Musician Gear & Tech Discussion

I am looking for a good all round mic... I am looking for one microphone I can use for vocals as well as instrument recording (guitar & piano). I was looking at possibly the Shure SM58 or SM57. What would you use and why? Any input is greatly appreciated.

Thanks!
BelgianAlien

IMHO...No contest, SM58 hands down winner! I love mine.

If I'm not mistaken, the SM57 is best suited for instrument micing, a lot of drummers use them. Obviously vocals too.

I just think the 58 is the best choice of the 2 for what you want to do. The damn thing's been around since the Ice Age, and is bullet proof!

If you're looking to use it as a live mic too, then, yeah, the sm58. If you only need it for recording purposes, for about the same price as a 58, (about $100) you can get an MXL package that has a large diaphragm studio mic and a small overhead condenser mic.
Applications:
Acoustic guitar - Have the large diaphragm mic in front of the soundhole about a foot away, and the small condenser angled aiming towards where the neck meets the body.
Piano - With the piano top open, have the large diaphragm mic up over it more towards the lower section and the small condenser for the high strings.
Vocals - Just use the large diaphragm. Use a pop filter with it.
Drums - Large diaphragm in front of kit about 1 foot from floor and 4 feet from Kick drum. Small condenser mic over head to pick up cymbals, snare and toms more.
Guitar amp - Just the large diaphragm about 2 or 3 feet in front of amp, but you could add the small condenser if you want more control of higher end.

These are just some examples, nothing written in stone. And this is just for doing the instruments one at a time as the large diaphragm mic will pick up everything in the room (including mouse farts)
Hope it helps some.

Thanks guys!
Oh and Ratsass, I will look into that MXL package... seeing as though our cats have eliminated all mice from the house, no worries about the mic picking up mouse farts

Thanks for the input... keep it coming everyone!

Alien,
I'm goin' with the general consensus on this one.
I use a PE 65 which is like a 57. Both are good vocal mics and excellent for high sound pressure applications. The are also proven unequivocally to withstand the harsh rigors of roadwork. My Shures are going strong after 30 years of screamin out rock vocals, blowin' harp, and accumulating slobber. The 58 has that lead singer look, and ,I believe more filtering material stuffed in that big ball, which chick singers seem to prefer..
The bottom line is that you can't go wrong with either, or.

There are many even less expensive mics available these days, and they seem to sound just fine. (I'm considering a three pack of Audio-Technica mics that Musicians Friend is offering , with cords and boom stands, for $100 for all three ! At that price, if they don't last 30 years, it's no big deal.
Howlin'

Of the mics we have in use at present, and in my limited experience, the Shure 58 seems to have the best of both worlds sensativity and clairity.
It also seems to deliver the goods no matter if soft spoken vocals or belting chorus. If I had the money to invest in all new mics to standardise for our band I would go with the Shure 58.

Personally, if cost were a factor, I'd use the Shure SM57. It's more directional than the 58, but very road-worthy, & excellent for either voice or instruments.

Phil, when you say it's more directional, I assume you speak of a narrower sonic cone. If this is so then it would figure to also be less sensative to off axis sound, and therefore more resistant to feedback on stage.

Right? Or am I off base entirely?

Personally, if cost were a factor, I'd use the Shure SM57. It's more directional than the 58, but very road-worthy, & excellent for either voice or instruments.

My gut feeling concurs with Phils choice for Belgianalen's application.

George,
If my memory serves me right (which is questionable these days, so take it for what it's worth); Both the 57 and 58 have cardioid patterns, which your medical knowledge should tell you is shaped like a heart, rather then a cone. Both of these mikes have decent resistance to feedback.

HJ

UH-DUH (slaps forehead with palm)

Thanks HJ.