I have other mics that start around $300 that may be better in certain circumstances than this one but I find myself using this mic more often than those.

In order to avoid the inarticulate, punchy-but-lifeless SM58 sound, I opted to try a Heil PR22, which I found to be a bit too “peaky” and harsh sounding, with way too much handling noise.

This is exactly what I should have bought all along. I’ve realized that even inexpensive condenser mics sound better than a dynamic any day of the week. The articulation, smooth breathiness, and overall “even sounding” frequency response is there, but without a bunch of handling noise. A perfect compromise, I think.

This should greatly liven up the sound of a vocal on stage, by transmitting a better representation of the actual sound the singer is making, accurately. I’ve even used it for a couple of recorded vocals, when I wasn’t in an environment conducive to a sensitive large-diaphragm studio condenser.

NOTE… Condenser type microphones need a power supply. This is typically provided by ‘Phantom Power’ provided by the mic-amp/mixer/vocal processor. The AT2010 microphone will NOT work without Phantom Power.

Historically dynamic microphones have been the standard for ‘live’ performance with condenser microphones confined to studio recording. There are two basic reasons for this, the dynamic types tend to provided higher gain before feedback, a function of there ‘damped by inertia’ response, while the condenser types were more prone to feedback and not as mechanically durable as their counterparts they have much better response.

Since the SM58 came into existence in the mid ’60’s it became THE most popular amateur and professional ‘live’ vocal mic. However, manufacturing techniques have improved massively so the durability issue is a thing of the past. equally audio electronics have also improved.

Adding a ‘live vocal processor’ (such as a TC Helicon VoiceTone Correct XT) to your vocal microphone either ‘in house’ and or ‘live performance’ can make a fantastic improvement to getting the best from the vocal input in addition to suppressing feedback, so much so that it will get the best from the voice but it will also get the best from the (any) microphone.

Nevertheless, comparing the vocal qualities of the SM58 against the AT2010. the AT2010 is by far more responsive, crisp, and less muddy bringing out the true colours of the vocal input… and… its about 20 quid cheaper! I haven’t found anything not to like about it.