SM57 for all round use?

SkyMonkey said:
OK. Some good opinions and alternatives here. Thanks guys.

I have heard of the e906 and the cheaper (non-switching) version, the e609. They are contenders as I have read of them being used for vocals and acoustics too.
The Audix i5 sounds a good all-rounder.

One other supposed all-rounder that I have on my radar is the Beyerdynamic M201TG.
A bit more expensive but still affordable.
Anyone used one?

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I love Beyers. Back in the 70s I had a handful of M69s and a pair of M500 ribbon mics that were super sweet. (I still have one of those old M500s.) Then in '83 I bought the M88 which served me very well as a main vocal mic for several years until I opened my first pro studio and bought a Neumann.

If you look around you can find M88s for under $300 used.

Another all-round good performer with a proven track record is the Sennheiser MD421. There are a LOT of these out there and you see them used for under $250.

I've never used the M201 though.
 
SkyMonkey said:
OK. Some good opinions and alternatives here. Thanks guys.

I have heard of the e906 and the cheaper (non-switching) version, the e609. They are contenders as I have read of them being used for vocals and acoustics too.
The Audix i5 sounds a good all-rounder.

One other supposed all-rounder that I have on my radar is the Beyerdynamic M201TG.
A bit more expensive but still affordable.
Anyone used one?

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Click to expand...
I just did some reading on this. It seems that some people are happy with it for a lot of uses.
I haven’t had the opportunity to use one though...so...
But...if I were looking for something to fill the desired duties in the OP, I’d consider it for sure. ;)
 
Thatbastarddon said:
I do not disagree with you. I said that I like the 58 for vocals...I could be specific and say live rock/metal/blues etc vocals. I’ve jammed a couple against speaker grill cloth in my time. One of mine, I purchased over 30 years ago. I didn’t recommend it because of the possible uses outlined by the OP.
I do like your recommendation, but don’t have enough experience with that mic to speak confidently of it.
The Audix, on the other hand, I’ve owned and enjoyed for around 10-15 years....I have an I5, and a D6...love them both. My 57 has been with me for around 30 years IIRC.
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Yes you can pound nails with SM 57 and it keeps working.
For live vocal sound it's the go to universal mic.
But 3 inches or closer, unless the singer is Pavarotti or Andre Caruso with the mega-power vocal chords.
Otherwise you are losing a big chunk of frequency response that is only designed to work at close up distance.

The reason this mic 57/58 is "close up" only, is to reject background noise, on a live stage. It's designed that way.
 
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Amp Mad Scientist said:
Yes you can pound nails with SM 57 and it keeps working.
For live vocal sound it's the go to universal mic.
But 3 inches or closer, unless the singer is Pavarotti or Andre Caruso with the mega-power vocal chords.
Otherwise you are losing a big chunk of frequency response that is only designed to work at close up distance.

The reason this mic 57/58 is "close up" only, is to reject background noise, on a live stage. It's designed that way.
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Again, you’re preaching to the choir here.

I did not bring up the durability of the SM57/58, that was electricsynergy, I poked fun at the plastic parts on the 57, and acknowledged the durable nature of the 57/58, after he suggested that they were historically successful as a bludgeon.(he actually said “blackjack” IIRC ;) )

However, I do (apparently) have the “mega-power vocal chords” you mention,(only in terms of volume, not talent) as I routinely have to back off by a foot or more for powerful passages with a 58...I do spend a lot of time within 3 inches though. My preamp gain settings for my vocal channel are routinely, noticeably, lower on the dial than the other two singers in my band. It’s the same with an SM7b, or a ribbon(Although a ribbon has way different frequency roll off characteristics). I’m one of those loudmouths that can get up over a crowd without much effort. I won’t get in to condenser mic’s here.

I am familiar with the design characteristics of the 57/58 mic’s, thanks.:)

I only commented further on this thread because I wish that I had some of the choices that are available today when I purchased a 57....I never would have. I am more in 67plexi’s camp...I would happily “never use” a 57 again...(Well...maybe under a snare, if I was short on mic’s;)...who am I kidding? I’ll use most any mic I’ve got kicking around for whatever makes it fun) ...But the other guitarist, in my band, likes the 57 on his amp...so that’s where it gets used. If we ever call it quits, I will give it to him as a gift.:)

I just may pull the trigger on an e906 when/if society returns to a semblance of normalcy...heck, I came close last night...
 
Mic’s room. Here:

Mic's Room

PA stuff such as mixers, mains, monitors, powered/ non-powered speakers, cords and cables, drivers, PA set up, stereo vs mono, snakes, mics
www.thetonerooms.com

It, kind of, became like a “pro audio” section where recording, and PA/live sound live.
 
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