Recording guitars with sm58?

[State Six]

We are recording our B52 half stacks right now using an sm58 and a pg58. Is there any way to get an clear sound using our distorted channels without overloading the mics while still keeping the cabinet punch present?? we've tried backing the mics off, but we lose the presence. We realize that this isn't the hottest setup, but its all we have right now...

 

[peopleperson]

I wouldn't recommend using a PG58 to record pretty much anything. Although an SM57 would be more 'proper', if you're losing brightness, try the 58 up close to the cone, and maybe try unscrewing the windscreen.

 

[musicstew]

A Sure SM57 is a well know and often most preferred guitar amp and drum microphone.

These microphones are also not expensive.

The sure SM58 is a stage vocal microphone and no so good for guitar amps.

-Stew

 

[twostone]

Here's what I do to record our guitarist with a SM 57 slightly off axis from the grill of the guitar cab, then I use a "condenser mic" for room ambience which also seems to give me more low end crunch but I'm also overdub the same part with another guitar and different amp setting. Also I don't saturate it with to much distortion and when I record the first take . Then on the overdub part I even back off more from the distorion with a little more cleaner sound. It gives me a fat tone but that's the way I do it I'm sure they're experts here that can go into more details then me. Goodluck & peace out.

 

[Micter]

An SM58 needs to be placed a bit different than a 57 but they are very usable with a bit of attention.

 

[tubesrawsom]

Maybe a simple adjustment of the gain levels on the micpre.

 

[giraffe]

A Sure SM57 is a well know and often most preferred guitar amp and drum microphone.

These microphones are also not expensive.

The sure SM58 is a stage vocal microphone and no so good for guitar amps.

-Stew

the only real difference between a sm57 and a sm58 is the wind screen.

granted it does effect the freq response a little. but youcan just take the ball off like has been suggested.

 

[SouthSIDE Glen]

the only real difference between a sm57 and a sm58 is the wind screen.

granted it does effect the freq response a little. but youcan just take the ball off like has been suggested.

ROFL, Giraffe. I think your text could use some compression

G.

 

[Chibi Nappa]

No reason you can't get a rockin' guitar recording from an SM 58.

 

[giraffe]

the only real difference between a sm57 and a sm58 is the wind screen.

granted it does effect the freq response a little. but youcan just take the ball off like has been suggested.

some of the old L1

 

[giraffe]

and a little make up gain and presto!

the only real difference between a sm57 and a sm58 is the wind screen.

granted it does effect the freq response a little. but youcan just take the ball off like has been suggested.

 

[smtcharlie]

and a little make up gain and presto!

the only real difference between a sm57 and a sm58 is the wind screen.

granted it does effect the freq response a little. but youcan just take the ball off like has been suggested.

!!!!!!!

Hilarious.

 

[smtcharlie]

Here's what I do to record our guitarist with a SM 57 slightly off axis from the grill of the guitar cab, then I use a "condenser mic" for room ambience which also seems to give me more low end crunch but I'm also overdub the same part with another guitar and different amp setting. Also I don't saturate it with to much distortion and when I record the first take . Then on the overdub part I even back off more from the distorion with a little more cleaner sound. It gives me a fat tone but that's the way I do it I'm sure they're experts here that can go into more details then me. Goodluck & peace out.

There's a bunch of advice from people who are probably far wiser than I am (and more experienced).

But, and someone usually points this out for these types of threads, make sure that the source sounds good. The difference in sound between a 58 and a 57 isn't exactly worlds apart. If you are getting a muddy sound now, make sure that you are getting the best sound possible from the guitar / amp. I learned this the hard way with acoustic guitars (half a dozen mic and pre combinations just to learn that I really didn't like the sound of my acoustic....sheesh).