Hello All,

Been a while since I've been on this forum.

My wife has been using a Shure SM86 condenser through a Yamaha system. The mike matches her voice well.

We are going to start using an L1 compact for the smaller venues and I'm trying to find a mike that matches the characteristics of the SM86 for her.

We could try using the SM86 through a pre-amp but I'm thinking I'm asking for feedback problems using a condenser mike.

Suggestions and thoughts appreciated.

Tx

Hi guitpic,

Welcome back.

I use my condenser microphones with my Compact most of the time. I'm using the T1 ToneMatch® Audio Engine
for my preamp, but I have also used an ordinary phantom power supply. If you have a phantom power supply kicking around (or a mixer that has phantom power), try that with your Shure SM86 before you spend money on a new microphone.



Even though this microphone has a cardioid polar pattern, you can probably use it if you are aware and do not point the microphone directly at the speaker array at the top of the Compact extensions.

You will want to experiment with where you place the microphone in relation to the Compact. You will probably have better luck if she stands/sits slightly in front of, and well to the side of the Compact. She will want to avoid pointing the microphone at or near the Compact.

Does that help?

ST,

Thanks for taking the time to reply. I will give the SM86 a try when the L1 compact arrives.

I do have some other mikes to try as well...but most of what I own are condensers.

A few mikes that I may look at for my wife include; Audix OM-5 and N/D 757. I actually own an N/D 757 from years back that works well for me.

Take care and thanks again.

Hi guitpic,

I have an Audix OM3b (predecessor and nearly identical to the OM5). This works very nicely with the Compact. As you know, the OM5 has a really tight (hypercardioid) polar pattern. This might make it easier than the SM86 to manage with respect to feedback.

The EV N/D 757 - well I can't find a specification sheet online, but I think that has a supercardioid polar pattern so that should work pretty well with respect to feedback.

With my full sized L1®s I have good luck with the microphones on stands angled upwards, aiming them higher than the top of the Cylindrical Radiator®. With the Compact, I do better with microphones higher on the stand and parallel to the floor. This way they are pointed below the speaker array of the Compact.

Hi Quipic

I have been using EV ND757 and my wife uses her Ev ND367s which was designed for the female voice. She loves the mic. We rarely have feedback problems . Just remember that any mic can feedback. Proper EQ and Reverb settings and of course mic placement all come into feedback play. Good luck!

AJ
Class Entertainment
"music is neither new or old...it just "is"

Thanks again for all the help. The L1 compact should be here later next week and I'll start auditioning some mikes...I'll let you know the progress or lack of it.

Thanks again.

Update.

The L1 Compact arrived yesterday and I have been trying different mikes through the system.

It's too early to tell much, however one thing I have noticed is that feedback, at lower levels, is practically non-existant with any of the mikes I audition. The only time I experience any kind of feedback is when I put the mikes first through a Yamaha mixer.

One other thing...

It's a very early first impression but what a wonderful, clean transparent sound using keyboard and guitar....vocals are super as well.

Neumann KSM 104. the last mic she'll ever need. Nora Jones uses that one I use the 105. They are amazing