SM57 or $100 condenser

[Fragcon]

I've got a question for you guys out there with alot more experience than me. I've just started recording music recently and I'm going to be getting a firepod very soon and I want a mic to record vocals primarily but also I want the mic to be able to handle a variety of things I might throw at it like acoustic / classic guitar, micing sound effects like tapping on a desk, and micing an amped guitar or bass. I know im theory these are completely differant things and recuire comepletely differant mics but I am just starting out and don't really want to spend more than $100 if possible.
I've been looking at the Shure SM-57 and the Studio Projects B1.
Like I said I will mainly be using this mic for vocals since I will have the firepod and will mostly be directly recording my guitar and bass.

basically my question is should I get the SM57 or maybe an SM58 and live with its lessser vocal quality untill I want to take a step up and get a better vocal mic or should I get a $100 or less condenser and run the possibility of it becomming a dead mic if i were to buy a better one in the future

[DCypherDET]

IMO i would go with the 58 or 57, why not 100.00 and its a legand.. I picked the 58 because of the built in windscreen thats the only diff between the two mics.. I owned the studio projects and used it for vocals as well as guitar riffs and i think hands down for vocals the 58 is way better, just because my C1 was to sensitive it caught all my esse's to the point it would ruion my songs even with the desser.. The C1 might be alittle better for guitars becuase to me its brighter but a little EQing could change that.. Keep in mind that no mic is perfect for everything but if it was me picking out mics again even in the 300.00 range i would still go with the 58. But if you get the sm 58 or sm 57 get a good pre amp i would suggest the dmp3 by m audio it made my voacls sound way better when compaired to my mbox pres.. Plus its only a 150.00... Hope this helps.. GOOD LUCK

[tenchijin2]

A 57/58 is not necessarily a 'lesser' quality vocal mic. It depends on the vocalist, and even the song! Some vocalists sound absolutely stellar through a 57.

The B1 is getting excellent reviews over at studio forums. Dan Richards recommends it highly and I've got a couple coming in this week. I'm using them Thursday so I'll post some clips next week.

Probably one of the biggest concerns you'll have is ambience. A condenser will pick up more ambient sound, so if your room is crappy more of that sound will get into the track than it would with a dynamic mic.

[Fragcon]

Probably one of the biggest concerns you'll have is ambience. A condenser will pick up more ambient sound, so if your room is crappy more of that sound will get into the track than it would with a dynamic mic.

good point, im in just a college apartment setting so i probably would be picking up alot of background noise with a condenser. maybe a dynamic would be a smarter choice. Sm57 vrs sm58, you say the only differance is the built in windfilter? ill have to look into this. are there any other good dynamic mics in this price range worth looking at?

[DCypherDET]

Some people say the sennhieser e385 is the same as the sm58 and others dissagree, and yes they are the same mic the capsules are the same.. If blue bear sound says they are then they are...

[Fragcon]

they are the same mic the capsules are the same

ok so same mic, would there be any advantages of one over the other? i know the sm58 is almost unbreakable but the sm57 might allow for closer micing techniques? id have to buy a windscreen for it should which would cost more money

[kernmount]

Everyone should own a SM57. If you don't own one, get that first. The SM57 will work for just about everything.

[JM350]

Whether to buy a 57 or a budget condenser is one of the toughest decisions for the home recordist these days who only has a hundred bucks or so to spend on a mic.

They are very different beasts but both useful tools.

If you are looking to record acoustic guitar (especially if it a featured instrument in other words not just a rhythm track hidden behind a bunch of electric guitars) you might want the better high frequency and transient response you will get from a condenser.

The Marshall 603 and 604 and the Audio Technica AT2020 would be a few other mics to think about besisdes the Studio Projects.

The SM57 and SM58 are indeed basically the same mic except for their windscreens. You can take the ball end off the 58 to make it sound more like a 57 but I think you are better off getting a 57 and use a hoop type studio pop filter. For the price difference you can almost cover the cost of a pop filter with how cheap these are lately or you can make one yourself for just a few bucks using an embroidery hoop andsome nylon or silk.

[BTown]

I have the e835 and it sounds awesome... You just have to have the right mic placement and tweak it... once you get used to the mic it becomes easier to get a better quality out of it.

[_controlfreak]

Everyone should own a SM57. If you don't own one, get that first. The SM57 will work for just about everything.

+1. If you buy an SM(57/58), it won't become a "dead mic" like a cheap condenser will.

