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therecordingart 24 September 2004

I was just reading a post, I forget which one, and there was a person generalizing that elite engineers hate the SM57. I can imagine that someone with a plethora of money to spend on a mic collection wouldn't pick an SM57 as their first choice, but I do feel this mic serves a purpose in any collection.

I'm oblivious to why someone could hate an $80 mic that doesn't sound like it was bought from Radio Shack.

Anyway...just a thought.

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anonymous Fri, 09/24/2004 - 16:37

A lot of those studios that use 421's on toms still use '57's on snare drum. It's a sound everyone knows. Very popular on guitar amp as well. Again, a sound that's instantly familiar.

I woudln't say I hate it, but I find myself using my SM57's less and less. The second I put a Royer R121 in front of a guitar amp was the last time I used an SM57 on one (or, the time before I guess), and I don't use them as often on snare either as I used to...last night when I was tracking some drums I actually couldn't find my SM57's, so I tried a Dragonfly on the snare instead and was very happy with the sound. But I really like the way '57's sound on toms.

Sure, some people hate it. I'm sure you could find people who hate every piece of gear out there. But especially when something's as ubiquitous as the SM57 you're bound to find people who don't like it.

Personally, I hate SM81's and RE20's for about every use...I can stomach the RE20 on voiceover, but I have yet to find something I really like the SM81 on.

-Duardo

RecorderMan Sat, 09/25/2004 - 00:14

hate away...I could do a very good sounding record with only 57's.

In fact the last four tracks I cut used it on snare, guitars and lead vocal (in the control room with the monitors on loud...and in phase). I would have liked to used some 121's as well but do not own any and had used up all favors at that point. I shall be purchasing a pair of 121's and an R84 along with some other (well lots) things for the res of the projetc..but I degress.

I think the 57 is soooooo great. Along with ribbons and a U67's, some of my fav mics. Acoustic gtr even. Piano Even...I mean ther have been so many times when it has been better that the more expensive..whatever. More Than Works for me.

P.S. I don't know about that 57 vs 421 argument. They're diff and complement a good mic locker.

anonymous Sat, 09/25/2004 - 07:51

I do know that Jon Brion railed against the 57 two years ago at the Tape Op Conference (of all places...). I don't think it went over too well.

I think the 57 is one of the best mics out there. It may not be "THE" mic for a certain application, but I can put it on almost anything with confidence that it at least won't sound bad.

therecordingart Sat, 09/25/2004 - 08:26

When I saw the 57 getting bashed I felt stupid because I own 4 of them. I've recorded the same instrument the same way with different mics and the 57 always picks up something unique. It is the best $80 investment. I'm a newbie, but I know what to look for when purchasing mics.....maybe a post can be made to list lower cost mics that are a neccessity or serve a good purpose in a recording session for the newer members. Two that come to mind for me are the SM57 and Oktava 012's. I personally think that the Oktava 012's aren't a bad mic....not as harsh to my ears as the SM81 but that is my opinion. As overheads they are ok, but for $99 a piece it's an easy sale.

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