Marvin Posted July 6, 2018 Share Posted July 6, 2018 (edited) The wife of the singer in my band wants to buy him a vintage style microphone, one of those chrome boxy type looking ones. I said I'd ask you fine people for advice as to some guidance on which one to buy, as I know nothing about microphones at all. Thanks in advance. EDIT: this might actually belong in miscellaneous etc, apologies Edited July 6, 2018 by Marvin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean-Luc Pickguard Posted July 6, 2018 Share Posted July 6, 2018 it sounds like you’re describing the shure super 55: https://www.studiospares.com/Microphones/Mics-Dynamic/Shure-Super55-Deluxe-Dynamic-Microphone_433190.htm there are some cheaper alternatives, but that’s probably the one they’re copying 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Jack Posted July 7, 2018 Share Posted July 7, 2018 The 55 is the classic Elvis mic and it's a wonderful thing, but it's a different beast from an SM58. It's worth spending a bit of time getting the EQ and levels just right - you will be well rewarded. Lovely rich sound. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted July 7, 2018 Share Posted July 7, 2018 There are two versions of the Shure 55. One is essentially an SM58 in a vintage style casing, and the other has a more “vintage” voice. You should really try both, but IMO the SM58 model generally sounds better. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted July 9, 2018 Share Posted July 9, 2018 I should also add that having had first hand experience of Shure Super 55 as it was Mr Venom's microphone of choice for the Terrortones, I can say that underneath that supposedly rugged exterior, they are quite flimsy. In particular, the wires that run from the XLR socket in the base to the capsule in the body of the mic are very thin and weedy and if your singer makes a lot of use of the pivot between the two, the wires will eventually break and need replacing. I had to do this 3 times over 6 years with Mr Venom's mic and they continued to wear out with use, even after I replaced the wires with something a bit more heavy duty. Admittedly Mr Venom, gave his mic some serious abuse, but after 6 years I had replaced almost every part, so they are not as robust as their looks would have you believe. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marvin Posted July 9, 2018 Author Share Posted July 9, 2018 Thank you. Very useful and detailed information and advice. @BigRedX thanks for the insight on the SM55's durability. The singer in the band I'm plays a lot of guitar so doesn't do much with the mic, although it's still handy to know, thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Jack Posted July 9, 2018 Share Posted July 9, 2018 In all fairness to Shure, I should perhaps mention that I saw Mr. Venom in action just once, and his antics made it one of the most memorable gigs I've seen in a whole lifetime of gigs. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt P Posted July 9, 2018 Share Posted July 9, 2018 there is also the Heil "the fin" I can't give any advice on it but I know that there are plenty of people who love heil mics, they also come in black or silver and light up either red or blue (depending on version) when fed with phantom power. https://www.studiospares.com/Microphones/Mics-Dynamic/Heil-The-Fin-Dynamic-Mic-Chrome--Blue_318070.htm Matt 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EBS_freak Posted July 10, 2018 Share Posted July 10, 2018 The Heil is defo where it's at out of the two. Plus extra cool points for being the Hunger Games mic... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted July 10, 2018 Share Posted July 10, 2018 One final thing to be aware of with these style of microphones is that due to the design of the base where it screws into the microphone stand and the fact that the XLR socket is very close, not every make of XLR plug will fit when the microphone is on a stand. Modern slim-line Neutrik plugs are OK but some older Cannon designs are too bulky. I notice that Heil don't even show a photo of the underside of the base on their website. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EBS_freak Posted July 11, 2018 Share Posted July 11, 2018 On 10/07/2018 at 09:17, BigRedX said: I notice that Heil don't even show a photo of the underside of the base on their website. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted July 11, 2018 Share Posted July 11, 2018 Thanks! That looks about the same spacing as the Shure. A modern Neutrik plug should fit, some of the older more bulbous XLR designs probably won't - especially with a vintage style chunky microphone stand. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Jack Posted July 11, 2018 Share Posted July 11, 2018 That Heil shure is pretty, but can it walk the walk as well as the original 55? For £185 I'd want a lot more than a pleasant blue glow making my face look like an alien down the Dog & Duck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat Burrito Posted July 11, 2018 Share Posted July 11, 2018 I've used this sort of a mic since around 2005. The Shure one really impressed me but we found when some singers use them and others onstage use something more conventional, the conventional mics win out. Not a problem in my rock 'n' roll band as both mics are Elvis mics but in other bands we've found a more modern mic will be louder and clearer. Within the context of using them exclusively, we probably turn up a bit more to compensate but they absolutely deliver 100%. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted July 11, 2018 Share Posted July 11, 2018 17 minutes ago, Happy Jack said: That Heil shure is pretty, but can it walk the walk as well as the original 55? For £185 I'd want a lot more than a pleasant blue glow making my face look like an alien down the Dog & Duck. It's actually cheaper than the Shure which is now over £200... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted July 11, 2018 Share Posted July 11, 2018 9 minutes ago, Cat Burrito said: I've used this sort of a mic since around 2005. The Shure one really impressed me but we found when some singers use them and others onstage use something more conventional, the conventional mics win out. Not a problem in my rock 'n' roll band as both mics are Elvis mics but in other bands we've found a more modern mic will be louder and clearer. Within the context of using them exclusively, we probably turn up a bit more to compensate but they absolutely deliver 100%. The shape and design of the casing on the Super 55 puts the microphone capsule further away from the outside compared with an SM58. That will be why they sound quieter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EBS_freak Posted July 11, 2018 Share Posted July 11, 2018 These mics never sound as good as the more modern designs. It's a style thing maybe - but I'd rather have the better performance. Om5 or Om7 it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat Burrito Posted July 11, 2018 Share Posted July 11, 2018 1 hour ago, BigRedX said: The shape and design of the casing on the Super 55 puts the microphone capsule further away from the outside compared with an SM58. That will be why they sound quieter. Exactly. Nothing wrong with that but just means you have to compensate when using them alongside more modern designs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Jack Posted July 11, 2018 Share Posted July 11, 2018 1 hour ago, BigRedX said: It's actually cheaper than the Shure which is now over £200... Yes I know. Not really the thrust of my question though ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MacDaddy Posted July 12, 2018 Share Posted July 12, 2018 Are there adapters, so they can be used on 'normal' microphone stands? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted July 12, 2018 Share Posted July 12, 2018 They screw into the top of the stand in place of the usual microphone clip. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marvin Posted July 14, 2018 Author Share Posted July 14, 2018 Thank you everyone. Our singer's wife bought him the Shure Super55 Deluxe. It arrived in time for rehearsal on Thursday and sounds very nice. He's really happy with it. Thanks again. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MacDaddy Posted July 16, 2018 Share Posted July 16, 2018 On 12/07/2018 at 13:17, BigRedX said: They screw into the top of the stand in place of the usual microphone clip. that's fine for vocalists, but with a bass or guitar it means having to lean in a bit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted July 16, 2018 Share Posted July 16, 2018 7 minutes ago, MacDaddy said: that's fine for vocalists, but with a bass or guitar it means having to lean in a bit. No it screws onto the arm of a boom stand in the same way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MacDaddy Posted July 16, 2018 Share Posted July 16, 2018 1 hour ago, BigRedX said: No it screws onto the arm of a boom stand in the same way. ah, that would be better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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