“The SM57 is often
just a lazy, no-brainer
choice for recording ...”
whether in the cramped
iso-booth of a recording
studio, on a sprawling arena
stage, or hooked up to a
four-track in the bedroom.
And for the past couple of
In a relatively short period
decades the Shure SM57
of time, the sound of the
has sold brand new for right
SM57 became as much
around a hundred bucks,
a part of guitar lore and
making it perhaps the
culture as Stratocasters
most affordable instrument
and Plexis. Our ears are
microphone available that
accustomed to the distinctive
is still considered to be of
mid-range qualities of the
professional quality (it’s
microphone and the sound
typically the least expensive
it creates when nestled up
mic you’ll find in any
against our favorite speaker
commercial audio recording
cone. If a guitarist owns a
facility).
microphone at all it’s almost
Clearly the SM57 is loved
certainly a 57, and those
by many and still finds
players that keep a few
much use in front of guitar
other utilitarian dynamics
amps and snare drums,
around will invariably refer
but despite its golden
to it as their “good mic.”
legacy, the old standby is
It is a trusted friend and
beginning to show its age.
musical partner to many,
The fact is, it has never
one that can be depended
been an honest sounding
on to deliver consistent
microphone, imbuing every
results in any situation,
being shredded to bits
and while still producing
a reasonable facsimile of
the original sound, was
downright incredible.
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TO N E TA LK
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tone it captures with a rude
mid-range honk and dark,
yet grating high end. This
edgy tonal quality is often
defended for its ability to
make the guitar poke out in
a mix, but it comes at the
expense of a full bottom
end, honest mids, and clean,
accurate treble, all of which
are available from more
modern and better sounding
microphone designs, and
without sacrificing clarity
in the mix. The SM57 is
often just a lazy, no-brainer
choice for recording electric
guitar, to be perfectly
frank, and one can almost
always do better. Here are
a handful of very affordable
microphones—many priced
similarly to the old favorite—
that you should seriously
consider in its place next
time you find yourself
shoving a microphone up
against your amp’s grill cloth.
S ki p th e s m 57: 6 m ics that ki ll th e c las s ic