Favorite Microphones
We will talk about famous singers’ favorite microphones in a little bit. But please allow me to share a little personal story.
While researching for mics for our new podcasting setup, I learned a lot.
Actually I learned more about an old friend, SM-58. (FYI, SM stands for Studio Mic). I clearly remember when once in the 90s, in a studio, it was used as a hammer. We go back ways to when at a public access station, our entire ENG audio package consisted of an XLR cable and one Shure SM-58 (and the camera mic). And I was in my 20s and adventurous and SM was right there in the trenches with me!
Now some 30 years later, still in my 20s (with grown up kids)! , just learned that my old buddy is nothing short of a celebrity! And I’m talking about Robert Plant, Mick Jagger, Bono, The Boss celebrity!
Please allow me to back track. I watched Song Remains the Same 800 times before I ever touched a SM-58. And little did I know ….
Ok let’s get technical. I read almost 809 articles on the internet about SM-58, but I find the following page by Shure the most informative. I did learn that the low/no feedback issue on stage was a big decision maker.
Click on the taped up image of a functioning SM-58 (which I hope you find hilarious!)
But let’s get back to the celebrities:
It’s an interesting list to look at. Because the search for “Best Microphone of All Time” and “Famous Singers’ Favorite Microphone”, produced very different results.
These usual suspects are names that kept coming up: U47, U67, U87, C12, SM7B, C800G
Here are a few names I’m listing as well as the sources.
https://www.thevocaliststudio.com/blog/top-5-famous-studio-microphones
https://micforyou.com/best-microphones-used-by-famous-singers/
Shure SM-7B – Michael Jackson, Sheryl Crow, Bob Dylan
Sennheiser e945 – Madonna, Drake
Neumann U47 – Frank Sinatra, John Lennon, The Beatles, and Jim Morrison
Electro-Voice RE20 – Bob Dylan
Shure SM-58 – Patti Smith, Sheryl Crow, Henry Rollins, Brandon Flowers, Mick Jagger, Robert Plant, Bono
AKG C24 – 4, – Beyonce
Neumann U67 – Kurt Cobain
AKG C414B – Sinead O Connor
