Shure Pg Mics Revisited...

[Drummerbones]

I did a session this past weekend and the drummer brought in a Shure mic kit to use...all PG mics. It was just a demo and I was curious, so we agreed to use what he'd brought. 3 of the 56's, 52 for the kick, 81's for overheads. I slapped an sm57 on the snare. Anyway, the reviews I'd heard about the PG52 are true. This mic is not all that. However, with some clever EQ and a few other tricks, I ended up getting a bad-ass kick drum sound. It just took a lot more work and effort than it should have. This mic isn't worthless (and they're freakin' inexpensive) but you gotta know what you're doing. You can't just stick it in the drum and expect a good sound. Moving on, the 56's were actually a surprise. Though not as detailed as my E604's, they did the job well enough. And the PG 81 over heads weren't that bad either. They didn't have the clarity you'd expect from the real 81's, but they worked nice as well with a little high-end enhancing....a bit on the hissy side when I pushed the gain, but we close-mic'ed the cymbals and got a good sound. All in all, I was more shocked/surprised than I was disappointed. Would I run out and buy them? No, but for a project studio or for live use, they'd be alright. Overall rating (including bang-for-the-buck ratio): a generous 8. Okay, now everyone please start slinging crap at me for giving cheap-o mics a decent review!!!!!

 

[theletterq]

I was actually going to comment on my latest use of a PG52. I got to borrow one and put it head to head with an AT Pro25. Flat out, the mic has NO bottom end to it. All high end click, which would leave me actually able to easily recommend this mic for heavy metal/other styles needing a "clicky" kick to drive through the mix.

The Pro 25 just has way more punch and tone. In my maple kick, it really brings out the tone and roundness of the shell but with a punch from hell. It does need a little high end EQ'd in but for even less money (I got it for $50 on ebay) than the 52, it totally blows it away.

One place that the PG52 really excels is floor tom, more so than the Beta 52 I had on there. The PG56's are great for toms but a little lacking in the lower region. While the 52 doesn't deliver the lows for a kick, it really shines for lower toms. Huge and fat and "expansive."

 

[Kryogh]

I agree with all this. I own 4 PG56, and 1 PG52. The PG52 on the kick, so so. Can do the job, but I prefer, by far, my e602.

So, I usualy put the PG52 on the floor, impressive results.

The 56 are doing a grood job on toms, no doubt.

So I give an 8 to these mics too. (I never tried the PG81 :|)

their are good for the price.