Shure mics... quick Q..

[Imp]

ok guys, i bought a small mixer and i'm starting to get the hang of recording through the P.A. out on my amp.. the thing is, i can hear a difference in the sound from the speaker and the D.I. sound.. i'd like to save up for a mic..

the only thing is, i'd like to be able to use it for vocals as well. i know the SM58 works best for vocals, and the 57 for instruments, but which is the better all-rounder? which can do the other's job best?

cheers, tom

 

[MikeRocker]

Re: Shure mics... quick Q..

Not trying to cop-out here, but you'd probably be happy with either. I know that, for example, Tom Petty used an SM57 as his primary vocal mic for years. If you can, try 'em out in the store with your voice and take whichever you like best. Both are great mics and industry standards. And they're not that different.....

 

[dogcityrocker]

Re: Shure mics... quick Q..

the 57 is the best all around mic. Great for vocals, instruments, recording, etc. Besure to get the model with the on-off switch

 

[psy]

Re: Shure mics... quick Q..

SM57 is quite unusable for vocals, thus I would prefer the SM58. I use Beta58A for both on stage and I'm quite satisfied. Studio is a complete different thing.
You can't say SM57 is better for instruments in general. Try to mike a violin with it and you know what I mean

 

[psy]

Re: Shure mics... quick Q..

Not trying to cop-out here, but you'd probably be happy with either. I know that, for example, Tom Petty used an SM57 as his primary vocal mic for years. If you can, try 'em out in the store with your voice and take whichever you like best. Both are great mics and industry standards. And they're not that different.....

I like that statement and add one point: If you tested a mic and you like it, buy exactly this one. Another piece (same model) can sound pretty different.

 

[gordon_39422]

Re: Shure mics... quick Q..

Here is a link to an image I made using the frequency response of both mics. Use it to compare each mic's performance. There is nothing "unusable" about an SM57 OR and SM58, for that matter. They both have unique characteristics. I know people that will not touch the 58's, so they have always sung through 57's. Adjusting the eq on a mixer will be necessary for any mic with every player, so that was no problem getting the processed sound tonally correct. I will say that the Beta 58, which is my favorite vox mic, is a whole world of difference from either the SM 57 or 58.

Oh yeah, I wouldn't recommedn the switched mics. That is only one more component that could fail, or just cause problems in general. Professional mics don't normally have a switch for this reason and a few others. Namely, you can mute the channel from the mixer, so a switch would be redundant. Doesn't seem worth the risk to me.

I would suggest going for the 57. It is an excellent instrument mic (it can be found under "instrument mics on the Shure webpage," and it has credibility as a vocal mic as well.

Not to mention they are VERY rugged and durable!

Good luck,
Allen

http://photobucket.com/albums/v292/gordon_39422/Guitar Pics/th_SM5758FrequencyGraphs.bmp

 

[Imp]

Re: Shure mics... quick Q..

man, you guys rock

cheers for all these replies especially gordon with those EQ graphs

another quick one.. what do the BETA mics have that the others dont?

 

[Hellion]

Re: Shure mics... quick Q..

I have been told that the frequency response is identical in both 57's & 58's by my electronics repairman. The difference, he states is in the hearing pattern. From my own experience, if you're close miking, there isn't a lot of difference in what either one "hears". And while you can certainly use a dynamic mic for vocals, they do have a tendency to color the sound relative to their own personalities. So once you decide that you're ready to do so, you may want to invest in a condenser mic for your vocals.

Shure Beta mics differ from the others in that they utilize a neodymium element, which has a higher output allowing more gain before feedback and greater sensitivity. Does that help?

 

[TwilightOdyssey]

Re: Shure mics... quick Q..

SM57 is quite unusable for vocals, thus I would prefer the SM58.

Not true. 57's have been used for everything from drum mic's to tracking brass and woodwinds.

 

[Mkf411]

Re: Shure mics... quick Q..

One alternative to SM57 that came out recently is the AUDIX I5. It's something to consider. I just got one and am trying it out. I did notice alot of air on my first recording when I played certain notes, but that could have to do with mic placement. I was going to get a tried & true SM57 but the lady at the shop talked me into this one. Made in USA, all metal, better this, better that. I figured why not, if they matched the price on the SM57.

http://www.zzounds.com/item--AUDI5

 

[dogcityrocker]

Re: Shure mics... quick Q..

Here is a link to an image I made using the frequency response of both mics. Use it to compare each mic's performance. There is nothing "unusable" about an SM57 OR and SM58, for that matter. They both have unique characteristics. I know people that will not touch the 58's, so they have always sung through 57's. Adjusting the eq on a mixer will be necessary for any mic with every player, so that was no problem getting the processed sound tonally correct. I will say that the Beta 58, which is my favorite vox mic, is a whole world of difference from either the SM 57 or 58.

Oh yeah, I wouldn't recommedn the switched mics. That is only one more component that could fail, or just cause problems in general. Professional mics don't normally have a switch for this reason and a few others. Namely, you can mute the channel from the mixer, so a switch would be redundant. Doesn't seem worth the risk to me.

I would suggest going for the 57. It is an excellent instrument mic (it can be found under "instrument mics on the Shure webpage," and it has credibility as a vocal mic as well.

Not to mention they are VERY rugged and durable!

Good luck,
Allen

http://photobucket.com/albums/v292/gordon_39422/Guitar Pics/th_SM5758FrequencyGraphs.bmp

I will respectfully disagree with the arguement against the switch. Its fine not having one if you have a sound man, but us DIY-ers need the ability to turn the mic off from the stage, especially drummers who only use the vocal mic on particulr songs. If you are a big rock star and have a sound guy, then by all means forego the switch.

 

[Blue Calx]

Re: Shure mics... quick Q..

a 58 IS better on vocals, and it won't kill you to use it on guitar. You may have to compensate somewhat for the midrange bump, but it really shouldn't be too much of a dealie-yo. They mic saxophones and stuff with it, and the guitar is in that general range as well.

 

[texasguitarslinger]

Re: Shure mics... quick Q..

If you have to choose betwen the 57 and the 58 for all-around use I say go with the SM57.

 

[proxy]

Re: Shure mics... quick Q..

I picked up a brand new beta57a off of ebay for $100. The package it came in came straight from shure. This mic I think sounds better then the regular 57. I think you should get a beta57a, I recall seeing several vocalists use it.

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Shure mics... quick Q..

A good thing to do is to have a 57 and also a condenser vocal mic.
I just saw the new GC catalog, and they're selling that same condenser that GoMano suggested, the MXL 908? and also a 3/4" condenser for overheads for only $100.
That means you could get 2 condensers for $100 and a used 57 for $50.
You'd have everything you need for $150.

 

[Paul S.]

Re: Shure mics... quick Q..

I just got done doing an entire record where we used a Shure SM7 (Not a 57) on all electric guitars and all the vocals. It is IMHO the best all around mic ever made. It's the only time that I've done a session where my guitar sound coming out of my amp made it's way onto tape. I think that they're around $400...
It's also the vocal mic that Jeff Tweedy from Wilco uses...

Good luck - you can get great sounds out of any mic if you're willing to put in the time to figure out how to use it.

Paul