Vocal mic positioning for singing drummers

[jdcfan]

I've been working on singing and drumming for the past few months and I've
made great progress. I've experimented with many different positions for
the mic, but I still haven't decided what is the best place for it. I
have a boom stand with a gooseneck attachment.

I've been searching for videos and pictures of singing drummers to get
some more ideas and see if there was any kind of consensus on what the
best place for it is. I found a great video of Don Henley playing and
singing Hotel California. I also found a video of Karen Carpenter from
the Ed Sullivan show, but it looked like it was lip-synced. I also found
some old Night Ranger videos with Kelly Keagy. On those videos, Kelly has
the mic left of his throne and he turns his head toward his left shoulder
to sing (see the music video for "When You Close Your Eyes" for an
example).

For my usual configuration, I have the boom stand directly behind my back
and the boom stand/gooseneck drops down over my head. I have to position
the mic relatively high and angle it down to keep it from being in the
stick area. This setup is relatively comfortable, but it is not as good
for crowd visibility since it covers much of my face.

Recently, I tried putting the mic to the immediate left of my throne (like
Keagy). At first I thought it would be uncomfortable, but it wasn't too
bad really. I played Message in a Bottle using that configuration and I
played it well, even though I was blindly hitting the tom toms when it
goes "I hope that someone gets my..." (Fun song to sing and drum...)

On stage, I will probably be rotated 45-90 degrees from the "usual"
drummer setup. I'm keeping the left side of my kit relatively free of
cymbals since it allows for better visibility and it's harder to hit the
mic with a stick. I like the "Kelly Keagy" setup since it allows me to
use a regular boom stand and have the mic angled upward rather than
downward. This setup seems to allow for the best crowd visibility. I'm
not too sure how comfortable it will be in the long run though and if it
is really good to be twisted any more than you already have to be much of
the time to sing and play drums.

I'm interested in any comments or advice about vocal mic positioning for
singing drummers. I'm also interested in hearing about the configurations
that singing drummers in this newsgroup use.

One more thing, I'm not going to use a headset mic, so don't give me that
advice. :)

Dan L.

[Joey Furr]

"jdcfan" <drl7122@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:bhfccf$42d3$1@ID-148178.news.uni-berlin.de...

....clipped...

> One more thing, I'm not going to use a headset mic, so don't give me that
> advice. :)

That's too bad. I have total freedom with my headset mic...and can move
around the set naturally.

--

....Joey
"...so hold the mustard on those flames, y'all." - Aaron Draper


>
> Dan L.
>
>

[John P.]

"jdcfan" <drl7122@yahoo.com> wrote in a message

> One more thing, I'm not going to use a headset mic, so don't give me that
> advice. :)

Well, then I have no advice for you. I hate having a mic on a boom anywhere
near me. Even if I manage to have it out of my way, I can "feel" it near me
and it bugs me. As for headset mics... I generally think that if you're not
Brittany Spears or Janet Jackson, you should never use such a thing... but I
also think drummers can get away with it more than the people out front.
Phil Collins managed to pull it off rather well.

[Dan Radin]

"jdcfan" <drl7122@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:bhfccf$42d3$1@ID-148178.news.uni-berlin.de...
> I've been working on singing and drumming for the past few months and I've
> made great progress. I've experimented with many different positions for
> the mic, but I still haven't decided what is the best place for it. I
> have a boom stand with a gooseneck attachment.

If you're the "frontman", and you are interested in being a visual focal
point, then I think you're on the right track with angling the kit to the
right and turning to the left to face the audience. Many frontman pianists
have done something like this over the years. If you're singing backup and
aren't so worried about the audience seeing you, then I like the "drop" the
mic in using a boom stand set up with the arm high and parallel to the
floor, and then adding a short tilting adaptor (On Stage MSA-9502 Posi-Lok
Mini-Mini Boom 7" http://www.sound-room.com/mofcart/osposilock.html) arm to
bring the mic to my face. It's like a gooseneck in concept, but the angle is
lockable, and there are less squeaks and creaks. Also, K&M has several
clamp-on boom arm variations that are worth checking out.

