Shure 57 or Beta 57

[NewOrder]

I was reading a review for the Shure Beta 58A (yes, not the beta 57) and they tested it mic'ing a guitar for kicks. They said that the 57 was still their choice for guitar, which I thought was strange since they were on the topic of Betas, i figured they would have said the Beta 57. Do you think that the 57 is better than the beta for recording guitar?

 

[Blue Bear Sound]

They are similar, but the beta is somewhat brighter sounding....

You use whatever suits the application at the time -- one isn't better than the other -- it all depends on what you're doing!

 

[crawdad]

Blue Bear is correctomundo. Both the Beta 58 and Beta 57 have a little more high end, buts its pretty sweet sounding. I own three Shures--a 57, a 58 and a Beta 57. I have also a/b'd the 58 with the Beta 58.

One thing I found regarding the beta 57 is that it has less of a dropoff in the proximity effect as you back it off a source. In other words, the lows don't disappear as soon as its 3 inches away. I use mine for snare and electric guitar as well as for my live vocal mic.

I have recorded electric guitar with all three with good results. As a first choice, the 57 is the cheapest of the three, but usually sounds great on electric guitars. 1000's of guitar tracks have been cut with that mic. For $79 street its a good place to start.

 

[philboyd studge]

I've used a beta 57 for my live vocals since they came out and love it, still, a regular 57 is a good choice for guitar considering it's price, and if thats the application you intend to use it for, it's probably the better choice.

 

[chessparov]

The Shure Beta 57 is better than the "standard: SM57 because...
Mine's up for grabs in the "for sale" forum!

Seriously, they're both fine microphones IMHO.

Chris

 

[Beezoboy]

The beta 57 is great on snare. Other than that I think it is overly bright at times. This weekend we played a gig and many singers sang through one. It worked good for lower sounding guys. For two of the guys it was absolutely wrong, one guy has a Creed like voice and thre other guy just having a higher voice in general. I think that supports the "works on some things and not on other things theory."

The beta is about twice the price though of a 57
Beezoboy

 

[chessparov]

Not mine.

Chris