Is it ok to combined SM57 and SM58 to mic percussions?

[thavva]

Hi Guys,

I'm very new here. Hope u guys can help me out in my dilemma. I already have a SM58 mic for my vocal recording. Now I'm planning to record percussions (tabla, bongos) for my fren. Definitely need 2 mics. I'm just wondering if I can just get another SM58 so I have 2 of the same kind because I heard fr someone long ago that we shud always use same model mics when we mic for recording one particular instrument.

But, I know that SM57 is best for percussions. Can I use SM57 for one side and SM58 for one side of the tabla? Atleast I can buy a SM57 mic and use it for anything else next time.

The problem is just that I dont want to simply spend unnecessarily because I'm not doing it for money.

I'm using Protools 001 for and Juliet sound card for my home DAW.

 

[antispatula]

If you're micing the same instrument, I doubt it's a good idea, because one mic might be a lot diff than the other, and it'll sound weird. For example, because of the pop screan on the 58, it's bass is a little stronger. The sm58 is the same as the sm57 in every way besides the way the pop screan was added. If you can take off the pop screan, than that may be a good idea. I don't know if they can though, I only have sm57's.

 

[Big Kenny]

No problem at all, both are the same mic, proximity notwithstanding , it'll sound fine

 

[thavva]

Thanks Big Kenny and Antispatula.

Just an idea. What if, for eg. in tabla. I record the bass drum with SM57 and the high drum with SM 58 which u said the bass is a little stronger. Would that help?

So, Big Kenny. You r saying that its not a prb if I purchase SM57 right? And should I take of the pop screen?

But I would like to also get your answer as to the best thing to do in your opinion is to buy same mic ideally or I can get the SM 57?

Thank you again for your feedback.

 

[gecko zzed]

1 adding another mike to your library is handy, so if you can afford it, it's a good idea

2 if you don't want to spend the money, then don't. You can record using those two mikes and the results will be fine.

3 don't start dismantling mikes. Leave them intact. Instead, and if necessary, use EQ on the mixer (or within protools) to compensate if you detect a difference.

4 if i had to make the choice about which mike to use on which side of the tabla, I would go for 57 on high, 58 on low. However, I don't think it's critical.

 

[thavva]

Thank you very much for your reply. Helps me relax a bit now. I think for my budget and your explanations, getting the SM 57 to combine with SM 58 is not a bad idea.

Anyway, if anyone has anymore feedbacks/comments or any other options, pls feel free to do so because I still have time before I make my purchase and I would really appreciate it. Thank you guys in advance.

 

[Jacobi1211]

take the windscreen off of the 58, and it's a 57!!! the windscreen does add some frequency response characteristics... but it's minute. so i would say, if you want to be on the extremely safe side, just take the windscreen off the 58!!! It'll sound fine bro!!!

Jacob

 

[steigdg1]

SM57 vs 58

Dragon says in his FAQ that the SM57 and 58 are electrically the same, just the case is different. That may or may not be true, but the next part of the FAQ is way wrong. He says that the SM57 has no precedence effect because of the way the case is built. Well, they are both cardiods, and the precedence effect is directly related to the cardiod response pattern. So, that is BS.

I overlayed the response curves of the 57 and 58, and the 57 has more high frequency response than the 58. Possible that is due to the windscreen, but to use a 57 as a vocal mic you would need a windscreen anyway.

 

[warble]

Dragon says in his FAQ that the SM57 and 58 are electrically the same, just the case is different. That may or may not be true, but the next part of the FAQ is way wrong. He says that the SM57 has no precedence effect because of the way the case is built. Well, they are both cardiods, and the precedence effect is directly related to the cardiod response pattern. So, that is BS.

I overlayed the response curves of the 57 and 58, and the 57 has more high frequency response than the 58. Possible that is due to the windscreen, but to use a 57 as a vocal mic you would need a windscreen anyway.

Do you mean proximity effect? If you're going to rant about how that part of the FAQ is BS, at least get the terminology correct. I haven't read the FAQ since 2000.

The 57's and 58's are electronically the same, and both do have a proximity effect. I've never overlayed response curves for both mics (don't care to get that technical and just want to use the damn mics), but I do know that the mics have a little different response at the high frequencies due to the different grills (it's been stated by many including people who have worked for Shure).

Also, you don't need a windscreen to use the 57 as a vocal mic - I've used them live and in studio, and they work just fine.

 

[tbone36109]

the 57 and 58 are the same except for a windscreen on the 58(but it comes right off without using any tools it justs screws on) but but if im not mistaken more recent models of the 57 recieved a very slight increase somewhere in the highs, cant really remeber where.