General Purpose Microphone?

I know bobo about microphones. I'm wanting a general purpose microphone for sampling/audio recording (plugged into a Fantom X8.)

Budget: ~$100 (without cableing, suggest that too maybe)

Application: sampling/ audio recording of mainly guitar playing (electric through tube amp), some singing or spoken text and random household noises, it'll be straight into a Fantom X8 (no pre-amp/pre-processors stuff yet)

Notes: probably dynamic as condensor technology for $100 will more than likely be a waste of investment.

So far, I'm thinking:

Shure SM58 or Blue the Ball Dynamic Microphone, just because it's blue, but does anyone see how this would hook to a stand or boom?

Oh, and start praying now that it's not me doing the vocals.

I'm no microphone aficionado, but the Sure SM-58 has probably been the longest enduring "industry standard" microphone. Over the years, I've seen it used in a wide variety of applications to include miking vocals, guitar amps, and even drums.

Even with a dynamic, you'll still need a preamp to get the signal from mic level to line level.

If I were you, I'd look for an sm57 (I really like them better than the 58 for about everything, and it actually has resale vale if you decide to ditch it, compared to about any other sub-100$ mic) and some kind of ultra-cheap mixer, like the behrengers that MF has for cheapcheap.

A hint: I have heard that the majority of 57s on ebay are fakes, and since it doesn't cost much more to go through a reputible dealer, it is worth it, IMO.

Hey scarecrowbob,

In terms of their electronic components, I always thought the SM-57 and 58 were essentially the same mikes; the only difference being the 57 is unidirectional and the 58 omnidirectional. Please advise.

Thanks!

They are both cardioid mics with similar frequency responses; the only difference is the windscreen. Other than that, they are much the same.

Actually, I really can't tell too much of a difference (I have a couple of both), but one of the audio guru type guys I respect (Bill Park at prorec) claims that the 57 is subjectively better.

Also, I notice that, while the 57 is found in every recording facility I have seen, I usually don't see the 58.

So, it is mostly a preference based on vodoo.

But it is my preference .

Originally posted by HomeInMyShoes Shure SM58 or Blue the Ball Dynamic Microphone, just because it's blue, but does anyone see how this would hook to a stand or boom? Oh, and start praying now that it's not me doing the vocals.

BTW, the BAll has a 3/8 thread mount directly on the bottomthat you can't see in the picture.

i would say get an sm57 as well.

the sm58 is traditionally more associated with vocals, whilst the sm57 is more for instruments as well..

according to :

http://www.homerecording.com/bbs/archive/index.php/t-12391.html

there are a number of reasons why..

I have, and need, only one microphone. The SM57.

In this price range, it's been unbeaten for years and years.

btw, there's a boatload of brand new sm57's on eBay right now. They're practically giving them away. $35. 2 for $70.

No brainer.

This might be irrelevant because of the price...

But I have an SM57 and a Rode NT1A and have used them both for guitars (electric and acoustic), vocals and other "weird" stuff (sampling type applications...). I ALWAYS turn to the Rode.

It might be almost double what you want to spend (I paid $180 new, you might find it for about $120 or so used?), but it is an EXCELLENT mic. I used it straight into my MOTU 828mk2 w/o a dedicated Pre-amp and it's just really nice.

The 57 is fine too, and if you are just demoing stuff or want rough approximations and all of that, no need to spend more. However, the Rode will definitely give you a very nice, totally useable recording sound for vocals, very good acoustic guitar sounds, and an AWSOME sound with amps (I didn't use anything too fancy, just some practice Marshall's and Fenders).

They usually get pretty damn good reviews too. The only "complaint" is that is is a little on the bright side, so in some applications, you might have to pull the higher frequencies down just a little bit.

The other drawback is if you plan on doing really strange, loud, heavy attack-type sounds, you might not want to throw the Rode in there, as something like the SM57 is a LOT more road-durable and can take a severe pounding before giving in, where as something like the Rode is a little more delicate (or at least I treat it as such).

SM58. Lasted me for years, and if it does ever drop dead I will be able to use it as a hammer!

I understood that the SM57 was uni-directional and suited best to micing instruments whilst the SM58 being omni-directional was better suited to voice. Guess it comes down to personal preference

58 for vocals

57 for vocals and everything else

(I always thought the 58 had a midrange boost for vocals??? or something like that)

Public announcement.

Dont buy any Shure mics off ebay!!! They are likely to be chinese 1:1 direct copies on the outside, but total {censored}e inside

There are literally 1000s of these around.

Even the Beta 57s and 58s are being copied with all the packaging, warranty cards and everything.

Another vote for the SM57. As far as the ebay stuff goes, I've gotten a greymarket SM57 from ebay as a second mic to the one I got from a local shop.

Because of the ridiculous number of fakes circulating, the Australian Shure distributor will check any mic you post them to make sure it's genuine and then post it back to you.

B>

SM57.

For household/field recordings I use a Sony Minidisc with small stereo condenser mic

Just make sure it has mic input, not all models have them. With the current explosion of MP3 players you should have no problem finding one for peanuts. And then add one of these small Sony ECM stereo mics.

Perhaps a stupid question. Does a Shure SM57 plug into/work with a computer? I'm not wanting to amp I just want to record accoustic noodeling and some vocals.

A few things.

The Fantom has an unbalanced input. Most mics are balanced. Whatever mic you decide upon, you will need an in-line transformer to convert from a balanced signal to an unbalanced signal. You can get one at GC, Sam Ash, or Radio Shack. Check out the link, page 4.

http://www.rolandus.com/uploads/CMS/Downloads/331/FXWS11.pdf

I would suggest an SM-57 as many others have. Buy a new one, you won't be sorry.

matt125xp,

Yes, an SM-57 will work but you'll likely need a transformer as mentioned above, and a female 1/4" TS to a male 1/8" TS adapter cable so that you can plug it in to the sound card on your PC, assuming that is the interface that you are using.

Good luck.

Rick