Shure SM57... what else?

Mattr4president

New member
So I know the SM57 is the standard for all instrument mics and i'm sure there are better ones.. But with else is in the range of the SM57 that I should consider? The main purpose is to Mic a guitar cab 4x12. Thanks for the advice.
 
Re: Shure SM57... what else?

I hear good stuff about those Sennheiser e609 mics for guitar cabs . . . plus in a pinch you can hang it in front of the amp without a mic stand.
 
Re: Shure SM57... what else?

I recently fell in love with the Sennheiser 906 .... NOT to be confused with the 609 which is their standard... The 906 is a great amp mic! I like it better than the 57.

Now, the 906 is about $80 more than the 609 but I believe it's every penny worth it!

Also, are you talking for live sound or for studio work?
 
Re: Shure SM57... what else?

I recently fell in love with the Sennheiser 906 .... NOT to be confused with the 609 which is their standard... The 906 is a great amp mic! I like it better than the 57.

Now, the 906 is about $80 more than the 609 but I believe it's every penny worth it!

Also, are you talking for live sound or for studio work?

Studio work. I didn't want to spend a hell of a lot, 100-150. i'm just beginning to experiment with home recordings in regards to micing amps and such
 
Re: Shure SM57... what else?

A decent mic is an investment, you can always resell it for a minimal loss.

I did some hunting today and instead of the 57, I am going for a Beyer M201tg.
 
Re: Shure SM57... what else?

I have always loved my ElectroVoice (EV) N/D267

It's a vocal mic, but has a full, punchy low end that is often the hardest range to capture when micing a guitar amp.

Here is what mine sounds like:



 
Re: Shure SM57... what else?

I have an Audio Technica AT2020 and it works pretty well for me and home recording. Are there better out there? Yes, but it had a good quality to price point ratio for me. Especially since I record rather infrequently.

I also have the SM57 and it is a nice mic, but I don't really ever use it. I have a personal preference for using a microphone that captures more of the sound coming out of the speaker.

However now that I have 2 microphones I may need to plug them both in get a mix of the two. :scratchch
 
Re: Shure SM57... what else?

I have an Audio Technica AT2020 and it works pretty well for me and home recording. Are there better out there? Yes, but it had a good quality to price point ratio for me. Especially since I record rather infrequently.

I also have the SM57 and it is a nice mic, but I don't really ever use it. I have a personal preference for using a microphone that captures more of the sound coming out of the speaker.

However now that I have 2 microphones I may need to plug them both in get a mix of the two. :scratchch

Yeah I was thinking about using another mic in conjuction with a sm57 type mic. I would like to get that "room sound" as well. It would also be nice to have a mic for live performance for that cab.
 
Re: Shure SM57... what else?

Really into the SM57 on it's own for a lot of tones, but an Audix i5 is also a great mic with a fairly similar sound. Beyer m201 goes great with a 57, as does an MD421.

A 57, Royer 121, and MD421 on a cab is probably the most versatile you can get, definitely a favorite. You can basically EQ the sound to taste just by adjusting the mix of the microphones.
 
Re: Shure SM57... what else?

Yeah I was thinking about using another mic in conjuction with a sm57 type mic. I would like to get that "room sound" as well. It would also be nice to have a mic for live performance for that cab.

For live performances I would take the SM57. You don't need phantom power, the are as tough as nails, the sound good, and they are relatively inexpensive. If it gets broken or stolen it sucks, but easily replacable.
 
Re: Shure SM57... what else?

Really into the SM57 on it's own for a lot of tones, but an Audix i5 is also a great mic with a fairly similar sound. Beyer m201 goes great with a 57, as does an MD421.

A 57, Royer 121, and MD421 on a cab is probably the most versatile you can get, definitely a favorite. You can basically EQ the sound to taste just by adjusting the mix of the microphones.

I was checking out that audix I5. There is a store near me that's got a used one for $50. would leave me some cash get a stand too.
 
Re: Shure SM57... what else?

I also am gonna check out a AT ATM650 for $50. I was wondering how this compares and what difference am i going to hear between a dynamic mic like the I5 and a Hypercardioid like the ATM650?
 
Re: Shure SM57... what else?

I was checking out that audix I5. There is a store near me that's got a used one for $50. would leave me some cash get a stand too.

Yeah it's essentially a 57 with less proximity effect sensitivity, a more open top end, less of a honky midrange hump, and a bigger low end. Sometimes can sound 'scooped' or 'fizzy' but it can also blend really well with a 57, or tame some honk out of V30's or Greenbacks.
 
Re: Shure SM57... what else?

Yeah it's essentially a 57 with less proximity effect sensitivity, a more open top end, less of a honky midrange hump, and a bigger low end. Sometimes can sound 'scooped' or 'fizzy' but it can also blend really well with a 57, or tame some honk out of V30's or Greenbacks.

Cool Thanks. I think for $50 bucks it may be a good deal. atleast it's a start before I get more into it.
 
Re: Shure SM57... what else?

also you can drop them from three stories and they still work great.

 
Re: Shure SM57... what else?


This thing's awesome. I actually just played this video twice through just to chil to. Good stuff, dude.

I think I need one.
 
Re: Shure SM57... what else?

Related question:

How do you avoid phase issues when using 2 microphones on the same source? However, neither of the mics have a phase switch.
 
Re: Shure SM57... what else?

Related question:

How do you avoid phase issues when using 2 microphones on the same source? However, neither of the mics have a phase switch.

I usually press the phase switch on my preamp to flip the phase of one mic if I've got one up against the front grille and one near the back of the speaker or something. If that's not an option, change the mic position. You can place both mics diaphragms very close together and angle them at about 45 degrees away from one another . . . this ensures that the sound reaches both mics at about the same time (therefore eliminates most phasing). Panning one mic hard right and one mic hard left will also eliminate phasing, but if you ever sum the signal back to mono you'll get the phasing back.
 
Re: Shure SM57... what else?

I recently fell in love with the Sennheiser 906 .... NOT to be confused with the 609 which is their standard... The 906 is a great amp mic! I like it better than the 57.

Now, the 906 is about $80 more than the 609 but I believe it's every penny worth it!

Also, are you talking for live sound or for studio work?

Thanks man for the heads up, I have been looking too!
 
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