Special Microphones for Bass Singers???

I posted this information over on my King's Servants Quartet site a couple of years ago, and I get tons of hits from folks asking the question "are there special microphones for bass singers?" In a nut shell the answer is...well... yes and no.

Being a bass singer myself, I am always wanting to sound my best and have a smooth yet thundering bass sound. But, just as Jim Weatherford, bass for the group, EVIDENCE, says, "it's not the microphone that makes the bass singer, but good sound reinforcement and a relyable [sic] microphone sure helps a lot."

I've heard a lot of bass singers in my life, some good and some bad. A lot of folks refer to the late great J.D. Sumner as the best in the business, and he was great, however, I often found his growling just a tad overbearing. When he was singing standard bass notes his sound was pleasing but when he would throw that hand up to his ear, lean into the mic and start something akin to burping, it just turned me off. I would much rather hear a smooth, solid bass sound like Eric Bennet's, rather than someone trying to impress me with their belching skills, and judging from THIS post on iBelieve.com, I'm not the only one that feels that way.

So with that being said, read on:

Bass Microphones:

Ever wonder what type of microphones that bass singers use? Well being a bass singer myself I was curious to know what types of mics were being used so I did a little bit of research. Below are a few southern gospel bass singers and the microphones that they use. I will add more to the list as I hear back from them. If you are a bass singer and want to have your microphone listed here, send an e-mail and let us know!

Eric Bennett, Triumphant Quartet: "I use the same mic as all the other guys. Wireless, Shure 87. I like it to be clean where you can understand the words. Gospel music is all about the words so keep the mic clean. You may not be able to rattle the speakers but, they won't miss a word you say."

Tim Buffaloe, Four Fold Quartet: "Without question the best mic that we have found is the Sennheiser Wireless (with special order condenser head) I think the model is EM165 or 465"

Jeff Chapman, Kingdom Heirs: "I use a wireless "audio tech- t3300". You may want to try an "akg 535".

Burman Porter, Blackwood Gospel Quartet: "Burman uses a Shure Wireless SM 58"

Brad Meeks, Kindred Spirit: "I sing over the Shure Beta 87 Wireless, which is the same mic the other guys in my group use. I think with the right equipment, and ability to set eq's, a bass singer can sing on the same mic as the rest of the group. This is how so many of the "good" basses do it today. IMHO - If you are truly a well-versed bass vocalist, you should be able to sing over any microphone."

Jim Weatherford, EVIDENCE: "I've been around Southern Gospel Music for a long time and I've always used the microphone that J.D. Sumner actually used... A Shure SM-81. I'm also trying to get accustomed to using a "MXL" microphone [$99.00 at Guitar Center]. It does everything the Shure SM-81 will do at 1/4 the price. But I still like the SM-81, it is predictable and relyable.
I just want to be clear that it's not the microphone that makes the bass singer, but good sound reinforcement and a relyable microphone sure helps a lot."

Gerald Williams, Melody Boys Quartet: "Most bass singers don't like the mic I use. It is just a regular Sure SM 58. A lot of the guys want the condenser type mic and they are ok except that most basses use them wrong by over powering the other harmony parts and by doing so all you hear is a big roar of the bass part ruining the blend. The SM 58 has a hot spot in the exact center of the mic and this is what I work from."

David Hester, Dove Brothers Quartet: "David uses an AKG 81 just like the rest of the group. No special mic."

J.D. Sumner: It is widely reported that JD used a Shure SM 81 microphone

Kevin Mothershed, Christway Quartet: "As a quartet bass singer, I have used and still own a number of quality microphones. Those I still own are the Shure Beta 58, Shure SM 81, Electro Voice EV757, Sennheiser E865, and the wired (AE5400) and wireless(AEW5400) versions of the Audio Technica Artist Elite 5400 series. I, like Eric Bennett, prefer a clean sound over a boomy, muddy one. I'm currently using, with the rest of my quartet, the AT AEW5400. While having a good low end pickup, it doesn't sacrifice a clean sound. Of course, how a person sets up his p.a. system has a lot to do with the sound, as well. A good, clean sound is only as good as the weakest link in the p.a. system, whether that be the microphone, speakers, mixer or amp. Another factor to consider is the person's voice. Because virtually everyone's voice is different to some extent, there is no one microphone that's going to be "the best" for all vocals. But overall, I've found the AT 5400's to be very consistent across the vocal spectrum."

**Note** The above information was obtained in 2006/2007, some of the bass singers have went to other groups since it was written.

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