choir mic showdown: shure sm58 vs sennheiser e945 for travel rehearsals

i've been juggling two go‑to mics for my weekend choir trips and wanted to share what i’ve noticed...

• sm58: classic cardioid pattern, handles rough handling well, low self‑noise (≈14 dB). the built‑in pop filter saves me a windscreen when we sing outdoors. i love the warm mids that blend nicely with mixed voices. downside: a bit heavy, can bite the mic stand if you’re not careful

• e945: super‑cardioid, tighter pickup angle, great for isolating a section in a cramped hotel room. the frequency response is slightly brighter (2‑4 kHz boost) which helps the sopranos cut through. however, it’s more sensitive to plosives and needs a proper shock mount – otherwise you get that annoying thump when the conductor leans on the mic stand lol

my take: for most travel choirs i stick with the sm58 because durability beats that extra clarity when you’re packing light. the e945 is awesome for studio‑style recordings or when you have a dedicated mic rig, but the extra gear hassle kinda kills the vibe for quick rehearsals ??

anyone else got a favorite? thoughts on using a small‑diaphragm condenser like the rode m5‑p for sectionals? 🤔