SM57's vocal hall of fame!

C

chessparov

New member
Just thought it would be fun to start a thread of the ubiquitous
SM57 and the many hits that have been sung with it.
Like "the girl next door" it can be underappreciated.

So...
What hits do you know that have been recorded with it?

Chris

P.S. I know a number of them, however, don't want to hog
the microphone (yet!). Will mention that the model 545
was used on the early Beach Boys hits to kick things off.
 
I've read that Petty used to use a '57 on stage. and now uses a Neumann
hand held. However... he has used the Beta 57 on his records.
So there is a pretty good chance he's used the 'ol 57 too.
(anyone know for sure?)

Paul Rodgers likes to sing to the monitors in the control room-
of course having an all-time voice like him or Plant helps!

Was recently surprised to learn that "Sarah " by Hall & Oates was
sung by Hall on a '57.

Chris
 
Lindsey Buckingham has used it many times in the past to record with. To many albums to mention.

Used it on stage too until recently.
 
I read on these boards that Chris Cornell or whatever his name is prefers a 57 for his vocals.

Guided by Voices did plenty of vocals with a 57, but I know most of you don't give a shit about that...
 
Not since my 20's!
Did Darryl Hall about that record in Hustler or something?

Actually planning to buy a GBV album soon, as I admire their 4 & 8 track'n
ways. Elliot Smith also uses the '57 for his vocals too.

Chris
 
No offense taken Steve, all in good fun!

Vox, I know Bonnie likes to use the EV RE20 on hers studio tracks.
nw, saw a Sting video last night where he sings into a SM57,
however, it sounded like he was singing into a Neumann!

Surprised that no mentioned Mick Jagger yet, he's a huge fan of the
SM57 & SM58.

Chris
 
I dont understand is this in studio or on stage? because tompetty only uses senn 421 on records, as do the fleetwood mac alumni.

On stage the 57 is as popular as the 58.
 
Meant "hits" in my initial post as being records rather than live.
The Sennheiser 441 was used for the lead vocal on "Dreams"
by Fleetwood Mac BTW.

The main thing to watch out for with the '57 is popping.
Either a pop screen for studio, or the Shure screw on "foam" piece for live works well. Both end up sounding more transparent
than a stock SM58. (Gregg Allman uses this set up)

Chris
 
Darrin, I have never seen any studio photos of any of the Mac using the 421 for vocals. As far back as '74.

Nicks is usually on a 441, and has recorded more hits on that mic than any other. Buckingham's on a '57 and McVie is usually using some make of LD condensor. Probably a Neuman, but I can't be sure. I have seen all of the three vocalist using condensors, but that is a rare sight. McVie is the only one who uses one on a regular basis.

Maybe you were looking at Mick's drums.:D
 
chessparov said:
Elliot Smith also uses the '57 for his vocals too.

Chris
Click to expand...

Chess...

Really? Which works? Older stuff I know about but do you know anything about newer stuff...XO and Figure 8, for instance?

The old stuff is always a stunning reminder that it is the material and not necessarily the medium that matters. The guy captured emotions on 4 tracks and 57s that many are never able to get with a Neve, Studer and a cab fulla Neumanns!

Makes me ill!!:mad: ;)



heylow
 
heylow said:


Chess...

Really? Which works? Older stuff I know about but do you know anything about newer stuff...XO and Figure 8, for instance?

The old stuff is always a stunning reminder that it is the material and not necessarily the medium that matters. The guy captured emotions on 4 tracks and 57s that many are never able to get with a Neve, Studer and a cab fulla Neumanns!

Makes me ill!!:mad: ;)



heylow
Click to expand...

Thats interesting eh..?


It sort of goes to show how important the latest fancy gear really is...


Joe
 
That info is based on the book by Tape Op called "The Book About Creative
Music Recording". Says it's his main microphone for vocals. Great book BTW.
It has a number of interviews, along with other excellent stuff.

Chris
 
O.K. here is a SM57 "secret" to getting better vocal recordings.
Go to www.sospubs.co.uk/search and enter "microphone makeover"
in the search field. You'll find an article by The Demo Doctor on how to
significantly enhance a SM57's or SM58's sound.

Personal settings for me are a 2db cut @ 150 Hz, 2 db cut @ 800Hz,
2 db boost @ 15 KHz on an Aphex 109 parametric EQ.
This can also be done in similar fashion on a mixer/portastudio too.

This can be done with any other decent (or better) dynamic microphone.
Try it! You may also like it. These settings vary from person to person,
however, the principle is the same.

Chris
 
You know it's been said over and over that the SM57 has been used extensively (or at least suprisingly often) in the studios for vocals, and I've always hesitantly believed it. I thought that this thread would really drive it home for me, but now I have even more doubts.

"Jack Ass always uses the 57 for vocals."

"No he doesn't, I saw a tape of him in the studio and he was using Expensive Mic 2000."

"Oh, maybe I just meant live or something."

:)

(not that I don't appreciate the SM57 or anything, don't get me wrong...I was just hoping to hear some concrete "wow" examples. P.S. I'm 99% sure that chris cornell does not use a '57 for vocals in the studio, as was mentioned above)

Slackmaster 2000
 
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