SM57 decent for spoken word?

  • Thread starter Thread starter jbroad572
  • Start date Start date
J

jbroad572

New member
This will be my first mic along with a Behringer ub1002 mixer. I'll be doing a lot of soulsful narrative poetry reading type spoken word projects. For now, I'm just experimenting and getting familiar with the technology. I have the mixer ordered and the mic has not been ordered yet, but I'm pretty sure it will be the SM57 (budget of $100). I know I will eventually upgrade, but for now will I get decent results with this mic? I am getting it because it seems to be among the most versatile and I will be recording other instruments as well.
 
It's not the best for spoken word, but with a little EQ you should be fine. For versatility you can't go wrong though.. you can use that thing on practically anything you can think of and get a semi-decent sound. It's definitely a jack of all trades.

Oh and look into getting/making a windscreen to eliminate plosives.
 
The SM57 is a good mic for some voices with the right preamp, but not IMO with the pre's on the B'er.

You might want a more detailed sound than that of the SM57, and you might be happier with a condenser mic. A condenser like the MXL V67 is versatile and mates well with inexpensive preamps. Lots of choices in condenser mic's that have different qualities to suit your voice.

Tim
 
I would get a cheap condenser, but the 57 isn't a bad choice per say. I think the condenser would be more of use now, but the 57 would definately outlast it and more than likely stay with you if you decide to get more mics. I have a couple of 57's, some other nice dynamics, real cheap LD condensers, and decent SD condensers. I still find my cheap LD condensers are the most versitile for what I do, but YMMV. Plus the 57 is my least favorite of the dynamics I have.
 
Thanks for the replies!
At the moment, I can only go buy you guys' recommendations. I've never performed on a mic or been able to compare. The reason I was going for the sm57 is of course for the reputation it has especially for instruments, but if something will be better, I'd definitely go for it instead. For recording a saxophone, male/female r-n-b/soul vocals, and spoken word (smooth, dark, voice with a fair amount of bass) would the MXL V67 be a better choice starting off? I can always pick up an sm57 next month or vice versa. Just wanting to get my first mic so I can start having some fun :D. So, what would be some of the differences I would notice between the 2? I will definitel be upgrading within the next 4-5 months, after I feel it's warranted
 
What is used in most radio stations is Shure SM7 and Electrovoice RE20. Both are out of your budget but it does show that dynamic mics are not frowned upon for voice.

But your real question is whether at the sub-100 dollar category whether, say the SM58 would be better than the MXL V67G. Personally I do a lot of spoken work with a MXL 2003. The biggest difference is the level of detail. In some ways that can be good but every little mouth noise, breath, etc, gets picked up in seemingly exaggerated detail.

The best analogy that I have heard is that it is like those two-sidee makeup mirrors. Dynamics are sort of like the normal side. Condensers are like the magnified side. You look really big, but if there is a pimple boy does it look huge.
 
For spoken word and vocals, I would personally go with the condenser, I've never heard the V67, but I'm sure it compares to ones I've tried if not better. I've only recorded sax with one mic and I think it was a condenser, so I can't really comment on that.

Basically I'm sure you will be happy with either one. More people will probably chime in.
 
Mic's interact with voices very differently, and an individual mic can vary a lot at different distances and angles. Best thing is to try some at a store or studio, make reference recordings burned to a CDR and listen at home. But if you do make sure the mic's are going through the same preamp you'll be using because the same mic can sound very different through different pre's.

The SM57 is often used for mic'ing amps, drums, and some voices. My V67, through any of my pre's, I'd describe as rich, detailed, kind of relaxed and deep sounding. For a voice that's already deep, it might be too much, but then again you don't know until you try some mic's. My SM57, through a great preamp, I'd describe as having a bit harder, tighter sound that opens up more on really loud sources, like mic'ing an amp's speaker. I wouldn't use it at all if I didn't have some high end pre's in the studio.