[Lonny]

If you are singing the lead, then the mic should be in front of you,
making you face the audience. If you are singing third or fouth
harmony, then anywhere you feel comfortable is fine. There really is
no right or wrong. Some peeps use the boom in front of them while
singing harmony, and then move it out of the way (even in the middle
of the song) when finished with the singing duties. Whatever works
for you is ok with me, as long as you are not dissing the audience.

Lonny

"jdcfan" <drl7122@yahoo.com> wrote in message news:<bhfccf$42d3$1@ID-148178.news.uni-berlin.de>...
> I've been working on singing and drumming for the past few months and I've
> made great progress. I've experimented with many different positions for
> the mic, but I still haven't decided what is the best place for it. I
> have a boom stand with a gooseneck attachment.
>
> I've been searching for videos and pictures of singing drummers to get
> some more ideas and see if there was any kind of consensus on what the
> best place for it is. I found a great video of Don Henley playing and
> singing Hotel California. I also found a video of Karen Carpenter from
> the Ed Sullivan show, but it looked like it was lip-synced. I also found
> some old Night Ranger videos with Kelly Keagy. On those videos, Kelly has
> the mic left of his throne and he turns his head toward his left shoulder
> to sing (see the music video for "When You Close Your Eyes" for an
> example).
>
> For my usual configuration, I have the boom stand directly behind my back
> and the boom stand/gooseneck drops down over my head. I have to position
> the mic relatively high and angle it down to keep it from being in the
> stick area. This setup is relatively comfortable, but it is not as good
> for crowd visibility since it covers much of my face.
>
> Recently, I tried putting the mic to the immediate left of my throne (like
> Keagy). At first I thought it would be uncomfortable, but it wasn't too
> bad really. I played Message in a Bottle using that configuration and I
> played it well, even though I was blindly hitting the tom toms when it
> goes "I hope that someone gets my..." (Fun song to sing and drum...)
>
> On stage, I will probably be rotated 45-90 degrees from the "usual"
> drummer setup. I'm keeping the left side of my kit relatively free of
> cymbals since it allows for better visibility and it's harder to hit the
> mic with a stick. I like the "Kelly Keagy" setup since it allows me to
> use a regular boom stand and have the mic angled upward rather than
> downward. This setup seems to allow for the best crowd visibility. I'm
> not too sure how comfortable it will be in the long run though and if it
> is really good to be twisted any more than you already have to be much of
> the time to sing and play drums.
>
> I'm interested in any comments or advice about vocal mic positioning for
> singing drummers. I'm also interested in hearing about the configurations
> that singing drummers in this newsgroup use.
>
> One more thing, I'm not going to use a headset mic, so don't give me that
> advice. :)
>
> Dan L.

[Aaron Draper]

I've been singing and drumming for 10 years, with about 5 years apiece using
a headset and a mic with a boom. I've found that the Kelly Keagy setup
works best for me, as I'm usually backed into a corner or against a wall,
and a stand behind me with an overhead gooseneck won't be practical most of
the time. I place the stand to my left, with the boom angled upward
slightly. The mic is so positioned that when I'm singing directly into it,
I'm facing straight forward or only slightly to the left. Try to keep your
neck in as neutral a position as possible to avoid chronic injury or pain.
Don Henley said not too long ago that he still has back problems now and
then, from contorting his body to sing into his mic. Practice with the mic
in front of you, and you'll get used to not hitting it, and you'll forget
it's even there. I hope this helps.

Oh, and I'm not sure what configuration you're looking for, but I play a
standard 12-13-16-22 5 piece kit, with 2 crashes and one ride. The mic is an
SM58. The musical style is pop/rock.

