Behind The Mixer

Learn Church Audio Artistry | Church Sound

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“Our church doesn’t have much to spend on vocal microphones, what should we get?”  I see this question often so today, let’s attempt to answer that. To start, there’s a lot that goes into selecting the right vocal microphone.  It’s more than price, that’s for sure.

There are 5 common properties that affect the sound produced by a microphone:

1. Microphone Type.

There are three types of microphones: dynamic, condenser, and ribbon.  Church vocal microphones are usually dynamic microphones and condensers.  Each type works differently and the nuances of the sounds they detect improve from dynamic to condenser to ribbon mics.

2. Polar Pattern.

Microphones capture sound differently based on the source of the sound in relation to the head of the microphone.  The area in which it captures sound is known as the polar pattern. These polar patterns show the regions around the microphone where the microphone will detect sound.  The reason for these different types of patterns is to provide microphones that work best in specific environments or to get a specific sound.

3. Frequency Response.

Microphones differ in how they respond to frequencies.  One microphone might boost a frequency where another might reduce it.  It’s usually based the mic’s purpose, such as a snare mic, a kick drum mic, or a vocal mic, but even within each of these types, the frequency response can vary greatly.  Because of this variety, it’s best to pair a microphone with a frequency response that benefits a particular user. In short, why always eq out a problem area for a singer when the mic can do that for you. View the frequency response charts to see what they do.

4. Sensitivity.

 In short, microphone sensitivity is the measure of the microphone’s ability to convert acoustic pressure into an electric voltage. The higher the sensitivity, the less amplification required to bring the sound to a useable level on the mixer channel. Think of it like this, if you have a soft-spoken pastor or a soft singer, you want an extremely sensitive microphone.

5. Diaphragm Size. 

The portion of the microphone that detects the sound waves. This isn’t as much of a concern when we talk about church vocal microphones for single-use, but the different sizes can affect things like frequency sensitivity, especially when off-axis, as well as how much extra sounds are detected.

For more information on these, check out these two articles:

Every microphone has these different properties and the more you know what’s needed and how it’s used, the better choice you’ll make.

Best Microphones Under $200.

I have experience with a lot of microphones but so does the international tech community so I turned to them with a recent survey.  

Before you check out the list, know that sound quality is subjective and the pairing to the right singer makes a huge difference.  For example, I’ve heard the Blue 200 and the Blue 300, and I liked the lower-priced 200 when I heard it…but others say the 300 is better. Who is right? Like anything in audio, it depends on many things and in this case, mostly the singer using the mic.

That being said, these microphones were suggested the most.  The order is based on the number of recommendations but before you jump on the #1 spot, check out the microphone properties of each and then make your decision. Other mics were mentioned but nothing in great frequency…frequency, get it?  Haha…ok, I’ll move on.

  1. Heil PR22. Heil has been around a long time and while most of their mics run on the expensive side, the PR22 is a great mic below $200. Just don’t get the one with the switch – haha.

 

  1. SE Electronics V7. At only $100, this mic has a great sound with many people recommending this supercardioid dynamic mic. 

 

  1. Shure Beta 57a. This dynamic mic runs well under $200.  

 

  1. Shure Beta 58a. I expected this one to come in first place and while it didn’t, any of these top four are solid choices in my book. 

 

  1. Sennheiser e835. These next two were close enough to be a tie. I’d opt for the e935 but that’s just me.

 

  1. Sennheiser e935. You’ll get a wider frequency response from this mic.  Additionally, the frequency response is different between the two. 

 

  1. Shure SM58.  Definitely a top mic at the $100 price-point but it’s also solid enough that even looking in the $200 price-point, it’s still the number one choice.

 

Maybe you have a vocal mic you love but it’s not on this list.  That’s ok, it just means it works for you. However, if you find the sound quality of your mic is lacking, this list is the best place to start.  If you can, find someone in your area that has one of these mics you can borrow to hear how it sounds for your situation.  

