How many SM-57s do I REALLY need?

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policenauts03

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Hey all, I own four Shure SM-57s, but I really don' think I need this many... My current setup is a 2-channel Digidesign Mbox. I was thinking of selling two of them, leaving me with two (for drum micing, guitars, etc.). Do you think I will be okay with having 2? I was thinking about selling the two of them, and then buying another SP B-1 so that I could use them both as overheads (I'm poor!) I've also got an SM-58 so I guess that could be my third 57 if I ever really needed it... thanks!
 
President George W Bush's Council On The Arts says 3. If you have 2, buy one; if you have 4, sell one.
 
lpdeluxe said:
President George W Bush's Council On The Arts says 3. If you have 2, buy one; if you have 4, sell one.

Why 3? I am pretty hurting for cash right now, so the 58 without the windscreen option is looking mighty attractive right now.
 
I would for sure keep atleast 2. You might want two on an amp, or one on the top of a snare and one on the bottom. If you are micing drums, I would just keep them all, because they'll atleast work decent for toms. For now, I guess you could use them for overheads, and then you can pick up some cheaper overheads sometime. Or maybe you could get some fairly nice ones someday, and sell off the extra SM57s at that time. It doesn't seem to me like you would really stand to benefit from getting rid of them right now.
 
you always need to have 6 plus 1 broken one :p :D

kidding

but if you have the Mbox, which only has two inputs anyway...then I don't see the need for you to have four. Find the ones with the closest serial numbers and keep those ones. then you can sell the other two to help save up for a more expensive one. Plus you said you had a 58 too....so i think you definitely don't need more than the two. :cool:

ps. PM me if you decide to sell them and tell me what you are willing to let them go for, i might buy them off of you
 
Personally 4 is a good number. You have 3 for toms and 1 for snare, or if you have something better on the drum kit--you have some for the guitar amp, or the singer to lay scratch vocals. Or you can use one for under the snare miking.

Not the best mic in the universe, but not bad--but useful to have around.
 
I got 4 left....none broken but two have some old duct tape on them
 
According to John Kerry's Council on Equititable Artistic Endowments and the DNC Policy on Artisitc Redistribution you must give up two of your SM 57's to me because I only have one.

Consider it a microphone tax.

You are probaly asking yourself why I should end up with three and you are left with only two?

Actaully I will only end up with two because they will keep one and either break or just plain lose the other one.

The end result is you will have two and I will have two and they will claim credit for Sensitive Artistic Equality while blaming George Bush for the missing SM-57. Then Michael (dellusions of conspiracies) Moore will make a movie about it filled with half truths and blatent errors and rake in millions from from the feeble minded.

:eek: :rolleyes:
 
i'd keep all of them, especially if you plan on upgrading from the m-box in the future. if you do sell them, do not fret because you can always go on ebay and pick a couple up for 30-40$ a piece, sometimes cheaper.
 
I'd keep all of them. I've got a box full of SM57's... and parts and etc.
 
Just sold all mine, kept a 58. In the end, the ball wins. It reminds me of an ice cream cone. Mmmmmm, ice cream :)
 
I had 8, sold 4 of them and replaced them with more specialized mics.

Audix D4, two AT23HE, three ATM25. I still want a Beyer M201, and perhaps an Audix D3 if I can find one cheap. Also want an Audix D6, but they never go cheap.
 
Well guys, I ended up selling two of them yesterday (one old Unidyne and one regular 57) on Craig's List for $90. In the end, I just really did need the cash, and I know I can always find a good deal on some more 57s someday in the future. The only thing I'm just a tad concerned about were the tom micing, but I'm sure a good pair of overheads or another B-1 could always pick those up, and plus I only have two channels as it is, and plugging them into the mixer and then the Mbox is always kind of sketchy. Thanks~!
 
policenauts03 said:
, and plugging them into the mixer and then the Mbox is always kind of sketchy. Thanks~!
why is it sketchy? Sounds fine to me.
 
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