Let's talk Mics

[Jeff Flowerday]

Shure SM57 all the way for recording amps.

Shure Beta 58A for vocals. Just because I'm such a crappy weak ass singer and need all the help I can get.

Audio Technica 3031 for recording acoustic guitar.

[GuitarsCanada]

I have been using the trusty SM57 for years. I dont see any need to change it. Great mic

[SinCron]

Alice Cooper uses a 35 dollar Behringer microphone live.

[sysexguy]

I'm liking ribbons more and more for all electrics (borrowed a Royer, own an AEA84, lust for the old ones).

There's a lollipop from MBHO that's also rebadged by a few others including audix that is unbelievable for acoustics

sm57 is usually the second best choice for just about anything so if you're just starting or need something that will get a lot of mileage, get an sm-57. Sm-7 is also nice for guitar and great for bass with ampegs etc.

the choice of pre and placement are also major factors......placement is "free" so I'd recommend mastering that before dropping $$$$ on the latest flavour of the month pre or mic.

:rockon2:

Andy

[Milkman]

I, like most of the old guard have used 57s and 58s for many years. They ARE great mics. I would further add that 57s are excellent vocal mics as long as you have experience enough to back off with the plosives.


I replaced my Shures with AKGs, Apex and Sennheisers over the course of the last few years and prefer the sound of the AKGs for voice. Different EQ curve I guess. I just like them better.

[SinCron]

I use an Audio Technica AT 2020 for recording everything right now. Its a really good mic.

[Mr. David Severson]

I use a Audio Technica 3035 Condenser and a SM 58.

[JamesPeters]

AT 4033a for everything. LDC's are great for guitar amps, and this is one of my favorites.

[ne1roc]

I use an Audio Technica 3035 and SM 57 for cabinet mic'ing.
I use a Presonus BlueTube along with the 3035 for vocals. Very smooth and warm!

[Rex Lannegan]

What would be a good all round mic for home recording? I'm talking acoustic, voice, amp, pots and pans, toilet flushing...you know...the basics?

[SinCron]

Audio Technica AT 2020. Very affordable condencer mic and will pick up a lot. I recording guitar and thunder with it.

[Benee Wafers]

I think its the Shure SM58 which is considered the all around best studio performer, the SM 57 being the "live" standard mic.
Let me know iof I've got that in reverse order.
Benee Wafers

[Milkman]

I think its the Shure SM58 which is considered the all around best studio performer, the SM 57 being the "live" standard mic.
Let me know iof I've got that in reverse order.
Benee Wafers


SM58 is a vocal mic for live use.

SM57 is an instrument mic for live use.


The 57 is also a great vocal mic if you know enough to "play" it.


They have identical cartridges and the only difference is the lack of a ball on the 57.



You can use them for recording, but there are much better mics for that purpose in my opinion.

[G.A.S. Man]

I found this excellent publication from Shure regarding selection and placement of microphones for live sound reinforcement.

http://www.shure.com/stellent/groups/public/@gms_gmi_web_ug/documents/web_resource/us_pro_mics_for_music_sound_ea.pdf

...and this one for studio recording.

http://www.shure.com/stellent/groups/public/@gms_gmi_web_ug/documents/web_resource/us_pro_micsmusicstudio_ea.pdf

(I hope these links work. If not go to the Shure web site and do a search on "Microphone Techniques".)

[Milkman]

Good links Gas Man.


There are many similar resources out there. I like the Yorkville guide (link below).


Mic'ing is a matter of taste of course.

Depending on the amp you may be mic'ing different mic positions will be beneficial in correcting problem frequencies.


http://www.yorkville.com/default.asp?p1=6&p2=0&p_id=17

[madog99]

I used $40 Berhinger's , then a AKG D72S, and finally got a SM58. No contest there , the 58 is worth every penny. Last week I picked up a Berhinger C-1 condeser with a mic200 preamp and I'm not to sure I like the sound of the condensor? The 58 seems to be warmer where as the condensor is really etched sort of and thin. I am still playing with the settings on the preamp but so far the 58 is the winner.

[SCREEM]

whatch out for those mics with the domes...... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9m92p58A7MA

[madog99]

whatch out for those mics with the domes...... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9m92p58A7MA

YEEE-ouch !!! I wonder ...did he survive ?

[SCREEM]

YEEE-ouch !!! I wonder ...did he survive ?

I wonder myself, I hope the dome was threaded.

[SkunkWorks]

57s are a standard on guitar amps but not usually by themselves (in a studio situation)... usually paired with a large diaphragm condenser (watch out for phase issues... putting 2 mics on a guitar amp is more of an art than a lot of people realize, if you are new to recording you'll probably get better results from a single mic). I'm leaning more towards the Sennheiser 421 these days for guitar amps.

As great a mic a Shure 57 is, if you want "that commercial" sound on your vocal recordings even a cheap large diaphragm condenser will do the vocal more justice.

Someone was asking about a good general all purpose mic...

I can't say enough about a mic that is sort of a little known dirty little secret... the M-Audio Solaris, a $300 large diaphragm condenser. I'm pretty finicky when it comes to home recording and getting "that commercial cd' sound and it takes alot to impress me when I'm listening to clips online that people have posted. I was in another forum and heard a guys tune where the quality of the vocal recording just floored me, and I don't just mean his performance. I contacted him to ask what he used expecting him to tell me it was a U87 or something and he said it was the Solaris... no preamp or post processing other than a tiny bit of verb and delay and some compression. I went out and bought one the next day. It's now my goto mic for everything from a second amp mic to vocals and anything in between if needed... and it has all the features of more expensive condensers - pad, 3 patterns, low pass and its own spider mount and case.

[tubetwang]

Shure SM57

Studio Projects B1

[Spikezone]

Yep, same as most of you, a 57 on my amp and a 58 on my face.
-Mikey