Review / Microphone / Various: Difference between revisions
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January 17, 2022. | January 17, 2022. | ||
[[File:L1 Pro32 Sennheiser EW-D Neumann KK 205 1024 x 987.jpg| | [[File:L1 Pro32 Sennheiser EW-D Neumann KK 205 1024 x 987.jpg|250px|right|Neumann KK 205 with EW-D and L1 Pro32]] | ||
I've recently updated all my wireless equipment for guitar and public speaking. The next step was vocal microphones. I perform with a microphone on a stand while I play guitar so I don't need a wireless microphone. However, I still do sound for others occasionally. Since I've been enjoying the clean, uncluttered look of running wireless it was time to reexamine everything. | I've recently updated all my wireless equipment for guitar and public speaking. The next step was vocal microphones. I perform with a microphone on a stand while I play guitar so I don't need a wireless microphone. However, I still do sound for others occasionally. Since I've been enjoying the clean, uncluttered look of running wireless it was time to reexamine everything. | ||
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===Dynamic === | ===Dynamic === | ||
* [[Sennheiser MD | * [[Sennheiser MD 441]] $999 | ||
* [[Sennheiser MD 445]] $619 | * [[Sennheiser MD 445]] $619 | ||
** [https://sennheiser.com/mm-445 Wireless Capsule Sennheiser MM 445] $619 | ** [https://sennheiser.com/mm-445 Wireless Capsule Sennheiser MM 445] $619 | ||
* [[Sennheiser MD 435]] $619 | |||
* [[Beyerdynamic M88 N(c)]] $499 | * [[Beyerdynamic M88 N(c)]] $499 | ||
* [https://www.shure.com/en-US/products/microphones/beta_58a Shure Beta 58a] $300 | * [https://www.shure.com/en-US/products/microphones/beta_58a Shure Beta 58a] $300 | ||
* [http://www.audixusa.com/Acrobat/OM5_spec_sheet.pdf Audix OM5] $265 | * [http://www.audixusa.com/Acrobat/OM5_spec_sheet.pdf Audix OM5] $265 | ||
* [https://products.electrovoice.com/na/en/nd767a EV N/D767a] $150 | |||
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'''Dynamic''' | '''Dynamic''' | ||
* Sennheiser MD 441 | |||
* Sennheiser MD 435 | * Sennheiser MD 435 | ||
* Sennheiser MD 445 | * Sennheiser MD 445 | ||
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* Shure Beta 58a | * Shure Beta 58a | ||
* Audix OM5 | * Audix OM5 | ||
* EV N/D767a | |||
See the section at the end (Testing) for details about how I tested. | See the section at the end (Testing) for details about how I tested. | ||
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=== Application - High-Volume - Gain before Feedback === | === Application - High-Volume - Gain before Feedback === | ||
We are considering high-volume applications where gain before feedback is the priority | We are considering high-volume applications where gain before feedback is the priority | ||
# Sennheiser MD 445 | # Sennheiser MD 441 / Sennheiser MD 445 / Sennheiser MM 445 Wireless capsule | ||
# Sennheiser MD 435 | # Sennheiser MD 435 | ||
# Beyerdynamic M88 | # Beyerdynamic M88 | ||
# Audix OM5 | # Audix OM5 | ||
# EV N/D767a | |||
# Shure Beta 58a | # Shure Beta 58a | ||
The [[Sennheiser MD 441]] is tied with the [[Sennheiser MD 445]] for first choice. Sennheiser released this microphone in 1971. The apocryphal tale is this was the result of a challenge at Sennheiser to create a dynamic microphone that is as good as a condenser. There is a five-position roll-off selector and a brilliance switch, making it easy to adjust the response right on the microphone. It has a tight supercardioid polar pattern. The [[Gain Before Feedback|gain before feedback]] sets it ahead of everything else on the list except the Sennheiser MD 445 below. Projection and clarity are exceptional. [[Sennheiser MD 441|Read more]] | |||
