Remarks on AT2020 and Shure SM58

[DarrenVocal]

Hello there people of HR, I have a question.

And that is, what do you guys think of the AT2020 and the Shure SM58? I know they are different because one is a condenser and another, dynamic. But which sounds clearer? Which gives you lesser background noise while having a greater volume? How does the sound "feel" like when you say into them? Please let me know.

Cheers,
Darren.

 

[CrowsofFritz]

I'll give you a test to what both can do.

Everything you hear in this song was recorded with the AT 2020




Everything except the cymbals in the drums, the vocals, and the bass were recorded with an SM58.





I know it's not the greatest comparison, but it gives you an idea.



The SM57/58 is great for drums and guitar. The 2020 is pretty much and all around-er for a budget mic. I've used it on a french horn once and it sounded amazing!

 

[CrowsofFritz]

If you want, I can record a short demo when I get a desktop of what both can do.


Jeez.... I'm going to do a lot once I get this desktop.

 

[DarrenVocal]

If you want, I can record a short demo when I get a desktop of what both can do.


Jeez.... I'm going to do a lot once I get this desktop.

That would be appreciated, Fritz. I want to see if the AT2020 is worth to be upgraded from my current Shure SM58.

 

[CrowsofFritz]

I wouldn't call it an upgrade, but it would be a different sound.

 

[DarrenVocal]

Well is that "different sound" an improvement?

 

[CrowsofFritz]

No. It won't be an improvement, as you say.


Professionals use the 57/58 in professional records. Listen to some rock albums. The guitars were probably recorded with a 57.


If you really want to "improve" the sound for vocal, you're going to have to start going into the $300 range at least. You could sing vocals with the 57. It's really a workhorse.


Mics just pick sound up "differently." That doesn't mean the sound is better.


Here is an example of what I am talking about. It's all about preference for sound.

Mic Comparison (AT2020 vs C-1U vs SM57) - YouTube

 

[mixsit]

Well is that "different sound" an improvement?

Part of what's missing is what/how and where they're being used for.

Shall we presume general purpose home recording?

The 2020 would be wider in bandwidth and flatter.
Since I don't own one let's do this..
http://www.audio-technica.com/cms/resource_library/literature/49f63e6efc082082/at2020_english.pdf
Very often a more neutral' yet detailed mic is the more versatile and desired choice.
58..
http://www.shure.com/uploads/specification_sheet/upload/82/us_pro_sm58_specsheet.pdf
So were the 2020 probably comes off 'more detailed, subtly more accurate, and for some many recording tasks 'an improvement'...
The 58 has a much more tailored (pre-shaped) response. It's design targeted for vocal (or instrumental) clarity, ruggedness, tighter polar pattern -your feedback' or surrounding noise suppression factor (or ie 'quieter in that respect.
Sometimes the task specific mic like this is the best choice.

Also the 2020's extended low end -and no low filter switch option means in some applications will want low eq added elsewhere.

That should get your wheels turning for a bit.