SM57 vs. Audix i5 on distorted guitar (samples)

  • Thread starter Thread starter metalhead28
  • Start date Start date
metalhead28

metalhead28

Hates Raymond
So I picked up an Audix i5 after hearing the hype about it's prowess on distorted guitar. I though this was a good scenario for a head to head comparison. Both mics were placed on axis about 1 1/2 inches out of center. I recorded two passes and panned them right and left about 80%. The pre-amp was an FMR Audio RNP.

These mics actually sound more different than I thought they would. I don't know if one is better, but they are definitely different. I could see the 57 working better for some things, and the i5 for others.

Audix i5

Shure SM57
 
metalhead28 said:
So I picked up an Audix i5 after hearing the hype about it's prowess on distorted guitar. I though this was a good scenario for a head to head comparison. Both mics were placed on axis about 1 1/2 inches out of center. I recorded two passes and panned them right and left about 80%. The pre-amp was an FMR Audio RNP.

These mics actually sound more different than I thought they would. I don't know if one is better, but they are definitely different. I could see the 57 working better for some things, and the i5 for others.

Audix i5

Shure SM57
Click to expand...

neither sounds better than the other to me. both sound very cleanly recorded though. what's your signal chain.
 
TravisinFlorida said:
neither sounds better than the other to me. both sound very cleanly recorded though. what's your signal chain.
Click to expand...

I agree, and thanks.

Peavey 5150 II > Marshall Cab > 57/i5 > RNP preamp > M-Audio Delta 66.
 
Thanks for posting the clips. Always nice to hear real differences, rather than just talk about differences. This ain't my style, but it sounds pretty darn good. And posting clips like this makes this forum very useful. :cool:
 
metalhead28 said:
I could see the 57 working better for some things, and the i5 for others.
Click to expand...

Sounds about right, that was my assessment too. I have mostly used it for snare and percussion, alternating it with my other choices depending on which I like better. :)


Thanks for the clips.
 
boingoman said:
Sounds about right, that was my assessment too. I have mostly used it for snare and percussion, alternating it with my other choices depending on which I like better. :)


Thanks for the clips.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I am definitely going to try the Audix on the snare at my next session. I've got a good feeling about that. :D
 
Yes, thanks for the clips, that really makes a huge difference over just talking about it!

I'm surprised that they sound as different as they do, even if it's only a little bit different.

And I'm surprised that it is so hard to decide which one I prefer. They are both good! Different, yes! But both are good!

(You recorded that really well, too, congrats! I think this type of guitar sound is quite difficult to record well. The only thing harder to record, imo, is lead vocals.)

If you held a squirt gun to my head and forced me at the business end of a steaming hot gyro sandwich to decide which one to use, I'd probably pick the i5.......NO! the 57........NO! Wait! The i5.......WAIT! gimme the 57.......Oh Wait!.......Oh Man! I dont know!

I might pick the i5 just because I am soooo used to the 57 and I would want the i5 just for a change of pace!
 
When I heard the i5 I was just ready to hear shit from the 57...well, like everyone said they both sound great. I think I'm partial to the i5 right now for guitar, but that 57 sounded great. As far as snare goes: I've been recording my snare for shits and giggles with it latetly, and I'm not sure if I'm a fan, I'm still thinking.
 
Ohh how i love both, lol. I'm, like everyone else, strugglnig to find a favorite. Nice guitar sound btw, as always with you.
 
Like I said on the UMF..

Thanks, great job...

I don't like the sound of the Audix...sounds like there to much pressure on it in some way..if that's the way it's the best to describe..
Click to expand...

:)..anyway really cool you took the time to make those samples and let us have a listen...maybe if indeed the mic placement would be done fair, so each is in it's own "best" position my judgement will be different..
 
Funky_A said:
Like I said on the UMF..



:)..anyway really cool you took the time to make those samples and let us have a listen...maybe if indeed the mic placement would be done fair, so each is in it's own "best" position my judgement will be different..
Click to expand...

Hello Funky_A...I see I'm not the only one pulling double forum duty, haha. Geez, I get bored at work. :D

Thanks again.
 
That's fantastic! thanks for posting this! It's stuff like this that helps when I want to recommend a mic that I can point to, or when I want a new mic that I can go to! Thanks a lot for this, and if anyone else is so inclined, more of these comparisons would be sooo helpful.

Jacob
 
I listened a couple of times and I believe I like the i5 better. There's just a little boost in the 2-3k area and just a bit more high end. Good high end too....not that buzzing shitty sound that a lot of people end up with trying to record that type of distorted guitar. GREAT SOUND!!! I agree with everyone else hats off to you for posting the clips. Have an ordinary day!!
 
I think I like the 57 clip more, but they are both fantastic!

Next time, dont tell us which is which ;)
 
billmcdonald said:
I think I like the 57 clip more, but they are both fantastic!

Next time, dont tell us which is which ;)
Click to expand...

Ha, I thought about that after I had already posted. Oh well. :rolleyes:
 
I really like the crunch of the Audix mic. The 57 good too, a little warmer with less edge to it. Do you think the difference has anything to do with mic placement? I bet the 2 together panned L/R would sound sick!

I have a similar setup with a 5150 head and marshal cab with vintage 30's. What do you ste the Pre gain to on the head. I never turn my pre-gain past 4 or else too much fuzz.

-Takk
 
the 57 just sounds right to me. like rock n roll on the radio to go!
 
takk said:
I really like the crunch of the Audix mic. The 57 good too, a little warmer with less edge to it. Do you think the difference has anything to do with mic placement? I bet the 2 together panned L/R would sound sick!

I have a similar setup with a 5150 head and marshal cab with vintage 30's. What do you ste the Pre gain to on the head. I never turn my pre-gain past 4 or else too much fuzz.

-Takk
Click to expand...

Well, for this comparison I put the mics in the exact same spot. It may be that the Audix would perform better with a little more work on placement. (as might the 57) They are both off center somewhat so the high end is cut down a little naturally. I put them in a spot where I am used to putting a 57.

On my 5150 I rarely crank the pre-gain past 5. In fact, 5 is pretty much my favorite spot, and that's what you hear in these clips. From that point on I prefer to push the power tubes. If I need more bite than that, I just turn up the master volume and record it louder.
 
wow I never heard of this mic. I like the sound sample with it. I think the two mics would sound nice together. This is just what I was looking for. Another mic to use for miking my amp that's around 100 bucks. Looks like it's this one versus the Sennheiser E609. Can anyone make a sound sample comparing these two mics? I would love you forever...
 
ericlingus said:
wow I never heard of this mic. I like the sound sample with it. I think the two mics would sound nice together. This is just what I was looking for. Another mic to use for miking my amp that's around 100 bucks. Looks like it's this one versus the Sennheiser E609. Can anyone make a sound sample comparing these two mics? I would love you forever...
Click to expand...

I have an e609s as well. I could do that when I have some time.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top