Easy question an SM57 need a condensor?

[kernelcornell]

I know most mics need something to bump up the impedance I'm trying to set up a simple set up with an amp I inherited a boss loop station and my mic recording my harp and banjo

I know sm57s benefit greatly from certain preamps but I'm not trying to invest that much yet just trying to learn some basics first

Thanks guys for helping me out this s only my second day in the world of recording and amplifying.

 

[FLYcrash]

What kind of amp?

 

[bouldersoundguy]

You're going to need a preamp of some sort for the mic. If you record to the computer then an audio interface can provide one. If you record to a standalone recorder then it probably has one or several on it. If you're playing the harmonica through a guitar type amp then the amp functions as a preamp of sorts.

 

[FLYcrash]

Just looking at the spec sheets of the Loop Station, a typical guitar amp, and the SM-57, I agree that you'll need some preamplification. If I got my math right, the output of the SM-57 should be about -54 dBu with the 94dB reference sound source. The Loop Station is rated for a level of -20 dBu, and the amp I looked up seems happiest with something even a bit higher. So you need something like 34 dB or more of gain (i.e. 2500 times the power or 50 times the voltage) between the mic and your other stuff.

If recording is the main goal, you should decide how you'll be doing the recording. Basically every typical home recording device (computer audio interface, digital recorder, Portastudio, etc.) comes with integral mic preamps. If you want to perform the instruments live through the Loop Station and amp, you may be able to use the recording device as a preamp. If you want to run the instrument through the Loop Station and then record it, it sounds like you'll need both a recorder and a standalone preamp.

But this is armchair quarterbacking, so YMMV...

 

[kernelcornell]

wow thanks a lot guys I'm not looking at recording devices yet because I'm very new to this and I want to figure out a lot of the basics first and what sound I am looking for. I inherited a little fender box amp right now and I just want to make sure the output on this mic is right so that you can actually hear it

So what I am understanding is that I don't need something to match the impedance(condensor) but I do need a preamp

My reasons for getting this mic are that I was told the sm57 was really versatile and good at recording horns and guitars so I translated this to harmonica and banjo. I also read that the pre amps are really effective in determining the sound of these. Not to mention I'm getting this mic new for 55dollars.

Sorry I wasn't clearer on my intentions before but yeah I'm looking at only live play on just amps through loop pedal at the moment

 

[FLYcrash]

Just to clarify something, a "condenser" is another name for a capacitor, which is an electronic component used in the transducer of a condenser microphone. The capacitance of a circuit has an effect on its impedance, but they aren't the same thing at all. A dynamic mic like the SM57 doesn't work on the principle of a condenser, which is why it doesn't need phantom power or another power source. It's like a speaker running backwards.

Impedance doesn't always get matched; while you match impedances between say a power amp and speakers, you want the input impedance of a device to be much much higher than the output impedance of a microphone you plug into it.

You can get a microphone preamp for not too much money. But the conventional wisdom is that you need to spend a lot (a few hundred dollars per channel or more) to get significantly better sound quality than the preamps that come built into home recording equipment.

Here's a place you can start from for microphone preamps:

http://tinyurl.com/2cxckxk

EDIT: Get one that accepts an XLR input and both XLR and 1/4" unbalanced outputs so that you don't have to fuss with too many adapters and can upgrade easily to other situations. That way, for now, it can go mic -> XLR cable -> preamp -> guitar cable -> pedal -> guitar cable -> guitar amp. In the future you could easily plug either the mic or the preamp into something different.

 

[kernelcornell]

Thanks a lot I probably meant to say capacitor.. so yeah the impedance is supposed to be lower otherwise bad things happen but don't you need to bump it up because guitar amps and such need impedance similar to the higher output of a guitar. Do I not need one because I'm going through the boss pedal or because I just don't need one for a dynamic mic?

Sorry if I seem to be going in circles I appreciate all the help you guys are giving me I've been reading a lot but asking questions helps so much more

 

[kernelcornell]

this seems like a stupid question but, am I going to hear a big difference with and without the preamp out of this mediocre amp or will I have to wait untill I start recording/ get better equipment to notice it

 

[kernelcornell]

Alright I just found the answer to my first question and also called a guy on criagslist and am picking up the ART 127 Preamp for $15 (they don't wear down signifigantly with age do they?)

 

[Armistice]

I use an SM58 into a Boss RC-50 looper which plugs into the PA. No problems, but it has a dedicated mic input.

I suspect you ddin't "inherit" an RC-50 though, more likely the 20 or 2.

I think the 20 has a mic input, in which case, it's probably got the correct level to actually work, given that's what it's for. The 2, I don't know...

You're not recording as far as I can tell, you're just playing...

Can I suggest you just plug the things in and see if they work? Save you a lot of typing.. You won't hurt anything!

If it doesn't work, then yes, you might need a preamp...

 

[kernelcornell]

yeah it's the rc2

I don't have cords for anything yet waiting for them in the mail

I can't pas up the preamp for only 15dollhairs

at this point yeah I'm just waiting to try everything out then I'll post on how everything works expectations yada yada

 

[kernelcornell]

also sorry

blues harp/ harmonica = violin/ fiddle