Microphone Choice/Advice

[neikeel]

Next year I want to get set up for some recording. I only really want to buy one mic (at least for the moment) and a get jig to fit it securely to a 4x12 (as I will probably use it for gigs rather than the DI to the board I use off my Elemental at the moment).

I am thinking of either a Sure SM57 or Sennheiser E606.

Opinions, further advice sought please.........

[Dom]

Hi Neil,

I own the Sennheiser e906 which sounds fuller and not as harsh as the e606.
It has a three way switch (treble boost, linear, treble roll-off) and has that classic Sennheiser briquet shape.

Well, it all depends on the personal taste, but if shall keep just one , SM57 or the Sennheiser, I'd take the Sennheiser (e906).
The e906 is not as tricky to place as the SM57, where you have to mess around with distance, angle, position at the speaker cone.But it has its magic sweet spots, too, where it sounds very lush and where it has a clear treble response.

For the last recordings I used the e906 and a MXL V69 placed at the same place 8" away from the speaker cone (the Sennheiser was angled 45°, what did a LOT for clear up the treble response) for the rhythm tracks and the SM57 and the Sennheiser e906 closed miced for solo the stuff.
Both configuration sounded good and balanced to my ears.

In your case I don't understand why you just want to use one mic.
By using 2 mics you can bring up the good tonal sides of both mics. In the mix you can blend them in that way that they complimet each other.

By using just the Sennheiser, I'd miss the raw in your face midrange of the SM57 and in the other case by using just the SM57 I'd miss the fulliness and clear trebel of the Sennheiser. (Of course depending of the placement, as always).

There's a link where you can listen to different recording techniques and mics:
http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/aug07/a ... ording.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Dominik

[Dom]

...and for live application I'd take the SM57 over the e606, but I'd take the e906 over the SM57.
For the Sennheiser you won't need a jig, it's more forgiving regarding positioning.

[neikeel]

Thanks Dom

Nice idea re both mics but I need to take one step at a time.

Need something robust and simple, I have not sorted out software/interfaces for recording yet so getting set up for live work (where I get to play most) seems sensible.

Time to go e906 shopping

[jcmjmp]

I've been using the SM57 for years. Actually, since I've started playing gigs and recording. In pro studios and gigs where we have pro sound men, I let the sound guys decide.

I just recently bought a Sennheiser e609 and I love it. Its easy to place, isn't too picky about placement and sounds great. For the price, they're hard to beat.

The SM57 is a great mic but is much more sensitive to placement.

[demonufo]

I've got a brace of 57's and a couple of Beta 57's and have to say I prefer the standard 57 over the beta, but placement really is a pain in the arse on these things and can take some time to get right. Not good when the clock is ticking.
I just pulled the trigger on this to see what all the fuss about is on these;
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... K:MEWNX:IT" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Apparently a lot simpler to set up, and real smooth to use.

Didn't realise I was gonna get stitched up for $40 postage though!

[Flames1950]

I've got a brace of 57's and a couple of Beta 57's and have to say I prefer the standard 57 over the beta, but placement really is a pain in the arse on these things and can take some time to get right. Not good when the clock is ticking.
I just pulled the trigger on this to see what all the fuss about is on these;
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... K:MEWNX:IT" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Apparently a lot simpler to set up, and real smooth to use.

Didn't realise I was gonna get stitched up for $40 postage though!

Nice, I love the two of these I have. I usually set up about eight inches back from the grille, mic parallel to the grille, with the element not quite halfway out from the speaker's center, and I get results I'm happy with like clockwork -- and I'm not terribly precise in the exact placement at that, just something close.

[Flames1950]

Well, here, like this.......

[Dom]

Here are some soundclips of the different Sennheiser guitar mics:
http://www.gearslutz.com/board/so-much- ... clips.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I've never tried the e606 in reality, but it's been said that it's almost harsher than the SM57.
The Audix i5 is fine for guitar cabs, too.

Dominik

[demonufo]

Thanks Andy, that's real helpful. Got a session coming up in the new year, and time is gonna be at a premium (the session isn't actually costing, but I don't wanna piss the guy around)
I hear there are some good mods for these mics too, but won't have time to play around before I need to use them.

Sorry for the hijack Neil, but you can have one of my 57's if you want!

[neikeel]

Sorry for the hijack Neil, but you can have one of my 57's if you want!

No problem, all knowledge is good, may have to take you up on that later

[demonufo]

The Audix i5 is fine for guitar cabs, too.

I've never given much thought to Audix for guitars.
They're getting really popular over here for their drum mic's at the moment, especially for live work.

[demonufo]

Well, here, like this.......

How hard are you cranking those amps Andy? Any attenuation?

[Flames1950]

They were cranked up pretty loud (I remember the white one was on seven or so, the PA on eight?) with no attenuation. I did have the rolloff and -10dB pad active on the mics -- seem to end up with a little distortion and boominess otherwise.

That pic was taken when I was doing the "45/100 vs. PA" clip at this link:

http://www.soundclick.com/bands/default ... dID=928836" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[NitroLiq]

Kind of surprised no one's mentioned the Sennheiser 421. That and the SM57 (not the beta) are classic guitar cab mics. If you want a stereo setup, you could pick up either of those and a Cascade ribbon mic.