Tim
 
I think I may end up going the the v67. I am liking the characteristics of it better. I think recording the sax acapella, it will sound nice and capture the smooth tone. As far as singing, I think it would mate with my voice better, especially if it's more relaxed. I do like details as well :)
 
You might want to take a look at getting one of these. Like an SM7 without the pain :cool:

Smoooth as silk and no annoying plosives :)
 
Well, the President uses the SM57. That may be a good reason not to use it...
 
The SM57 can be good with the right mic preamp. The right preamp is not a Behringer. A Grace 101 or an FMR RNP can be good but when you get to $1,000 per channel or so it gets pretty damn good.

The Beyer Soundstar MKII is better. But, it also needs a quality mic pre to shine.

The Audio-Technica AT2020 is not a bad little VO mic that can perform well with pretty much any mic preamp. Ty Ford has a good video review of this mic here... http://homepage.mac.com/WebObjects/...rticles:Quickies&templatefn=FileSharing5.html

And, here's my written review... http://mojopie.ipbhost.com/index.php?automodule=blog&blogid=1&cmd=showentry&eid=87
 
ozraves said:
The SM57 can be good with the right mic preamp. The right preamp is not a Behringer. A Grace 101 or an FMR RNP can be good but when you get to $1,000 per channel or so it gets pretty damn good.

The Beyer Soundstar MKII is better. But, it also needs a quality mic pre to shine.

The Audio-Technica AT2020 is not a bad little VO mic that can perform well with pretty much any mic preamp. Ty Ford has a good video review of this mic here... http://homepage.mac.com/WebObjects/...rticles:Quickies&templatefn=FileSharing5.html

And, here's my written review... http://mojopie.ipbhost.com/index.php?automodule=blog&blogid=1&cmd=showentry&eid=87
Click to expand...

Have you been able to test out the V67g? How would you compare that to the AT2020?
 
ozraves said:
The Beyer Soundstar MKII is better. But, it also needs a quality mic pre to shine.
Click to expand...

Oh, I don't know. I run it through the bog standard Tascam pres on my 388 (which can hardly be in the same class as those Great River and Grace things you Yanks are always wittering on about. Right?), and it sounds fine. Then again, I can't imagine that the pres in the 388 aren't a class above those in any cheap modern desk.
 
jbroad572 said:
Have you been able to test out the V67g? How would you compare that to the AT2020?
Click to expand...

Mark Gifford wrote our V67 review. Mark liked the mic. It's never clicked with me. So, I don't have one in the mic cabinet to do an A/B with the AT2020.

FWIW, I think the AT2020 sort of sounds similar to the Beyer Soundstar MKII.
 
How about a smooth, dark (but less $$) condenser like an Oktava MC012. Costs about the same as 57, slightly more, but sounds a jillion times better.



ozraves said:
The SM57 can be good with the right mic preamp. The right preamp is not a Behringer. A Grace 101 or an FMR RNP can be good but when you get to $1,000 per channel or so it gets pretty damn good.
Click to expand...

My SM58 seems to pair really well with the Studio Projects VTB-1. I know it's not a Grace or RNP, but I've never gotten such good results from a 58.
 
What is your expectation...the room you're working in?...close micing I presume...Pre-amp and EQ?

Sorry...the SM57 can do a good job...I've done a number of voice-over jobs and in some cases used the SM58 (exactly the same mic just different grill). With a decent mic pre and access to a reasonable EQ and low background noise, some pretty decent results can be had.

There are better mic choices but I assume you've got budget at the top of the list.
 
A lot of things I've read (online) say that for a dynamic the SM57 is geat for spoken word, and the like. I actually just bought one myself and can tell you I like it so far for my voice. A condensor might be better for what you're trying to do. I don't think buying a 57 is ever a bad investmant though; so you may want to get one anyway.
 
leddy said:
My SM58 seems to pair really well with the Studio Projects VTB-1. I know it's not a Grace or RNP, but I've never gotten such good results from a 58.
Click to expand...

I've noted as well that the VTB1 and strangely enough the M-Audio Mobile Pre USB do a better job than other low cost pres on dynamics.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top