What microhpone should I buy?

Question:I have performed in a lot of big places, and I take singing very seriously. For Hanukkah, my parents are considering buying me a microphone and possibly and amp to project the sound. I sing a lot of R&B and country, with some opera and alternative rock sometimes. I have a bass voice with a range up to the E above middle C. My greatest strength is my voice's purity; it often has the angelic effect of "going through" you. What is a microphone that could really show the richness and depth of my voice, and do you have any suggestions for an amp?

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: I have performed in a lot of big places, and I take singing very seriously. For Hanukkah, my parents are considering buying me a microphone and possibly and amp to project the sound. I sing a lot of R&B and country, with some opera and alternative rock sometimes. I have a bass voice with a range up to the E above middle C. My greatest strength is my voice's purity; it often has the angelic effect of "going through" you. What is a microphone that could really show the richness and depth of my voice, and do you have any suggestions for an amp?

Depends on how careful you are. If you are meticulous about your equipment, get a good vocal mike and a portable P.A. but if you are going to be on the road and want something truly roadworthy, that isn't going to conk out on you because the weather shifts, get a Shure SM-58 and a nice Wedge. You can use the wedge as a monitor if you are working with a bigger setup, and if you are working with them, you will probably want to use their sound guy's stuff anyway. If you are going to put a lo9t of miles on that mike however, that Shure is going to be the most dependable piece of equipment you've ever owned. I've seen them bounced off of two walls, into a mike box, and pulled out the next day to work just as good as they ever did. I would never recommend that you do that, but I've seen it with my own eyes!

Sony

for live stage work the SM58 original is the only choice, it's a work horse. A Yamaha PA is probably a good choice

Studio work is a different story. You need to try mics out for studio work starting with the Telefunken U-47 and also look at the EV RE20 which has strong lows but weak highs.

The U-47, by the way, is $4,000-$5,000 used, they haven't been made since 1969.

You also need a spit screen for it

But on stage, all it will do is squeel and make noise.

So stick with the SM58 original