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While audiophiles and gearheads love to debate the perfect setup for the studio, the live space is filled with just as many fantastic gear options. Of course, you have your time-tested road warriors like the Shure SM57 and SM58, and those will probably continue to be used onstage for decades to come. But as great and reliable as this gear can be, oftentimes what you see is what you get, and in this case, that’s a solid, baseline live sound, but without much more room for fine-tuning or customization.
Luckily, we live in an exciting time for audio technology. It's never been easier to achieve studio-grade sounds and effects on the road, all without needing an extra bus to haul your gear. To get the scoop on the latest gear, we asked live sound expert and Vintage King Audio Consultant Ryan Coomer for recommendations on what today's top engineers are taking on the road.
Vocal Mics
The Shure SM58 is a staple that every venue should have on hand. They’re reliable even after thousands of gigs, built like a tank, and affordable for engineers and musicians of all levels. But for those looking for something with a little more pizzazz, there are other solid vocal mics with a wider dynamic range, better headroom, and greater clarity.
Wired
TELEFUNKEN ELEKTROAKUSTIK M80
This sleek offering from Telefunken is ideal for those who want the stability and noise isolation of a dynamic mic but with less of the midrange-forward sound associated with typical stage vocal mics. The mic’s wide frequency response (50 Hz - 18 kHz) gives an open and present sound akin to condensers, while the max SPL of 135 dB keeps the mic stable even in the loudest rooms.
SHURE NEXADYNE 8
It’s no secret by now that Shure knows how to make a good vocal mic. The Nexadyne 8 takes everything great about the SM58 and adds modern upgrades for even better sound. Shure’s patented Revonic Dual-Engine Transducer Technology utilizes a unique cartridge design with two separate dynamic transducers that operate in harmony to give you greater signal clarity, balance, and range.
NEUMANN KMS 105
This mic translates the Neumann vocal sound for the stage, combining the sonic clarity and wide frequency spectrum of their classic condensers with a supercardioid pattern and low-noise design. The KMS 105’s triple-acoustic filter minimizes popping and noise while preserving vocal detail; while the foamless basket offers sibilance protection without muffling your sound.
Wireless
SHURE AXIENT DIGITAL AD600
Shure's Axient line of digital spectrum managers features comprehensive RF coordination. The rackmountable AD600 wireless management system offers 174 MHz - 2.0 GHz of wide-spectrum monitoring across six antenna connections. Plus, the Guided Coordination menus and Dante connectivity ensure quick and easy organization with nearly limitless customization.
NEUMANN KK 105 U
If you already have an SM58-style wireless mic around (which, if you regularly play live shows, you probably do), this condenser capsule is a quick and easy upgrade. It’s the same capsule found in Neumann's MKS Series mics, giving you perks like noise protection, high SPL, and unmatched vocal detail without the price tag of a whole new mic.
SENNHEISER XSW 1-835-A
This all-in-one wireless mic system features a 10-channel wireless receiver and a vocal mic that utilizes Sennheiser’s innovative e835 capsule for studio-quality sound. Plus, with automatic frequency management and synchronization, you can quickly set up multiple mics.
Drum Mics
Close miking is key for live drums, but that unfortunately puts your gear in the line of fire. Therefore, you need mics that can capture the quick and crisp details of a drum hit, stay out of the way of the drummer, and also tank a hit if said drummer gets a little overzealous.
DPA 4099 CORE+ (for drums)
This small-but-mighty drum mic is an updated take on the already-beloved 4099 mic, designed to offer greater clarity and lower distortion in high-SPL situations. At the heart of the 4099 CORE+ is its high-definition supercardioid condenser capsule, which helps keep your sound focused and cut out unwanted background noise. For those looking for a setup for a full kit, the 4099 CORE+ is also available in a wide range of kits.
