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Posted by Lana on Dec-05-2008 18:14:

Shure SM58 mic?

The price of this mic (Shure SM58) is pretty attempting.
And some reviews of it are really good.

But, in some reviews this mic is said to be very bad for homestudio and vocal recording = you need to SHOUT if you want the mic to take/record your voice...

Any comments about that?

Or do you have another mic in similar price range that is a bit more sensitive (so no need to shout to it)?

Posted by Eric J on Dec-05-2008 18:32:

Re: Shure SM58 mic?

quote:
Originally posted by Lana
Or do you have another mic in similar price range that is a bit more sensitive (so no need to shout to it)?

Try a Rode NT1A

Posted by Zild on Dec-05-2008 18:35:

What type of vocals are you doing? If you want doing like hands in the air trance pristine quality type vocals then yeah get the Rode. If you're doing vocals like I do and chopping/effecting the hell out of them to use as rhythmic samples then what I would use would be a SM57.

It also depends on what pre amps you are going to be using.

Posted by Ry Thomas on Dec-05-2008 18:37:

Michael Jackson 'Bad' album was recorded on SM58

Posted by cryophonik on Dec-05-2008 19:06:

Generally speaking, the SM58 is a better live mic than it is a studio mic - this is, again generally, true of most dynamic mics. A better choice for recording is a condenser mic, such as the Rode NT1A already mentioned, but there are many other condenser mics in the same price range as the SM58 that will get the job done. Personally, I'd take a $70 Chinese-made mic (e.g., MXL, Behringer) over the SM58 for recording vox (unless it's for rap).

That said, yes, you can absolutely get fantastic recording results with the SM58, but, if you're having to shout into the mic, then you've probably either got: (1) a screwed up signal path (is it going through a preamp? If not, there's your problem), or (2) a bad mic. A mic, whether it's a dynamic mic, condenser mic, ribbon mic, etc., must have its signal boosted by a preamp or you want have enough gain to get a usable recording level. It's kind of amazing how many people don't realize this and will blame the mic instead.

Posted by Lana on Dec-05-2008 19:12:

quote:
Originally posted by Zild
What type of vocals are you doing? If you want doing like hands in the air trance pristine quality type vocals then yeah get the Rode. If you're doing vocals like I do and chopping/effecting the hell out of them to use as rhythmic samples then what I would use would be a SM57.

It also depends on what pre amps you are going to be using.

Ah, sorry, I totally forgot to mention what sort of vocals...
Electro music, not really the pristine trance style...

Some effects will be used also (maybe not so heavily) on the vocals.
And going to use the vocals as vocals, not as rhytmic samples...

DO you think SM57 is better for singing than SM58?

Posted by Zild on Dec-05-2008 19:19:

I just prefer the way it sounds and I like to record drums and guitar cabinets with it.

Posted by Lolo on Dec-05-2008 19:25:

a good compromise for quality recordings may be a BETA58. But it's just like monitors, if you can, TRY before you buy, and compare them.

I swear by the 58 series for vocals as they're easier to get in the mix, but I use my Rode for many occasions too.

Don't forget that you need a preamp for a condenser (static) microphone such as the Rode NT1A if you don't have at least one on your soundcard... it's an XLR input with phantom power. No phantom, no power, no sound.

Posted by Lana on Dec-05-2008 19:40:

Three samples to listen

Ah, I remember reading some reviews saying that SM57 is good for recording drums and percussions...

Here are 3 short loops to give the idea what sort of vocals I am going to do (and the style of effects I am going to use, or at least I am trying ):
http://drop.io/vocal_sample1
http://drop.io/vocal_sample2
http://drop.io/vocsample3

So not really the pristine style vocals

Posted by cryophonik on Dec-05-2008 20:27:

Re: Three samples to listen

quote:
Originally posted by Lana
Ah, I remember reading some reviews saying that SM57 is good for recording drums and percussions...

The SM57 is good for recording just about anything. The only difference between the SM58 and SM57 is the head capsule - the guts are identical, but they can sound slightly different (due to different proximity effects, recording axis, etc.) depending on how you're using them. You may find the following useful:

http://www.tweakheadz.com/review_of_the_sm57.htm

In the studio, I'd agree that the SM57 (or Beta 57) is a better choice because it's more versatile and because the singer tends to focus more closely to their position, proximity to the mic, etc., whereas for stage use, I always used SM58s (and Beta 58s) for vocals during my live performance/audio engineering days. Regardless, I still say that you'd be better off with a cheap condenser (and a decent preamp) than you would be with a 57/58 for recording the vocal styles that you posted.

Posted by kitphillips on Dec-06-2008 06:26:

Lolo beat me to the punch. SM58 is OK, but a Beta 58 is better. They also have the advantage of being able to be used live very easily, and bing equally good in an untreated room as a treated room. If your acoustics are rubbish, you should definately go a dynamic.
A lot of people say its better to get a decent dynamic rather than go a cheap condenser, and in an untreated room this applies even more so. Condensers are good, but you pay for it.

IN the dynamic department, generally you'd use a beta 57 if your recording female vocals, a beta 58 for male. but you need to test them out since thats a real generalisation.

It'd also be worth looking into the telefunken m80 (I think thats the number) which is a very high quality dynamic. The AKG C5 (I think) is also apparently being touted as the new 58 so have a look there too. SM 58 will get the job done and are reliable. They'll get you a perfectly releasable result. But they are really old and improvements have been made since, hence why I recomend the telefunken or the C5, Betas are a bit cheaper, but the others are probably better.

It really depends on your voice though. And you need good preamp, the one that comes in your soundcard probably ISN'T good enough. Have a look over at gearslutz.com, they have a lot of good info about this sort of thing.

