The 57 might be a better "all-round" mic. The 58 is used mostly for very close-talk(Singing in front of the amplified band). Not that it can't be used for other things, but, the 57 is, for my money, better for variable distance micing, instrument/amp cabinet micing and is quite usable for vocals(Buy a 3 dollar foam "pop" filter for it.).

TG

Second on the SM57. You may want to audition it against the Audix i5 for a comparison.

I do believe the SM57 has a little more reach into the low frequencies.

That, and the SM57 is better to clock unruly drummers in the head with.

Just use a high quality cable if you are swinging the mic over your head for that extra knock-out power.

Hi!
recently, my band found a need for a trio of vocal stage mics.
and not because it was a anything special or reputable, but solely on the fact that they were on sale "buy one get TWO free", I picked up three Shure RS-25's. Now, I've since to discover that apparently the Shure RS prefix means "Radio Shack", despite the fact I bought it from a well know pro-audio store.

trip to music store.... $5 in gas
intented purchase of some regular gauge guitar strings...$8
getting THREE shure dynamic mics for about $70... priceless

I have been impressed by this mic as a live vocal microphone. Extremely low noise floor, good signal strength, great frequency responce and with a feature the Shure 58's lack... on/off switch.

I'm a little disappointed with their lack of clarity in a recording role. But for low-midrange high-spl tracking such as toms on a kit, rhythm acoustic guitar and some thumpy bass, I've actually found them rather versatile.
And alternately, for stage, you can't beat em for the price!

if you need a cheap dynamic mic for a generic recording role that can double up in a live application, I highly recommend the RS-25

http://www.shure.com/pdf/userguides/guides_wiredmics/c_series.pdf

Best of luck

Adrian

digiduzer wrote: ... Extremely low noise floor...

Well, not to be too picky, by nature, a dynamic mic doesn't have a ''noisefloor" in the sense that a condenser mic does. Since there are no active electronics, there isn't anything there to make noise.

That is of course unless you're referring to Brownion Noise, which is the sound created when air molecules in motion smack into the mic diaphragm.

That being said, I second the Audix i5.

J

touche, cucco, touche....

you are 100% right.. I guess what I really meant to say is that because it's got a pretty strong response, you don't have to crank the gain on the preamp super high to get sufficient level. This is actually where the noise is in the signal chain.
I have worked with mics that need the trim-pot cranked full tilt to get usable level, and with that, you get a lotta preamp noise, especially with less that pro-grade pres. not the case in this example....

but while you mention it, cucco, any idea how the price of the Audix i5 compares to a 57? I've heard a lotta things about those two going head to head...

Very correct. Lesser pres get quite ugly at full tilt. As for the price - The street price is $99. This is also Audix's Minimum advertised price. However, they can be found cheaper. Contact me offline to find out more if yours interested.

J :....:

how will the Audix i5 compare to sm-57 when recording vocals?

The i5 is pretty good for Vox - Not condenser good or even MD441 good but pretty darn . good. I prefer it in almost every situation over the 57 or 58

I just bought a pair of new Audio Technica AT2020 large diaphram condensers from an ebay store for $82 each. I have a wide range of mics, 57's included, and these will knock the stuffing out of 57's. Good for vocals too. Bass response is a little lacking, but for $82, a hell of a deal.

id rather not get a condenser mic, but are there other good instrument/vocal mics that are good and cheap

something that can out do the sm-57?

o ya and what about the Sennheiser E835?

all the review of it i have read said its better than the sm-58 and 57

what do u guys think?

I have a 58 and a 835- the 835 is darker sounding and I like it better for my voice- however, they both will do for live vocals just fine.

maintiger wrote: I have a 58 and a 835- the 835 is darker sounding and I like it better for my voice- however, they both will do for live vocals just fine.

what about guitar?

If you can find a Beyer m69 used, you can probably get it under $100. Way better vocal and guitar mic than a 57 (to me), and can do admirably well on other stuff, too.

skankin wrote: [quote=maintiger]I have a 58 and a 835- the 835 is darker sounding and I like it better for my voice- however, they both will do for live vocals just fine.

what about guitar?

sorry, I haven't used them on guitar. I'll do a 57 or I also like an Oktava 319 on distorted guitar sometimes. You have to get lucky with those though, I have two (Oktavas) and one is great on cabs and the other one sucks- the best I have for clean guitar amps is my old RCA D77 ribbon- until I started getting paranoid about popping the ribbon with the air being displaced by the speaker and stoped using it for that. - I'll give the senny a try on guitar cabs next time we record though, and will post about it- :D

by the way, those kel mics are getting a buzz too- anyone try them on guitar cabs yet?

mjau wrote: If you can find a Beyer m69 used, you can probably get it under $100. Way better vocal and guitar mic than a 57 (to me), and can do admirably well on other stuff, too.

I've been saying this for months, but I guess nobody is willing to look farther than their local Banjo Mart for one. :cry:

I got one from a friend for $100. 8-)

roguescout wrote:
That, and the SM57 is better to clock unruly drummers in the head with.

Just use a high quality cable if you are swinging the mic over your head for that extra knock-out power.

hee-eey.... Not all drummers deserve a beatin. :P

Dave (drummer, Timeline in Salem, OR)