Earthworks SR25 Gen 2
The Earthworks SR25 has been a go-to overhead mic on top-tier tours for years. The SR25 Gen 2 improves on the Gen 1 design with a tighter, more focused supercardioid polar pattern for better isolation. Gen 2 also features a more compact, redesigned body and a new rim mounting system for easier positioning.
Earthworks DM20 Gen 2
The DM20 already set the standard for tom and snare miking, and the Gen 2 tightens things up even further with a more compact design, refined off-axis rejection to cut down on cymbal bleed, and higher SPL handling that keeps up with even the hardest hitters. The new rim mounting system is a genuine time-saver on busy stage setups, and the updated electronics add hot-swap protection for fast changeovers. It’s also available in kits.
BEYERDYNAMIC TG SERIES & M 201
The TG Series features specially designed mics for every part of the kit. The TG D70 condenser and TG D71 boundary mic help your kick sound warm, full, and impactful without sounding muddy. The TG D57C and TG D35D offer clarity and isolation while fitting in even the smallest openings between snares and toms.
Finally, the M 201 provides the focus and stability of a dynamic mic with the clarity of a condenser, making it a solid choice for high-hats and overheads.
Instrument Mics
Similar to drum mics, instrument mics in a live setting need to amplify the instrument and capture its unique tone and timbre, all while staying out of the performer’s way.
DPA 4099 CORE+ 4099 (for instruments)
Not only is this mic great for drums, but the 4099 CORE+ is also great for acoustic instruments like strings or acoustic guitar that need to cut through the mix without causing feedback.
Neumann MCM Mics
These compact clip-on mics feature the KK14 capsule, which captures every detail of acoustic instruments while handling a max SPL of 153 dB. But the best part? The mic comes in specific kits for violin, cello, acoustic guitar, double bass, brass, woodwinds, and percussion. Whether you're breaking out the old acoustic for an intimate solo show or miking up your city's local orchestra, MCM mics deliver class-leading clarity.
NEUMANN KM 184
Yet another great live instrument mic option from Neumann, the 180 Series is famous for reproducing a fully transparent and faithful sound on pretty much any source, from classical strings to heavy metal drums. The 184 is the cardioid version of the series, featuring superb rearward sound rejection, low self-noise, and 138 dB SPL. All of these specs, plus the wide and natural sonic profile, make it particularly great for acoustic instruments.
REMIC
These asymmetrical foam blocks may not look like mics at first glance, but each model is carefully crafted to be discreetly placed on a given acoustic instrument. The mics for violin, viola, cello, and double bass stick snugly under the instrument’s neck, while the piano mics stick directly in the chamber. There’s no worrying about musicians moving out of range or sticking a mic right in their face with the REMIC series, which capture an authentic and true performance by letting the artists play undeterred.
DI Boxes
These versatile boxes are a secret weapon for both engineers and roadies. Blow a speaker in your cab? No problem — DI boxes let you connect amp heads or even instruments directly into a console or system. Just like mics, getting a box that’s balanced, clean, and transparent is key.
Radial DI Boxes
Radial is perhaps the reigning champ of the DI box world thanks to their eclectic selection of passive and active DIs, boxes with Jensen transformers, and much more. Any of these boxes are great for plugging in directly into a live system or using alongside an amp for greater tonal flexibility.
RUPERT NEVE DESIGNS RNDI Series
RND is an audio industry legend in part thanks to its bespoke transformers, and that rich and powerful tone is available in the brand's line of DI boxes. The Standard RNDI box, the stereo RNDI-S, the compact RNDI-M, and the beefed-up 8-channel RNDI-8 bring the sound and feel of a classic Neve console right into your signal chain, alongside the flexibility and quality you need to make any setup run flawlessly.
Telefunken DI Boxes
These Telefunken DI boxes embody the “less is more” design approach: they don’t have a lot going on, but what they do have is stellar. The boxes’ rugged and durable design houses UK-made OEP/Carnhill transformers, WIMA and Nichicon capacitors, and hand-wired, gold-plated circuitry, resulting in a perfectly balanced signal boost with no muddiness or ice picks to speak of.
