Shure SM-57 vs U-87 for recording guitar?

  • Thread starter Thread starter sach160
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sach160

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Hi,

When I was looking around for a mic to record electric guitar (through vox amp), looking on the internet, people seemed to think the SM-57 was the way to go... so I got one, but compared to recording guitar through my neumann u-87 - well there is no comparison. The guitar sounds much better in every way through the U-87. Plus, when recording through the SM-57 I get this annoying crackle when the amp kicks in - Ive tried tweaking everything - levels, position, etc but no luck. I use a very good preamp (john hardy m1, highly recommend it!) into a digital 8-tracker (soon to be replaced with a laptop setup).

So basically the SM-57 sucks, and I need a better mic to record guitar (while using the u-87 on vocals). I can't afford another U-87, so can anyone recommend a mic that will get close to the u-87 in sound for much less in cost? Or is that not possible?

Cheers,

Sach
 
sach160 said:
So basically the SM-57 sucks, and I need a better mic to record guitar (while using the u-87 on vocals)
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Yeah. The SM57 has ten good uses. Guitar isn't on the list. :D


sach160 said:
I can't afford another U-87, so can anyone recommend a mic that will get close to the u-87 in sound for much less in cost? Or is that not possible?
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So basically you're looking for a large diaphragm condenser that's maybe a little dark and doesn't cost $3,000. SP C3? Oktava MK-319? Try those out at a music store if you can and see what you think. I doubt either of them is particularly close to a U87, but I'd imagine they're a heck of a lot closer than an SM57. :D
 
The guitar mic of choice to my grave is a vintage Beyer M-160 I have. Nothing compares. The SM57 is okay but a ribbon mic will give it some amazing depth (especially with your Vox, I play a Sound City and it's amazing). Before you go and buy a condenser, consider a ribbon mic.

cheers,
scott
 
hungovermorning said:
The guitar mic of choice to my grave is a vintage Beyer M-160 I have. Nothing compares. The SM57 is okay but a ribbon mic will give it some amazing depth (especially with your Vox, I play a Sound City and it's amazing). Before you go and buy a condenser, consider a ribbon mic.
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Definitely agreed. Strongly.
 
sach160 said:
i'll check out an m-160 - by vintage, how old are we talking and any idea how much?
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When I think of those mics, "vintage" does not come to mind. They're still being manufactured.... :D

Almost every time I see "vintage" on an eBay auction for a mic, it makes me laugh. They're generally just trying to get higher bids on an otherwise cheap mic. (Not that this describes the M-160, of course, but I've seen "vintage" on old, cheap high-impedance dynamic mics that are more suitable for announcing a basketball game than recording.... :D)
 
The SM 57 is a great mic if used on the proper source. I find it strange that you owned a U-87 before you even knew what an SM 57 sounded like.
 
You can't treak the sound of the amp then record & complain about the mic. You have to tweak the amp to the sound coming out your monitors, eg put on headphones - move the mic around & tweak the amp. The Sm57 is great for miking up guitar cabs live and in the studio, no matter what your style is or if your using a clean or heavily distorted amp.
 
Have you tried taking the screen off the 57? Obviously it's not any closer to a u87. But, I find it sounds a little more natural on guitar cabs than a stock 57. Closest thing in the cheapie range to a u87 sound is probably a modded oktava 219/319. It's got some rich grainy lows.
 
For clean or mildly distorted guitar, a Large Diaphragm Condenser can often work a lot better than dynamics on guitar amp, in general.

For what you're doing, I might suggest trying out an Audio Technica. 4040 might be nice ... as would a 4033 ... 4050 ... 4047 .... that sorta' thing.
.
 
Yeah the Sm57 is crap i mean compare it to the SE Electronics Titan - the 57 must be a crap microphone. There is a £940 price gap but the sm57 is crap in comparison get yourself a titan. :D
 
There was a thread a while back about the Audix i5, and I started one too. Someone had an audio comparison between the SM57 and the i5. It persuaded me to buy the i5, which is pretty cool. Using it on the snare drum at the moment, but sounded nice on guitar.

The body's really well machined too. Kicks ass over the SM57's plastic end.
 
hmmmm

as it stands i have yet to work with a U87 but i do have the 57

it is an ok mic for many things, we have all heard great recordings made with one :)

the question is how close you micing the amp with the 57 what spot are you pointing at?

how many records have been done with 57s?
 
xstatic said:
Royer 121..... nuff said....
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Yeah, they're real good too. Someone should compare an M-160 to a Royer. It seems like you'd own one or the other though.
 
I just got an M160 last week. It's great on guitar cabs. I'm thinking it's going to be my new go to mic for guitars actually. That said, I've gotten really cool sounds from the 57 too. It's all about learning how to best use your tools. Something you might try also is close miking with the 57 and using the U87 to pick up some of the room sound. Then blend the two to taste. I quite like the way a 57 sounds blended with a LDC. Some others to try: Sennheiser MD421, Audix i5.
 
I still think the SM-57 is valid.

Live's "Throwing Copper" album, which I've always thought sounded great, used the SM-57 on literally all its guitar tracks.
 
Lots of records have been recorded using SM-57's on cabs. It's a pretty standard application. You really shouldn't have any crackling. Perhaps the mic has issues? I like the Beyer M201 myself as a general replacement to the SM-57 (cabs, snare). The M160 is indeed very nice on cabs, and overheads, and horns, and acoustic guitars, and banjo, and mandolin, etc., etc.
 
thanks for all the tips guys - after more playing round i think it's my monitors causing the crackling - strange as i dont get that with the u87... anyway i'll keep those mics you've all suggested in mind and try them out one day - once i replace my monitors! thanks again.
 
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