SM57 Problems

[Zone26]

I recently purchased an SM-57 for guitar ( Both Acoustic & Electric) recording. I'm just getting started in home recording, so I'm sure it's something I'm not doing correctly. I'm not getting much volume when recording acoustic guitar. Does the SM-57 need Phantom power? Icould run the acoustic through an amp but I prefer not to. Any sugestions would be greatly appreciated. ...S.

I'm using Cubase, Lexicon Omega, HP Dual Core Processor.

 

[spiderhead30]

I also just started experimenting with an SM57....its my first mic since I bought the $20 sale special at the local music shop. I heard it is an awesome mic, and it is certainly better then wht I had....but it seems like it needs a lot of gain to get any volume. What are you plugging in to? and what are you mic'ing?

I would like to see some replies to this thread as well

 

[tarnationsauce2]

An SM57 will work fine for recording an acoustic.

NO you do not need phantom power for an SM57, or any dynamic mic for that matter.

What are you plugging your mic into? If you're plugging into a line level input, it will be very quiet.

 

[spiderhead30]

is there a thread already for SM57 placement for acoustic recording? or levels and whatnot?

 

[Zone26]

Thanks for the help, I'm plugging the mic into the Omega. Do I need a preamp for this? Sorry for the total lack of knowledge of recording. I'm a true blue mewbe at this.

 

[Zone26]

Spider I read all of Harveys post the other week and I've tried several placements, still no volume at all. I'm wondering if it may be the mic?

 

[spiderhead30]

remember to check all input and output levels. Sometimes you can jsut be overlooking turning something up. If you decide it is not a "post mic cable problem" then try a different cable. Do you have another mic you can cross test your settings with? I would doubt that the problem is the sm57, they are durable it seems.

 

[austinm08]

Thanks for the help, I'm plugging the mic into the Omega. Do I need a preamp for this? Sorry for the total lack of knowledge of recording. I'm a true blue mewbe at this.

Yes, you need a preamp for the SM57. I can't believe nobody has told you
----------------------------
Ok, nevermind. I searched for that Omega once and found a sound card.. so I thought it was. Then I realized you said Lexicon Omega, and realized it was a mixer with preamps.

 

[kid klash]

Some ideas...

I recently purchased an SM-57 for guitar ( Both Acoustic & Electric) recording. I'm just getting started in home recording, so I'm sure it's something I'm not doing correctly. I'm not getting much volume when recording acoustic guitar. Does the SM-57 need Phantom power? Icould run the acoustic through an amp but I prefer not to. Any sugestions would be greatly appreciated. ...S.

I'm using Cubase, Lexicon Omega, HP Dual Core Processor.

Your Lexicon Omega has mic pres built into it; when you play your acoustic, do you see the indicator/overload lamp blink? If not, turn up the gain on the preamp section until it "sees" the guitar. Still can't "hear" it well in your PC? Go into the windows utility to see if your basic windows audio is turned up. It's turned up and it's still too quiet? Go into Cubase and check if the gain (volume) is turned up. It's turned up and it's still too quiet? Check your mic cable (XLR to XLR... right?). Cable is OK and it's still too quiet? Check the mic/cable combination through another audio device (like an analog mixer) to make certain the SM-57 is working properly. Good luck!

 

[RideTheCrash]

For recording an acoustic, I would suggest using a condensor mic (which does require phantom power). Dynamics don't tend to work as well, but that doesn't mean you can't use them. And yes, the SM57 does require a lot of gain as it is dynamic.

 

[dbeanerz]

I had a Lexicon Omega, and an SM57 - still needed a preamp to obtain a decent signal. Went ahead and got the DMP3 (M-Audio) and it did a fine job.

 

[Zone26]

Thanks for all your input, I'll be trying everything tonight. This site has really been a blessing for me just starting out. Nice community here. ..........S

 

[buryher17]

Yes, you need a preamp for the SM57. I can't believe nobody has told you
----------------------------
Ok, nevermind. I searched for that Omega once and found a sound card.. so I thought it was. Then I realized you said Lexicon Omega, and realized it was a mixer with preamps.

HAHAHA

 

[ferryhandlened]

Similar Problems

Hey,

I recently purchased an M-Audio Fast Track Pro and am trying to run my SM57 through it. I get almost no sound unless I turn the gain way up. I know the mic is good and so is the cable. I downloaded the most recent drivers. I'm using Ableton Live, which I'm relatively familiar with.

From what I can tell from reading online, the Fast Track Pro isn't good enough of a pre-amp for dynamic mics--but this seems ridiculous! Does anyone have any advice or knowledge?

Advice would be much appreciated. Thanks!

 

[pipelineaudio]

Hey,

I recently purchased an M-Audio Fast Track Pro and am trying to run my SM57 through it. I get almost no sound unless I turn the gain way up. I know the mic is good and so is the cable. I downloaded the most recent drivers. I'm using Ableton Live, which I'm relatively familiar with.

I am running into problem after problem with these things. There was a crosstalk problem, but I think MAudio said they fixed it. Make sure the pad is out.

Turn the mic pre gain all the way down, plug the mic in and CLAP right in front of it. What peak level do you see?

 

[CoolCat]

what is it the few windings of the mic or something? the sm57 is world renowned.....but it is a quiet thing.
I had the same exp....like "did I get a bad SM57?"...and a lot of cheap crap pre's get all noisy when you crank them up, making it difficult to use a SM57.

unfortunately I know more about cheap crap gear than good stuff...

 

[omtayslick]

unfortunately I know more about cheap crap gear than good stuff...

Good to meet a fellow specialist.

 

[rayc]

57 - preamp & lots of gain & I placement is crucial (I still hate them).

 

[sharic4]

Igave up using an SM57 for recording my acoustic because you don't get a wide enoughh guitar sound from using it. So I went out and bought a broadcasters mic and what a huge...i mean huge difference it made...incredible!!!!!! I purchased a Heil PR-30.
The Heil Sound PR-30 is a professional dynamic microphone designed for applications that require a smooth, flat output from a wide frequency response (40Hz-18kHz). Whether it's commercial broadcast, studio recording, or live sound reinforcement, the PR-30 mic can handle it.
Read up on it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It only picks up a real short radius in front of the mike....thats it..
Incredible!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Waffleness]

I almost have to set the gain to max when im using my 57 to record acoustic guitar.

Its also worth mentioning that you dont have to track really hot to produce a loud sound. Even tracking slightly on the quiet side is ok, so long as you can ramp up the output gain at mixing stage.