Karaoke Forums

I looked on the Shure website and it seems that only the SM58S is the only microphone with a on/off switch? Is this true? I think having the on/switch is helpful so that you can turn it off if you get some feedback.

The switch is fine for home use, but for pro use you will encounter patrons who will switch the mic off after their song. The next singer up in the rotation starts to sing into a dead mic and you have to restart the song. If you experience feedback, you should be correcting the problem from the mixer. Chances are this will be quicker than grabbing the mic and switching it off. Even then, you will still have to make the necessary adjustments on your mixer. If your levels are set correctly, you should only experience feedback if an inexperienced singer wanders too close to a speaker or shouts really, really loud into the mic unexpectedly.

Cheers

If you're looking for a decent price on a decent mic /with an on and off switch I picked up two shure axs 3 mics at guitar center a couple of years ago for $100.00 each. they're not the best ,but sound pretty good and will stand up to the riggers of daily use and abuse .

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Gotta' Sing , Gotta' Sing !!!

Are you using a mixer? If so, you don't need a switch on the mic. Half the time people turn them off & the next singer goes up & don't realize why he isn't being heard so you either have to go up & turn it on & usually will need to start the song over which takes out more time in the night.
Use the "mute" button on the mixer for the mics not being used or if your mixer doesn't have a mute button, turn the mics down that aren't being used.
Also if you are getting feedback from idle mics when turned up, you probably have levels set too high or bad speaker placement.

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LIKE Lonman on Facebook - Lonman Productions Karaoke & my main site via my profile!

I made the mistake in buying mics (OK, not Shure's but don't hang me for that ) and ended up removing the switch, for reasons stated above.

A mic with a switch is OK for home use, but they make a rather poor choice for pro use except as an announce mic for the KJ.
There are a number of mic mfrs. out there, don't limit your self to just one brand.

Answering the original question...

I HAVE THE DEALERS CATALOG for Shure... (something I shouldn't have as an Endorsee of another microphone.. but it's for comparason reasons for my studio and also to assist me in my projects) There is a "Contractor's" grade mic with the same audio qualities of a SM-58s but about $30.00 USD less retail list in a shure mic it's Model SM-48s and still has the metal body and metal windscreen. not plastic. It has a audio bandwidth of 14k to 55hz so I believe without hearing it personally it would be applicable to vocals perfectly.

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Brian D.
(BHB)

ACK! SWITCHES BAD IDEA!

Sorry. Had to say it. I don't know how they do it but I have seen people turn off the mics when they are singing.

Even when the switch is taped up the singer tries to turn on and off the microphone.

If you are getting feedback, then look into some accessories that cut this down. Behringer makes a Feedback Destroyer Pro which is pretty straightforward in setting up.

Otherwise, a 58 is a great way to go!

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A good friend will come and bail you out of jail...but, a true friend will be sitting next to you saying, "Damn...that was fun!"

Animalien: my thoughts exactly too. Unless you the KJ/DJ is the one using it.

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Brian D.
(BHB)

Agree - swiches can cause problems - tape 'em and control from the mixer.

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Sounds Great! Entertainment
Bartlett, Illinois

Yep, every mic left open and unmuted steals at least 6dB headroom from your mix....unused, open mics are also a great place for feedback to enter.

A switch on the mic puts the singer in control, one one the mixer makes you the boss.

Get in the habit of chopping the sliders for unused mics, or using the mute button on your mixer if it has them....forget mic switches unless it is, like they said, for home use.

For stage, stay on the mixer and control who has a live mic, and when. Learn to mute mics before they pop them back in the stands or snatch them out of the holder.

If you have several mics on stands or laying on a table for the singers, then color code the mic cable ends so you can quickly operate the correct mixer control.

None of my mics I have the capabilities that the singers can control.. all the switches are all on the consoles They are either taped, or not installed on the models I use. and I don't give my singers cheap mics either. Most expierenced singers that see a switch in a mic will usually think a KJ is being a "cheap wad", and if they don't like the sound quality your show will suffer, it's better to replace that $80.00 PG series shure 2 times a year, for a $200.00 - $250.00 quality mic that will take a drop or two and last..