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Comments

  1. Grab those SM87a’s quickly, they are getting scarce and no longer being produced. Shure is keeping the BETA87a and c. If you find them (SM87)’s, grab it! I agree, the SM87 is a great microphone.
    The SM86 is under the SM87 and only $179.00 so just $20.00 over a Beta58 and sound quality I believe far better. Look into sE Electronics and the V7 vocals and V7x for instruments. 2 newer microphones on the market  and only $99.99 each. The V7 rivals the SM58 and the V7x is the new SM57 IMO.
    Again it is what you like, your ears, the artist and their ability, Good goes in, Good comes out!

    Reply

  2. There is a reason you will find a Shure SM58 and/or Beta 58 on many performance/technical riders. Ours have been dropped, dinged, and otherwise abused but are still going strong after 15 years of use – and they still sound great! Very easy to EQ and mix with good feedback characteristics. I’m not knocking a Sennheiser, but I’ve never had a Shure fail me yet.

    Reply

  3. Probably would have chosen the Sennheiser 945 as its a super cardioid to compare with beta 58. These are my go to in that price range.

    Reply

  4. I pretty much agree with the list. Our standard mic for non-lead singers is the SM58. I also have a couple of Sennheiser XSW1 wireless mics with the 825 capsule. The mics look and feel good, but the wireless is so awful (handling noise, feedback, dropouts) that they’re in the parts bin now. An AKG D5 was a great first mic for us, but also the only microphone that has ever broken on us – I had it repaired, but it’s no longer trusted.

    For any lead singer, I don’t give them anything. I expect them to turn up with their own quality microphone that works with their voice. Every other musician has invested in their own equipment – what gives a vocalist (especially one that thinks they can lead) a special pass to ‘just turn up’…

    A few weeks ago, t’missus and I were in a music store. She decided to try microphones, so went through every mic in the store (about 15). In the end, she pointed to one (a Beta 57A), and said “that’s the best one for my voice”. I was so relieved – I reminded her that we’d purchased one for her a few years before, and she’d used it weekly ever since!

    Reply

    • I totally agree w/the “right mic for the right job” philosophy.

      The SM87A(?), while probably a “budget buster,” I prefer over the “58” for lead vocals. The 58, by no accident, has been around for a looong time – a good sounding, durable, safe choice. But Shure and others makes sounding better mics.

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      • Oops. Forgot. I’ve read raving reviews about the Electro-voice n/d767a. Caution: a few negative comments concerning its durability – delicate.

        Other opinions? Thnx

        Reply

        • @Tony – Yes the EV N/D767a was/is a great mic… very clean vocals from it… and great especially for male low-register singers… We used 5 of these for years and didn’t have any issues… still have them for backup. I never cared for the yellow band around the middle of the windscreen…

          Reply

  5. Hi Chris! I appreciate your blog!

    As a sound aficionado…. vocalist,… gear head…. Here are my top handheld mics based on what I’ve used….

    #1. Blue 300 is top of the pack
    #2. EV 410 – sweet mic
    #3. Sennheiser 935 – wow.. just great
    #4. EV 767 – very nice clean vocals with bass boost closer to mic

    The mic I would love to try is the SE V7… I LOVE SE mics… and guessing this one would be great too!

    The very last mic I would want to use is a SM-58… muddy sound … maybe for karaoke… or pounding nails…

    Cheers!

    Reply

  6. Chris,

    We have the Sennheiser e835 wireless and everyone who uses the mic just loves it! We also have 5 of the SM58’s. The only thing I don’t like about the Shure’s is we have to run the gain higher then the e835. The e835 also gain matches our Sennheiser lavs.

    I think all of your choices are a good cost-benefit for the money.

    Thanks for your expertise!😎

    Reply

    • I much prefer the Sennheiser e835 over the SM58 as well. I bought a three-pack for a Christian school and they’ve held up to many years of student use. Great pickup for recording graduations, too.

