dave_music
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Can I use SM57 for live vocal? Pop filter?
Hello,
I have a SM57 dynamic mic.
Can I use SM57 for vocal (live performance)? How is it compared to SM58, or SM58 beta?
I like to play guitar and sing at the same time using California Blonde acoustic amp. The amp has two independent channels: One for guitar, and the other for vocal. I tried SM57 as vocal mic through the California Blonde amp. Too much 'P' sound. I have to use a Pop filter. I have not seen anyone using a pop filter on stage live.
Is this a mic problem? Is SM58 such a different mic that I do not need a pop filter? If yes, I can buy a SM58 mic.
could this be a California Blonde amp problem?
I will have a live performance on Saturday night, and need to solve this problem.
Any advice will be appreciated.
Thanks,
Dave
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jamester
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RE: Can I use SM57 for live vocal? Pop filter?
February 12, 05 0:02 PM
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You absolutely can use a 57 for vocals - live or recorded. The differences between a 57 and a 58 are pretty slight actually. Before I got my AKG condensor mic recently, my 57 was an all-around workhorse, live and in the studio. You can use that mic for anything! 
Purrrfect Audio DAW built by Jim Roseberry Edirol UA-1000, Korg PadKontrol, Dynaudio BM 5A's Reaper, Live, Sound Forge, Pyro
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ohhey
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RE: Can I use SM57 for live vocal? Pop filter?
February 12, 05 0:06 PM
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The sm57 makes a great live vocal mic, every time I've seen Tom Petty he used one and many other singers. If you want more output and frequency response the beta 57 is fantastic, it's my first choice for live work with my voice. There is a wind screen available for the sm57, I have one but have never needed it. Here is one place that sells them... http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?A=details&Q=&is=REG&O=productlist&sku=68594
post edited by ohhey - February 12, 05 0:16 PM
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dave_music
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RE: Can I use SM57 for live vocal? Pop filter?
February 12, 05 0:19 PM
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Thanks.
Interesting! Shure.com recommends SM57 for instruments/amp, and SM58 for vocal.
Does a wind screen have the same function as Pop filter, eliminating 'P' sound?
I looked at SM58. It says:
- Effective, built-in spherical wind and pop filter
But Beta58A does not say that. Does Beta 58A have the built-in pop filter?
If I get a SM58, I will not need pop filter or windscreen?
Thanks.
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jamester
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RE: Can I use SM57 for live vocal? Pop filter?
February 12, 05 0:28 PM
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I'm no mic expert, but I've usd these mics for many many years. The reason Sure claims the 58 to be more of a vocal mic is because it has slightly more presence (upper frequencies) than the 57. In reality, it's a neglibable difference, especially if being used live.
The 58's round head acts as a windscreen. Since the 57 is straight-on, you will likely want a pop filter or windscreen if using it for recording. I've never seen one used on a 57 live, though. I guess it's not a problem, just put some compression on it and don't get too close.
HTH!
Purrrfect Audio DAW built by Jim Roseberry Edirol UA-1000, Korg PadKontrol, Dynaudio BM 5A's Reaper, Live, Sound Forge, Pyro
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dave_music
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RE: Can I use SM57 for live vocal? Pop filter?
February 12, 05 0:58 PM
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Thanks for explanation.
I heard that condensor mics should be covered by a dust cover when not in use. How about SM57? Will it absorb dust in the air? Thanks.
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dave_music
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RE: Can I use SM57 for live vocal? Pop filter?
February 12, 05 0:59 PM
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Hi Frank, Can I find the windscreen in Guitar Center? I need it tomorrow. When the GC opens, I will make a phone call. ORIGINAL: ohhey
The sm57 makes a great live vocal mic, every time I've seen Tom Petty he used one and many other singers. If you want more output and frequency response the beta 57 is fantastic, it's my first choice for live work with my voice. There is a wind screen available for the sm57, I have one but have never needed it.
Here is one place that sells them...