It's actually cheaper this way. You can buy your good dynamic, and a nice condenser later. Instead of buying a bad condenser, then a dynamic, and then the nice condenser (you'll want both trust me).

[Tweak]

sm57 or B1--I'd go b1 now and get the 57 when you can later, given you want to get going on vocals. If micing guitar cabs was first on your list I'd say go 57 first. If you think you may be able to afford 200 in a reasonable time for a C1 or NT1a, I'd say wait and get the 57 now.

The 57 will never be a dead investment, but the B1 certainly could go to being less used if you have a condenser you like more.

http://www.zzounds.com/a--3745/item--SHUSM57LC

http://www.zzounds.com/a--3745/item--STUB1

[kernmount]

Everyone should own a SM57. If you don't own one, get that first. The SM57 will work for just about everything.

+1. If you buy an SM(57/58), it won't become a "dead mic" like a cheap condenser will.

It's actually cheaper this way. You can buy your good dynamic, and a nice condenser later. Instead of buying a bad condenser, then a dynamic, and then the nice condenser (you'll want both trust me).

I hadn't thought of it that way, but it's probably true. Good point.

[Fragcon]

If you think you may be able to afford 200 in a reasonable time for a C1 or NT1a, I'd say wait and get the 57 now.

This is my plan. I got the sm57 and the windfilter that shure makes for it but Im not opening it untill christmas when i get my firepod. Thanks alot for the advice.

[IndianTweakhead]

open it to make sure it works!

[_controlfreak]

If he doesn't have a preamp, then he won't be able to test it. And even if it doesn't work, most companies won't take a mic back. Better to leave it in the wrapping.

[IndianTweakhead]

if it doesn't work, they'll take it back.

Because they just send it back to the manufacturer, no problems for them at all.

[Fragcon]

And even if it doesn't work, most companies won't take a mic back. Better to leave it in the wrapping.

they would have to take it back if it is broken.... but you cant return mics

[jar4ever]

If you don't absolutely need a condenser right away then it's best to buy the mic that you aren't going to have to replace. Sure there are some pretty good sounding $100 condensers, but you will eventually replace them with a more expensive mic and it will become useless, in the long run you will have wasted $100. A 57/58 will always have a place in your studio, no matter how nice of mics you eventually get. However, my Firepod when I got it came with a free AT2020 and I have to say it's a very nice mic for it's cost. Very sterile sounding, but at least it's flat and sensitive.

[transemo84]

Hi guys.. I'm pretty much in the same situation with the guy who posted.. In addition to the SM57 and the condenser mic, i'm also considering the Shure Beta 58A. I don't mind forking out the extra 50 for this mic if it gives (significantly) better quality. Any thoughts on this one?
http://www.zzounds.com/item--SHUBETA58A

[85Dave]

Everyone should own a SM57. If you don't own one, get that first. The SM57 will work for just about everything.

I agree with this....to an extent.

I actually think the 57 needs too much gain and is too harsh in most settings for things like vocals and acoustic guitar.

My second mic was the 57 but after getting the MXL990 and 991 I use those much more often and hardly touch the 57 although I prefer it for amps sometimes.

[kernmount]

The reason to go with an SM57, is that it can do just about everything. It's certainly not perfect, but it's a rugged gem.

[Dugz Ink]

I'm with Ryan. You can use it for almost anything... even a hammer, if you're just driving tacks.

I would rather have an SM57 on a mic-pre that doesn't have enough gain than a truly cheap condenser.

[TKMJ Productions]

A 57 is your best bet. Believe me when I say it will not go to the wayside. You will always find a good use for a 57. It's a studio and stage workhorse that keeps giving.

Ken

[Gill]

BUMP!

Sorry to hijack this thread but I thought it better than spamming another condenser vs dynamic question.

I really like the idea of an SM57 after reading this thread but am also thinking about a condenser like the rode NT1a as my main workhorse. I live in a room where there is probably quite alot of background noise (I'd say it's more ambient like quiet pc fans, birds outside etc) so it should rule out a condenser but I'd like to know if there's any way of getting round that?

The thing is I'd like to be able to record live jams with my band to pencil our ideas down. We are acoustic at the moment but will eventually go electric. I was wondering if one SM57 will be enough to get a decent enough sound down for ideas including drums or should I get a condenser?

I am using a Firebox and nothing else by the way.

[kernmount]

I don't know about the Firebox, but an SM57 should be just fine providing you can get enough gain out of your preamp.