Sennheiser E609 Silver VS Shure SM57

[canadianrocker]

I've seen this thread before, but it didn't fully answer my question.

I've been using a Shure SM57 to studio record crunchy/overdriven guitar from a 2X12 cab. The mic is about 6 inches off the grill (I've tried close micing as well). Overall, I find the SM57 recorded sound is "muffled" - like a blanket over the speaker. (and yes, I've moved the mic around and eq'd the amp). Regardless of the position, it still has a muffled sound, or an un-clear, non-transparent sound.

For those of you that have used both the Shure and the Sennheiser, does the E609 Silver have a more clear, transparent sound to it? How does it differ in the frequency capture sound ? The Shure has that thick 500hz area, (a bit too thick when trying to mix the guitars with keyboards) as well as 5K bump to it.
I'm looking for something that replicates (or captures) more accurately what is coming out of the speaker itself, without coloring it.

Yes, I can eq on the board, but I'd rather not have to fight with the mic that isn't picking up what I want in the first place.

 

[teainthesahara]

I got them both and use them on marshall cabs. The 57 and e609 give you different flavours, and with my cab, the 57 i would describe as "sharper" (which can be cool), and the e609 as smoother in the midrange (as Tubedude would say!). I find them complementary.

I would not call either mic clear or uncoloured. For a clear, "uncoloured" sound, i put up one of my LD condensors - lately i've liked what the B1 has sounded like. I have a hunch that what your really after is a condensor mic...you can get usuable LD condensors for the price of a new 57 nowadays!!!

Goodluck,
T

 

[ChristopherDawn]

I used the e609 and sm57 on the last session I was on. It was my first use of the e609. Boy. The sm57 was a bit muffled, a little more 'bassey.' The e609 was pure guitar tone and it was BEAUTIFUL. It was that perfect frequency, also, just high enough to where you won't have to put a high pass filter on it to let the bass do it's thing. I loved it. I got the same result on the second guitar player's cab, too!

The e609 gets a thumbs up above the 57 for me.

 

[tubedude]

With the advent of cheaper mics of decent quality, I think more and more people are coming to realize how badly an SM57 sucks on almost everything in comparison to almost ANY other mic.

The myth that its a great mic cheap is indeed a myth. Cheap maybe, but great? negative. Useable? Not really, for anything important at least. But, thats just me.

The e609 eats a 57.

YMMV. But not by much.

 

[teainthesahara]

With the advent of cheaper mics of decent quality, I think more and more people are coming to realize how badly an SM57 sucks on almost everything in comparison to almost ANY other mic.

The e609 eats a 57.
YMMV. But not by much.

Heh heh heh Actually, it was your post's that prompted me to check out the e609 a few months ago, and now that i own it...yup, it does sound great, especially for its cost. Thanks for the heads up tubedude! I got my eyes out for a 441 as well!

But my mileage does vary by quite a bit - within the realm of low cost mics (i.e. in the same range as the e609, sm57), i have not at all been tempted to ditch my 57's in favour of the e609 or any other mic in that range. Again, i find them very complimentary, and they can both suck or be great...like always, it just depends i guess.

For example, with my kit, the e609 on snare was just boring and flat...the 57 easily did a better job in that app. The e609 does have that smooth midrange sound, and it did a good job of recording some hollow-body electric guitar tracks (richenbacher through a marshall) I recently did - a better sound than the 57. But I dont always want or need that sound out of an electric guitar mic! The e609 sounds more "sofisticated" to my ears - and sometimes this is exactly what I DONT want to hear (especially if were talkin about rock and roll!). The sm57 can sound "hyped" compared to the e609, and for some lead guitar runs, this is just what the doctor ordered (again - for mics in this price range)!

I think what mic does the eating depend on what pond your swimming in - it's probably subjective stylistic/instrument differences that account for our different takes on these mics.
Canadianrocker - dont get me wrong - the e609 is cool, and definetly worthwhile (and more expensive than the 57 if you live in Canada!). But i think there is a chance both the 57 and 609 might dissapoint you if its that "condensor" sound you got in mind.

Cheers,
T

 

[chessparov]

Tube, I have a (exceptional sounding) SM57 and a Shure 546 that are comparable or better to the $1000+ condensers tried for my voice. Need a pre from a Grace on up to have them start really doing their thing though IMHO.

So the myths are true!

Plenty of classic hit recordings with a '57 to back this up too...

Chris

 

[notCardio]

Just to clarify

The 609 you're talking about is the cheap 609 silver, right?

And Tea, the B-1 is an SP B-1, not the Behringer B-1, correct?

 

[teainthesahara]

Re: Just to clarify

The 609 you're talking about is the cheap 609 silver, right?

And Tea, the B-1 is an SP B-1, not the Behringer B-1, correct?

Cardioid - Yup - the inexpensive e609 (silver) is the mic im refering to, and the SP B-1 as well. Im pretty sure the others are talking about the same mic - it comes advertised as being like the old sennheiser 409's i think.

