Microphone Information

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.