Preamps
Preamps are usually associated with studio setups, but many FOH engineers bring them on the road to give their drum mics or vocals a little extra oomph. In this blog, we'll focus on four or eight-channel rack-mountable preamps, but you could also bring a rack of 500 Series modules on the road if you want to mix and match.
API 3124V
API has been bringing its punchy and present sound to guitars, bass, drums, and vocals since 1960. The 3124V preamp is a testament to that legacy, packing all the best features from a classic API console in a road-friendly unit. This 1U rack unit features four discrete microphone preamps (the same found in all API consoles) with up to 65 dB of gain. The front-panel Hi-Z input patches directly to the Op-Amp, allowing line-level signals such as an electric guitar, bass, or keyboards to be plugged directly in without the use of a direct box.
NEVE 1073OPX
The Neve 1073 is one of the most used and loved preamps in the world. Its warm, punchy tone and signature blend of harmonic distortion can be heard on decades’ worth of songs. The 1073OPX is an eight-channel version with a few modern upgrades, including ADAT and Dante support for expanding your I/O, preset recall, and full remote control support — a particularly useful feature when you’re running back and forth to the stage.
SSL PURE DRIVE QUAD / OCTO
For fans of the famous SSL Origin console, the PURE DRIVE QUAD and OCTO recreate the console’s unique mic preamps as standalone analog units. Available with four and eight channels, these preamps offer immaculate cleans, three distinct flavors of drive, and everything in between thanks to its premium FET components. They also have an array of connectivity options to suit any setup and layout, including D-Sub inputs, ADAT expansion, and more.
Outboard Gear
Similar to preamps, outboard gear can be incredibly useful in a live setting, especially in noisy venues. Tools like compressors can help keep tracks cutting through the mix, while tools like noise gates can help reduce unwanted background noise.
RUPERT NEVE PORTICO 5045 PRIMARY SOURCE ENHANCER
This box is a live show lifesaver that automatically reduces feedback and beefs up mic levels. The simple controls help you dial in and fine-tune your setup from subtle boosting to aggressive feedback taming, all while preserving the natural sonic integrity of your mics and signal chains. For even more portability, the circuit is also available as the 545 500 Series unit.
DRAWMER DS201 DUAL-CHANNEL NOISE GATE
This unit takes high-quality noise gating up a few notches with a few key features pioneered by Drawmer. The DS201’s frequency-conscious gating helps fine-tune your frequency range and prevent any spillage between inputs, while the super-fast attack time makes it great for taming high-output sources like electric guitar and drums.
EMPIRICAL LABS DISTRESSOR EL8X-S DISTRESSOR PAIR
The Distressor is somewhere between a compressor/limiter and a drive circuit, designed to give engineers greater control when colorizing tracks. The EL8X-S offers three types of harmonic distortion for a variety of tones, as well as a “British Mode” for a tastefully aggressive, all-buttons-in compression style.
Personal Monitoring
Finally, any live performer will tell you that hearing yourself on stage will make or break the show. Personal monitoring is just as important as monitoring for the audience, which is why finding something that’s high quality, portable, and durable is key. In-ear monitors can also be a great way for an engineer to hear exactly what the band is hearing on stage, or even open up a private line of communication.
SHURE PSM300
This set gives two performers durable wireless packs and SE215 Sound Isolating earphones. The result is clean and detailed personal stereo mixes that help the performers lock in and deliver.
SENNHEISER EW IEM G4
The EW IEM G4 offers the top audio quality and stability expected from Sennheiser, packed into a personal in-ear system. The system offers easy and reliable syncing between transmitter and receiver via infrared over a range of up to 300 feet, accommodating everything from club stages to large venues. Additionally, the in-ear monitor provides up to 42 MHz bandwidth with 1680 selectable frequencies for a truly personalized mix for the performers.
