As a sound tech, the one thing I see the most that I find strange is vocalists who do not carry their own microphones. Guitarists, Bassists, and Drummers all spend countless moments getting familiar with their equipment to develop their sound yet many vocalists in club gigging bands will just rely on some cheap old mic that’s been sitting behind the bar and used 2 or more times a week by other singers. It’s been dropped and spit on, who knows what else. But what’s worse is the vocalist didn’t spend the countless moments that other musicians spend picking the right microphone to present their instrument out to the world.
Lets think about this here. A vocalist’s voice is their instrument. Everyone sounds different and some are more distinguishable from others. There are tones, and over tones. Nuances that make you sound like you. Last thing a vocalist should be is content with just “whatever you got”.
Now this isn’t just a quality of equipment situation. Or a health one (We’ve seen the nasty things that happen to house mics!). Just like other instruments there are different factors that effect tone and character with microphones. Better quality mics are more consistent sure, but they all pick things out of the air differently. Certain tones will be stronger on some than on others. Some are edgy with more bite, while others are stronger in the low end and may be boomier.
A vocalist needs to visit a bunch of music stores and ask to try some microphones out. Have them set you up with a professional PA amp and speakers. if any eq, it should be set flat. Stand in front of the speakers with a low volume and sing through a bunch of mics while listening to yourself. (Stand indirectly away to avoid feedback.) Which one do you like your sound on? That’s the one you want! Look for stores that carry Shure, AKG, Audix, and Sennheiser. These are the more common quality brands. Once you’ve picked your mic, look on Ebay or some other online stores for cleaning/sterilizing kits to help you maintain your mic and you’re all set. Now when you show up for a gig hand the sound guy your mic. An experienced sound tech has worked with most mics and is familiar with their characteristics. He’ll then eq your mics balance into his system. Take good care of your mic and it will last a long time.