--
Aaron Draper
www.baileyscomet.net
----------
"Does he think he's Ponce d' Moongel?"
-Sam Savoca
jdcfan wrote in message ...
>I've been working on singing and drumming for the past few months and I've
>made great progress. I've experimented with many different positions for
>the mic, but I still haven't decided what is the best place for it. I
>have a boom stand with a gooseneck attachment.
>
>I've been searching for videos and pictures of singing drummers to get
>some more ideas and see if there was any kind of consensus on what the
>best place for it is. I found a great video of Don Henley playing and
>singing Hotel California. I also found a video of Karen Carpenter from
>the Ed Sullivan show, but it looked like it was lip-synced. I also found
>some old Night Ranger videos with Kelly Keagy. On those videos, Kelly has
>the mic left of his throne and he turns his head toward his left shoulder
>to sing (see the music video for "When You Close Your Eyes" for an
>example).
>
>For my usual configuration, I have the boom stand directly behind my back
>and the boom stand/gooseneck drops down over my head. I have to position
>the mic relatively high and angle it down to keep it from being in the
>stick area. This setup is relatively comfortable, but it is not as good
>for crowd visibility since it covers much of my face.
>
>Recently, I tried putting the mic to the immediate left of my throne (like
>Keagy). At first I thought it would be uncomfortable, but it wasn't too
>bad really. I played Message in a Bottle using that configuration and I
>played it well, even though I was blindly hitting the tom toms when it
>goes "I hope that someone gets my..." (Fun song to sing and drum...)
>
>On stage, I will probably be rotated 45-90 degrees from the "usual"
>drummer setup. I'm keeping the left side of my kit relatively free of
>cymbals since it allows for better visibility and it's harder to hit the
>mic with a stick. I like the "Kelly Keagy" setup since it allows me to
>use a regular boom stand and have the mic angled upward rather than
>downward. This setup seems to allow for the best crowd visibility. I'm
>not too sure how comfortable it will be in the long run though and if it
>is really good to be twisted any more than you already have to be much of
>the time to sing and play drums.
>
>I'm interested in any comments or advice about vocal mic positioning for
>singing drummers. I'm also interested in hearing about the configurations
>that singing drummers in this newsgroup use.
>
>One more thing, I'm not going to use a headset mic, so don't give me that
>advice. :)
>
>Dan L.
>
>

[jdcfan]

"Aaron Draper" <baileyscomet@cablespeed.com> wrote:
> I've been singing and drumming for 10 years, with about 5 years apiece
> using a headset and a mic with a boom.

Just out of curiosity, did you switch from using a boom to a headset?

> I've found that the Kelly Keagy setup works best for me, as I'm usually
> backed into a corner or against a wall, and a stand behind me with an
> overhead gooseneck won't be practical most of the time. I place the
> stand to my left, with the boom angled upward slightly. The mic is so
> positioned that when I'm singing directly into it, I'm facing straight
> forward or only slightly to the left.

I usually have the mic angled downward so it is out of my way just a
little bit more. I also have it positioned so that I have turn a little
to my left to sing (not much though).

> Try to keep your neck in as neutral a position as possible to avoid
> chronic injury or pain. Don Henley said not too long ago that he still
> has back problems now and then, from contorting his body to sing into
> his mic. Practice with the mic in front of you, and you'll get used to
> not hitting it, and you'll forget it's even there. I hope this helps.

That was one of my concerns. Maybe I'll go with something in between
facing straight forward and almost singing over my left shoulder. I'll
probably flatten the mic angle a little more and maybe tilt it upwards
slightly.

> Oh, and I'm not sure what configuration you're looking for, but I play a
> standard 12-13-16-22 5 piece kit, with 2 crashes and one ride. The mic
> is an SM58. The musical style is pop/rock.

