Mike search

[Russell Letson]

For the first time in several years I'll be playing in a situation where I'll need a vocal mike--or, to be precise, a mike that can capture two guitars and voices for very mild amplification in a restaurant. My SM-58 clone has died, and I wonder whether I should just order a sure-enough Shure replacement or look at other brands with similar dynamic models in the same price range, for example from Sennheiser or Audio-Technica.

The situation: Brother John (the Benedictine monk I've been playing with informally for a few months) wants to try out some duo work at a Mexican barbecue restaurant, and we'd like just a touch of amplification (via my little Henriksen Blu Six): one mike set up a few feet away. I have everything we need except for an ordinary dynamic mike. Unless someone can recommend a low-cost condenser, say, an AT2020-CR. (The A-T Outlet has a refurb for $70.)

[aquaduct]

"Mic".

[amanajoe]

Russell, you will be happier, in that situation, with the at-2020. I believe the henriksens have real +48v phantom power. I’d send along a cardiod medium diaphragm for you to try (similar to the one Marshall has commented positively about) but I’m currently out of capsules and completed mics. Mine at the sound hole price are a little more than double the price as well.

My favorite dynamic is gone (electro voice ND767a, not the newer ND76) so, my choice would definitely be the sennheiser e935 over the SM-58. Just my 2 cents on dynamics should you choose that approach.

[RickW]

I have done all my recording, for many years, on an AT2020. It sounds amazing with my guitar, and I’m happy about how it reps my voice as well. For an inexpensive mic, highly recommended. Mine is not a USB mic, but requires an interface, not sure if there’s a difference in sound quality. The mic is the same mic, it’s just whether the interface built into the USB mic cuts it.

[Marshall]

Hard to believe a single dynamic mic would work well for 2 guitars and 2 voices simultaneously.

[majorminor]

I’d like to try an AT2020 some day.

I recently picked up a used Ear Trumpet Labs Edwina. Plugging it in to a Henriksen Blu Six as well(is that an amazing little amp or what?) and I gotta say it sounded really good picking up vocal, and guitar from 2-3 feet out. Plenty loud as well before feedback.

[Marshall]

Sept 27, 2024 21:34:46 GMT -5 majorminor said:

I’d like to try an AT2020 some day.

I recently picked up a used Ear Trumpet Labs Edwina. Plugging it in to a Henriksen Blu Six as well(is that an amazing little amp or what?) and I gotta say it sounded really good picking up vocal, and guitar from 2-3 feet out. Plenty loud as well before feedback.

That’s a lovely mic. That’s a condenser and they go for about $800 new.

[james]

The abbreviations "mike" and "mic". There's a fun and quite lengthy discussion of some of the issues at this link.

www.sambayer.com/tirades/whymike.html

[Marshall]

If you lived closer, I’d gladly loan you Joe’s mic.

[Dub]

Sept 27, 2024 21:34:46 GMT -5 majorminor said:

I’d like to try an AT2020 some day.

I recently picked up a used Ear Trumpet Labs Edwina. Plugging it in to a Henriksen Blu Six as well(is that an amazing little amp or what?) and I gotta say it sounded really good picking up vocal, and guitar from 2-3 feet out. Plenty loud as well before feedback.

If you like Ear Trumpet mics, you need to search old threads for AmanaJoe’s discussions on the subject.

[TKennedy]

I have a couple of AT 4033s we used a lot back in the day. Good mic. You are welcome to borrow one Russ. Might even sell one.

Say hi to brother John, he single-handedly made be the local expert on LoPrinzi repair.

[Dub]

Sept 27, 2024 21:39:47 GMT -5 james said:

The abbreviations "mike" and "mic". There's a fun and quite lengthy discussion of some of the issues at this link.

www.sambayer.com/tirades/whymike.html

Common usage always seems to win in these disputes. The word hopefully is an example. A well known editor famously had the admonition “Abandon hopefully, all ye who enter here” emblazoned above his door. We went through decades of being told that using the word hopefully to mean it is hoped was grammatically incorrect. Because it’s use that way seemed natural to most English speakers, the use of hopefully to mean it is hoped is now officially approved.

Using mic for microphone is in common usage and is far more prevalent than the word mike, especially among people who actually use mics. Academics may wail but history seems to side with mic.

[aquaduct]

Sept 27, 2024 23:38:48 GMT -5 Dub said:

Sept 27, 2024 21:39:47 GMT -5 james said:

The abbreviations "mike" and "mic". There's a fun and quite lengthy discussion of some of the issues at this link.

www.sambayer.com/tirades/whymike.html

Common usage always seems to win in these disputes. The word hopefully is an example. A well known editor famously had the admonition “Abandon hopefully, all ye who enter here” emblazoned above his door. We went through decades of being told that using the word hopefully to mean it is hoped was grammatically incorrect. Because it’s use that way seemed natural to most English speakers, the use of hopefully to mean it is hoped is now officially approved.

Using mic for microphone is in common usage and is far more prevalent than the word mike, especially among people who actually use mics. Academics may wail but history seems to side with mic.

Mike is my brother.

[John B]

I prefer "mic" over "mike," but I believe the editor to the Northwest (of me, not the US) prefers "mike." It must makes more sense to me as it's a shortening of the actual word, not inserting extra letters/changing existing letters.

Then again, I prefer "fridge" over "frige," (or frig) so go figure. I am not consistent; I contain multitudes.

[epaul]

Mic is short for microphone.

Mike is short for Michael.

If Norwegian was a part of our core curriculum, as it really should be, there would be less confusion with these matters.

[John B]

Sept 28, 2024 11:15:56 GMT -5 epaul said:

Mic is short for microphone.

Mike is short for Michael.

If Norwegian was a part of our core curriculum, as it really should be, there would be less confusion with these matters.

I believe it is spelt "Mikeal."

[Russell Letson]

Thanks for the guidance, everyone. Looks like the AT2020 is the optimal choice for my situation.

BTW, I've lived through more linguistic shifts than anyone here except Mark and Papabill, have taught the basics of lexicography and historical linguistics, and worked for publishers with a range of house style books. But unless I'm writing for a magazine that prefers "mic," my posts about microphones will read "mike." (I don't call out apostrophe errors here--I only proofread my own copy.)

[epaul]

"Mikeal" is a variant spelling found primarily in the northern borderlands shared by Norway, Finland, Sweden, and Russia (largely due the issues Swedes have with spelling and the resulting confusion it creates in four different countries).

"Mikaël" is the predominant spelling.

[John B]

Sept 28, 2024 12:22:38 GMT -5 epaul said:

"Mikeal" is a variant spelling found primarily in the northern borderlands shared by Norway, Finland, Sweden, and Russia (largely due the issues Swedes have with spelling and the resulting confusion it creates in four different countries).

"Mikaël" is the predominant spelling.

So do you have a Mika recommendation for Russell? He's looking for one.

[epaul]

If he's up for it, I recommend a "Michelle"...