Chessparov - I've got an old unidyne 545 SD; sometimes i'll throw it up in haste through a VTB1 to quickly catch some improvisational stuff that's happening in the room - and more often than not im surprised at how good and full this thing can sound! I often do scratch vocals with it as well - and again, the sound is surprisingly good (for a 35-40$ mic !!). I think your right that the preamp has alot to do with this results from these particular dynamics (i think i remember reading a review on the VTB1 that said one of its strengths was its response with dynamic mics - mojopie i recall).

T

 

[cominginsecond]

The myth that its a great mic cheap is indeed a myth. Cheap maybe, but great? negative. Useable? Not really, for anything important at least. But, thats just me.

Amen. I'm getting an SM7 in the near future, and i think my 57's days will be numbered when I do.

 

[maskedman72]

e609 on a 4x12 with a good pre kicks ass.

 

[zbert]

The 609 sits on my snare. Great pure tone on the snare drum. Next session I'm putting the 609 on the top and a 57 on the bottom. Blend to taste. But what I'd really like to try is two 609's on a snare drum. Has anyone done this yet?

 

[bgavin]

You might consider the Audix D3 for $109 (if you know where to look), as it does not have that big, fat +8dB hump at 5KHz found in the E609 Silver.

The D3 has a very flat reponse, and low 1.0mV output... just the ticket for close micing a guitar cab. The D3 also has a tight hypercardioid pattern, and better off-axis rejection.

 

[chessparov]

T, the Shure 545 series was a very popular major studio vocal microphone on the West Coast (USA) during the 60's.
Sinatra's main vocal mic at Reprise was a 546.

Brian Wilson, for example, used a 545 for many of his lead vocals with the Beach Boys.
Including all of them on "Pet Sounds".

Hope you guys don't mind a little O/T stroll down memory lane..

Chris

 

[Sonic Misfit]

I have two of the e609s and think that they are much better in picking up the nuances of effects like a VooDoo Labs Microvibe, a digital delay, or a reverb on a clean setting than the SM57, which seems to accentuate the highs in the effects and miss a lot of the real guitar tone.

When using high distortion effects or overdriving an amp, I like to try both these and/or a condenser since the e609 and SM57 both have different characteristics that add different color to the sound. In some instances the same amp with the same guitar and settings will sound totally different.

I have also tried the e609 and SM57 in reamping guitars that have been recorded with a POD. Overall, I liked the sound of the e609 for this. There was more clarity in the overall sound so that when it was blended with the original guitar track it wasn't muddy at all.

 

[canadianrocker]

Well, I bought the E609 and tested it out. Much, much better than the SM-57. (in what I was looking for) The difference was like taking the blanket off the 57. Much more clean and defined, it doesn't have that muddy quality the 57 has. I find it's more responsive in where it's aimed in relation to the speaker. Moving the angle of the mic (which is alot easier since it's mounted vertically) even 5 degrees changed the amound of low end it picks up - good for when the guitar sound is masking the bass. It has a similar 4Khz peak that the 57 has, but doesn't sound as raspy as the 57. Output to the mixer is very close to the 57 output.
Definately a nice mic. Sadly, they are NOT $99 in Canada. Closer to $180 with 15% tax. (57's are $135 plus tax).

 

[brutus]

I bought the e609 silver a couple of weeks ago for a project i was doing fo church, as well as using it live for worship, and I have to say, it was one of the best guitar tones I have been able to get in a long while. Very smooth and full sounding. I got a lot of compliments from our sound guys and my fellow team members on the sound. All in all the 609 was definitely worth the price!

Thanks for the tip tubedude, and for all those who have chimed in on this topic.

 

[tubedude]

And along comes my posse to back me up....

I shall not tell a lie!

 

[btr31]

for people who seem to be ready to throw their 57 out the trash.....suposedly the 57 REALLY shines with good pre-amps. and it is a mic that takes VERY carefull placement to get a useable sound that you are looking for. But, any professional engineer would say to start with a 57 on guitar. Sure, there are other mics that sometimes will be better for the job. and more times than none, the 57will probably be your best sounding mic for guitar, in the mix.

 

[teainthesahara]

Canadianrocker, im glad you found the right mic!!!
Yup, i had to pay around the same for mine in Toronto... But i think it was worth it to have the extra flavour around. - try it on backing vocals...it can work well there too.

Its interesting to see the differences in experiences with these 2 mics...in my mind, that really confirms that it is totally about application and source. I've listened to both on vocals, electric cabs and acoustic guitars, snare and highhat, and have yet to hear the night-and-day difference that deligates the 57 to being a bad sounding mic in comparison. I think it's wise to keep an open mind with both mics....

On another note, Tubedude and Chessparov rock! I think i've made some really cost effective, good mic decisions because of those two

 

[darnold]

btr31 - How do you know Any professional will say use the 57 first?

Im not calling myself a professional, but i know the 57 is not usually the first mic i grab.

Danny