Anyone else using other mics instead of Shure ?

How many of you use Snnheisers (or anything else) instead of industry standard Shure for vocalists?
I used to use sm58, 58a and 87a for a long time. (and still use them sometimes whenever using some elses gear which has shures)
I heard about sennehsiers but didn't believe they are that great until I heard e935, e945 and e838.

Now i use e838s or all vocalists, and sm58 pgxd wireless just for speech (because it's digital and most affordable of mediocre wireless systems).

My main vocal mics are always 58s. If something else is on the rider I have them all.

Beta 58's and 57's are standard goto mics when doing sound but when performing I prefer my Heil PR35.

My first vocal mics were Audio Technica MBL1000s, bought them in 1999. I don't use them for vocals anymore, they have been moved to spare instrument mics.

I bought Sennheiser 835s 6 years ago and love them. They are my main stage mics. I have Sennheiser 825s for band practice and really like them too. Many of the bands I run sound for uses the 835s as well.m

My wife and I both use Auidio Technica wireless microphones. Two bands I run sound for uses Beta 87a vocal mics and I seem to like them.

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 19/09/2011 07:19:59

Depends. We talking live or studio here? I'm sensing a live slant here.

EDIT -- DOH! If I paid any attention to where this was posted, I might figure out the answer to my own question!

Shure SM58s, SM57s, SM87s, (and the Betas, and even some of the PGs), dearly wish I still had some SM85s;
AKG C535
CAD E85 & E95, C195;
Various Audix/Sennheiser/AT/Heil/Blue

Lets face it: there are just a heck of a lot of great sounding, durable microphones out there these days.

It has to be said that the venerable SM58 has a reliability and predictability factor that have made it the staple of the industry. I like a condenser when the person using it knows how to use it properly and isn't the lips to the grille type. I usually ask the artist what they want or are used to. More often than not, the 58 is what they request. (I like artists to be comfortable with the equipment they are using so they can focus on things other than the technical aspects.)

i dont even think shure mics are industry standard now. i work at a music store and we sell twice as many sennheisers or audix mics as we do shure mics.

i think people realize that Shure is the name. competitors have to put out a better product at the same price to stay in business, and that's what it seems is happening. put an e835 against a sm58. put an i5 against an sm57. you'll hear.

that said - i love beta87 and, to a lesser extent, beta58 mics.

Industry standard does not point to what Music stores are selling or even what people are using. It is referring to what is in the mic locker of pro sound companies. I would say sm58 is still number one here, along with the beta58. Drum mics are beta52 d112 d6 sm57 beta98 beta91 ksm32 sm81 akg c460 senn421 604. Guitar 409 609 906 sm 57 ksm32. 414 s are often available if you ask.

So, that being said, some sound companies carry other stuff but this is what covers most of their bases on touring riders. Many tours use the Heil mics, or nuemans etc, but they usually bring their own, therefore not industry standard.

I personally own and use a lot of mics but the Shures go on the stand for vocals the most because that is whats requested. My high end mics tend to sound better than a 58 on certain voices and techniques. Here is what I also carry for vocals:

Nueman kms 105
Earthworks SR69
Beta57
Akg 535
Audio Technica 5400

The AE5400 is beautiful with the right singer. I have one myself and my female compatriot uses that while I use the Heil PR35. Acoustic duo.

Cheers
Graham

LRS wrote:The AE5400 is beautiful with the right singer. I have one myself and my female compatriot uses that while I use the Heil PR35. Acoustic duo.

Cheers
Graham

Yes sir. Another good reason to use it is if you are recording. When going for a great live multitrack sometimes the mic choices have to change.

I don´t own Shure´s but their sticker laying on my desk

I don´t even like Shure sound. Live or not. It´s just not my type of sound.

I chose AKG over other brands years ago and have been "happy" with them.

It´s not the brand but how You use it

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 21/09/2011 00:59:53

I've been using the 58's for forever in vocal applications. I use sennheiser 609's for guitars. A vocalist for a band I work with uses the sennheiser 835 and it sounds great so I picked up a couple a month ago. But I haven't used them yet myself. The drums are picked up by a combination of Cad and Audix. Then we have an assortment of AKG/Audix/Cad for other applications. I think it's more on the mix than the mics when it comes to sounding good, but some certainly serve their purpose better than others no doubt.

I´ve met one artist whose natural sound definetly is what Shure 58 produces. Wierd?

For my vocals, Shure sm58.

But aside from vocals and guitar...Shure is hardly my goto for other instruments...

I've got a plethora but most events call for SM or beta 58. I agree they don't sound as good as newer offerings but I've not had to buy them over again and that's why I keep Shures around.

I love Audix OM5 for male vocals.

I do like sennheiser sound a lot.
I'm using a shure 55 (Elvis mic) on a band main vocal with a sennheiser md441 on backing and a EV re11 on the other backing.
I found the 58 to be very flat, I mean, common sound. I prefer (and the band I work with) prefer vintage vocal sounds. I also use sennheiser e906 on guitars and it is the best guitar sound I could ever get.