Question:
You did right by buying an SM58. It’s a low impedance kind of mic. However with the transformer/adapter found in most stores like Radio Shack or any music store, you can plug the mic into a guitar amp. If the guitar amp is a tube type amp, you can reduce feedback by replacing the pre amp tube or tubes which are usually the 12AX7 type tubes which have an amplification factor of 100. Use a 12AU7 tube instead. The amp will not be as loud but you will be able to crank it up higher without inducing feedback so essentially, you will end up with more volume. It will do fine for practice or very small gigs. If you do play larger gigs, renting a sound system will be necessary. Especially for the loud music that punk bands usually play. As for now, don’t sweat it. The SM58 was a necessity. Using a spare guitar amp is a good idea because it will not cost a penny. You will quickly realize that a PA system is a necessity too. Do what our band does. We rent our PA system when we are not using it. Don’t worry it, it will not break. Make sure the speakers can handle the wattage of the PA system
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hey, I’m in a punk band that is just starting out, and I’ve got a couple of questions about vocals… We’re going to get a Shure SM58 mic for our vocalist, as I figure if we’re going to buy something it may as well be good. We also have a couple of extra guitar amps available. 1)Looking through the newsgroups it seems that it is possible to run a mic through a guitar amp, though it may cut off some of the high range. How bad is this problem (generally)? Down the road we will definitely invest in a PA system, but right now I’d hate to make the investment if things fall through. 2)If we do run the SM58 through an amp, will the mic cable go straight into the amp or do we need to buy an adaptor for the mic cable – guitar amp connection? I am totally ignorant on this, so thanks for any help! Sam
Response:
Thanks John (and everyone else too)!
Response:
it is possible to run a mic through a guitar amp…
All good advice here. I would go with the SM58 and a hi/lo XLR/1/4" adaptor, as you will always be able to use a good SM58. Waaaay back in the olden days, musicians used to plug mics into guitar amps all the time, but this was back in the days of MUCH lower volume, and it was even common for musicians to put their combo amps in front of them onstage. The main reason why amps had more than one channel was so you could plug a mic (or other instrument) in. Playing punk, this ain’t gonna work for you very well, but with an adaptor you can use a guitar amp until you get something better. Try to get it up high if you can, and try to keep it from getting behind the mics to minimize feedback. The mixer/monitor idea is a good one. This gear will be useful for a long time as you are able to add more PA components. Another idea is to keep your eyes open for a old used PA with columns, like a Shure Vocalmaster system or equivalent. While certainly not optimum by today’s standards, they can provide an awful lot of bang for the buck if you can get them cheap (well, that’s the only way you’d buy one). And, you can then upgrade individual components as you’re able. Back about 1970, they sold new for about $700. Elvis used a couple of them at Las Vegas. You can spot them in the movie "That’s The Way It Is." When I started working solo, I bought one for $125, and it did quite a few gigs for me while I saved up for better components. While I had it, I made some better speaker cables for it, and replaced a couple of the speakers with items from the local Radio Shack. When the time came, I sold it for the same price I paid, to a bunch of guys who jam in a garage, and they’re quite happy with it, for what it cost them. Zoid z9design.com -please remove "nospam" from address when replying- —–= Posted via Newsfeeds.Com, Uncensored Usenet News =—– http://www.newsfeeds.com – The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! —–== Over 80,000 Newsgroups – 16 Different Servers! =—–
Response:
Hi Sam, As others said- You will need an adapter/transformer that goes from 3-pin XLR to 1/4" phone plug. Between the choices of amps you can use, pick the one that is high powered, solid state, and has good tone controls (if you can). My nephew’s band used my 130 watt solid state Peavey Special and an SM-57 as a rehearsal vocal system, and they got it plenty loud to hear the vocals over all instruments. (They played as loud as their 25-30 watt guitar and bass amps would allow!) John King – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hey, I’m in a punk band that is just starting out, and I’ve got a couple of questions about vocals… We’re going to get a Shure SM58 mic for our vocalist, as I figure if we’re going to buy something it may as well be good. We also have a couple of extra guitar amps available. 1)Looking through the newsgroups it seems that it is possible to run a mic through a guitar amp, though it may cut off some of the high range. How bad is this problem (generally)? Down the road we will definitely invest in a PA system, but right now I’d hate to make the investment if things fall through. 2)If we do run the SM58 through an amp, will the mic cable go straight into the amp or do we need to buy an adaptor for the mic cable – guitar amp connection? I am totally ignorant on this, so thanks for any help! Sam
Response:
Hey, I’m in a punk band that is just starting out, and I’ve got a couple of questions about vocals… We’re going to get a Shure SM58 mic for our vocalist, as I figure if we’re going to buy something it may as well be good. We also have a couple of extra guitar amps available. 1)Looking through the newsgroups it seems that it is possible to run a mic through a guitar amp, though it may cut off some of the high range. How bad is this problem (generally)? Down the road we will definitely invest in a PA system, but right now I’d hate to make the investment if things fall through. 2)If we do run the SM58 through an amp, will the mic cable go straight into the amp or do we need to buy an adaptor for the mic cable – guitar amp connection? I am totally ignorant on this, so thanks for any help! Sam
Response:
2 Things will more than likely happen. 1. You will have a lot of feedback from the amp when you do this. It happened to me when I tried it. 2. Yes you will need a Special adaptor to use The microphone in the guitar amp. Just go a music store and tell them what you are trying to do and they will take care of you.
