SM57/58-demo standard only?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Krystof01
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Krystof01

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Do you think that using the SM's will only provide a adequate sound worthy of a demo?. Really it's the question of SM58 on vocals cus I think the 57 works quite well on instruments-what do you think?

From what I've read on the rest of this forum it seems like the NT-1 would be quite a nice next step-any opinions?
Thanks.
 
Krystof01,

If you look at the lists of mics available at major studios, many of which are online now. You will find lots of SM57s and not a few SM58s on their lists. The SM58s are very neutral and not as "in your face" as a vocal condenser mic, but it depends on the effect you are trying to acheive. It is the most popular live vocal mic, and both are very, very good dynamic mics for the price (new $77 and $100 respectively on the web, last I checked).

The 57 and 58 have the same assembly--the 58 has additional pop filtering under the ball that allows it to be used at close proximity such as in live applications. It also seems to make it less sensitive for instruments. I've used the 57 with a pop filter (pantyhose) or aimed a little off axis and it makes a great recording mic. At the time, it was the only real mic we had, and I am still very proud of those recordings and they are more than demo quality (after a little signal processing). Just keep the singer a foot or so away from it. Don't forget that some of the highest end recordings with the least processing (classical, jazz)are done with ribbon mics, which are a type of dynamic mic. Dynamics are the preferred mic for blues harmonica.

A long winded way of saying--if you've got an SM57, go for it.

There are many people on this BBS who are very happy with the NT-1. But I don't think you need a large diaphragm condenser mic for people to take your music seriously.

Mark W
 
But when you consider the price difference between an SM or Beta 58 to an NT-1...
 
bono has used sm-58's for vocals on some u-2
records...they suit his voice-go figure.
i've had to use them with an artist that has a really loud voice, where a cad e-300 and a 414 were sounding harsh and getting over powered.
compression becomes important though, because the levels drop pretty severely
with small head movements....
 
they're also good for singer/songwriter type stuff that involves recording vocals live along with acoustic guitar.
they can really isolate the vocals from the guitar for separate reverb/compression or whatever.
also, try to keep the singer's head position steady, for the level reason above but also to keep the proximity effect consistent, otherwise you'll have to compensate for some pretty uneven bass response throughout the track.
 
Use your ear. If it sounds good to you then use it. We use them quite often for vocals depending on the voice. If they are good vocals and done in the right room, and mixed correctly, you can still get a high quality sounding recording even with 57's.

Bill
 
Sorry, but I just haven't had very many good experiences with the SM-58s myself. But as ns said, it can be well-suited for the right voice; just like all mics.

Can you do a few comparisions with a 58 and 57 to eachother and other mics in the same price range or is that not posible?
 
The SM-57 is one of the most popular mic's in most Major studio's. They have a Closet fun here at OceanWay in Nashville (One of the most state of the art studio's in the world) And Dan Huff Swears by them.. If they are good enough for Huff hehe they are good enough for me.. So as far as demo only NO..
;-)
 
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