Ive got a shure Beta 58. I like it, but don't have much experience with other mics. I'm thinking about getting a mic pre. Or a different mic altogether. Either one or the other as my budget is not big. What do you guys think? Should I stick with the beta 58 and go for a good 500-600$ pre? What good/reasonably inexpensive set ups do you gentleman like/prefer? Has anyone used a 58 before and has more experience with other mics. Input would be really helpful in making a decision. Forgot to mention, my style is more along the lines of... Breakinng bennjamin, chevelle, tool, mixed with a more metal aspect like August burns red. However, my voice is a little higher in range then the bands listed. Thanks again cakewalk recording gurus!!

I like my 57 and 58. For 600 you can get a mic and a pre.

what will you be using this mic for, genral purpose ?
voicals ? guitars ?
 
the sm58 is great for many things, I myself use aRode NT1000 phantom powered mic for my vox and stringed inst.
its got a great warm sound and is very powerful.

I picked up a few MXL 603S pencil condensers recently to use for PA, but I have been surprised at how good they sound on recording.  You can pretty easily find a pair of these with nice case and great shock mounts for $150.  That's a real price performer.  I haven't tried them on vocals.  You'd probably want something higher end than that, but they work well on wind instruments.  They are way better than Samson and Behringer mics that look similar, and really not much more money.
 
I like the Rode NT4s a lot.  That's a stereo mic that is good for covering small choirs or other small ensembles where you really don't want to mic every voice independently.

Honestly Im using this mic basically for guitars and vocals. I use a electronic set (as a midi controller) and superior drummer for percussion. Then for bass I just direct in and use pod farm 2 so I can emulate bass tones and fit what is better as I go. If I use any peripherals, I have a mico korg with sounds in it or use it as a controller and use plug ins that come with sonar.  I will prob be micing things individually, in mono.
 
I just dont know if it would be better to get a new mic, or a good pre. I guess really I just dont have enough experience with better mics and have limited knowledge  when it comes to pre amps.
 
Would there really be a (big) difference in tone/clarity/performance then another higher end mic. Again, based on the influences I listed in my original post.
Or, would there be more of a change in tone/clarity/performance if I just got a pre??
 
 

Vokalzz,
 
I hear ya man, when I started in recording as a intern for a small LA studio, it was a bit of a mystery
for me as well but I learned some things that have really helpful along the way.
First, it might be easier to think of Mics as simply tools for a specific purpose and the Mic Pre's as
one of two kinds:

1. one that alter the sound or add color to the mic or,
2. ones that faithfully represent the Mic.

They both have their place and many of the pre amps that come in decent quality computer interfaces are not that much different than in stand alone pre amps. ( MOTU, RME, ECHO, ect )

So the lesson here is start with the right tool ( Mic ) and get better pre amps as you can afford them.  Mics like an SM57 or 58 ( and Beta )  are dynamic mics so while they are great for some jobs ( 57 on drums and guitar cabs is the studio standard ) they dont produce the detail that a higher end condenser mic will on say vocals or acoustic instruments and cymbals. I dont want to over simplify here cause there are always exceptions to the rules but here is a quick breakdown of what Mic's we use daily in a metal session:

Vocals: SM58 ( yep that's right ) or more often SM7B ( most of the modern rock/Metal stuff is cut with this Mic ). Both are dynamic and can take a lot of level and crazy range without breaking up. Sometimes on softer sections we will switch to a AT 4050 or a KSM44 for more detail and clarity.

Acoustic guit: 2x SM81 in a stereo pair or for mono tracks, just one angled at the 12th fret in towards the sound hole with the High Pass on. For brighter tracks sometime the AKG C451 or the C1000s for a cheaper alternative that dosn't suck.

Guitar Cabs: SM57, the old standard and probably the best desert Island Mic on earth. Sometimes the Sennheiser 906 for the additional pad options.

Drums: Kick, beta 52 or the Audix D6 period. Toms, Audix D2 on the Racks and MD 421 on the floors or the Beta 52 as well. Snare, SM57 top and bottom, sometimes the Shure SM56 on the top for more snap. Overheads, 2x SM81 or AKG C451s.

If I had to do a Rock/Metal session with only 2 mics and had under 500 hundred to spend, I would  probably choose:

1. SM57 ( 95.00 anywhere )  Can Mic almost any cab ( bass or guitar ) and can be used for vocals as well as a lot of percussion and other instruments.

2. Studio Projects C1 ( 249.00 and sounds like a pre EQ'ed U87 ). Best condenser for under 400 bucks on the
 planet...with the possible exception of the ADK Thor but that IS 400. bucks. The C1 is Killer on vocals, acoustic guitar, acoustic anything with the pad engaged and takes a crap load of input before it breaks up. A lot of the MXL, AKG Preception Series,  and Marshall stuff out there was patterned after this Mic. The company was bought out by PMI and the Mic is still made and labeled the C1.

Unless the Mic pre's in your audio interface really suck ( Line 6 UX series, ect ) you wont be improving your overall sound enough to warrant the expense. With that price range, you wont be able to afford the Mic Pre's that would really make an audible difference ( Avalon, Universal Audio, Neve, Chandler, Chameleon Labs, ect ) so spend your money on tools that will, better Mics.

