SM57 for all round use?

SkyMonkey

SkyMonkey

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This room needs a new thread!

I have been thinking about getting a mic to record some clips for posting, and for getting into using my DAW without resorting to amp sims (Guitar Rig 5, etc.).
The obvious choice is the Shure SM57. It is basically the affordable industry standard for mic'ing guitar speakers.
But I do intend to record acoustic guitar, and even do some of that dreaded singing too.

Any experiences with the SM57 as an acoustic or vocal mic?
Are there any better alternatives that are still affordable?

Cheers guys.
 
The Audix I5 is one of my favorite mic’s.
audixusa.com

i5 - Audix

All-purpose professional dynamic instrument microphone
audixusa.com audixusa.com
It has been good on guitars, drums, and vocals, here. I have other preferences for vocals, and acoustic guitars though.
 
I can't imagine any other mic has been used as reliably and successfully on such a wide diversity of instruments & voices for as long as the SM57 has.
U2's hit records famously had all the lead vocals tracked using SM58s, which is the same cartridge just with a pop filter.
Plenty of others have used them for studio vocals too.

www.gearslutz.com

Yes, SM57's and SM58's ARE studio mics! - Gearspace.com

So, in another thread DamnYankee and I have been debating the worthiness of Sure SM57's and 58's as studio microphones. DamnYankee contends that these
www.gearslutz.com

Sure, it's a standard for snare and guitar cabs. But there isn't much in the world of music that you couldn't get good results using a 57 on, IMO.
 
I think the trick would be to start off with a 57 and see about a 58 down the line.

I do think Shure should make a 57/58 conversion kit , but then I am not in marketing!
 
Plus, of course, their famous indestructibility. Doesn't matter if they fall over or get kicked across the room by an angry rocker.
You can literally hammer nails with them; on occasion roadies have been known to use one as a blackjack.
They'll calmly go on working normally as if nothing happened.
Try that with any other mic!
 
SkyMonkey said:
This room needs a new thread!

I have been thinking about getting a mic to record some clips for posting, and for getting into using my DAW without resorting to amp sims (Guitar Rig 5, etc.).
The obvious choice is the Shure SM57. It is basically the affordable industry standard for mic'ing guitar speakers.
But I do intend to record acoustic guitar, and even do some of that dreaded singing too.

Any experiences with the SM57 as an acoustic or vocal mic?
Are there any better alternatives that are still affordable?

Cheers guys.
Click to expand...

It's definitely just a vocal mic for point blank close up use.
It's really no good for drums or acoustic because it rejects sound from a few inches away. Doesn't sound that great when used like that.
Although people "do" use it like that, it's primitive.
A much better choice (inexpensive) is a Sennheiser e906 for acoustic guitar. Much better midrange much better for guitar speakers or drums.

1590374431504.png About $200

The truth is that SM57 is OK for live vocals because it fights feedback on a stage.
But it's not a very good sounding microphone at all, when you compare it to others especially in recording.

So a big question here is: for live stage or for recording?

If it's recording, forget the 57.
Get some Sennheisers, get a Neumann if you need a great vocal sound. The Neumann blows the Shure so far away it's pathetic.
Good mics for vocals: use a spit screen when you record vocals.

57 is really more of a Bingo Night PA microphone.
 
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eclecticsynergy said:
You can literally hammer nails with them;
Click to expand...
Are you speaking of the SM57, or the SM58? Because the 57 has that plastic bit that most certainly crumbles when smashing either nails or skulls ;) ...
5ED29D58-875E-4A3B-B783-4E5F792330EF.jpeg
...that top bit...with the logo, and labeling....it sucks when that bit breaks...they don’t keep that bit in the shops for replacement parts. Now, if you were speaking of the SM58...that’s different...all metal, replacement screens readily available ...if you’ve been bashing nails, or skulls.;)

I’m so sick of my SM57...it’s not the only thing out there anymore....granted, it works really well for some things, and that’s why I still have one around....but there are others out there now that are more than suitable, sound fantastic, and are even more rugged.
I named the Audix I5 before...and I’ll post an image of it to illustrate the full metal construction, for comparison.
80FDC20D-D529-45E7-89B0-DD433BB00CC7.jpeg
It is every bit the deadly projectile a SM57 can be...and so much more. Plus, it sounds great on anything you would think to use a SM57 on.

The SM58 though...I’ve got 3 of those...and they are fantastic...I know It’s the same element, but the pop screen makes an audible difference for vocals.
 
