SM57 vs. USB mic?

[ThroneMonkey]

I'm a hobbyist musician and I want to get a little better quality to my recordings than the crummy iSight microphone that I have. I'm trying to decide between a Samson G-track condenser USB mic and a Shure SM57 or 58 + cheap firewire interface. I know about all of the inherent disadvantages to USB mics (I won't be able to expand later, etc.), and I've taken that all into account. My question is, is there a huge sound quality gulf between these two options? I've heard that the SM57/58 have great sound quality for dynamics. Is there a massive improvement if I go with the G-track (which is a condenser) instead?

[antichef]

what sorts of things to you record / plan on recording? (this will help answer the question about the sound of the mics and how they'll work out for you)

(my opinion is not based on sound, and you probably already know it -- the USB mic will wind up sitting in a drawer permanently at some point, and the 57 will not)

[darrin_h2000]

The Line6 UX1 is an inexpensive preamp/interface that will complement the SM57...its only $99

[ThroneMonkey]

Basically I plan on recording a huge variety of stuff; voice, drums, acoustic guitar, mandolin, accordian. So basically I need the most versatile mic I can get.

[TimOBrien]

USB mics are REALLY only made for podcasters.

As antichef noted, you'll be throwing it in a drawer.

A 57 or 58 is a standard mic still used EVERYWHERE.

[dgatwood]

The USB mic will definitely go in a drawer. I very much agree with that.

That said, the SM57 might go in a drawer, too, depending on what sorts of things you record. It has its uses, but with a cheap FireWire interface, the preamps may not have enough clean gain to really make an SM57 sound decent. With low end interfaces, you are probably better off with an inexpensive condenser---AT2020, CAD M177/M179, Naiant, etc.

Just my $0.02.