Topic: Shure SM58's and SM57's

[cavernut]

Someone brought up the characteristics of these mics, not necessarily recommending them for recording from a distance with.
I was just curious, has anyone ever used these mics for taping live shows from the audience?

[boojum]

Yes.  I used a pair of 57's in an XY array over a group of bluegrass players, say about two feet above them.  Forget it.  Not detail or fineness to the sound at all.  I usually use a pair of active cards in this spot so I know how good it can sound.  I just wanted to see how the 57's would sound.  Not good.

Maybe for a louder group they would work at a distance.  But I honestly have not heard of them in this app.  Plenty of them on stage in front of guitar amps and around drum sets.  58's are usually used for vocals.

The 57's and 58's have their own unique sound that many pop-rock performers like and can work their voices with.  I doubt very much the 57's and 58's will see much use in acoustic apps.  Let me change that to say in my limited experience I have never seen them in an acoustic app.  That does not mean it has not been done.  I just do not think it is a good idea or that it is common.

Any others here using 57's and 58's for acoustic work?

[heyitsmejess]

theres a 91 (i think) phish show going around that was recorded with the 57s.

not great, but not horrible sounding.

[Krispy D]

don't.  not worth it at all.  It is not like they are cheap.  For the same money you could get a Chinese condenser that will sound a million times better.