Michael Jones
New member
While the SM57 is extremely versatile, plus the fact that it doesn't really suck on anything, and its given price-point, may tend to make it over-used, but I disagree that its over-rated.
Are there some general purpose LDC budget mics you have that fall into the same category?Han said:Interesting discussion about a mic that's so much loved by so many.
It's an el cheapo mic that sounds kind of decent on almost everything, but I've never heard a great sound of it.
It sounds great on snare? No, not great and the hat bleed sounds plain bad on it. A Beyer M201 sounds a hundred times better on snare.
But it sounds great on a guitar amp then? No, a Senny MD421 sounds way better on any amp, not to mention a 441.
A Beyer M88 or even an M69 sounds so much better on amps too.
But what is it good for ? Like I said, I never use it, but it's a good mic for PA jobs.
What I still don't get -and you'll find this on any audio forum- , is the overrating of a mic like the 57 and on the other side the underrating of a mic like the C1000S, which is too expensive for it's quality, but can sound pretty good in a number of applications.
Have a nice day!
Han said:Interesting discussion about a mic that's so much loved by so many.
It's an el cheapo mic that sounds kind of decent on almost everything, but I've never heard a great sound of it.
It sounds great on snare? No, not great and the hat bleed sounds plain bad on it. A Beyer M201 sounds a hundred times better on snare.
But it sounds great on a guitar amp then? No, a Senny MD421 sounds way better on any amp, not to mention a 441.
A Beyer M88 or even an M69 sounds so much better on amps too.
But what is it good for ? Like I said, I never use it, but it's a good mic for PA jobs.
What I still don't get -and you'll find this on any audio forum- , is the overrating of a mic like the 57 and on the other side the underrating of a mic like the C1000S, which is too expensive for it's quality, but can sound pretty good in a number of applications.
DJL said:Are there some general purpose LDC budget mics you have that fall into the same category?
johneeeveee said:... but you must agree (or maybe not), that there have been a lot of great recordings done with a 57 on snare, and on guitar amps. your opinion is as valid as the next engineers, but some classic stuff has been done with this little workhorse. right?
peace - jv
bgavin said:Snob appeal aside, the reasonable price and ubiquitous nature of the SM57 allows recording to occur now, not in the future.
If I had to wait to fill my mic locker with the mics mentioned above, I would not be recording today. As it is, I'm getting lots of recording time and practical experience right now.
Are there some general purpose LDC budget mics you have that fall into the same category?Han said:Interesting discussion about a mic that's so much loved by so many.
It's an el cheapo mic that sounds kind of decent on almost everything, but I've never heard a great sound of it.
It sounds great on snare? No, not great and the hat bleed sounds plain bad on it. A Beyer M201 sounds a hundred times better on snare.
But it sounds great on a guitar amp then? No, a Senny MD421 sounds way better on any amp, not to mention a 441.
A Beyer M88 or even an M69 sounds so much better on amps too.
But what is it good for ? Like I said, I never use it, but it's a good mic for PA jobs.
What I still don't get -and you'll find this on any audio forum- , is the overrating of a mic like the 57 and on the other side the underrating of a mic like the C1000S, which is too expensive for it's quality, but can sound pretty good in a number of applications.
Have a nice day!
I don't know what your opinion is about budget LDC mics... and that's what I was asking.Han said:DJL, what are you after bro? You know what my opinion is about el cheopo LDC's, but for those who don't know, IMHO the SP B1 is a great bang for the buck.
Comparing it to a 57 is apples/oranges, but for all the homerecording guys with a tight budget, the B1 is a blessing.
Oh, I know what you and I like them for and I know Harvey hates the C1000S, and etc, etc... but, I want to know what Han likes them for.Track Rat said:C-1000's sound very good on a snare or toms. Also in front of an amp. There ya go.
I like the C1000S more on toms than the snare... but, it's not bad on snare if you point it away from the hat and etc. But, I still like the M201 on snare more most of the time. I also like the MD421 or SM57 on snare... but, it depends on the drummer, snare, and style... many people don't know how to place a mic on snare. For example, on a tight snare I like a SM57 pointed stright down and really close to the head, and about an inch in from the rim.chessrock said:Hmmm. Interesting, guys. I never thought of using one on snare.
DJL & Trackrat: How's the hi-hat bleed? Something gives me the feeling I wouldn't want to hear what it might sound like on a c1000. But if the hypercard pattern is tight enough, then I can see where they might be of use. Let me know when you get the chance. I can't believe I might actually find myself on ebay hunting for a c1000 to try out on snare.
Han said:DJL,
The most difficult things to record are not snares, toms and guitar amps, but pianos, violins, voilas, chellos, accordeons, saxophones, clarinets, hobos, acoustic guitars, upright bass and things like that, not to mention vocals.
This doen't really seem to fit... unless you apply the same type thinking to your LDC budget mics?Han said:DJL, I own a Neumann M149 as you might know and I have access to almost any great mic you can imagine because a friend of mine owns many classics and rents them.
I'm talking about U47, U67, M49, M50, ELA M250/251 and many others. So I happen to know how a great mic sounds through a great pre into a hi end two inch machine.
Compared to these great mics a 57 sounds uh......not so good, but hey, he has an ELA M 251 in mint condition and had an offer of 20 grand for it. How many 57's can you buy for 20K?
That sounds snobbish, I know that, but let me tell you something more. The most difficult things to record are not snares, toms and guitar amps, but pianos, violins, voilas, chellos, accordeons, saxophones, clarinets, hobos, acoustic guitars, upright bass and things like that, not to mention vocals.
If you put a pair of 57's or C1000's on a grand piano, you will never get a good sound. If you put a really nice tube mic like an MXL V69 or V77 on a saxophone, next to a Neumann M50, you will be amazed how much better the Neumann sounds.
Still the V69 and V77 are very nice mics.
Back to the 57 and C1000, I have sold my two C1000's because I didn't use them, but seven or eight years ago I used them every day and like others said, it can sound pretty decent on (bigger) toms, percussion, never used it on snare, but it isn't as bad as some posters want us to believe. There are better mics for less money these days, but 10 years ago there were no SP and MXL mics yet.
What can I compare to a 57? I think the 57 is for its price not comparable with other dynamics in the same price class, most decent dynamics are more expensive, so I think it's a good deal. But when someone says it sounds great, I take the liberty to disagree.
To answer one of your questions, there is a LCD mic that sounds brilliant on nearly everything, a Neumann M149.
Not that I would use it for snare, but I'm sure it will sound great.
On the Neumann pinboard there have been questions whether you can use it on kick or not and the Neumann staff answered you can, as long as you don't hit it with the beater.
DJL buddy, it's about time for you to rent a really great mic and find out how a first class mic sounds, you will be surprised.
Peace.
crazydoc said:ROFLMAO
Especially when they try to harmonize.
Sorry, Han. Just a typo, I know.
Han said:It sounds great on snare? No, not great and the hat bleed sounds plain bad on it. A Beyer M201 sounds a hundred times better on snare.
Han said:It wasn't too bad for a Dutch guy, was it?
Het was niet zo slecht voor een Nederlander, toch?