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Guitarfreak 13 March 2009

SM58 or SM57? I play guitar and sing.

I have an Audix i5. Which in a technical sense do I need more? i.e. if the i5 does a worse job at one or the other, I'd need the complement mic.

I'm pretty sure I already know the answer, but I'd like to get some pearls of wisdom along with my purchase. :D

Thanks in Advance
-Guitarfreak

Comments

Jeremy Fri, 03/13/2009 - 21:15

You are assuming people are keeping up with your threads. OK, now we know what you plan to record. Now we need to know what you intend to spend. What kind of voice do you have is it really low and deep, or are you waiting for 'em to drop? What kind of interface are you using? Any pre's we should know about? Where would these vocals, and amp be recorded? The more we know about you, a better recommendation you will get, I promise.

Guitarfreak Fri, 03/13/2009 - 21:20

Jeremy wrote: You are assuming people are keeping up with your threads. OK, now we know what you plan to record. Now we need to know what you intend to spend. What kind of voice do you have is it really low and deep, or are you waiting for 'em to drop? What kind of interface are you using? Any pre's we should know about? Where would these vocals, and amp be recorded? The more we know about you, a better recommendation you will get, I promise.

Well no I wouldn't expect one to remember from thread to thread what I do, which is why I mentioned it in the first post. Anyway, my voice? idk, check out my cover of imagine in the link. I am using a PreSonus Firebox and it's my only outboard unit as of yet. They will be recorded in my bedroom, which isn't sonically perfect, but it's not bad compared to some other places I've recorded.

http://www.myspace.com/chrysalisct

Jeremy Fri, 03/13/2009 - 21:46

How you liking that firebox? Condenser mics typically are less forgiving in untreated rooms. What you need sir is a fantastic dynamic. EV RE20, Sennheiser MD421 either of those will rock your socks off. If you wanna really cheap great guitar cab mic.... Sennheiser e609. I have found some really great deals on ebay for these with some free gifts. The deals I found for the AT3035, AT2035, and AT2050 we amazing. I have never used the AT2050, but getting the patterns that mic has for under $200 is a great find. The AT's listed are condensers, and I love the 35 for the price.

BobRogers Sat, 03/14/2009 - 05:15

To the original question: A 57 and a 58 use the same capsule. Because of the different pop filter, the pattern (and to a lesser degree the frequency response) is slightly different. You can make a 57 closer to a 58 by putting on one of those cheap foam pop filters. You can make a 58 closer to a 57 by taking off the ball (but this exposes the capsule to damage). I'd favor the 57 over the 58, but if you found a deal on a 58 I wouldn't hesitate.

Jeremy Sat, 03/14/2009 - 08:27

You are doing 2 things, singing, and recording electric guitar. You have a utility mic (I5), but isn't quite as strong for VOX in most cases as it is for cabs. Get yourself a good vocal mic. The reason I mentioned the e609 was the deal. $109 shipped plus an audix cabgrabber ($50), and a 20' XLR cable($15). You get a sweet mic plus the extras. I for one love me some extra's. If you can spring for either the RE20 or MD421, you will have these mics for as long as you are recording. They are reliable, and will take your recordings to the next level. The 57-58 are classics. You should have at least one of each.

We are fueling the fire!!!!!!!!!
Welcome to the world of recording young Jedi.
I remember when I first got GAS.

Davedog Sat, 03/14/2009 - 09:53

You dont have a good vocal mic. Of the two, the 58 is better suited to vocals. Even though I do not hesitate to sing through any of my 57's, the 58 lends itself to an easier time of 'working' the mic. The pop filter and screen keeps you the proper distance from the capsule and the 58's have a bit bigger proximity effect than a 57.

You already own an instrument mic. Buy a mic that has a purpose as a vocal mic. BTW. The 58 will sound great on a cabinet also.

jg49 Sat, 03/14/2009 - 09:58

Just the fact that the sales people for the most part are not very knowledgable, they push budget gear frquently because their margin is higher, and I did not want to plug any particular supplier.
I don't hate them I bought two guitars from them last year. I won't buy guitars by mail, gotta actually play them because they vary even the same model. Usually I can save 6% sales tax and sometimes more mail order. Two years ago I spent close to 10k and saving 10% is like getting a free guitar.

Jeremy Sat, 03/14/2009 - 11:13

You will find both to be of great use. You have an excellent base to build from. An I5, 57-58 should give you many possibilities. Now do you beef up your dynamics closet, or go condenser? Do you save for a pre, or get some room treatment? Do you buy outboard tools, or get some fancy software? It really gets fun making your own audio soup...what ingredient to the mix is really going to compliment the current setup....yummy!

Guitarfreak Sat, 03/14/2009 - 18:21

Yes I did check my PM's, thanks for the link. That deal on the MD421 seemed really good, but it was only a starting bid, so it would probably go up to near retail anyway. I have a few things in mind for next purchases...sheesh the addiction never ends does it?

ST55 Condenser
KRK RP5 or RP6
Shockmount (For Condenser)
Outboard Compressor (IDK Which)
The Brick Mic Preamp

Just to name a few...

Guitarfreak Sun, 03/15/2009 - 05:41

NCdan wrote:

If you wanna really cheap great guitar cab mic.... Sennheiser e609.

+1. This really is a great mic for recording guitar.

Yes, I was looking at it, and couldn't help but wonder how to use it. I mean it's a pretty unique shape as far as mics go. I heard one person that slung the cable over the top of the amp and let it hang in front of the speaker and taped it in place.

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