sm57 for instruments and vocals ???

[jimi]

i heard that the sm 57 is a great instrument mic and as well a very good natural sounding vocal mic , then why bother buying many different kinds of mic and spending more money if that mic is good with both ??

[TimOBrien]

'cause different equipment (mics, pre-ams, compressors, everything) will give you different tonal qualities. Some people's voices and some instruments are flattered by some combinations and are grating with others.

Besides, you wouldn't want all your songs to sound exactly alike, would you???

[chessrock]

Because it's only good on certain voices, and the only instruments it sounds halfway decent on are drums and guitar amp (and even on that it's hit and miss half the time).

[jimi]

ok thanks]

i have no idea which mic my voice sounds best in :-s

[chessparov]

With all due respect, the "only good on certain voices" comment isn't
quite accurate. The SM57 is one of the standard microphones used
for live and studio work that does a credible job (or better) in recording
most voices. The 57's sound isn't really "natural" either, in the sense that
it has a signature tone to it that's very well suited for blues and rock.
It has a massive presence peak that helps cut through a busy mix.
Earthworks, Schoeps, and DPA would be examples of microphones favored
in classical recordings due to their more neutral/transparent sound.

The SM57 is very sensitive to what microphone pre you use BTW.
It's been unfairly evaluated by many home recordists because it's
usually plugged into something like a portastudio pre's or a Mackie mixer,
and can't reveal how good it can sound. Another factor is that the top
recording guns usually EQ the '57 with a high end parametric equalizer,
not a Behringer, on vocals.

Chris