Weary SM57 Seeks A Companion

[penelope tree]

Hello everyone,

I make recordings sometimes and I would like to buy a new microphone to complement my SM57. My budget isn't enormous, maybe £150/€200/$250.

Which microphone within that price range would provide me with a good alternative to the SM57? It would be good if the model was available from Thomann.

[goroth]

Audix i5 is a good modern take on an SM57. It can do high SPLs and doesn't really have that honky midrange you get with an SM57, so it's different enough to be useful, but definitely the same sort of mic. I also like the Sennheiser e609 as an alternative, and it has variable presence on it, which can be useful. Either of those will give you some change to buy a new fuzz with as well.

Caveat emptor - I know pretty much nothing about mics beyond the above...

[Doctor X]

these have a good reputation and super cheap too
http://www.thomann.de/gb/superlux_pra_628_mkii.htm

[penelope tree]

these have a good reputation and super cheap too
http://www.thomann.de/gb/superlux_pra_628_mkii.htm

Cool, I've got some Superlux headphones which I consider to be great value (and they seem to be rated by audiophiles too). 668B is the model. I see they make a ribbon mic and condensers too, are any of those models popular?

I've considered the Sennheiser e906 and the Audix i5 but I don't really know what they have to offer when compared to the SM57.

[Gone Fission]

What is the new mic for?

I'm gonna assume just guitar amps. I'd do something different from a directional dynamic mic to broaden things up.

Omni dynamics can be cool for getting flat, accurate mids, without all the bumps and peaks of the 57. In the US, the EV 635a is cheap and plentiful used, tough as nails, and great for this job. Generally any "reporter mic" that's an omni dynamic will work, though, so whatever your local news broadcasters sell as surplus of this type.

Cheap ribbons, if they don't ship with a sagging ribbon, can work pretty damned well if you have a good mic preamp with a bunch of clean and quiet gain. Thomann's T-Bone RB-700 is equivalent to some U.S. branded versions that can overperform their cost. Look into how to see from visual inspection if the ribbon is misinstalled and be on top of the return policy for the vendor, but given the performance potential, worth some hassle. Smoother yet detailed sounds to be had.

[penelope tree]

Yeah, it would mostly be used on guitar amps (although not exclusively with guitar). I suppose it would be good to have something that was better than the SM57 with vocals and/or acoustic guitar.

[goroth]

I've considered the Sennheiser e906 and the Audix i5 but I don't really know what they have to offer when compared to the SM57.

Flatter midrange, variable presence. There are plenty of shoot outs on YouTube that at least give an indication of how they differ.

[foomanfat]

This may be helpful. I really like the Heil Sound PR-20 in this video.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=awT8_YZ0TY4[/youtube]

[penelope tree]

Yeah, the Audix i5 sounds pretty good too. Having watched quite a few of these videos now, I can also see why the SM57 has been a perennial choice for heavily distorted guitars. What would be a good option for clean electric guitars?

[The4455]

To add a condenser to your collection would be a good idea, does your interface have phantom power, a +48 button? A classic combination is a 57 and a Sennheiser MD-421. You can get a great sound with two 57's positioned correctly and then you'll have a pair, although not a true stereo pair, but a pair of microphones for stereo recording. I would NOT get an i5, that doesn't really add anything to the 57, I'd choose an i5 over a 57 on Snare in a live situation though. The Shure Sm-7b, in the video above would be a good choice, although initially designed as a vocal mic, it would give you alot of flexibility.

I'd go with a large diaphragm condenser if your interface has phantom power. Such as: Studio Projects B-1.
If no phantom power: Sm7B, MD-421, Beyer M-88, or even another 57. If you don't own a 57 and you want to record stuff, I don't know what you're doing.

[Decibill]

Depends on what you are recording and if you want to compliment or contrast with the SM57. Once we know that, there are many great suggestions.

[rfurtkamp]

If you can support phantom power, look at one of the Oktava condensers - for the $$ (especially used) they're very, very fine mics and in your price range.

[Vuvuzela]

Sm57 + AKG D112 on guitar or a Sterling ST 51 + Sm57 both sound great together.

[MaggotBrainNY]

Shure SM7 would be a nice option. Excellent for just about anything outside drum overheads. Excels on vocals too.

[Vuvuzela]

Shure SM7 would be a nice option. Excellent for just about anything outside drum overheads. Excels on vocals too.

i've used these with the hi pass filter and the high mid filter left flat on these in a stereo pair for overheads and enjoyed the results a lot.
it's a great hi-hat mic too.