[Dixielandjazz] Microphone Advice

[Edgerton, Paul A]

Sheik wrote:
> If I recall correctly, neither Shure has a switch, so if you
> don't have a sound tech running a board, wouldn't you need a
> mic cable with a switch?

Shure makes a full line of microphones based on the same transducer.
Some of them are in what they call the "Entertainer" series and do
include a switch.  Another option, though not widely available, is a
cable with a switch in the connector.

These usually aren't necessary though.  Most mics of this type are
designed to be used used very closely, to help reject unwanted sounds.
You may have noticed performers "working" the mic by moving in close for
softer sounds and backing away for louder ones.  From out in the
audience, anything more than a couple of feet away from one of these
mics is essentially off-mic.

One last point, retailers make very little profit on these mics and many
of them are tempted to offer similar-looking substitutes.  Some
look-alikes are okay, some not.  My advice is to insist on the real
thing.  They are well worth the small difference in price.  By the way,
the going rate for an SM-57 is about $100 US through a discount
retailer.  The SM-58 is about $15 more.

-- Paul Edgerton