Dynamic Mic suggestions?, something like an sm57 Options

[Ron's Brother]

Can anyone suggest a good dynamic mic for recording that is like a sm57... but isn't an sm57?

[swid]

Can anyone suggest a good dynamic mic for recording that is like a sm57... but isn't an sm57?

Audix I5 is kind of an SM57-alike.

[LCRich]

try a Shure SM7B

[Dr. Moose]

I have a couple of Sennheiser e906's I've been using where I use to use SM57s and have been loving them.

[tintern]

I have started replacing all my SM57s with Sennheiser e609s. They sound far better on guitar cabs, snare and toms - which where I'd normally use a 57. After using an e609, there just seems to be more "sparkle" on the recorded track whereas a 57 recording will seem dull by comparison.

[bgrotto]

I'd get a Tab tranny-modded 57 from Mercenary Audio. Those things sound great.

Or an Electro Voice RE20, Sennheiser 441, or Shure SM7.

[Ron's Brother]

I have started replacing all my SM57s with Sennheiser e609s. They sound far better on guitar cabs, snare and toms - which where I'd normally use a 57. After using an e609, there just seems to be more "sparkle" on the recorded track whereas a 57 recording will seem dull by comparison.

Sennheiser e609s- those work well on snares?

[swid]

Sennheiser e609s- those work well on snares?

I'm pretty sure if I'm not getting my Sennheisers confused, they're commonly though of as great mics to use on toms; I'm not sure I've ever heard of anyone using them on snares. Not knowing enough about them, I will point out that the mic's pattern is pretty important on a snare (as far as rejecting enough high-hat, etc.), so I'd look into/consider that if you're looking to use them for that purpose. My understanding is that rejection is at least part of the reason people use SM57s and similar mics on snare (I could be wrong here, though).

[G$]

I'll put my e609 on the bottom if I need it to really cut, but in general I think it's just too bright and thin for the things people seem to use it for (guitars, snares, toms). The Audix i5 is a pretty good mic on top of the snare and on a guitar cab, for less than $100 it's probably the best 57 replacement out there.

Apart from the SM7, Sennheiser 441 and others mentioned here, the Beyer Dynamic N69/M69 and M201 are also worth checking out. The M201 is more 57ish in that it doesn't have a windscreen and is a pretty popular choice for snare. The N69 is similar but has a vocal-mic style windscreen and is kind of a sleeper mic that will pop up on craigslist or ebay for low dough since it doesn't get the lip service that the 201 does.

[GYY]

Can anyone suggest a good dynamic mic for recording that is like a sm57... but isn't an sm57?

I think we're going about this the wrong way

let's start at the beginning - why wouldn't you want to use an SM57?

[Ron's Brother]

I think we're going about this the wrong way

let's start at the beginning - why wouldn't you want to use an SM57?

i have been using the Sm57. I am just looking for something different so that I am not limited to just that one mic for the drums (where I primarily use it). The 57 cuts the low end (50 to 200 herts) and increases the high end. sometimes I find myself wanting to not have the exact boost in the high or that exact cut in the low. it would be nice to have options without having to do a tone of EQ on the back end.

[tintern]

Sennheiser e609s- those work well on snares?

They definitely sound better than an SM57. I'm sure there are better snare mics out there but I know from personal experience these sound way better than a 57 on snare and pretty much anything else.

Also, I've never heard them sound thin or too bright. I guess it all depends on the signal chain you're using. With mine, it sounds great.

[Ron's Brother]

They definitely sound better than an SM57. I'm sure there are better snare mics out there but I know from personal experience these sound way better than a 57 on snare and pretty much anything else.

Also, I've never heard them sound thin or too bright. I guess it all depends on the signal chain you're using. With mine, it sounds great.

My signal chain is mic to dbx 166xl compressor with a built in pre for two channels... Still trying to figure out what pre amp I am going to purchase. that will be another thread I guess LOL

[Dr. Moose]

fyi, I'm using the e906 instead of the e609. They look the same, but the 906 seems to have a more full sound in the midrange, and has some extra filtering options (and cost's an extra $30).

I've used it on a snare and it's good, but I seem to always go back to my Audix D2. I guess I'm just use to the D2.

[Ron's Brother]

fyi, I'm using the e906 instead of the e609. They look the same, but the 906 seems to have a more full sound in the midrange, and has some extra filtering options (and cost's an extra $30).

I've used it on a snare and it's good, but I seem to always go back to my Audix D2. I guess I'm just use to the D2.

i think I might check out the Audix d2....

[bgrotto]

They definitely sound better than an SM57.

"Better" is awfully subjective. Damn near every record you've ever heard and loved has a 57 on the snare. If you don't like the results YOU get when YOU mic a snare with a 57, that's fine, but thousands of great-sounding records have been cut with a 57 on snare. Not very many have been cut with 609s.

If you're using a cheap pre, the results will be mediocre at best. On the other hand, a 57 into a great pre can yield amazing results that, depending on the style of music and your aesthetics (and obviously, the drummer), require no additional EQ at mix.

Also, it's not uncommon to pair a 57 with an SDC of some kind for top-of-snare duties; the Neumann KM 84 and AKG 451 come to mind as first-choices. I've also had good luck with Geffell umt70S and M300s. Just be sure to keep a close eye on phase coherency.

This post has been edited by bgrotto: Jul 31 2009, 10:41 PM

[tintern]

Of course it's subjective. As for a preamp, I'm using a Focusrite Octopre so I wouldn't exactly call it cheap but its not like I running through a Neve channel strip or something. To my ears the e609 sounds better defined than an SM57. I don't subscribe to the sentiment that that mic has to be the end all be all simply because it has been for so long. If I hear something better in its price range, I'll believe my ears.