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How much should I pay?

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A rough guide to prices is given above - they are a guide only and it depends on where you go (see below).  The hard and fast rule, as with most things, is you get what you pay for.  But (and its a big but) you could buy a £500 mic and find that you would have been better off with an SM58.  As a guide; if you a serious about your sound, don't even think of starting under £50.  When you consider what guitar/bass/drums/keys pay for their instruments and other gear microphones for live use are a snip.  Sennheiser and Neumann make some amazing vocal mics for live - if you have £500+ to spend, but if you are not able to try them out extensively, it is a risk to take.

Looking around the £80 - £100 is a sensible place; you get a quality mic without breaking the bank.  As you develop you will learn what things you are looking for.  Then, when the next purchase a few years down the line, you will be better placed to decide on a more expensive replacement.

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Pete Davies of Superior Sound Services
Superior Sound
11 November 2002

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Testing 1212
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