry Bull · Post by **Jerry Bull** » 3 Mar 2010 2:30 pm

I haven't had any luck using the XLR jack. I alway get real thin sound that I can't get rid of.

Gianni Gori · Post by **Gianni Gori** » 3 Mar 2010 3:03 pm

Sennheiser e906 or Shure SM57.
Sometimes an old Sennheiser MD421 too, the light grey one...

Brad Sarno · Post by **Brad Sarno** » 3 Mar 2010 4:52 pm

I mostly agree.

The new Sennheiser 906 and the classic Sennheiser 421 are great mic's for steel.

The Sennheiser 609 is ok but not as nice as the 906. The 906 is more like the original 409 which is the best of that bunch.

Brad

Jeff Valentine · Post by **Jeff Valentine** » 3 Mar 2010 9:28 pm

Sennheiser 421. I got to do some recording at Loud Studios in Nashville recently and that's the one they used on me. They said it's what Paul Franklin uses when he comes in.

-Jeff

Jerry Hayes · Post by **Jerry Hayes** » 4 Mar 2010 10:29 am

I'd say that probably 80% to 85% or more of amp miking is done with a Shure SM-57...... There must be a reason for that don't you think.....JH in Va.

Gianni Gori · Post by **Gianni Gori** » 4 Mar 2010 10:57 am

I see two reasons for his... LOL
1) SM57 is one of the cheapest professional microphones available;
2) as long as people see amps miked with SM57 and get convinced it's the best way, without trying anything else, we'll all see 57's in front of 80-85% of amps!
Joking of course (or almost...)

SM57 is not bad but is not certainly the best "hard" dynamic mic. Is very popular because is cheap and sturdy and... not too bad.

Tom Wolverton · Post by **Tom Wolverton** » 4 Mar 2010 3:39 pm

ditto on the Sein. I use a 609 or a 409.

The Steel Guitar Forum

Which Mic is best ?

Which Mic is best ?

I agree with Eric and Bob