I'm mainly interested in special configurations due to singing and
drumming. For instance, I have my crash placed in a different spot than
normal to increase visibility and prevent hitting the mic with a stick. I
use an Audix OM-2 mic. It's good because it is a very tight patterned
mic, so it rejects more of the kit, but you have to sing directly into it.

Good post, thanks...

Dan L.

[jdcfan]

"Dan Radin" <danradin@snet.net> wrote:
>
> If you're the "frontman", and you are interested in being a visual focal
> point, then I think you're on the right track with angling the kit to
> the right and turning to the left to face the audience. Many frontman
> pianists have done something like this over the years.

I intend to sing lead on over 60% of the show. I will sing backup on most
of the other songs. I really want to be as close to the audience as
possible and be as visible as possible. But I don't want to compromise my
playing or comfort too much.

> If you're singing backup and aren't so worried about the audience seeing
> you, then I like the "drop" the mic in using a boom stand set up with
> the arm high and parallel to the floor, and then adding a short tilting
> adaptor (On Stage MSA-9502 Posi-Lok Mini-Mini Boom 7"
> http://www.sound-room.com/mofcart/osposilock.html) arm to
> bring the mic to my face. It's like a gooseneck in concept, but the
> angle is lockable, and there are less squeaks and creaks. Also, K&M has
> several clamp-on boom arm variations that are worth checking out.

Thanks for the suggestion, for around $10, I will have to pick up one of
those regardless of what setup I choose.

Dan L.

[Martin Frye]

I am currently singing about 50% of our book (Classic Rock) and I use the
same setup as you whenever possible. If rear space doesn't permit it, I set
the stand to my right, keep the boom at the same height, and drop the
gooseneck down from there. I really don't have a visibility issue with the
audience, but I do wish we could get an unobstructed picture of me for
posters etc.

Incidently, I tried a headset mic and it was extremely uncomfortable for me.
Perhaps I didn't give it enough time.

Marty


"jdcfan" <drl7122@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:bhfccf$42d3$1@ID-148178.news.uni-berlin.de...
> I've been working on singing and drumming for the past few months and I've
> made great progress. I've experimented with many different positions for
> the mic, but I still haven't decided what is the best place for it. I
> have a boom stand with a gooseneck attachment.
>
> I've been searching for videos and pictures of singing drummers to get
> some more ideas and see if there was any kind of consensus on what the
> best place for it is. I found a great video of Don Henley playing and
> singing Hotel California. I also found a video of Karen Carpenter from
> the Ed Sullivan show, but it looked like it was lip-synced. I also found
> some old Night Ranger videos with Kelly Keagy. On those videos, Kelly has
> the mic left of his throne and he turns his head toward his left shoulder
> to sing (see the music video for "When You Close Your Eyes" for an
> example).
>
> For my usual configuration, I have the boom stand directly behind my back
> and the boom stand/gooseneck drops down over my head. I have to position
> the mic relatively high and angle it down to keep it from being in the
> stick area. This setup is relatively comfortable, but it is not as good
> for crowd visibility since it covers much of my face.
>
> Recently, I tried putting the mic to the immediate left of my throne (like
> Keagy). At first I thought it would be uncomfortable, but it wasn't too
> bad really. I played Message in a Bottle using that configuration and I
> played it well, even though I was blindly hitting the tom toms when it
> goes "I hope that someone gets my..." (Fun song to sing and drum...)
>
> On stage, I will probably be rotated 45-90 degrees from the "usual"
> drummer setup. I'm keeping the left side of my kit relatively free of
> cymbals since it allows for better visibility and it's harder to hit the
> mic with a stick. I like the "Kelly Keagy" setup since it allows me to
> use a regular boom stand and have the mic angled upward rather than
> downward. This setup seems to allow for the best crowd visibility. I'm
> not too sure how comfortable it will be in the long run though and if it
> is really good to be twisted any more than you already have to be much of
> the time to sing and play drums.
>
> I'm interested in any comments or advice about vocal mic positioning for
> singing drummers. I'm also interested in hearing about the configurations
> that singing drummers in this newsgroup use.
>
> One more thing, I'm not going to use a headset mic, so don't give me that
> advice. :)
>
> Dan L.
>
>

[jdcfan]

"Martin Frye" <mfrye@neb.rr.com> wrote:
>
> Incidently, I tried a headset mic and it was extremely uncomfortable for
> me. Perhaps I didn't give it enough time.

