Poll : SM-57 or E-609 on guitar cabs?

  • Thread starter Thread starter kid klash
  • Start date Start date

Shure SM-57 or Sennheiser E-609 for recording guitar cabs?

  • Shure SM-57 ($80-$90)

    Votes: 53 53.5%

  • Sennheiser E-609 ($90-$100)

    Votes: 46 46.5%
  • Total voters
    99
My 2 545s arrived today, and I just finished testing them on electric guitar and vocals. I have to say, I'm pretty amazed at how these things sound. I didn't do any serious testing, but so far I'm really excited. They're really clear and present sounding through my RNP. I remember Harvey's review of the RNP saying that it brought the 57 to life...well it sure brought these mics to life. One of the best $80 purchases I've ever made.

To rip off the revered Steve Albini: If the SM57 were a microphone it would sound like this!
 
EleKtriKaz said:
My 2 545s arrived today, and I just finished testing them on electric guitar and vocals. I have to say, I'm pretty amazed at how these things sound. I didn't do any serious testing, but so far I'm really excited. They're really clear and present sounding through my RNP. I remember Harvey's review of the RNP saying that it brought the 57 to life...well it sure brought these mics to life. One of the best $80 purchases I've ever made.

To rip off the revered Steve Albini: If the SM57 were a microphone it would sound like this!
Click to expand...

Well said! :)

Yeah - I've got a few 545s from back in the day, and I too like their warmer, rounder, less glassy sound when compared to the current SM-57s.
 
Of the two choices I would go with a 57 most of the time.

The black 609s however, are a different story and definitely where its at; clear and full with little bite - a great rock guitar sound every time with easy placement. I use these 80% of the time with the remainder split mostly between the 57 (in your face) and EV 635a (live sound).

I actually still have an unopened black 609. I guess I bought one too many. :D

Jay
 
I prefer the e609 but I use the black face type plus another mic for flavor (depends on the set up and sound plus I avoid the 57 as much as possible).

I have sworn off the SM57 many years ago. Not to say the 57 isn't used EVER but it's very rare when I break it out to record anything (it's a last resort - and when it is a last resort it usually works).

-- Adam Lazlo
 
I can't vote for the 57...because I've never owned one...yes you heard correctly.
I can vote for the e609s...I think it sounds decent.
My next mic will be the MD421 as mentioned above...it just has a full round sound.

This was recorded with the e609s up front and an MXL900 off in the distance.

The only thing done to this are the levels...otherwise it is raw.
 
e609s v. SM57

I'm with DJL on being split but for live/backline work, I think the e609s has some advantages, especially for on-axis recording, ease of placement, and backline noise rejection.

Paj
8^)

P.S.: DJL---I'm glad that "Banned" doesn't mean "Banned."
 
guitar sound is bassy - e609
guitar sound is high freq - 57 or similar

or mix them. whatever works.
 
As long as we're digging out ancient polls, I can't vote for the E-609, as I've never tried one, and I can't vote for the SM57, as IMHO, it sounds like somebody stuck a good mic in a jar of peanut butter.... :D

Top 10 Uses for an SM57
 
I sold that piece of shit the e609 and instead used the money for fast food. What a worthless microphone.
 
Wow - this IS an old thread!

As for me, I'm using the e609silver's more often than my SM57's, although I'm recording more "clean" guitar tracks these days. There's a clarity and smoother mid that I like with the e609s when mic'ing clean amps. I've used the e609s's on some not-so-clean tracks too, and I like they way the rhythm tracks sit in the mix... a bit more accurate to my ears, and not quite as "in your face" as the SM57's. With that said, I still like the SM57's on snares and on some vocals, besides blues and hard rock lead guitar tracks. FWIW.
 
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For me the 57 is somewhat of a trouble-free mike. Seems like you can just throw it up against the grill and it'll sound good. Tremendous variety of tone available with small changes in placement. I like the EV 635a too for a different flavor.

Haven't used the 609.
 
Sloan said:
guitar sound is bassy - e609
guitar sound is high freq - 57 or similar

or mix them. whatever works.
Click to expand...


This would be my opininon on the issue as well. I will add one little side note. I feel with an overdriven guitar, the 609 seems to give more clarity to each individual sound coming from the speaker, can make each string seem to come through more, where as it seems the 57 gives more of an overall tonal picture of the whole sound with some nice bottom. A good in between is always the I5. And yes this is old.
 
both are nice, but IMO the ATM650 is a better 57 and a better i5 for Gtr Cabs. I have use used 57, 609S i5 and MD421 extensively and the ATM650 is really an excellent cab mic. give it a consideration.
 
The 57 is an awesome mic for recording rock/blues/country guitar. It has a sonic signiture that sets up in the mix easily. Cannot go wrong with a 57 and if you don't own one you should for the versatility. But I use the Senn live and really like it; I prefer low volume on stage and like the isolation it provides and it sounds great live. I haven't A/B'd them in the studio because I'm mainly using the POD or Amplitude for recording, but I usually just go for the 57 when actually recording with an amp because I am confident it will sound right. I would guess the Senn is at least as good or better from my experience using it live. I've actually been meaning to try it, but I just don't use my amps much anymore.
 
I'll stick with the SM57. You can record anything with that mic. :p
 
I like the 57 a lot. Probably my favorite guitar amp mic.
 
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