I see how alot of KJ pack thier equipment. and Pay peticular attention to it! just throwing it in a road case or equipment tub decreases the life of a mic by 6 months to a year.

Try getting a specially made mic case that is packed in styrofoam a good place to look is your audio retailer. I have 11 live vocal mics not counting over 77 live instrument mics. the road cases for them are essenciential to keeping them safe and keeping my investment functioning show after show.

If your shows have competition that undercut make it a selling point to have the best sound . and the best mics, and functioning mics around. not trashy looking stuff. Shure makes the most used mics today. those that use them know that.. keep them working right.

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Brian D.
(BHB)

BeachHeadBum wrote:
That is the biggest load of ... I have ever heard in my life!

but then

BeachHeadBum wrote:So you do have mic's with switches, but are taped. That means you are being a "cheap wad"?????

{edited by webguru}

Thanks for all the responses. I think I understand all the situations now.

Heck, why stop there man! if a $250.00 mic is going to make your show that much better, go for a gold plated $2000.00 mic, heck, why bother with cdg's hire a live band, and a steno that can type real fast. Go first class or nothing at all.

I HATE BEING THOUGHT OF AS A CHEAP WAD.

REALITY:
playing a $150.00 gig....... have a customer drop and trash a $250.00 mic.



$250.00 cost of doing business
$150.00 Earned income
____________----
$100.00 loss


Get Real!!

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I'm Not Dead yet...... But every day Im getting Closer !

allstar..
PLEASE read the board rules before copying and pasting another quote of mine again..

You once quoted me and it is a fact I DO use $800.00 wireless systems.. It is also a fact they DO come with switches!!!

I do own a few 48's and 58's with switches but that is for drummers who can't hit a snare in the center.. (beginning metal drummers) and I'm in the right by not giving them a beta 57 or an audix D-2 but I have loaned many a switched 48 or 58 to many of a KJ who have asked to borrow them.. that is thier call, on the condition they replace it if it gets broken.

{edited by webguru}

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Brian D.
(BHB)

Dr D.

I have played in some prette bad places with some nice mics working with another KJ's company reciently.. ya know what.. He just bought those mics from me... we went 41 shows (so far) without a single incident of a mic being dropped, damaged or abused. I took all the risks on the financial loss to try this, and it's worked. This company made enough to in profit and new shows to purchase all 8 of them at $200.00 each. I call that Success. Wouldn't you? I only did 6 out of those 41 shows and maybe attended 4 more. thier other KJ's and the owner did the rest and the decision was unilaterial. They were comfortable from the word go. I told them if they couldn't afford it, or they got broken, I would buy them out of my pocket. Guess what Yesterday I got paid in cash for all the mics at a recording session. and all the mics still work. also, get this...

They want 4 more!

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Brian D.
(BHB)

Ditto to Dr. D!!!!

He's one man with a lot of common AND business sense!


{edited by webguru}


Hey Phil! That's cheating, but I'll leave it there

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OFF TOPIC
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oh my, you boys at it again?!

I'm not certain which board rules you are referring, however it seems you two are constantly arguing about who's right.

BHB - If you state that you have some mics with switches, but they are taped. Then go on to say thatAre you therefore seen as a "cheap wad" by most experienced singers?

Okay, I'll stop... See you guys got me involved!

Once again, remember everyone has an opinion and not everyone will agree with yours! We welcome you to express your opinions, within reason & keep it in line...

I may have to start deleting some of these posts...

This site is about fun and sharing!
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I now return you to the subject!

Back to the subject: Those mics that are taped that I own are used as instrument mics.. NOT as Singer's Mics.. and the Vocal mics I do own also, As I said in an earlier post...If I DO loan them out to another KJ... It's thier perogitive what they may with them.. as long as they come back in the condition they left my shop in.

It's only right..

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Brian D.
(BHB)