Using a SM-57 for vocals.. and how to make the best of it

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Volrath

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Howdy guys,

pretty much as the title idicates.. I've no money for anything right now.. so I'm stuck using our SM-57 for recording vocals.. I'm still in the experimenting mode to try and make this sound as good as possible (you know.. placement, distance, etc..) Just was wondering if any of you would have any tips about using the 57 for recording vocals..

Thanks guys,

Volrath
 
It depends a lot on the singer's technique and the song style. Most likely you'll want a pop filter of some sort unless the singer is particularly good at using a 57.
 
Well... lol I'm the singer (O.o EEEEK!!!) and so far its all i'm able use.. I've done 4 songs with it so far.. but I haven't been completely thrilled with it.. though the band mates seem to think it's alright.. Maybe its doing its job fine and I'm the one fuckin' up the mix... >< Guess I was just fishing for anyone else's technique or positioning of the 57 when they are recording their vocals.. What kind of pop filter would you recommend using (I'm sure you're not talking about a red clown nose over the mic................ which comedicly I have)
 
When you sing into your mic make sure that your singing directly into the diaphragm and not off to one side or the other.
 
Any kind of pop filter will work, you can even make one from a coathanger and some old pantyhose! Put the microphone up a little so that you have to lean your head back a little - stretching the throat, rather than compressing it. Stand up, don't sit.
 
My method:

Put 57 on stand in front of me
Use pop filter
Aim straight at the diaphragm
Start wailing!! :D
 
IMO SM-57 and SM-58 are good mics, budget wise and quality wise.

As suggested use a pop filter, stand up while singing and sing directly in the diaphragm. Close micing is a good practice if you have a room with lots of reflections, try also to experiment with the height of the microphone and your head inclination while singing. You may find that a certain position combination gives you the best result for your voice.

Once you have several good takes, post processing of the recorded vocals plays also an important role.
 
aim your voice at the microphone, first put on a pop filter. should be good to go.
 
There have actually been some pretty famous recordings made with a 57 used on the lead vocal. "Billie Jean" by Michael Jackson comes to mind. I think Phil Collins recorded through a 57 also. It should work fine. I mean, if you were trying to capture an intimate ballad being sung by Allison Krause, it probably wouldn't be your first choice, but for the shit most of us are doing, you should be good.

And I don't know that it needs to be treated any differently than any other vocal track. A little compression, a splash of reverb, MAYBE EQ some air into the track, and let it be.
 
If for some reason you need to sing close to the mic you will probably want to eq it to compensate for proximity effect.
 
Wow, thanks guys for all the insight. Very much appreciated. So yesterday We finished up another song!! (bout damn time) I'm going to half-ass some tweaks and whatnot to the tracks tonight, then post it in the clinic... so please please be on the lookout for that. I guess we're ready for our first spanking!!! (or not). Thanks again guys!

Volrath
 
Oh one other thing. as bolenti said up top the 57 and 58 are pretty decent... I love my 57 for micing the amp, so I was thinking of getting a 58 here soon (need paycheck!!!). would it be an investment to get the 58?? Or would you guys suggest maybe saving up a wee bit more and getting something else?

TIA

Volrath
 
I'd go with another 57. from my understanding, 57s and 58s are remarkably similar, but it seems like a better idea to have 2 of the same mic
 
I understand having identical mics for multiple purposes.. My thought was about what to get as far as a vocal mic goes (guess i shoulda specified that eh?). So... should I go ahead and get the 58 when I have the moolah, or wait a bit longer and get something better??
 
Volrath said:
I understand having identical mics for multiple purposes.. My thought was about what to get as far as a vocal mic goes (guess i shoulda specified that eh?). So... should I go ahead and get the 58 when I have the moolah, or wait a bit longer and get something better??
Click to expand...

If the purpose of the mic is to sing live, you cannot really find a better deal than the SM-58. They're practically indestructible, they sound good, and everybody knows the mic.

If the primary purpose of your next mic is going to be recording vocals, I'd go for a condenser microphone of some sort. Some of them can be had for not much (if any) more than a 58.
 
so whats the difference between the 57 and the 58 ?
 
The 58 is a bit brighter. Nothing you could not do with EQ in the mix.

But, If you are looking to buy a 2nd mic to record with, and you already have a 57, I'd go with a large diaphragm condenser mic. You'll need phantom power, but most mixing boards or audio interfaces will supply that. Search that term ("large diaphragm condenser") on Musiciansfriend.com or any other music gear site and you'll see a bunch of results, some of which will be about the same price as a Shure 58.

Welcome to the show, and by that I mean the lifelong quest for "the sound"
 
If you're looking for a second mic to record vocals with I would suggest an AKG C2000B, they are probably one of the most underrated mics available. I often end up using one of these on vocals/acoustic guitar over mics that cost a lot more.
 
The SM58 has a round metal mesh 'ball' on the end, the 57 doesn't.
 
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