The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #57250   Message #899492
Posted By: NicoleC
26-Feb-03 - 05:56 PM
Thread Name: Tech: Good, cheap omni-directional mike
Subject: RE: Good, cheap omni-directional mike
No mic is going to really pick everyone up in a live situation that isn't going to be a headache to control, except a hemispherical PZM, which needs a flat, acoustically reflective surface and isn't going to sound great but will pick up a wide area more or less evenly. It won't be useful for highlighting breaks, though.

That having been said, you may be happy with the way a single mic picks up a bit on the fringes and highlights your breaks.

Vocals and vocal range instruments, like guitars, mandos, fiddles, etc? AKG C-3000 (used or *really* on sale, new is $300-ish), or the C-2000 comes in a bit cheaper in the $200-ish range. Remember, you need phantom power for a condensor mic.

There are numerous inexpensive dynamic mics in the $100 range that may work for you just fine. Before buying a more expensive mic, I'd see if I could borrow someone's SM58 (or similar) and a pair of ears in the audience and see how well it works for you. Or if your amp supports it, buy two and you'll cover more area on stage and have two mics available for breaks.