brian2 - Posted - 03/20/2008:  19:12:01

Hey folks, just thought I'd try to get some advice...

I've been looking to invest in some better mics for live performance. I've been using cheapie dynamics (which sound, uh, cheap) or condensers. (Running into copious amounts of feedback there.) Of course, I'm thinking Shure 57's for instruments and 58's for vocals.

Three 58's for vocals, three 57's for instruments. (Guitar, banjo, mandolin/dobro.) Am I on the right track here or am I barking up the wrong tree?

____________________
http://brianwallenmusic.com

banjonz - Posted - 03/20/2008:  21:32:32

The Shures are good mics. The 57's for vocal would be good. I have never used 58's for instruments ( our band uses AKG C1000's ). Others here recommend them though. I think you are on the right track.


Wayne
New Zealand

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Aussie John - Posted - 03/21/2008:  06:01:07

If you are going one person per mic SM58 is good option. Not so sure about the SM57 on a banjo - can sound a bit ringy and same for dobro. Like the 58 the 57 like to be very close to the sound source and can get in the way abit.

----
John

Edited by - Aussie John on 03/21/2008 06:03:05

eruannu - Posted - 03/21/2008:  06:12:56

yeah a 57 can sound a bit ringy when pared with a banjo but no matter my setup i always run my mike thrugh a tube preamp no need to get fancy a simple beringer box will do fine with a 57 i crank the pregain to 1:00 and adjust postgain where needed which is usually 9:00 and let the engineer do the rest if there is an engineer sometimes i may run thrugh an eq b4 sending to front of house but this works great for me but try your thing see how it works and adjust as needed 57s are great mics 58s are good work horses of mics for vocals but look around and try as many mics as you can b4 deciding on your own mic of choice mine curently is an audio technica not sure on model# but cost about the same as a 58 works a bit better for me as it peaks a bit low mpore in my vocal range and for my use sounds a bit more ballsy but is about as responsive as a 58

"Try not to become a man of success, but rather, try to become a man of value." -- Albert Einstein

dpete210 - Posted - 03/21/2008:  11:46:24

Brian, on the chance you do not know this, if you are using a condenser mic you will get feedback issues if your mic is in front of the speakers. Monitors can be a big problem also. Our group uses the 1 mic system, with no monitors, but off hand I don't remember what brand condenser mic we use. Just know it is a good one. As long as the speakers are ahead of our mic, we don't have feedback issues. If we use a break mic, we either use a pencil style condenser or a Shure SM 57. Check out this forum. http://www.bluegrassforum.com There is a wealth of information there. It can keep you busy reading for awhile. Mark of Monroe Crossing knows what he is talking about. I've been to workshops he has put on that deal with sound for a bluegrass group. His advice is top notch! Look for the Sound Systems - PA category He does make recommendations and they are solid.

If you do not want to use a 1 mic set up and want to mic each singer/player, then I think the SM 58 and SM 57 will work great for you, and you have already gotten good advice from those who have posted before me. At any rate, check out the site. I think you'll be glad you did http://www.bluegrassforum.com

Any day playing music is a GOOD day :-) And any day is a good day for playing.

Bradskey - Posted - 03/21/2008:  12:09:23

I'm no pro and I don't perform live often, but I do have a full setup of gear that I use for multiple instruments,. All of my mics are Audio-Technicas. I would specifically recommend you at least consider the Audio-Technica PRO 63 cardioid dynamic microphone and compare its specs to the SM57. Its one of my favorite, most versatile mics. Just a quick glance at MF shows the PRO 63 going for $60 where the storied SM57 goes for $100. There is an even cheaper version of this mic that is hyper-cardioid and has an on-off switch (I always use a cough-drop with mine). They also have a model that is analogous to the SM58.

dpete210 - Posted - 03/21/2008:  12:14:27

Brian, I found this discussion on the forum site I mentioned above. While you can take your time looking through the numerous threads on sound there, this may get you the info that will help a little faster http://www.bluegrassforum.com/phpBB...p?f=13&t=688

Any day playing music is a GOOD day :-) And any day is a good day for playing.

brian2 - Posted - 03/21/2008:  14:31:44

Thanks for all the advice and links guys! Greatly appreciate it.

We don't use monitors, and the speakers are placed right, but I still get feedback from the condensor (AT2020). Also, as much charm as moving out and in is, it's a pain in the butt. Everybody's headstock is always hitting everybody elses. And for another thing, my band has three vocalists. I'm the lead vocalist, and then of course, there's a tenor and baritone singer. I'm a loud singer, they are relatively quiet. But the harmony singers will never get in close to the mic. I'm always having to pull them in, and even when I tell them about it, they still have a tendency to drift back...it's like they don't want anybody to hear them! :D

So, I've been really wanting to just go with a vocal and instrument mic apiece. I've sung through 58's on solo stuff before on occasion, and liked them, so I've ordered three. I've looked at all the brands, but there seems to be more positive reviews on the 58's on anything, and as I said, the short experience I had with them, I liked them.

That Pro 63 Brad was talking about sounds appealing. I've heard a lot about 57's having their own sound no matter what. I found in a topic search on this forum a lot of banjo players saying that no matter what banjo you play through a '57, it sounds the same, so I'm still a little undecided there.

____________________
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dpete210 - Posted - 03/21/2008:  15:23:00

Brian, Good Luck with the SM58's! :-) I know what you mean about moving in and out with the 1 mic set up. I've nearly been clunked a few times myself :-) We have gotten better at and comfortable with moving in and out and like the sound the one mic set up gives us, but whatever works best for you, go for it! Best wishes and have fun!

Any day playing music is a GOOD day :-) And any day is a good day for playing.

Tom Hanway - Posted - 03/22/2008:  10:10:52

58s (vocals) and 57s (instrumentS) are the industry standard and always reliable. You can use 57s on vocals and 58s on instruments too - it's the same element inside. Beta 57s are way cool on banjo, and a few decibels louder, which comes in handy if you have to be heard over drums. I love big and small condensor microphones, but they can woof or squeal if used in loud settings. So, either with our without a pick-up, I prefer the Beta 57, which is PHAT.

Happy pickin',

Tom

http://www.tomhanway.com

Edited by - Tom Hanway on 03/22/2008 10:15:48

A Rich Taylor - Posted - 03/22/2008:  10:32:20

You have identified the workhorse of live acoustic mics, SM 57's and 58's. The 57 can be used to drive nails by day, and come back working fine at night. The Beta's are nicer....I would go for them.

regards, bud