Between these two Mics

[ROBSCIX]

Hey guy I was looking at a local shop and they had two mics on sale I know either is not a very highend mic. I amn saving for one of those. I want something for right now. So I have a choice of:
SHURE C606 with a cable for $40
Behringer XM8500 $35

I really want a SM57 but I can't buy one right now...so can you guys tell me which would be the better mic between these two please? I am just learning about mics..

 

[iceyflame]

welcome to this forum man, firstly i wanna start by saying various people will say plenty of stuff about how your wasting your money, and then once you get the sm57 people will say that you wasted your money on that too and so on.

so you have to remember now, and in the future on ALL forums/boards discussing equipment - PEOPLE ALL HAVE DIFFERENT OPINIONS ON WHAT IS WORTH IT OR NOT... some people may be kids who are interesting in recording their punk band cheaply, and others may be adults wanting to make a living off of this.

so yeah you might wanna state your age, and how serious you are etc...

Anyway I dont have any experience with those mics but i just figured id give you a little insight .

 

[NeoMagick]

Iceyflame is spot on.

Personally, I'd say if you really want an SM57, save your pennies and get one. If you can afford a $40 mic now, then you're halfway to $75/80 for an SM57. You can get good ones at pawn shops for that price. Anything over $100 is a ripoff for a '57, imho.

But yeah, what're you trying to do? I have days when I use my SM58, or I want a couple ADK's on my amp. Then I have days when I want to use my two MXL 990/991 sets straight on my guitar. Just depends on what gives you what kind of sound, and what you're going for.

Throw some more details out there.

Cheers.

 

[chessrock]

If you can't afford a 57, then you've got a much, much larger problems in life right now than mics.

You need to go get yourself a jobby job.

.

 

[ROBSCIX]

No,No..I could grab a few 57's if I wanted but my pennies are going for a PC upgrad in two weeks that will be setting me back a few hundred...not to mentione the family I have..this recording stuff is a hobby right now..I have to decide if I want the SM 57 or if I want a new stomp box for the guitar or save a bit and get a new amp..or what about a new HDD for my tracks..then again I need more cables to..OH yeah I could use a better sound card. I have a good mixer but it's older so why don't I get a nice preamp..but then again I need a compressor..oh yeah but what about a de'esser..the again I could use a good reverb unit.....get my point? -I have money but I have it spread out over quite a few things right now.... -I am just starting to get my gear list together if you know what I mean. I have a 12 channel yorkville mixer and I have my eye on a new sound card but I have to upgrade my computer first. So anyway, why are so many people down on the SM 57's? I know there are alot better units out there but I thought the sm 57 is like the "workhorse" for recording...thx for your insight.

 

[bubbagump]

So anyway, why are so many people down on the SM 57's?

Because they are like hot dogs... they are cheap and will get you fed and most everyone likes them.... but they ain't nothin' special. Don't take this wrong. It isn't that people are "down" on them. It's just that no one gets excited about them.

 

[tnjazz]

Nothing wrong with a 57 at all.

Not spectacular, but it will get the job done and it will do it consistently. Not to mention you could do some hammering around the house with no ill effects.

 

[Markus V]

Well, to be honest... I really have to recommend getting the Behringer XM8500... in my view, it's often even better than Shure SM57. It's a lot more dynamic and responsive, and for the price it's amazingly good. With some EQ and compression you can get really good results from the XM8500 - I will probably never sell mine, because it handles some tasks so well. On a side note, Alice Cooper uses them as well (along with some other mics). I'd never waste my money on Shure's SM57 when I could almost get three Behringer's for the same price.

So there, get one and I bet you won't sell it ever - it's a workhorse for the studio, and a cheap one too.

 

[ROBSCIX]

I know the 1000 dollar question when dealing with mic's -what do you want to record? -I am basically a electric guitarist..so most of my stuff is done Direct inject or through a processor. I need to decide it I want a mic for vocals or for insturments..but I think if I was recording anything it would be a acoustic. I have been doing some reading and such, I started buying "recording" so I can get gear reviews and such. I talke to the local guy at the shop he knows alot and is one of those guys that loves talking about thngs he's into..so I can get great knowledge from him...I decide to stay away from the cheapies..it's just a waste...

 

[apl]

Check out the GSL ES57, $30.

 

[ROBSCIX]

Also, should have put this in the other post should I go the Condenser mic route? - I was told you can get alot better sound out of them and such..but I do my own studying and such..so waht is the verdict? or is price again the deciding factor? as for the other questions asked of me, I am a adult that would like to setup a PC based recording studio, I would just like to have a reasonable studio for my own use and maybe family members. how far it all goes is unknown an not really cared about..

 

[Minion]

Out of the 2 mics you mentioned (Shure and Behringer) the Shure one is the better mic but they are both very low end mics...

I have a C606 that I use sometimes for micing toms and Guitar cabs and I guess it would be OK as a Cheap vocal mic but it is definately a Cheapo Mic....

If you just want a couple Mics without spending a fortune that actually have a good sound then check out the MSH-1A SDC Mics that are made buy our own MSHilarious...They are only about $20 each and sound at least as good as most any $100+ Mic.....

http://www.homerecording.com/bbs/showthread.php?t=208086

(You will need to have Phantom power to run these mics)


I know that Behringer makes a Cheap SD Condenser mic that sells for about $75 for a 2 Pack but I can"t remember the model number....From what I hear they are OK for cheap mics.....


Cheers

 

[apl]

Also, should have put this in the otehr post should I go the Condenser mic route? - I was told you can get alot better sound out of them and such..but I do my own studying and such..so waht is the verdict? or is price again the deciding factor?

What are you wanting to record?

 

[ROBSCIX]

WOW!..sorry guys I am not used to fuch a FAST forum...I get like three answers by the time I answer one questions...that is great. AS to what I am recording I don't really know yet I suppose it would be better to have a good vocal unit first then get the insturment mics later for acoustic guitar and such. We will be moving in to a large house in a year or two that has a lrage room in the basment that is dry..and my wife had the great suggestion of putting a recording studio in there to keep me busy when I have time off...I love that lady...so Vocal mic..I can do either dynamic or use Phantom power..I have Twelve phantom power units on my mixer.. Mic pre's dopwn the road.. OH BTW I am serious and I will have my studio..Right now I just want to get recording...

 

[dgatwood]

You might consider a used Shure 545SD if you can find one on eBay. That should be in your price range and it should be very close to an SM57 (but probably less tubby if my experience with the 565SD vs. SM58 is any indication).

 

[travelin travis]

You might consider a used Shure 545SD if you can find one on eBay. That should be in your price range and it should be very close to an SM57 (but probably less tubby if my experience with the 565SD vs. SM58 is any indication).

I have a 545SD that I got picked up on ebay. It sounds like a 57/58 to me. Maybe brighter overall. Here's the plots for all three:

 

[rayc]

If you want to hear the behri XM8500 & a 57 go to my mic comparison thread - they're both there recording an acoustic through a behri MIC 100 pre.