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hey, I’m in a punk band that is just starting out, and I’ve got a couple of questions about vocals… We’re going to get a Shure SM58 mic for our vocalist, as I figure if we’re going to buy something it may as well be good. We also have a couple of extra guitar amps available. 1)Looking through the newsgroups it seems that it is possible to run a mic through a guitar amp, though it may cut off some of the high range. How bad is this problem (generally)? Down the road we will definitely invest in a PA system, but right now I’d hate to make the investment if things fall through. 2)If we do run the SM58 through an amp, will the mic cable go straight into the amp or do we need to buy an adaptor for the mic cable – guitar amp connection? I am totally ignorant on this, so thanks for any help! Sam
Response:
You need a transformer to go from low to high impedence (xlrf – 1/4"m with a transformer in between). You can get ‘em on sale at radio shock for $12 or so. It’s difficult to get the sound exactly right and gain before feedback WILL be a problem. A graphic eq will help. I do this all the time, btw but I play mostly low to medium volume level Americana, R&B&C&W and blues – of course. I use a musicMan HD150 (2×10" combo) with a 2×12" Fender bandmaster bottom for PA. I’ve also had acceptable results using a Roland JC120 or Fender Twin. YMMV. epp
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hey, I’m in a punk band that is just starting out, and I’ve got a couple of questions about vocals… We’re going to get a Shure SM58 mic for our vocalist, as I figure if we’re going to buy something it may as well be good. We also have a couple of extra guitar amps available. 1)Looking through the newsgroups it seems that it is possible to run a mic through a guitar amp, though it may cut off some of the high range. How bad is this problem (generally)? Down the road we will definitely invest in a PA system, but right now I’d hate to make the investment if things fall through. 2)If we do run the SM58 through an amp, will the mic cable go straight into the amp or do we need to buy an adaptor for the mic cable – guitar amp connection? I am totally ignorant on this, so thanks for any help! Sam
Response:
Hey, I’m in a punk band that is just starting out, and I’ve got a couple of questions about vocals… We’re going to get a Shure SM58 mic for our vocalist, as I figure if we’re going to buy something it may as well be good. We also have a couple of extra guitar amps available.
There’s a break in logic. You want a good mic, but you’re gonna plug it into a guitar amp. I’d either get the SM58 and a used powered mixer with a used monitor wedge or two, – OR – a cheaper high impedance mic to run through the guitar amp. No matter what mic you use, you won’t get the sound you want through a guitar amp, anyway. If you had a keyboard amp available, that’d be a much better compromise. If you get the cheap used powered mixer, you can always use it in a monitor system later, or dump it at no loss. The monitor wedges will always find a use. The lead vocalist ought to spring for the used powered mixer (depending on quality, can be had under $100 on ebay). Everybody should be responsible for their own mics. Figure out who’s gonna buy the two wedges (or even used DJ type speaker), and you’re in business. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – 1)Looking through the newsgroups it seems that it is possible to run a mic through a guitar amp, though it may cut off some of the high range. How bad is this problem (generally)? Down the road we will definitely invest in a PA system, but right now I’d hate to make the investment if things fall through. 2)If we do run the SM58 through an amp, will the mic cable go straight into the amp or do we need to buy an adaptor for the mic cable – guitar amp connection? I am totally ignorant on this, so thanks for any help! Sam
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