Vocal Microphone Recommendations?

[Randy L]

I think it's time to upgrade my 15 year old EV PL88 mic for a new one.
I want a mic with a switch on it, and prefer it to be "hotter" than the Shure SM58, with more presence in the mid vocal range, rather than boosting the low end.

Heard some good remarks about the following mics:
Senheisser e835s
http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=248-314

AKG D5s
http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=242-553

Anyone got any opinions?

[billfitzmaurice]

Audix OM series. Forget the switch, who uses it? Just one more thing that can break.

[Randy L]

Didn't PE sell Audix before? Is it the OM2 that's a good one?

[billfitzmaurice]

OM3 and OM5 are the best bets.

[Mike C]

Switches on vocal mics can have a purpose but generally they get turned off at the wrong times!!!!

The sennheiser 835's are good mics my choices would be the Audix OM6, OM7 or the Audio Technica AE6100. I have all of these and tend to go for the Audio Technica in most cases as my first pick. I think the OM7 is a little better sounding than the OM6 but it has a tighter pattern so it's less tolerant of sloppy mic technique. Actually the OM6, OM7, and the AE6100 are all fairly tight patterned mics, on a noisy/loud stage they can help clean up your overall main mix. What's your application for the mic, full band, solo performances.