Alternatives to the SM57/MD421

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thehymns

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I'm having a hell of a time getting a "realistic" electric guitar sound with my Digi002R/Sytek MPX-4Aii combination. My next mic purchase is going to be an AKG 414 or Electro Voice RE20...how do those sound on electric guitar *I use a Fender Twin Reverb*. I will probably buy a RE20 first, because I can get them at a reasonable price and I need a bass drum mic, and I've seen them used on vocals, so they might be a nice alternative to my KSM32. I've seen people mention the EV 635A as well for electric guitar...I don't know what to do maybe I should just experiment and throw every microphone at the damned thing and see what happens!
 
thehymns said:
maybe I should just experiment and throw every microphone at the damned thing and see what happens!
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excellent idea!
 
The Shure SM7 is like the 57 on steroids. I've gotten a great guitar sound with it.

That being said - maybe you've already done this, but be sure to move your 57 all around, trying different locations relative to the cabinet. It can make a world of difference, and you really *should* be able to get a usable guitar sound from a 57 -- maybe not perfect, but darn usable.

-lee-
 
laptoppop said:
The Shure SM7 is like the 57 on steroids. I've gotten a great guitar sound with it.

That being said - maybe you've already done this, but be sure to move your 57 all around, trying different locations relative to the cabinet. Maybe not perfect, but darn usable.

-lee-
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I can a get a very usable guitar sound from the SM57, but not a very likeable one. I wish I could find a SM7 around $200 used...they were used for vocals on the latest Wilco album, and I'd like to be able to capture that dull sound.
 
For inexpensive opions consider:
ev re16
ev re635a

One of the chineese ribon mics

Kel audio hm1

These all work very well on electiric.

I'm not a big fan of the sm57 on electric, but I do like the md421 when I whant a little brighter sounding.
 
For inexpensive dynamics....

I asked about the Heil PR-40 a few months ago, but nobody had heard of it. I didn't know anything about it except that it was supposed to sound like an RE20 for $200. This months EQ magazine reviewed it (p. 8) and they said, "it is the affordable RE20 replacement."

I might be grabbing one soon if I can find a decent price on one (seems the price went up as soon as the review hit the stands).
 
I've also had good results with the AKG d190es. can be had for super cheap, too
 
I like the sound of an RCA 77DX on an amp. That's what Keith Richards used on Brown Sugar. :cool:
I've never owned one myself, though. :(

BTW, Keith used a Fender Twin on that song. Wide open. ;)

If you do use this, put a 20 db pad in front of the amp, then close mic it from about 3".
 
I'm very happy with an EV 635a. It has a "wider" sound, for me at least, than a 57.
 
curtiswyant said:
I'm very happy with an EV 635a.
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I think I'm going to get my hands on one of these since they are relatively cheap. I might also try an EV RE50, EV RE20, AT4033 or Shure SM7B...depending on what kind of deals I can find ;)
 
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