YMMV, hope this helps

If you're happy with the mic, you might check out a tube pre, but try one like the Summit 2BA-221, which can go as clean or warm as you'd like in most cases. The GAP-Pre73 is good if you want more of a transformer-esq Neve-type sound. Otherwise, if you're leaning toward the mic choices, from your indications, if your voice is high and loud, an SM-7 is great. Conversely, if your voice is high and quiet (or not quite as loud), I dig the Avantone cv12 tube mic. I performed a shootout with the cv12 to an AKG c12 from Blackbird studio. The cv12 performed REALLY well when compared to the c12.

Feather, that was a hell of a response, and thank you to all who have been giving me their input. I was thinking now that I will go with a sm57, so I can track my cabs. Done deal. Now as far as a vocal mic. Hmm! Brconflick recommended the Avantone cv12. Every review Ive read says its solid. Anyone own this mic and can testify? Because that is within my price range.  I was reading online that the C1 was a good back up mic. Feather what type of vocals have you done with this mic. Its within my price range and with some money left over to dump into other things I need for the studio. However, would it really be far off from the beta 58 as a lead mic. I know the 58 has a range from 50-1600. The C1 is 20-20,000. Which seems fair among other style mics. Would it be better just to part ways with the 58 and move forward. This is where im at.
Again, I know this is all just based off opinion and everyone has different thoughts. However, that is what im looking for.
 
Added note: I do metal type stuff, but with a lot of actual singing in it. Think of the lead singer from 30 seconds to mars, with screaming and more tech riffs other then just mindless strumming. Depth/variety within the songs. I can post a ruff recording of some new ideas ive had if anyone wants to get an idea of stuff ive been working on the past week. Not mixed or mastered.  optional, not necessary.
 
Moving forward.
Or I can keep the beta 58 for screams, stuff like that, more punchy things, then get a good lead mic and use the 57 for cabs. I really wont be recording drums as I have a electric kit using superior drummer, So drum mics are not relevant at this point in time.
Thanks again everyone. I really appreciate how people are attentive to detail and willing to go out of their way to share knowledge. I feel welcomed on this site. Peace

Feather, that was a hell of a response, and thank you to all who have been giving me their input. I was thinking now that I will go with a sm57, so I can track my cabs. Done deal. Now as far as a vocal mic. Hmm! Brconflick recommended the Avantone cv12. Every review Ive read says its solid. Anyone own this mic and can testify? Because that is within my price range.  I was reading online that the C1 was a good back up mic. Feather what type of vocals have you done with this mic. Its within my price range and with some money left over to dump into other things I need for the studio. However, would it really be far off from the beta 58 as a lead mic. I know the 58 has a range from 50-1600. The C1 is 20-20,000. Which seems fair among other style mics. Would it be better just to part ways with the 58 and move forward. This is where im at.
Again, I know this is all just based off opinion and everyone has different thoughts. However, that is what im looking for.
 
Added note: I do metal type stuff, but with a lot of actual singing in it. Think of the lead singer from 30 seconds to mars, with screaming and more tech riffs other then just mindless strumming. Depth/variety within the songs. I can post a ruff recording of some new ideas ive had if anyone wants to get an idea of stuff ive been working on the past week. Not mixed or mastered.  optional, not necessary.
 
Moving forward.
Or I can keep the beta 58 for screams, stuff like that, more punchy things, then get a good lead mic and use the 57 for cabs. I really wont be recording drums as I have a electric kit using superior drummer, So drum mics are not relevant at this point in time.
Thanks again everyone. I really appreciate how people are attentive to detail and willing to go out of their way to share knowledge. I feel welcomed on this site. Peace

Feather, that was a hell of a response, and thank you to all who have been giving me their input. I was thinking now that I will go with a sm57, so I can track my cabs. Done deal. Now as far as a vocal mic. Hmm! Brconflick recommended the Avantone cv12. Every review Ive read says its solid. Anyone own this mic and can testify? Because that is within my price range.  I was reading online that the C1 was a good back up mic. Feather what type of vocals have you done with this mic. Its within my price range and with some money left over to dump into other things I need for the studio. However, would it really be far off from the beta 58 as a lead mic. I know the 58 has a range from 50-1600. The C1 is 20-20,000. Which seems fair among other style mics. Would it be better just to part ways with the 58 and move forward. This is where im at.
Again, I know this is all just based off opinion and everyone has different thoughts. However, that is what im looking for.
 
Added note: I do metal type stuff, but with a lot of actual singing in it. Think of the lead singer from 30 seconds to mars, with screaming and more tech riffs other then just mindless strumming. Depth/variety within the songs. I can post a ruff recording of some new ideas ive had if anyone wants to get an idea of stuff ive been working on the past week. Not mixed or mastered.  optional, not necessary.
 
Moving forward.
Or I can keep the beta 58 for screams, stuff like that, more punchy things, then get a good lead mic and use the 57 for cabs. I really wont be recording drums as I have a electric kit using superior drummer, So drum mics are not relevant at this point in time.
Thanks again everyone. I really appreciate how people are attentive to detail and willing to go out of their way to share knowledge. I feel welcomed on this site. Peace