Use what they use(d).........Shure SM58.

The SM58 is a pretty clear industry standard. Every live sound person should know how to eq one and every rock vocalist should know how to get the most out of one. With that said, there are plenty of other mics that can be a better match for a particular vocalist, but the 58 is the obvious "generic" choice.

what about sennheiser e835?

There are definitely some Sennheiser fans out there. My experience with that particular line of theirs is that they are not as physically tough as the Shures. The grilles are easier to damage, and the cartridge can be knocked askew internally and this leads to a very "nasally" sound to the mic. But I will allow that the Sennheiser is possibly cheaper and easier to obtain in your country.

I'm a Sennheiser fan through and through. The 835 is a good choice. Personally in most situations I use the 945, but... make sure you have a decent monitor engineer as it's touchy if your vocalist walks the line of bad mic technique. I've used the 835 for a few years and it's been a solid performer wired and wireless, empty clubs and sold out stadiums. The Sennheisers seem to have more of a tailored frequency response out of the box than the 58. Could be a good thing or a bad thing depending on the situation. Enjoy!

Cheers,
-Ryan-

ok, lets go with shure...

SM58 or beta58A?

SM58.

The Beta is a slightly more sensitive, "brighter mic, but the pick-up pattern is "hypercardioid" as opposed to the SM58's more conventional cardioid pattern. This, in theory at least, means that the Beta would be better at feedback rejection (narrower pattern) on many stages. I have used both, they both have their place onstage. I avoid using the Beta on sibilant or screechie voices,or real "ballsy" singers, it just aggravates those characteristics. Listen to your vocalist, then make a decision.

Like moonbaby said, don't use the Beta if the vocalist is sibilant. Also, if the vocalist doesn't do well on mic technique, the Beta will only make it worse. Why would it be worse if its hypercardioid? Because if the vocalist doesn't know how to sing into a mic, then it just flat out won't pick it up well.

the two brands i would highly recommend would be audix and sennheiser. i think the sennheiser e935 and e945 are the best sounding dynamic mics out there--- way, way ahead of any shure comparisons!!!

moonbaby wrote: The Beta is a slightly more sensitive, "brighter mic, but the pick-up pattern is "hypercardioid" as opposed to the SM58's more conventional cardioid pattern. This, in theory at least, means that the Beta would be better at feedback rejection (narrower pattern) on many stages. I have used both, they both have their place onstage. I avoid using the Beta on sibilant or screechie voices,or real "ballsy" singers, it just aggravates those characteristics. Listen to your vocalist, then make a decision.

NDymn mics have hotter output = even more prone to feedback in the upper mids, low highs. The Beta is a honky sounding mic. It is possibly the worst mic that Shure makes in my opinion. Save the gain and EQ for the eingeer/mixing console. Buy a 58.

The OP asked what is the best. There is no answer. It is all relative to the singer, the stage, the monitor rig, etc. That said, you can't beat a $69 mic like the 58 no matter what.

you can also try shure sm86 condenser.not very expensive. I use it wireless and ic cuts realy nice. not so bold in low freq, but very open with presence. on the eq I usually cut 6db at 300 hz and 80hz and if needed add 3-6db at 12 hz.(male vocal). 58's are nice, robust and warm,but often lacks clarity on loud stages. sennheisers are also nice mics. these two brands are most popular in this part of the world,followed by akg. good luck

I like both the Shure and the Sennheiser.
The 835 was actually the first mic I ever purchased, and it's in fine shape.
Granted, it hasn't been through the usual rigors of regular live use, though it was the mic my singer used for 4 years.
I tend to go w/ it for recording vocals over the 58 (55% to 45%, roughly).
I also own three 58s and one 835, so draw your own conclusions.

I was using with the 58's for a long time, now I use the sm86 condenser(wireless). while the 58's are bolder and warmer, the 86 is much sharper and intelligible and efortless. I just cut 250-300 hz a bit, the gain at 12h and volume at unity or less,and it rocks.