It seems like people either love or hate headset mics. I've read about
people who switched from boom mics to headset mics and they say they will
never go back to boom mics. I've decided that I'm going to stick with a
boom mic. Most of the famous singing drummers use the boom mic setup
(Levon Helm, Don Henley, Peter Rivera, etc...) I think Kelly Keagy
recently switched to a headset mic though...

Dan L.

[Aaron Draper]

jdcfan wrote:

<snip>

To answer your questions, I went from a boom (3 years) to a headset (5
years) back to a boom (2 years). Each has their advantages and
disadvantages. But to be quite honest, the advantages of using a headset
mic are few. I guess the fact that you don't need floor space for them, and
the fact that they're harder to hit with a stick (although I sure had little
trouble nailing it) might be a couple. The disadvantages are many, again
IMHO. Bear in mind that the ONLY headset I used was a Shure SM10A, hardly
the industry gold standard, but considered a solid headset mic. The band
had a hard time getting enough volume out of my SM10A. I could never
position it *quite* where I wanted it, the way it is designed, and every
time I wanted to adjust it at all, I had to unscrew an adjustment nut,
adjust, and then screw it back. They can be uncomfortable, and pull hair
out. You can't wear it with a cowboy hat. :-) If you needed to say
something off mic, it is a pain. For going back and forth between singing
background vocals and lead vocals (I sing one or the other in every song),
it was hard to adjust the proximity. If you have to cough in the middle of
a song, you're hit (unless you have a "Cough Drop" type of foot switch, and
you know it's coming). People call you Garth or Britney. When I went back
to a boom and an SM58, the band told me they secretly wanted me to for a
long time. The change of mics was done without adjusting one cymbal
placement. It's good to be back. Having said all that, there are many
drummers better than me in here that swear by them, as I once did. Thanks
for your interest.

--
Aaron Draper
www.baileyscomet.net
----------
"Does he think he's Ponce d' Moongel?"
-Sam Savoca

[jdcfan]

"Aaron Draper" <baileyscomet@cablespeed.com> wrote:
>
> To answer your questions, I went from a boom (3 years) to a headset (5
> years) back to a boom (2 years). Each has their advantages and
> disadvantages. But to be quite honest, the advantages of using a
> headset mic are few.

That is interesting perspective. Usually I hear people say that headsets
have more advantages. I listened to their points and some were good, but
I was never sold on the headset mic.

> For going back and forth between singing background vocals and lead
> vocals (I sing one or the other in every song), it was hard to adjust
> the proximity.

Good point there. I use a decent amount of mic technique when singing.

> People call you Garth or Britney.

I don't ever want my name associated with either of them...

> Thanks for your interest.

Thanks for the good info.

Dan L.

[bjacoby@users.iwaynet.net]

jdcfan <drl7122@yahoo.com> wrote:
> "Martin Frye" <mfrye@neb.rr.com> wrote:
>> Incidently, I tried a headset mic and it was extremely uncomfortable for
>> me. Perhaps I didn't give it enough time.

> It seems like people either love or hate headset mics. I've read about
> people who switched from boom mics to headset mics and they say they will
> never go back to boom mics. I've decided that I'm going to stick with a
> boom mic. Most of the famous singing drummers use the boom mic setup
> (Levon Helm, Don Henley, Peter Rivera, etc...) I think Kelly Keagy
> recently switched to a headset mic though...

