how come I keep coming back to my trusty SM57's?

  • Thread starter Thread starter mixmkr
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mixmkr

mixmkr

we don't need rest!!
With this female vocalist I am working with, it always seems to work great. I have tried the "cheap" condensors like the MXL2001 to the NT1 to a 4033. Granted, they sound good, and are certainly a high output. But, even when laying down ruffie tracks when we are composing, I'll just hand her the 57 and even holding it (sans mic stand), it sound great...no thumps (and she is careful with the plosives). And the sound EASILY compares to the condensors and actually might sound better. Am I just experiencing a mic that matches up to the singer? (imo at least!) Spending money on different mics and experimenting is beginning to seem fruitless as I continue the quest to improve. I don't have the budget to bring in the big guns, but I suppose I could catalog order one (with a return policy) to try it out.
I must say, I am certainly not disatisfied with the current sound...just looking for "better".
 
Some talent sounds great with an SM57, other s don't... if you like the sound then stick with it - but it may not work for everybody. You don't really need to buy a new mic until you come across a vocalist that the SM57 doesn't work on!

Bruce
Blue Bear Sound
 
If everyone is happy with the look feel and such with the mic, keep it. You want to boost or modify the sound to be better. Heres a wacky idea... try exploring different mic preamps, EQ's or compressors. Or even still stop buying mics and nab the Antares mic modler. Thats a sporty recording add-on that can simulate a ga-zillion mics. The SM57 is a fine piece of gear.
 
thanks guys for the replies. I find that my favorite combination is turning out to be the Waves Ren. compressor and I have the mic modeler, but don't use it that much at this point. I'm to ashamed to tell you what my mic preamp is, so I'll just let people be the final judge when they listen to the mix. :-D

....actually, I am using a Fender MX series board that was discontinued when the Mackies started to become popular, because they couldn't compete with the price. I like the mic pres (and the board), so I haven't felt the need to replace it. I tried the budget ArtMP, but sent it back the next day...I didn't like it at all.

anyone else seen or used these Fender boards, btw? They have basically all the features and blinking lights that the Mackie 8 buss series has, except, these are 4 buss boards.
 
mackie 8 buss boards are awesome, and also. if you bought an NT1, 4033, and a 2001.. thats about $700... you could have a akg 414 for that!
 
Kristian, I can relate to the AKG414 possiblity. I could even sell a couple guitars and/or even my old junker Arp Odyssey and the Yamaha DX7 and get a U87...which I probably should do, but shoot...that's what the mic modeler is for ....:-D go up 30 points and turn my 57 into an 87!! Seriously, I am finding however that I ought to sell all my mics and just keep the 57, as it seems to wail on everything I stick it on. Then, put my money in a newer computer which will go out of date in a year!! Again..thx all for the ideas.
 
Despite all the technical theory in microphone manufacture the SM57 hit a spot and works great just like you said. Pink Floyd did the same with music? :)
cheers
John
 
I got one of them Fender boards. They were too big and heavy. I had the 16 channel (or was it 24?...) and it was like twice as big as the Mackie 1604VLZ I use now. I never recorded with it, though. We just used it for live sound. It is being used in a church for their sound now. Still works, but the pots get a little scratchy too easy.

I did really like the leatherette padding at the bottom of the channels, though. :)
 
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