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?A=details&Q=&is=REG&O=productlist&sku=68594
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dave_music
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RE: Can I use SM57 for live vocal? Pop filter?
February 12, 05 3:32 AM
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SM58 or SM58 Beta? which is better for voice? I heard that SM58 beta is brighter. Brightness is a good thing or bad thing? Thanks
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dave_music
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RE: Can I use SM57 for live vocal? Pop filter?
February 12, 05 5:33 AM
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SM58 has a built-in pop filter. I saw a windscreen for SM58. Why does the mic need a windscreen? will the windscreen change the voice sound? will the mic become less sensitive? Thanks
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kfischer
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RE: Can I use SM57 for live vocal? Pop filter?
February 12, 05 9:03 AM
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SM58 does not need a windscreen. A good windscreen will not alter the sound enough to be noticed. I'd just go with the SM58 - it's the workhorse microphone of the world. You see it in concert everywhere. Beck even used one for vocals on a recent CD. (Read that in EM magazine.)
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kfischer
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RE: Can I use SM57 for live vocal? Pop filter?
February 12, 05 9:07 AM
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The reason they sell windscreens for the SM58:
1. Some people will buy them.
2. We use them to color code microphones that get passed around for the sound guy.
3. When doing a charity concert with six or eight bands passing through the stage in a day, I put color screens on for the same reason above plus I threw them away at the end of the day, if you get my drift.
4. In very high wind outdoors, the extra protection can avoid wind noise.
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daverich
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RE: Can I use SM57 for live vocal? Pop filter?
February 12, 05 1:13 PM
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I use an sm57 as my live vocal mic of choice - It's great, but you need to be used to it so you don't get loads of plosives.
Kind regards
Dave Rich
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joe b
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RE: Can I use SM57 for live vocal? Pop filter?
February 14, 05 12:27 AM
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ORIGINAL: dave_music
Too much 'P' sound. I have to use a Pop filter.
I often use a 57 for vocals. I have found some success controlling plosives by lining up a little off-axis.
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dave_music
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RE: Can I use SM57 for live vocal? Pop filter?
February 14, 05 10:56 PM
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Thanks guys.
Did you guys watch Grammy Awards last night? Most of the live vocal mics seemed to be SM 58. But I could not see them clearly from my TV. Are they SM58? or beta version? What are the mics that Jennifer Lopez and her partner used last night? black color, sounded great.
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jamester
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RE: Can I use SM57 for live vocal? Pop filter?
February 14, 05 11:23 PM
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Dave, just buy a regular freakin' SM-58 and be done with it. You have already put way too much thought into this. It'll serve you well till the day you die, for around $100. Seriously, what's the hold-up? Go buy one already...
Purrrfect Audio DAW built by Jim Roseberry Edirol UA-1000, Korg PadKontrol, Dynaudio BM 5A's Reaper, Live, Sound Forge, Pyro
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burak
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RE: Can I use SM57 for live vocal? Pop filter?
February 15, 05 1:20 AM
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Everybody uses it and it's not too expensive. So, go and get one 
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dave_music
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RE: Can I use SM57 for live vocal? Pop filter?
February 15, 05 2:15 AM
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I got one SM58. It sounds great on my voice. SM58 beta is not for me. Big smile
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dave_music
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RE: Can I use SM57 for live vocal? Pop filter?
February 15, 05 2:16 AM
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I also got a Shure windscreen for SM58. Is it washable? Do not laugh
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chaz
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RE: Can I use SM57 for live vocal? Pop filter?
February 15, 05 1:35 PM
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Should be. Just make sure you air dry it thoroughly betrween gigs.
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patrickhamm
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RE: Can I use SM57 for live vocal? Pop filter?
February 15, 05 1:38 PM
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Dave, just buy a regular freakin' SM-58 and be done with it. You have already put way too much thought into this. It'll serve you well till the day you die, for around $100. Seriously, what's the hold-up? Go buy one already... jamester's right. In my opinion, every musician should be issued an SM-58.
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