The reason "famous" singing drummers use a boom is the same reason
most decent singers don't like headsets. A decent singer plays
the mic as if it's an instrument! By controling the distance
from you to the mic you get great advantages especially in
controlling "blasting" and overload. Just watch any decent
singer "play" the mic. A headset not only makes you look geeky,
but it also is fixed to your head. You can't control the sound
by turning away or increasing the mouth to mic distance. When
your voice is your instrument you don't want to throw away half
your control over your sound. A headset might be OK for
backup singing or the like, but I think most singers would find
real disadvantages with a headset rig. The biggest headset advantage
doesn't even apply to a drummer (well drumest drummer anyway)
and that is it allows you to romp all over stage Garth-like.
That doesn't mean much when your butt is firmly planted on
a drum throne!

Benj
--
SPAM-Guard! Remove .users (if present) to email me!

[jdcfan]

<bjacoby@users.iwaynet.net> wrote:
>
> The reason "famous" singing drummers use a boom is the same reason
> most decent singers don't like headsets. A decent singer plays
> the mic as if it's an instrument! By controling the distance
> from you to the mic you get great advantages especially in
> controlling "blasting" and overload. Just watch any decent
> singer "play" the mic. A headset not only makes you look geeky,
> but it also is fixed to your head. You can't control the sound
> by turning away or increasing the mouth to mic distance.

I agree. It would be much more difficult to use any mic technique with a
headset mic. It's difficult to use good mic technique with a boom mic
while drumming, but I try at least. When I am singing softer parts, I
move closer up to the mic and when I have to belt it out, I move back.

Dan L.

[-MIKE-]

Ever see one of those idiotic looking lavaliere-type wire and clip
devices that hangs around the neck, resting on the chest, holding a
wireless handheld mic out from a guy's chest, so he can walk around
talking? It's usually those late-night, public access preachers
that wear them. :-)


-MIKE-

--
http://mikedrums.com
mike@mikedrumsDOT.com
---remove "DOT" ^^^^ to reply

[ramalane]

"jdcfan" <drl7122@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:bhhrf0$s22r$1@ID-148178.news.uni-berlin.de...
> <bjacoby@users.iwaynet.net> wrote:
> >
> > The reason "famous" singing drummers use a boom is the same reason
> > most decent singers don't like headsets. A decent singer plays
> > the mic as if it's an instrument! By controling the distance
> > from you to the mic you get great advantages especially in
> > controlling "blasting" and overload. Just watch any decent
> > singer "play" the mic. A headset not only makes you look geeky,
> > but it also is fixed to your head. You can't control the sound
> > by turning away or increasing the mouth to mic distance.
>
> I agree. It would be much more difficult to use any mic technique with a
> headset mic. It's difficult to use good mic technique with a boom mic
> while drumming, but I try at least. When I am singing softer parts, I
> move closer up to the mic and when I have to belt it out, I move back.

Are you sure that you don't have that backwards?

/ramalane

--
Church of the Swimming Elephant
http://www.cotse.com
Have you been to church today?

[ramalane]

"-MIKE-" <mike@mikedrumsDOT.com> wrote in message
news:LtScnTYomcmDH6GiXTWJgA@comcast.com...
> Ever see one of those idiotic looking lavaliere-type wire and clip
> devices that hangs around the neck, resting on the chest, holding a
> wireless handheld mic out from a guy's chest, so he can walk around
> talking? It's usually those late-night, public access preachers
> that wear them. :-)

That would never work for me...I hate to admit it but I've knocked my
glasses off with the tip of a stick on cross-overs. <snarf>

/ramalane

--
Church of the Swimming Elephant
http://www.cotse.com
Have you been to church today?

[bjacoby@users.iwaynet.net]

ramalane <ramalane@ramalanetinr.com> wrote:
>> When I am singing softer parts, I
>> move closer up to the mic and when I have to belt it out, I move back.

> Are you sure that you don't have that backwards?

Nope. He has it right! I take it you don't sing. You move closer
on soft part to give a more intimate sound while on loud parts
you move back so that you voice carries the sound of volume
without actually being louder in the PA/recording etc. The
actual electronic volume stays pretty much the same to the
listener while the "impression" of your singing volume
changes dramatically. It makes your singing much more
effective than the normal rock star "eat the mic" as if you
were gay and it was a large tumescent choad!

Benj
--
SPAM-Guard! Remove .users (if present) to email me!

[Rev. Poindexter]

In article <D5CdnWD4-5P7C6aiU-KYgg@comcast.com>, Joey Furr
<joeyfurr@yahoo.com> wrote:

> "jdcfan" <drl7122@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> news:bhfccf$42d3$1@ID-148178.news.uni-berlin.de...
>
> ...clipped...
>
> > One more thing, I'm not going to use a headset mic, so don't give me that
> > advice. :)
>
> That's too bad. I have total freedom with my headset mic...and can move
> around the set naturally.

The bad thing about headsets is that you can't get away from them to
belch or tell a crude joke to the bass player. A definite disadvantage
IMHO. Plus, they just look dorky.

I've used an AKG tripod boom stand for years with a 12" gooseneck. The
boom is over my head and the mic drops down and slightly to the left
with the mic (a Shure Beta 58A) angled in toward me. I can see straight
ahead just fine.

And also, I sing lead AND harmonies.

--
Rev. Poindexter (masquerading as Scott Logsdon) - rev@NOSPAMsonormuseum.com
visit the Unofficial Sonor Virtual Museum --- www.sonormuseum.com
** - ** - ** - ** - **
Frank Zappa isn't dead, he just smells funny

[Joey Furr]

"Rev. Poindexter" <poindexter@NOSPAMsubgenius.com> wrote in message
news:170820031647160754%poindexter@NOSPAMsubgenius .com...
> In article <D5CdnWD4-5P7C6aiU-KYgg@comcast.com>, Joey Furr
> <joeyfurr@yahoo.com> wrote:
>
> > "jdcfan" <drl7122@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> > news:bhfccf$42d3$1@ID-148178.news.uni-berlin.de...
> >
> > ...clipped...
> >
> > > One more thing, I'm not going to use a headset mic, so don't give me
that
> > > advice. :)
> >
> > That's too bad. I have total freedom with my headset mic...and can move
> > around the set naturally.
>
> The bad thing about headsets is that you can't get away from them to
> belch or tell a crude joke to the bass player. A definite disadvantage
> IMHO. Plus, they just look dorky.

An understandable concern. Shure includes a schematic for a silent-operation
drop switch in the manual, which I built immediately after aquiring the mic.

I've been thinking about trying out a 58 on a boom/gooseneck...as I will
admit that the headset has always been very low gain.

I would have to get used to the huge gooseneck/mic in front of my face.

--

....Joey
"...so hold the mustard on those flames, y'all." - Aaron Draper

>
> I've used an AKG tripod boom stand for years with a 12" gooseneck. The
> boom is over my head and the mic drops down and slightly to the left
> with the mic (a Shure Beta 58A) angled in toward me. I can see straight
> ahead just fine.
>
> And also, I sing lead AND harmonies.
>
> --
> Rev. Poindexter (masquerading as Scott Logsdon) -
rev@NOSPAMsonormuseum.com
> visit the Unofficial Sonor Virtual Museum --- www.sonormuseum.com
> ** - ** - ** - ** - **
> Frank Zappa isn't dead, he just smells funny

[BKO]

I've tried both, and and there are things I like on both systems. Lately
I've been using the boom with goose neck concept. I've had to put extra
weights on the back of the boom though, IMO the goose-neck makes the stand
unstable.

BKO

> I've been thinking about trying out a 58 on a boom/gooseneck...as I will
> admit that the headset has always been very low gain.
>
> I would have to get used to the huge gooseneck/mic in front of my face.