#microphones

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? 🤔

so ive been messing around with recording podcast intros and im stuck between using my shure sm7b or rode nt1. both sound pretty good to me but im wondering if anyone else has experience with these mics. i mean the sm7b is a classic but the nt1 is supposed to be way quieter. has anyone compared them side by side? im using a focusrite scarlett interface btw. also is it better to record in a treated room or just use a portable vocal booth? tbh im not sure whats more important rn