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Post by dreadnought28 on Apr 20, 2022 11:26:08 GMT
In terms of dynamic microphones, I would look for a modern neodymium mic rather than an SM57 or 58. They tend to have a louder output. Go for one that is supercardioid or hypercardioid as it is less likely to feedback. In terms of condenser microphones, go for a small diaphragm one. There are loads of cheap small diaphgragm 'pencil' mics around and even the dirt cheap ones are pretty good. I have Thomann's cheapest supercardioid pencil condensers (they are about 30 quid) and they are absolutely fine. Even for recording. The original poster tried using a Shure SM58 and asked for advice. Though well over 50 years old the SM57 would be an obvious choice to go with the 58. I have numerous microphones from older to very modern designs and from relatively inexpensive to extremely expensive (including Neumann) plus numerous amplifiers and PA systems. I stand by my recommendation that the Shure SM57 is an excellent choice for use with an acoustic guitar, is comparatively cheap, is robust (I’ve had my 57 and 58 for over 30 years), sounds good and is very reliable. There are thousands of performers using them all over the world.
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Post by Matt Milton on Apr 24, 2022 8:13:42 GMT
At the gig I played last Saturday the soundperson micd my acoustic with an AKG C1000. This is a small diaphragm condenser mic which is about 100 quid new.
It was not a small room: 170 capacity and sold out (I was the support slot for Eliza Carthy).
I play fingerstyle and don't pick especially hard, although my guitar does project quite well.
Anyway, volume was fine in the monitors and everyone said it sounded great out the front. No feedback.
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Post by delb0y on Apr 24, 2022 9:07:26 GMT
An update...
Based on this thread, and also from reading about the preferred mics for resonators over on Michael Messer's forum, I've bought myself an SM57 from Cash Convertors - great price, and it looks brand new. First impressions are it has a lovely sound. But volume-wise it's no different to the SM58 i.e.I have to be within a few inches of the guitar and play pretty hard, and still have the volume turned way up on the AER 60. And this is with my gypsy jazz guitar and my resonator - both of which are pretty loud guitars.
I shall experiment further, and maybe I am expecting too much. There are a few compact condenser microphones out there in secondhand world at the moment so I might try one just for experimentation, but I shall first see how I get on with the SM57.
Thanks for all the advice.
Derek
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Post by peterh on Apr 24, 2022 11:54:46 GMT
Hello Derek,
I think you still need an "impedancy transformer" as mics and guitar amp inputs don't always automaticaly do it. Mine are jist 6 inch cables with a male jack and female XLR I bought mine for avbout 20 quid from studio spares. but they seem to have run out of them.
But thereis a soundlab one on Ebay for 18, and Gear for music have one for 21ish..
I think some pre amps will do it too, but don't hve personal evidance.
If you don't fancy that I could "lend" you one of mine to just check that it will work....
Kind regards
Peter.
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Post by ocarolan on Apr 24, 2022 12:47:29 GMT
peterh - I assuming from what he's written that Derek is using an XLR cable from mic and plugging into the dedicated mic input (XLR) on his AER - in which case impedance issues don't arise. May be incorrect though....? Keith
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Post by surfguy13 on Apr 24, 2022 14:23:53 GMT
An update... Based on this thread, and also from reading about the preferred mics for resonators over on Michael Messer's forum, I've bought myself an SM57 from Cash Convertors - great price, and it looks brand new. First impressions are it has a lovely sound. But volume-wise it's no different to the SM58 i.e.I have to be within a few inches of the guitar and play pretty hard, and still have the volume turned way up on the AER 60. And this is with my gypsy jazz guitar and my resonator - both of which are pretty loud guitars. I shall experiment further, and maybe I am expecting too much. There are a few compact condenser microphones out there in secondhand world at the moment so I might try one just for experimentation, but I shall first see how I get on with the SM57. Thanks for all the advice. Derek I am really surprised to hear that Derek. Although I move a fair bit when playing my SM57 is probably about 12" from the guitar on average and pointing directly at the 12th-14th fret. Whether I am plugging into a deck or a combo I have absolutely masses of volume and if I got anywhere near 3" to 4" it would be just too boomy. I am using 130 watt combo with the gain at around 9 o'clock and the channel volume at 12 o'clock and the master volume around the same. If the AER is a 60 watt combo then maybe it's the combo rather than the mike? I don't currently use a condenser mike, and I have never thought to compare the SM57 to a condenser, but I have always felt that the SM57 gave me masses of volume and probably more than a condenser, and my last condenser was a SE2200. Don't give up on the SM57!!!
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Post by Matt Milton on Apr 24, 2022 19:28:15 GMT
The Electrovoice ND series mics are sturdy dynamic mics which are brighter and louder than the Shute Sm57 and 58. They’re worth keeping an eye out for on gumtree and eBay but cost between 100 and 150 quid new
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Post by delb0y on Apr 25, 2022 12:52:19 GMT
Spent some more time with the SM57 today, and though still no louder than the 58, I've managed to get it coming through loud and clear... some operator error going on, plus a cable change made a world of different. Now got it so I can easily get the AER and microphone to feedback... so plenty of volume finally.
This leads onto my second question which I will create a new thread for, around a mini-mixer (or whatever).
Cheers Derek
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Post by surfguy13 on Apr 26, 2022 7:38:51 GMT
Spent some more time with the SM57 today, and though still no louder than the 58, I've managed to get it coming through loud and clear... some operator error going on, plus a cable change made a world of different. Now got it so I can easily get the AER and microphone to feedback... so plenty of volume finally. This leads onto my second question which I will create a new thread for, around a mini-mixer (or whatever). Cheers Derek Really pleased that you've managed to get a decent amount of volume with the SM57. Yes, there are cables and cables and the quality/performance of cheap cables is extremely unpredictable. I have always bought decent cables for everything as they pay you back 100 times over. One thing I had meant to mention in my previous post, and forgot, was using a mike preamp. I use a cheap and cheerful ART tube preamp and they are superb. Make a HUGE difference to your overall sound and you have masses of control over the signal. You can spend a fortune on preamps but you don't necessarily have to as many of the cheaper units are great.
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Post by dreadnought28 on Apr 26, 2022 8:41:12 GMT
Glad you are pleased with the 57. I found out many years ago that the weak link in the chain can be cables. Good quality well screened cables are essential and even then If a connection has been soldered poorly it can cause problems.
Enjoy.
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