Shure SM-57

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Kingofpain678

Kingofpain678

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i own a shure pg-57 and i get some crappy results from it. im actually getting better results with a mic i got for free with a stand i bought. would a shure sm-57 be a good step up from the pg57?
 
100% better...Im not sure why the PG was ever made...the SM series is cheap enough.
 
Kingofpain678 said:
i own a shure pg-57 and i get some crappy results from it. im actually getting better results with a mic i got for free with a stand i bought. would a shure sm-57 be a good step up from the pg57?
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Nope. I've used both, and neither one is all that great. The older ones were better sounding, but still not wonderful. The quality dropped a lot when they moved production to Mexico in the 90s, IMHO. They just aren't the same mic. If you could find a really old one (or better yet, an old 565SD), then it might be a noticeable step up. Otherwise, I'd probably suggest going with something completely different. The Shure mics really are stage mics....

If you want a dynamic mic, check into AKG or BeyerDynamic. Also look into condensers, ribbons, etc., depending on what you're trying to record.
 
dgatwood said:
If you want a dynamic mic, check into AKG or BeyerDynamic. Also look into condensers, ribbons, etc., depending on what you're trying to record.
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ill be recording guitar amps, acoustic, and vox.

i know a dynamic mic isnt the best for everything but for now i need a mic that can do it all. i wanna get something that will do its job good enough to allow me to save up for a while for a good condenser mic.
 
Alot of the records you hear on the radio have guitar tracks miced with the SM57....maybe more than all the other mics combined...you dont need to be fancy to amplify a guitar amp.
 
darrin_h2000 said:
Alot of the records you hear on the radio have guitar tracks miced with the SM57....maybe more than all the other mics combined...you dont need to be fancy to amplify a guitar amp.
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True. For guitar amp purposes, it's a commonly used tool. Of course, the original poster also wanted something for acoustic, where IMHO it would sound pretty terrible. :D And voice.

For the amount you'd spend on a better dynamic, save it and get yourself a CAD M179. I've seen them under $150, and they're a good mic for starting out, usable for pretty much anything. Eventually, you'll probably want a pair of good SDCs for acoustic guitar, though. Until then, a single LDC at a couple of feet could be serviceable.
 
If you want a good example, because Ive heard it many times is some of those old Midnight Special videos showing somebody like Cat Stevens or John Denver onstage with a guitar miced with an SM57....it isnt the greatest mic for that...but it is useable...Ill look for a few good videos.
 
dgatwood said:
True. For guitar amp purposes, it's a commonly used tool. Of course, the original poster also wanted something for acoustic, where IMHO it would sound pretty terrible. :D And voice.
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yeah i really didnt even think a sm57 should be used for acoustics at all but i saw a few vids floatin around on the interwebs and didnt think it was TOO terrible. i know the sm57 is the studio workhorse and the industry standard and whatnot and im fine with using it, i just wanted to be sure it would be a good step up from the pg series or if theres another mic in a similar price range that would suit my needs better than a 57.

im fine with condenser mics to as long as it does vox, acoustic, AND guitar amps well, though i havent heard condensers recommended for electric guitar very much. especially heavy distorted tones.
 
I think PG stands for Pretty Good. Nothing great, nice cheap live use stage mics imo. SM's are way better than PG's...
 
well then im not really seeing what the big difference between the pg and sm series is :confused::confused:
 
I have a PG57 and an SM57...Id describe the PG as sounding like the SM through a blanket...its like they want to make sure the low priced line leaves you desiring more.:rolleyes:
 
I have been using SM57's for 15 years in my studio. Great for guitar cabs, snares, percussion, electric organ and many other last minute tracks. Very dependable and useful.
VP
 
alright good cause i was lookin at the akg D40 and i checked out the frequency response and it had a big hump around the 100-200hz area and im already having enough problems with "boominess" in my guitar tracks.
i just wanted to make sure the sm57 was a good step up from the pg.

and darrin your right, the pg DOES sound like your recording with a blanket over it. the 10$ mic was MUCH more clear than the pg.

now i just gotta wait a week for shipping :(
 
I could be wrong, as I often am, but I thought the PG57 would have the same element, but lack the rubber isolation of course have a different screen and grill assembly. Which is weird, because that assembly is the 57 sound. Why bother calling it a 57? Just to cash in on the name? :confused: An SM57 makes a fine vocal mic, if you don't mind a lot of grist in your mill.
 
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