Hi,

I am new to the performing and recording game. I want to purchase a microphone as a start to my own PA setup as well as have something to use for recording not only music but voice clips at home.

What I am looking for in a microphone:
- A microphone to handle my deep blues voice on stage (I am a complete novice)
- A microphone for recording voice clips (I am doing a course in radio presenting later in the year)
- A microphone for recording vocals when playing guitar at home
Less important:
- A microphone for recording the acoustic guitar (just for fun) (all my guitars do have pickups so I can use the pedal as well)

I have read up on dynamic, large diaphragm, ribbon and other mics. It seems that a dynamic mic will be required for any stage work.

What I have at home so far:
- No PA/Mixer/Speakers yet
- A Pedal that can interface to the PC via normal Jack (not XLR) (Digitech RP255)
- No other USB interface
- I don't have a studio, I have a noisy study

What I am planning to get at some point:
- A mixer and "mini" PA type of setup. Not anything bigger than a StagePass 500
- Possibly a mixer that has a USB interface but that will depend on cost

General Questions before I get to the products I have been looking at:
- Am I dreaming or can I use a dynamic mic as a jack of all trades setup
- Does anyone have any issues with an XLR to USB converter (so that I can plug directly into any PC?)
- Should I rather get a studio style mic for normal voice recording and a dynamic mic for vocals on stage
- Do I require a pop filter for a dynamic mic.
- Is it safe to only have one microphone or do you guys carry a backup for gigs?
- I am generally inclined to go for the middle of the road-expensive products due to my firm belief that they last longer but in this case the price difference is quite intense.

I have had a look around for Dynamic Microphones and have found the following three options that caught my eye (prices are based on my sister importing them in her suitcase at the end of the month). I have read reviews on Amazon and other places and have found people to be satisfied with the products in general (obviously related to the price). I don't have a budget per se, only a (medium-to-long) timeline of how long it will take to get the next piece of toys...sigh.

Behringer XM1800 Set of three for around R450 (+R250 for an XLR to USB)


Behringer XM8500 R300 (+R250 for an XLR to USB)


Shure SM58 R1300 (with USB Adaptor R1550)



I am not a professional, I am a total beginner and would love to hear your thoughts on the topic. I have looked through the forum and have not found anything bad about the SM58 so I guess my question are probably related to the Behringer Mics and other issues I mentioned.

Thanks!

PS: I found the following helpful in guiding me in the general direction if anyone is interested:

Good comparison between Shure SM58 and Shure SM57 .
=

Definitely a Shure SM58 or Shure SM57. I would opt for a SM57 (as a jack of all trades) but either one will fit your needs if you can get the cash together.

There's a very good Chinese knockoff (according to Amazon reviews) of the SM57 called the GLS ES-57 or GLS - ES-58, as a cheaper alternative.

http://www.importitall.co.za/GLS-Audio-Instrument-Microphone-ES57--Mic-Clip--Professional-Series-ES57-Dynamic-Cardioid-Mike-Unidirectional--ap-B001W99HE8.html

Tall order. I've only got one mic that ticks all those boxes for me, an AKG C535 EB (which is IMO, the great sleeper in the AKG range) - and it's in a different price range. A Shure SM87 would probably also do the trick, but same problem. Both condensers BTW, but "ruggedized" for stage use.

Otherwise, the great all round mic is the SM57 that Studmissile mentions. Hard to go wrong with these for live, but they are not the best vocal mic for studio. Still, they're good enough do-it-alls for demo recordings and worth hanging on to as go-to mics for more specific tasks (like percussion, harp, amp micing), even when you upgrade to top vocal mics. There is a reason every studio and sound guy has a brace of 57s...

Not an expert but I'll share my knowledge.

I am pretty Shure you can't go wrong with a SM58 or SM57. (see what I did there!)

A pop filter is pretty standard for recording work. Don't spend money on one though: http://www.instructables.com/id/DIY-Cheap-Microphone-Pop-Filter/

Samson make similar mic's to the shures, and i would imagine better quality than behringer, at less than the Shure price!
Check them out!

A Sm-57 might not do everything as you want it to do but it sure is an investment. You will find a hundred uses for it in time to come. Even if later you find something for each application and one day you suddenly need a mic for lets say micing a tambourine or a wooden box or your dog barking or something, it will be there for you. Very rugged and can handle High SPL so you can stick it in front of almost anything. I have had no problems with Samson mics.

I have SM58's and a Rhode M1. I find the M1 suits my voice better in an A/B comparison and at a similar price to a Shure. The SM58 still remains the jack-of-all-trades mic for stage use due to its rugged construction and great sound. I have seen one thrown accross a stage till the grill had a big dent in and it carried on working. The SM57 is more for recording instruments. I believe the only difference is a foam insert that you can remove from an SM58 to make it an SM57 but not entirely sure of this.

I luv my SM58 and found better mics pick up the nasties in my voice...
The SM58 lets me get away with some of them :-[

SM57. If you have one mic, it should be that.

Thank you for everyone's valuable inputs (and for reading the whole post).

I have decided not to go for the cheap & nasty Behringer option. Will wait a little while to get the cash together for a more decent microphone. Will need to get a stand and a cable as well so will keep my eyes open for a combo deal of some sorts.

I see some dealers sell the Shure SM58/57 for over R2000 but I have also seen them for around R1600.

Will post my feedback (see what I did there) once I made a purchase.

I'll go for the sm58, when recording instruments just take the cone off the mic and u got a sm57