overal best mic for DJs

Posted: Sun Feb 19, 2006 10:40 am

what is the best overal mic for djs (corded)? I heard from people the shure sm58 is one of the best, but I want one that has a black top. thanks!

Posted: Mon Feb 20, 2006 12:29 pm

As regards this and your other(Speaker) post, I recommend you go to some places that have some good(Mobile) DJ's and look/ask - at least at those places you find that look/sound good..!? DJ's, like most of us, L-O-V-E to talk about their gear. For mics and speakers(Among other things) there are no "bests", only things people use and like.

Any PA speakers(Like bands use) can give you all the loud you're willing to pay for. If you want better than average sound quality, same goes - money talks. For a mic, any remotely like an SM58(All the major companies make close-talk stage mics), is fine. Get one in your favorite color/price range and have at it. You do want, I think, a "close-talk" mic, that won't allow much feedback from your speakers - though making sure the mic is behind, or "out of the line of fire" of the speakers is always a good idea. Me? I'd have a wireless "headset" mic system - even the $200 kind that includes headset(Or other type) mic, receiver and transmitter can do a real good job. I'd still have an SM58-type, wired, as a second mic. Again, "the best"? Look in the catalogs/online for the highest priced and you're at least in the ballpark of "the best", irrespective of "brand". I'd rather have "smaller" main speakers that I could get up on stands(To get over the crowd and "aim") than larger speakers I'd have to leave on the floor - though a larger "true sub(s)", on the floor, could be nice for DJ'ing.

Honestly? Unless you're going to be playing really swanky clubs(Which likely already have their own sound systems), darned near anything will work fine. A good friend of mine who made a living at DJ'ing, for alot of years, used whatever was on sale, speaker/amp-wise, including cheap "home stereo" speakers and amps. His primary considerations were not worrying much when some idot knocked one over and mooshed it, and that he could haul all this stuff without ruining his back(It'll be too late to worry about this AFTER you strain something!), then he learned to load only as many, out of his "garage stock", as he felt he needed for any particular event. Other(More serious?) friends use stuff from Community(As above) or EAW or other Pro Sound Reinforcement Company stuff. Watch it! This stuff is built very well, meant to be "thrown around" which often means v-e-r-y heavy. If YOU move your own stuff YOU will be gentle with it and not need to worry so much about "tank-like" construction.

As you begin to buy stuff, try to get things(Amps/speakers) that you barely have to crack the volume on to "fill" the place with sound - your stuff will last alot longer than things you have to run "wide-open". More sound should mean more speakers and amps, not turning-up what you have to damaging levels.

Speaking of "damaging levels", pick-up a Sound Level Meter(=<$100), learn to use it, so you don't REALLY damage anyone's hearing... A lawsuit or even a "ticket" some places(?), can take the profits out of the gig. And, of course it's hard to "keep 'em comin' back" if they can no longer hear you - or YOU can no longer hear you!(Pick up some good earplugs for yourself...).

And, yes, there probably are "forums" specifically for DJ's, that would be alot more help to you. Look around. The companies that manufacturer DJ gear may have links or even their own forums.

TG

Posted: Mon Feb 20, 2006 7:15 pm

oh boy thanks for that explanation. I didn't actually want you to go into all that trouble. I just thought maybe there were some practicular models of mic and speakers that people usually buy and are good priced. I guess what would be the best selling would be my question? If the gear is best selling then it must be good??? huh, what you think?

Posted: Mon Feb 20, 2006 9:27 pm

From your post it doesn't seem that you're too interested in whats good but more what it looks like. Just cruise through some music webstores and find one that looks cool to you, in your line of work I can't see the need for a spectacular mic.

Posted: Mon Feb 20, 2006 10:31 pm

Quote:

what is the best overal mic for djs (corded)? I heard from people the shure sm58 is one of the best, but I want one that has a black top. thanks!

Buy the SM58, unscrew the grille (easy) remove the internal foam.
Spray paint the grill black, let dry.
Replace the internal foam, screw the grill back.
VOILA!!!! Thumbs Up

OR:
You go here, and negotiate it to $199.99
http://www.djmart.com/senhmd280hea.html

Posted: Mon Feb 20, 2006 11:45 pm

TVPostSound wrote:

Quote:

what is the best overal mic for djs (corded)? I heard from people the shure sm58 is one of the best, but I want one that has a black top. thanks!

Buy the SM58, unscrew the grille (easy) remove the internal foam.
Spray paint the grill black, let dry.
Replace the internal foam, screw the grill back.
VOILA!!!! Thumbs Up

OR:
You go here, and negotiate it to $199.99
http://www.djmart.com/senhmd280hea.html

there are different version of the sm58. Which one should I get?

Posted: Tue Feb 21, 2006 2:28 pm

The basic SM58 is the SM58LC, LC means Less Cord!!!!

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