The [[Sennheiser MD 445]] is my first choice. Sennheiser released this microphone in late 2020. It has an extremely tight supercardioid polar pattern. The [[Gain Before Feedback|gain before feedback]] sets it ahead of everything else on the list. It has a lift in the upper midrange and details in the highs that comes close to sounding like a good condenser microphone. This also helps me to project, compete, and be heard in a busy stage mix. [[Sennheiser MD 445|Read more]] | The [[Sennheiser MD 445]] is my first choice. Sennheiser released this microphone in late 2020. It has an extremely tight supercardioid polar pattern. The [[Gain Before Feedback|gain before feedback]] sets it ahead of everything else on the list. It has a lift in the upper midrange and details in the highs that comes close to sounding like a good condenser microphone. This also helps me to project, compete, and be heard in a busy stage mix. [[Sennheiser MD 445|Read more]] | ||
The Sennheiser MD 435 is perhaps the only microphone with a cardioid polar pattern I would happily use with an {{L1}}. Like its sibling (MD 445), the MD 435 has a vocal flattering EQ, and the off-axis rejection is very good for a cardioid microphone. The sound is excellent, with less emphasis in the upper midrange compared to the MD 445. For a female vocalist, I would consider this instead of the MD 445. | The Sennheiser MD 435 is perhaps the only microphone with a cardioid polar pattern I would happily use with an {{L1}}. Like its sibling (MD 445), the MD 435 has a vocal flattering EQ, and the off-axis rejection is very good for a cardioid microphone. The sound is excellent, with less emphasis in the upper midrange compared to the MD 445. For a female vocalist, I would consider this instead of the MD 445. | ||
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The Audix OM5 sounds good, has a tight hypercardioid polar pattern, and there is a ToneMatch Preset for it. | The Audix OM5 sounds good, has a tight hypercardioid polar pattern, and there is a ToneMatch Preset for it. | ||
The Shure Beta 58a is a fine upgrade from a Shure SM 58 (cardioid polar pattern). | The EV N/D767a is a terrific microphone, supercardioid polar pattern, and there is a ToneMatch Preset for it. It was a bargain before they were discontinued about five years ago. | ||
The Shure Beta 58a is a fine upgrade from a Shure SM 58 (cardioid polar pattern). I have several of these on hand for vocalists who insist on using a Shure microphone. I put them through their paces in a recent review. While I understand their popularity, the others on the list sound better to me. | |||
=== Application - Soloist === | === Application - Soloist === | ||
# Neumann KMS 105 | # Neumann KMS 105 / [[Neumann KK 205]] Wireless capsule with Sennheiser EW-D Wireless | ||
# Sennheiser e 965 | # Sennheiser e 965 | ||
# Audix VX-5 | # Audix VX-5 | ||
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I got the Audix VX-5 in 2018. It is an excellent microphone that took the number two spot on my list. Since then, the Sennheiser e 965 has bumped it down to number three. | I got the Audix VX-5 in 2018. It is an excellent microphone that took the number two spot on my list. Since then, the Sennheiser e 965 has bumped it down to number three. | ||
The AKG C585, Rode S1, and the Shure Beta 87a sound very similar to me. Well defined, accurate, but lacking the lustre of the Neumann KMS105 and Sennheiser e 965. | The AKG C585, Rode S1, and the Shure Beta 87a sound very similar to me. Well defined, accurate, but lacking the lustre of the Neumann KMS105 and Sennheiser e 965. The AKG C585 comes ahead of the others because it has switches to provide -10 dB attenuation and low-frequency roll-off. This is good for controlling the [[Proximity Effect|proximity effect]] that occurs with many directional microphones when you use the close-microphone technique ("eat the mic"). | ||
The AKG C585 comes ahead of the others because it has switches to provide -10 dB attenuation and low-frequency roll-off. This is good for controlling the [[Proximity Effect|proximity effect]] that occurs with many directional microphones when you use the close-microphone technique ("eat the mic"). | |||
The Shure Beta 87a is at the bottom of the list because it was the most difficult to control for feedback of all of the condenser microphones. This would be a concern in a handheld situation. | The Shure Beta 87a is at the bottom of the list because it was the most difficult to control for feedback of all of the condenser microphones. This would be a concern in a handheld situation. | ||