Product: Samson S12 Price Paid: UNKNOWN
Submitted 01/25/2007
at 05:11am
by Robbie
Reviewer Background
:
Professional engineer/producer who also happens to play live in a band. I own very high end gear-- API, Neve, Great River, vintage Vox, Selmer, Fender and Hiwatt amps, '50s thru '70s Gibson and Fender guitars. By accident this mic replaced the SM58 as my workhorse live mic. Amazing what it can do for the money.
Overall Rating
:10
I've always been a Shure SM58 fan, but lately thought either my ears are fading or the new 58's just don't have the same mojo as the early ones. When I borrowed a Samson S12 at a gig, I was amazed at the rich, warm, full tone, and LACK of the normal high end sizzle/crunch/hype most cheap mics have. It just sounds great. It's heavy and professional feeling. The tone is excellent (EVERY singer sounds better through it). And the hypercardiod pattern rejects other stage sounds (and feedback) excellently. I do sound for corporate/school functions and without fail they ALWAYS have an SM58 if they have their own mics, and I always ask if I can change the mic, then have them compare the two tones. Not a single person has ever wanted to use the 58 after comparing the two. No joke. A GREAT secret find, that was a complete accident and for the price-- it's a steal. (For the record, I haven't liked any of Samsons other mics, which surprised me after liking the S12 so much.)
Product: Samson S12 Price Paid: US $15
Submitted 06/22/2006
at 06:58pm
by ty
Email: thunda1216<at>hotpop dot com
Reviewer Background
:
I have been making live music since 1974. I have many hours of recording experience in the studio, primarily analog as I prefer the sound to digital, but I am learning...
Overall Rating
:10
This is a dynamic herpercardioid mic. It is used for live vocal use in a classic rock (loud) setting. I ahd been using a shure sm58 for many years. I replaced it a couple of years ago with a samson r11 and was amazed with the sound and the price. I needed to replace another shure about 3 years ago, so I turned to ebay. At the time, there were no r11's, but the was an s12. I crossed my fingers, bought it, and by god, it is by far the most impressive mic I have ever had! Hot, background noise rejection, very dynamic and responsive to changes in input volume, and I don't have to up the projection in my singing (hence I'm no longer hoarse after a gig). This is the best mic for the money (actually the best period) for live use bar none that I have ever used, and that's a lot in the last 32 years. You WILL NOT be disappointed if you purchase this mic for live sound. No s*#t!
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