Alternative to SM57
Are there any somewhat-similar mics to the SM57? As in: good for combos, some snares, percs, some interesting vocals, but with a different character to the SM57. I'm asking because I'd like to expand my mic locker, and would need additional mics to handle more jobs like my current (single) SM57 handles at this moment, but with some more tonal variety.
Hope that made sense.
Mihai Toma
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The Audix i5 works well as an alternative to the 57. I have a co
The Audix i5 works well as an alternative to the 57. I have a couple and they really work well on guitar amps, drums and percussion.I don't know if Audix is available to you in Romania, but you can find it on e-Bay.
Mihai, didn't you mention once that you worked for an Audio-Technica dealer? They've replaced the VERY good ATM25 with what I believe is now called the ATM250, and there's the Pro25ax, as well. Any of those mics do well for cabs, drums/percussion, and brass, too. I love my ATM25s on percussion, kick, and horns.
Finally, do you have a Sennheiser MD421 YET? You really should. They do well for all of what you listed, including vocals. Get busy, man!
if you wanna go the condenser route, i've read a few people on h
if you wanna go the condenser route, i've read a few people on here mention that they were using the AT2020 for snare - some for top, and some for the bottom with a 57 on top. i've also read davedog say that he'd tried them out on toms and really liked them. i've used them on hihat, overheads, and for vocals and they get the job done pretty good for about $100. i haven't tried it on snare, toms, or cabs, but as soon as i get a chance to do some more recording, i'm gonna give it a shot.
-dave
Heh... would be interested in MD421, unfortunately it's outside
Heh... would be interested in MD421, unfortunately it's outside of my price range right now. The ATM250 sound interesting (especially since I can get a discount on it) - it's marketed as a bass drum/percs/hi-volume sound source mic, but with a 15kHz maximum frequency range, it should have no trouble handling guitar cabs and such.
Also the ATM250DE seems really interesting - two elements (condenser/neodym. dynamic). On paper, it sounds very versatile... Anyone tried this?
You could always try a TAB-Funkenwerk transformer modification t
You could always try a TAB-Funkenwerk transformer modification to one of your 57s. It makes a nice change to the sound of a 57.
[[url=http://[/URL]="http://www.mercinar…"]Transformer link[/]="http://www.mercinar…"]Transformer link[/]
Can't go wrong with the 57 on top of the snare and a 441 under!
Can't go wrong with the 57 on top of the snare and a 441 under!
Flip the phase and you're golden!
57's are a workhorse, and they're cheap, relatively speaking - why not just by a few more?
I mean, here's my opinion on what all studio's really need:
A bunch of 57's.
A bunch of 58's.
A couple 421's.
A couple of 441's.
A pair of 414's.
A few SM81's, for that SNL live on TV band sound :lol:
Some TLM's.
A few KM84's.
A D112 or two.
A few RE20's (or PL's please).
A few EV 868's.
Maybe some Audix D's and OM's.
And some of those plastic clip on mics from Sennheiser - for extras on toms.
And... never forget your friggin' DI boxes!!!
(Sorry, the Heineken is kickin' in...)
A couple mics I will use as 57 substitutes are ATM29HE and the A
A couple mics I will use as 57 substitutes are ATM29HE and the AT 3000B. AT2020's are worth throwing in front of almost anything, great bang for the buck mic. Haven't tried them on toms because I've been using AT3035's as overheads with a 4 mic approach to a kit, may never spot mic toms again.
Gotta agree whole heartedly with the i5 Audix. It is the real d
Gotta agree whole heartedly with the i5 Audix. It is the real deal. A little bit clearer. BUT I wouldnt ever use it for vocals.Somehow it just doesnt like the voice. A 57 anywhere anytime in any position on a stage. When I had PA's I owned 20 of em. With 5 58's I was good to go.
Also....the Beyer 201 is as good a mic as I have ever heard. Pretty much on anything. I used to use it as the top snare mic and the Beyer 422 as the under mic. KILLER!! SM81's on all the toms, a pair of 441's as the spot mics and a pair of 87's over the kit and ....Bob's yer uncle.
You should hear the 201 with a nice high-gain mic pre...GOLDEN. Low Low noise and great linear response.
Davedog wrote: Gotta agree whole heartedly with the i5 Audix. I
Davedog wrote: Gotta agree whole heartedly with the i5 Audix. It is the real deal. A little bit clearer. BUT I wouldnt ever use it for vocals.Somehow it just doesnt like the voice.
in the right circumstances it can work great for vocals!
the only time i've found it to work is when used on background vocal harmonies (ooohs and ahhhhs) and for a falsetto.
the other 95% of the time it ruins vocals.
my 2 cents
Hey, if it works, it works. A 95% fail rate doesnt put it on the
Hey, if it works, it works. A 95% fail rate doesnt put it on the top rung of any ladder......but as I said, for MANY other things its great. My vocal reference was in comparison to a 57 (which sounds GREAT on vocals). For OOhs and AAhs, give me a big ole LDC in Omni sitting in the sweet spot in the room.
audix makes and equivalent. shop retail (chain store) and haggle
audix makes and equivalent. shop retail (chain store) and haggle like hell. there's a lot more room for discount. I5 maybe? Look at heil too.