      Also, thanks to those who’ve recommended the e935. Our church is in the market for some additional vocal mics and I was wondering if the price difference is worth the extra investment.

      Reply

      • Hello!
        I own 4 of the Sennheiser e945’s and like them over e935’s. Pick up pattern is tighter. The e935 is a major upgrade over the e835’s and Sennheiser makes good microphones.
        I own many of them from 609’s, e906’s, e904’s and e614’s. All top quality microphones , reliable and industry standards.
        My sleeper mic is the Shure SM86, what a great microphone for $179.00. It is a Condenser but works well.
        SE Electronics V7 is a great dynamic vocal microphone at $99.99. and this guy is gaining traction. It’s not a e945 or e935 but IMO wins hands down over the Shure SM57, SM58, Beta 57 and Beta 58!
        A great mic at $99.99.

        Reply

  7. For me the absolute best budget vocal mic is the Audio-Technica AT 2010.
    All singers I work with live love it, far more clarity and details than a 58.
    In Europe I pay 115 Euro, and found nothing better for that money.

    Reply

  9. thanks Chris
    your list is spot on from my experience

    and if your church has a little extra to
    spend the Sennheiser E945 are really good – quite a noticeable step up
    in sound quality from
    the 3 E835 (which are
    very good)

    Reply

    • I have been using the Sennheiser 845 mics for years. I prefer them to the sm58 purely because they are extremely forward directional and are therefore very tolerant of having singers standing near speakers. Very robust, just takes a few moments to get singers to get closer to mic than the sm58.
      Watch for the far East knock-off version. Often copied but difficult to surpass at the prices that can be found when shopping around.

      Reply

  10. Hey Chris,
    Not sure if you’ve ever looked into the AKG D5, but it is a really excellent Mic that is also at the $100 us price range, and has a ton of great reviews, many of which praise it over the SM58. It has better vocal clarity, excellent rejection to feedback, and the varimotion diaphram it great a reducing handeling noise.
    If you haven’t checked it out, i’d really recommend it. for the same price as the SM58, it is really a supperior vocal mic. I’ve been using it at church for the part 3 years and really love it.
    God Bless

    Reply

  11. Thanks for this. A question for you/all…Personal opinion is the SM58 sounds a bit less clear than the Senn835 (no eq), but man, the sensitivity of the 835s (compared to the 58s) seem to be through the roof, to the point of bad ambient noise/feedback rejection. Is this just me?

    Reply

      • I own the e945’s and a big difference over the e835. Not a fan of the e835 in My opinion. Go for the e945!
        When Sennheiser had their mic of the month I picked up 5 e945’s at $99.99 and that was a no brainer!!!
        You have to be selective with who uses them, I find them very bright so you have to EQ it accordingly.
        A smoother mic is the Telefunkin M81 and it works well for me! My opinion.
        The sleeper mic however is a Shure SM86, love this mic and I am talking for live use for all the above. $179.00 and it works well anytime! Big fan of it!
        This is in reference to the best microphones under $200.00.
        The BLUE enCore 200 is a really good sounding microphone also, it is a ACTIVE DYNAMIC (Needs Phantom Power). Blue Microphone’s has a buy one get one offer at times. I picked up 4 for $299.99 at Sweetwater (Excellent Service)!
        The Se Electronics V7 is also a winner at $99.99! I like it over a SM58! The 58 is great, but that V7 is impressive for $99.99.

        Now the Sennheiser e945 is $220.00 and the Telefunkin M81 is $249.99 but if you can it’s worth it!

        Reply

    • i do notice that

      we moved from Shure SM58 to the Sennhesiser e835 – e835 is better mic IMO but have noticed what you point out. we use a bit of hating and HPF of course and that helps a lot.

      when we went to Senhesier e945 we no longer had that issue

      but now we’re talking about a $200 mic

      Reply