Used Mics

[Tabletex]

Hi

I'm in the market for some mics, I just got my son a Tascam 414 for Christmas. The mics he's using aren't very good, a friend of mine from work (former musician) says he has a bunch (6 or 7) Sm57's and 58's he'd let me have for fifty bucks each. What I need to know is what to look, listen for when we try them out. I plan to buy my son a digital Portastudio for his b'day in Oct. and I hope he can use these mics (plus a good condenser) with his future rig. any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

 

[Tom Hicks]

57s and 58s are pretty much bulletproof but $50 each is a little high.New 57s (the more useful of the two) are going for about $80.The 57 is fairly flat and makes a good instrument mike.The 58 has an upper mid boost so it is a vocal mike.
You mention getting a condensor mike.If so I would get all the 57s and forgo the 58s,using the condensor on vocals.
If your bud gets a little more reasonable on the price take them all.

Tom

 

[Emeric]

57/58's are pretty durable mic's. Record a bit of vocal and or guitar amp with each mic and see what they sound like. The volumes of each should be pretty close, if the volume of one is very weak in comparison it's possible there is a problem with it. Use a mic cable that you know is in good working order. You could also rent or buy one 57 to compare the others to. SM57's are $79 new at http://www.8thstreet.com $40 each might be a better price used if they are roughed up and/or older.