Posted by Lana on Dec-06-2008 07:13:

I did read from somewhere that the condenser mics aren't that good for home "studio" use since they are very sensitive and so the room noise and stuff will also be recorded... And my "studio" isn't that silent

Going to record mainly male vocals (pretty deep voice I think).
And recording place is my room (so the acoustics aren't that good and there is always some background noise)....

Posted by Lana on Dec-06-2008 22:12:

What about the Behringer XM8500?
In many (well almost all) reviews say that the Behringer XM8500 mic is good as SM58... Any comments?

The price is so cheap compared to the Shure mic

Posted by kitphillips on Dec-07-2008 05:16:

quote:
Originally posted by Lana
What about the Behringer XM8500?
In many (well almost all) reviews say that the Behringer XM8500 mic is good as SM58... Any comments?

The price is so cheap compared to the Shure mic

Behringer. DO I really have to say more

Posted by Lana on Dec-07-2008 06:56:

quote:
Originally posted by kitphillips
Behringer. DO I really have to say more

Ermm... Is that good or bad?
So yeah, it would be nice if you could say more

Posted by pwnage1 on Dec-07-2008 08:16:

quote:
Originally posted by Lana
Ermm... Is that good or bad?
So yeah, it would be nice if you could say more
behringer is known for being shit quality. I however disagree everything from them i have owned has been pretty good quality. The mic probably not as good as the sm58. Cryophonik has more experience recording things than most people on these forums so his recommendations are probably pretty sound.

Posted by kitphillips on Dec-07-2008 09:36:

Cryophonic definately knows his stuff, so I'm wondering why he's recommending condensers in this case? There might be something I'm missing....

And I would not bother with a behringer anything, unless its for live use and ery utilitarian, like DIs or something. For recording, they aren't up to scratch for professional use at all IMO.

Posted by Lana on Dec-08-2008 05:48:

quote:
Originally posted by kitphillips
Cryophonic definately knows his stuff, so I'm wondering why he's recommending condensers in this case? There might be something I'm missing....

And I would not bother with a behringer anything, unless its for live use and ery utilitarian, like DIs or something. For recording, they aren't up to scratch for professional use at all IMO.

I am also bit confused about the condenser recommendations since many places it is said that condenser type of mic is not good for a home studio (since there are usually all sort of background noises)

Posted by cryophonik on Dec-08-2008 05:59:

quote:
Originally posted by kitphillips
Cryophonic definately knows his stuff, so I'm wondering why he's recommending condensers in this case?

Unless you're doing rap (with lots of intentional plosives) or anything that requires screaming into the mic, dynamic mics like the SM57/58 are not as good for recording, generally speaking, as condensers are. Dynamic mics can handle the high SPLs that they'd be exposed to using the aforementioned vocal styles, but they are not as accurate or as sensitive to transients as condenser mics are. Condenser mics are generally much better for recording because of their sensitivity, accuracy, and their ability to capture the details of a recording. And, regarding the use of condensers vs. dynamics in a noisy home studio, I still prefer using condensers. Yeah, it's true there's usually a lot more noise in those environments and the sensitive condenser mics are better at picking up that noise, but remember - it's the signal:noise ratio (SNR) that matters, not just the noise itself. So, minimize the noise in your studio, use proper microphone techniques, and follow proper gain-stage protocols and the noise should be a non-issue. These are true regardless of which mic you're using.

While we're at it, here are a few tips that you may want to consider for reducing noise:

- make sure ceiling fans are off
- turn your phones/ringers off (yeah, I forget this one all the time - duh!)
- make sure AC/furnace vents and windows are closed
- use a cardioid/hypercardioid mic and try to position any noise sources (e.g., computers) to the rear of the mic so the noise is not picked up
- position other sources of noise behind the vocalist/performer to block unwanted noise, if necessary
- try using a filter (e.g., sE Reflexion, Ethan Winer's PVB, etc.) to minimize reflections from behind the mic - they alsow block some of the noise originating from behind and to the side of the mic
- send your girlfriend, wife, kids, family, roommates, pets, etc. out shopping and/or drinking for a few hours

Posted by kitphillips on Dec-08-2008 07:15:

Yeah I guess theres some truth to that. Condensers are more sensitive, which may be a good thing or a bad thing.

I personally have a bit of a problem with road noise and reflections though, as well as a pretty deep and mellow sort of voice, so thats why I'm looking at dynamics more than condensers. I guess its really just a matter of what works best for your voice. I suspect that unless you've got a pretty decent preamp it probably doesn't matter too much what you have in the mic department...

Posted by Lana on Dec-13-2008 05:48:

Thanks for all the advices

I think I am going for the dynamic mic...
The condenser mics are bit too expensive and in many places the dynamics are said to be better fit for a homes tudio.

Posted by atxbigballer1 on Mar-25-2009 02:00:

I am thinking about buying a Shure SM58!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=33QPLbQi9FI
the world's toughest microphone!!

Posted by dannib on Mar-25-2009 10:14:

I much prefer the sound of a good condenser mic. If using in a bedroom studio use the most directional polar pattern the mic has (cardioid, hyper-cardioid)
Try using the mics high-pass filter if it has one.

SM58s are ok, much better for live use and recording guitar in my opinion. They are not as sensitive and are highly directional.

In either case if you havn't got a good pre-amp they will both sound crap anyway.

Also a pop shield or wind sheild is a must for getting rid of plosives, without one you will have to use different mic placement techniques which will result in more noise, less bass etc etc.

Also watch out for the proximity effect.

Posted by dannib on Mar-25-2009 10:15:

Posted by dannib on Mar-25-2009 10:16: