If you are recording heavy music....here are my favorites....

Shure Beta91 for the attack w/a Beta52 for the body

D112 if you like the sound of a basketball hitting the ground (I love it)

Audix D6

I've tried others, but right now my favorite is a Beta91 sitting in the bottom of the kick about half way in. Then I'll add a Beta52 to fill up the rest of the kick sound. The Beta91 by itself won't cut the mustard IMO. You need something else otherwise you'll have nothing but a scooped clicky kick.

If you like the SM57 and want a less expensive version check out the ES-57. It's a shure clone

http://www.speakerrepair.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=genem&Category_Code=AG+Accessories

I ordered 3 of them and I can't tell the difference between them and my SM57. They work great for guitars as well as snare, toms, etc. Best thing is that 3 of them only cost $90 total with shipping

-Tony

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There is no "cost-effective alternative" to the SM57...it IS "the cost-effective alternative" to a helluva lot of higher-priced mics on the market.
For overheads, I have found that the Audix i5 is a great alternative in the same price range, as it has a real nice extension on the top end, and being a dynamic, can take the abuse a condenser can't. Screw the old farts that make fun of it because it they haven't used it (BTW, I'm an old fart, too). For kick on a budget, try to find an A-T ATM25 dynamic. These were recently discontinued by A-T, which is very sad, as these are great on kick, bass amps, brass, and anything down low. Check e-Bay for that puppy.

I agree with the ATM25. When I first started recording I was using my drummer's 4-track, 3 SM57, and an ATM25. Those were some of the best recordings I've ever done. Now my recordings suck.

I honestly think that I'm going to buy an 8 track reel to reel and a small format board. Those limitations make you work, but the results just have something that I can't do with unlimited options.

Different strokes I guess.

Hi, Art:
I used to work with that format. People don't realize how easy they have it these days with no tape to deal with! Your slant on that is very interesting. My first "mobile recording" rig was a pair of Shure UniDynes, a little passive Teac mixer, and a Teac A3340SX 4-track reel. One of my clients for the past 20+ years recently took a live recording I cut of his band with that gear and put it on CD for posterity's sake. Except for a bit of hiss, it sounds surprisingly good. Nowadays, though, the tape is getting harder and harder to find, much less to deal with. But I remember that I DID have to screw with stuff over and over to get it right. You learn from your mistakes, what can I say? BTW, I appreciate that you, a Shure employee, did not degrade the i5 the way some people here have done.

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Well put Art.

There are few mic lines more complete and well built than Shure. I am a fan and have been for more than 30 years. I STILL use my old UnidyneIII's for snares and for 'special' lead guitars if I want them to stick out without a lot of manipulation. I have newer 57's (still USA made) for other sources but nothing at all like those older ones! The SM81 is as good a SDC as there is. NOT a clean as a whistle, classical recording direct-to-disk kind of mic like Earthworks or DPA's but for rock and roll drum overs, and acoustic guitars meant to be in-yer-face, it doesnt get any better.

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I don't want to get into the equivalency debate, but another GREAT mic for a recording loud electric guitars and kick drums (really good here) is the CAD Equitek E-100. It's not very expensive, but to be honest, for mic'ing guitar amps, it really does reproduce the sound wonderfully.

You can find them around for cheap too.

Lots of folks use them almost exclusively for kick drums, but I find I am liking it more and more over my trusty 57's for elec. guitars.

I've gotta check that one out. How much does it street for?

You can pick them up used on ebay for about $100.
New they were about $250 or so. They have a new version of it now, but can't recall off the top what the model number is.

Do yourself a favour and try it on elec guitar amps. You'll be impressed.

..

I have to agree with therecordingart....beta 91 inside, and beta 52 outside...really good kick sound. Also a D6 by itself is more attacky than the beta 52 by itself (hence the 91 inside the drum), so you might want to consider the Audix D6 if you want to spend less. Overheads can be done with a lot of good mics, but for budget overheads, Studio Projects C1's. Surprisingly good. 57 for snare top and bottom. Shure PG-81 works for hihat, but if you can, get the KSM109. Try Sennheiser e604's on Toms, or the ever reliable MD-421. For the Floor Tom I use an EV RE-20. Then get a good room mic (stereo mic if possible). Studio Projects also makes a good stereo mic for a decent price.

Arthur,

How long have you worked for Shure, and in what area? (I used to work at Jensen back in the day, and know several people that passed through the place.)