shure 57

[howmahgee]

I have a shure 57 and have been trying to use it to record classical guitar. However through trying loads of different recording situations, I have concluded that the microphone only takes decent sound if the source is placed within a inch it. As soon as the source is further away it becomes pretty much inaudible.

I have tried using a preamp (fresonus firebox) and this was not improving the situation.

anybody had a similar problem?

nick

 

[thajeremy]

I have used sm57's on accoustic guitar at much more than an inch away....I typically will use both dynamic and condensor mics. While dynamic mics do respond better at closer proximity to a sound source, you should not have to be within an inch. If using a 57, I will usually place it about 6 to 8 inches away.

I can see where you would have a problem without a pre amp but if you have a decent pre...really almost any pre for that matter, you should not have a problem...

Is there a chance that you have a bad cable or something else wrong in your chain??

 

[kojdogg]

the firebox pres have a rep for being pretty low gain-- 45 db (with 12 db digital gain switch-- whatever the hell that is). 45 db is kinda low for use with a dynamic mic.

 

[sound125]

I have a shure 57 and have been trying to use it to record classical guitar. However through trying loads of different recording situations, I have concluded that the microphone only takes decent sound if the source is placed within a inch it. As soon as the source is further away it becomes pretty much inaudible.

I have tried using a preamp (fresonus firebox) and this was not improving the situation.

anybody had a similar problem?

nick

The SM57 would not be my choice for micing a classical guitar. Instead, you might consider investing in a pair of pencil condensor mics like the C2s, if you're on a tight budget; or SM81s, if you have some extra cash.

 

[rayc]

I don't like the 57 BUT I have one & it needs a preamp as well as phantom power - was your PP turned on & is it the right amount for the 57?

 

[kojdogg]

shure sm57's don't need phantom power. could you be talking about the gt 57 or sterling audio 57?

 

[danny.guitar]

A member of this board named Timothy Lawler posted a song he recorded of a classical guitar using an SM57. Sounded kind of 'dark' but appropriate for that type of music in my opinion.

But yeah, you will need some decent gain on your preamp to get a good signal from it.

My friend has an SM57 that he brought over with him once. On his Audio Buddy, it doesn't really provide that much gain (so he says) and he can't really use it well for acoustic.

On the DMP3 when I tried it, I had to crank it real high but I could get a good enough signal from about 6" away. Didn't try any further. It also didn't sound that great on my 6 string though. Too dark and my guitar isn't a dark sounding guitar, so it just sounded bad.

Works fuckin great on an amp though, I love it.

 

[thajeremy]

I don't like the 57 BUT I have one & it needs a preamp as well as phantom power - was your PP turned on & is it the right amount for the 57?

if your 57 requires phantom power then you have problems worse than the original poster....

I guess there may be some....but I dont know of ANY dynamic mics that require phantom power....

 

[kojdogg]

I guess there may be some....but I dont know of ANY dynamic mics that require phantom power....

blue balls do