Thatbastarddon said:
Are you speaking of the SM57, or the SM58? Because the 57 has that plastic bit that most certainly crumbles when smashing either nails or skulls ;) ...
View attachment 43825
...that top bit...with the logo, and labeling....it sucks when that bit breaks...they don’t keep that bit in the shops for replacement parts. Now, if you were speaking of the SM58...that’s different...all metal, replacement screens readily available ...if you’ve been bashing nails, or skulls.;)

I’m so sick of my SM57...it’s not the only thing out there anymore....granted, it works really well for some things, and that’s why I still have one around....but there are others out there now that are more than suitable, sound fantastic, and are even more rugged.
I named the Audix I5 before...and I’ll post an image of it to illustrate the full metal construction, for comparison.
View attachment 43824
It is every bit the deadly projectile a SM57 can be...and so much more. Plus, it sounds great on anything you would think to use a SM57 on.

The SM58 though...I’ve got 3 of those...and they are fantastic...I know It’s the same element, but the pop screen makes an audible difference for vocals.
Click to expand...

SM 57 and SM 58 are the same microphone.
The difference is the wind screen.
 
Thatbastarddon said:
Are you speaking of the SM57, or the SM58? Because the 57 has that plastic bit that most certainly crumbles when smashing either nails or skulls ;) ...
View attachment 43825
...that top bit...with the logo, and labeling....it sucks when that bit breaks...they don’t keep that bit in the shops for replacement parts. Now, if you were speaking of the SM58...that’s different...all metal, replacement screens readily available ...if you’ve been bashing nails, or skulls.;)

I’m so sick of my SM57...it’s not the only thing out there anymore....granted, it works really well for some things, and that’s why I still have one around....but there are others out there now that are more than suitable, sound fantastic, and are even more rugged.
I named the Audix I5 before...and I’ll post an image of it to illustrate the full metal construction, for comparison.
View attachment 43824
It is every bit the deadly projectile a SM57 can be...and so much more. Plus, it sounds great on anything you would think to use a SM57 on.

The SM58 though...I’ve got 3 of those...and they are fantastic...I know It’s the same element, but the pop screen makes an audible difference for vocals.
Click to expand...
Yeah, even with a 57 or 58 you can't use the capsule end as a hammer. You use the other end. Totally solid and fairly weighty.

The Audix dynamic mics have a good reputation; haven't used one myself that I can recall.
 
Amp Mad Scientist said:
But anytime you get more than 3 inches away from the 57/58 the sound quality evaporates.
Not good for acoustic which is going to be 9 inches, 12 inches away from the mic.
Click to expand...
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.
 
Amp Mad Scientist said:
But anytime you get more than 3 inches away from the 57/58 the sound quality evaporates.
Not good for acoustic which is going to be 9 inches, 12 inches away from the mic.
Click to expand...
What you lose out beyond 3 inches is the proximity effect, which gives a significant bass boost. The sound has less body but the rest of the spectrum is not greatly degreaded. Admittedly these aren't going to be as sensitive or nuanced as a condenser mic. But for home recording they aren't a bad choice.

Not that there mightn't be some better options out there today in a dynamic mic. But the OP asked specifically about the SM57.

My choice for a superior all-purpose dynamic mic would probably be another beloved classic, the Beyer M88.
Tried-and true recording mic, great for use on anything from vocals to acoustic guitar to kick drum.
But they're quite a bit pricier than a 57.

Same for another well-regarded workhorse mic, the EV RE20. Those are built to last.

But I love the sound of the M88. I got one in 1983 to use as a vocal mic in my basement studio. After all these years I still have it. Splendid mic.
 
eclecticsynergy said:
Yeah, even with a 57 or 58 you can't use the capsule end as a hammer. You use the other end. Totally solid and fairly weighty.

The Audix dynamic mics have a good reputation; haven't used one myself that I can recall.
Click to expand...
Yeah, that’s why I used the winky emoji. I’ve seen 57s with missing/damaged grills at shows though...they still work :)

I have both kicking around here...just giving my opinion.:) I kinda felt that I should. My experience with the Audix next to the 57/58 has been positive enough.
 
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?

750-M201TG_detail1[1].jpg
 
SkyMonkey said:
This room needs a new thread!

I have been thinking about getting a mic to record some clips for posting, and for getting into using my DAW without resorting to amp sims (Guitar Rig 5, etc.).
The obvious choice is the Shure SM57. It is basically the affordable industry standard for mic'ing guitar speakers.
But I do intend to record acoustic guitar, and even do some of that dreaded singing too.

Any experiences with the SM57 as an acoustic or vocal mic?
Are there any better alternatives that are still affordable?

Cheers guys.
Click to expand...

Today I use a SM58 for singing, but back in the days 70-80:s i always used the SM57 for Vocal stuff :)
 
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