Karaoke Forums

I used my CAD GXL2400 studio condenser mic yesterday and it's night and day better than any of my other mics. It made me sound good. However, for live performance it isn't as good because it uses a studio shock mount that's designed for being on a mic stand all the time and the handle isn't shaped like a live performance microphone if you take it out of the shock mount to hold it in your hand. It's also very sensitive and thus prone to feedback.

I did some searching around and the Shure Beta 87A sounds like what I need. I was just wondering if anyone uses one or has any opinions/experience with them?
Thanks

I don't prefer them. The few times I've been handed a Bets 87 I've swapped it for a dynamic. Their crystalline highs and increased clarity were largely lost in the club-size systems in use, and at the expense of the low end heft of a good dynamic.

To me it's a mic best suited for stadium systems and live recording situations. But I'm curious if anyone in the forum loves them. Because we all have different voices and equipment, that's just my single thought on this.

I have never seen an 87A at a karaoke show, myself.

Personally I prefer the regular old SM58 over the Beta 58A (or Audix OM-7, or Sennheiser 945) because of the pattern and that low end oomph.

So, is there a way to try different microphones before buying them? I bought my GLX2400 just based on a hunch and some basic research, I got lucky. What was impressive to me was the sensitivity, but at the same time it seemed to enhance the tone and overall sound of my voice. That's what I'm looking for.

I was tempted to buy a SM58 and was looking at lots of different mics when I stumbled on the Beta 87A. The reviews on the Beta 87A were some of the most favorable reviews I have ever read for any product. Some compared the Beta to the SM58 and claimed the the Beta 87A was far superior to the SM58. I found a slightly used Beta 87A for about half the price of a new one and about the same price as an SM58. That's why I'm asking.

Also, what about the Electro-Voice Cobalt CO11? Anyone know anything about it? It's also a condenser mic.

I have plenty of inexpensive, basic mics for people to sing with when I host some time in the future. I wouldn't expect to see high quality or expensive mics at most Karaoke shows and so far I haven't. Most places I've been to have crappy mics that are old, wired, banged up, scratched up mics. One show had Shure wireless mics.

These better quality mics that I'm asking about are for me to use exclusively.

Then it's based on what you like.

For an experienced tenor vocalist, I would think a supercardioid like the Beta 58A or Audix OM7 would be fantastic. For my low baritone, I like the Sennheiser 835 or the SM58. I don't believe those are the best vocalist mics at all, just some of the best karaoke mics because of enhanced midrange response and cardioid pattern.

I know nothing about the 87A. It could be a completely crappy karaoke mic and a wonderful mic for you.

With regard to the CO11, I don't know. I do have the Co9 and like it, but that is a completely different mike. I know a lot of big-name entertainers use EV mics, especially the 767.

I have the wireless version of the Beta 87A. I absolutely love this mic! It is more fragile than the non-condeser mics, but it is well worth it IMO.

Well, the 87A that I was looking at was on ebay and it sold for $137+$10 shipping. New they cost around $225. I'd love to find a really great mic that sounds like my GXL2400 condenser for around the same price as the SM58. I may just end up getting an SM58. There may not be anything better in the $100 price range.

I'm using the wireless version of the Beta 87A at my show and absolutely love it. For my other singers I use 3 of the Beta 58 Wireless.

Started out years ago with the wired Beta 58A. Then bought a wired 87A. Difference in day light and dark. IMO. I now use wireless 87A's at my shows. Besides my sound and my books, one of the biggest compliments I get. I use the Mackie CFX12 mixer/2 450's and a 1501.

Kelly

Thanks for the responses everyone. I found another mic I'm curious about, the Shure SM86. I wish there was somewhere you could go and really try these mics out so you could compare them. I hate to buy a mic that I only have second hand information about.

Just thought I would resurrect this old thread since I had the opportunity to sing with a Beta58. Much better mic than an SM58 IMO. Haven't used a Beta87A yet, but if the Beta58 is any indication, the Beta line is very, very good. Worth the extra money.

The only downfall in a typical karaoke show is most singers do not know proper mic control, this is something you may be trying to teach throughout the show. The beta series is a tighter pickup pattern meaning you need to be singing directly straight into it as with a typical 58 it can a little more forgiving in that respect - not much but a little more. You all know the singers that hold the mic a couple inches from their mouth or the ones that sing with the mic held off to the side so it looks as though they're singing from their cheek, the beta is not going to be good for those unless they can learn to hold the mic properly.

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