sandMinstrel
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pre amp for a Shure SM57 recording acoustic guitar
Hello all,
I am trying to find a mic pre amp in the $50 - $100 range to use with a Shure SM57 microphone, recording onto my Apple powerbook. I will be using it mainly for recording 12 string acoustic guitar.
Do you have any suggestions?
I have read some places that tube pre amps are not suggested for SM57s and that a solid state pre would be better. What do you think?
Thank you, any advice is welcome.
-sandMinstrel
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Boswell
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RE: pre amp for a Shure SM57 recording acoustic guitar
April 26, 06 6:04 AM
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Assuming your PowerBook has USB ports as well as FireWire, I would look at the M-Audio MobilePre USB, using one XLR mic channel for the SM57 and the high impedance input of the other channel for the guitar pickup output. You can then adjust the amount of each one when you blend them to mixdown the channels into one. Depending on what audio software you will be using, a 1-in 2-out software reverb will add some pseudo-stereo effect.
I don't think you would gain much by using a tube pre-amp in this application, and you wouldn't get a decent one for the sort of money you're talking about.
You will need to do some serious experimentation with microphone positioning. My experience with recording 12-strings is that you can't simply apply the normal rules for 6-string acoustic guitar miking, and getting a good balance of sound across the strings is not easy. A lot depends on your style of playing and whether this is solo work or is it the ground track for adding other instruments and vocals on top?
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sandMinstrel
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RE: pre amp for a Shure SM57 recording acoustic guitar
April 26, 06 5:58 PM
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Boswell thanks for your great reply.
That is a really cool idea about micing the acoustic and also recording from a pickup at the same time, I have a seymour duncan woody I could use for that.
The m audio mobile pre is pretty cool, I will look into it some more.
Yes micing a 12 string should be an adventure. :) I have actually never done recording of a guitar with a microphone before but am looking forward to experimenting. I am mainly recording blues jams and metal ballad type stuff.
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chaz
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RE: pre amp for a Shure SM57 recording acoustic guitar
April 27, 06 1:07 PM
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For that price range, I would recommend an ART MP tube pre. Change out the el cheapo tube with a high-quality Mullard or Sovtek and you will be good to go.
Also..... One can get a little better transient response with a solid state pre over a tube pre, so I use both types.
It all comes down to personal preference and taste as to what you end up using in a tracking session.
Hope this helps.
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sandMinstrel
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RE: pre amp for a Shure SM57 recording acoustic guitar
April 29, 06 7:15 PM
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Chaz thanks for the advice.
I got an ART tube MP today, it works pretty well.
I have to crank the input and output to max and also push the +20db gain to get a decent volume from the mic, is that normal?
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jacktheexcynic
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RE: pre amp for a Shure SM57 recording acoustic guitar
May 02, 06 10:08 PM
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ORIGINAL: sandMinstrel
Chaz thanks for the advice.
I got an ART tube MP today, it works pretty well.
I have to crank the input and output to max and also push the +20db gain to get a decent volume from the mic, is that normal?
depends on your source and how you are mic'ing the guitar. i have a presonus tubepre which by itself doesn't quite have the gain for my ovation (a naturally quiet guitar). however i've had luck with my mackie 1202vlz which has more gain than the tubepre after experimenting with mic position (between my head and the guitar, pointed down at the general sound hole area). i'm still experimenting but the sound is ok (read, better than the guitar's preamp).
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chaz
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RE: pre amp for a Shure SM57 recording acoustic guitar
May 02, 06 11:43 PM
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Chaz thanks for the advice. No problem. I got an ART tube MP today, it works pretty well. Do not forget to change out the el cheapo tube with a high-quality Mullard (military spec, if possible) or Sovtek. It will make a definite difference in the pre. I have to crank the input and output to max and also push the +20db gain to get a decent volume from the mic, is that normal? Yes. It takes quite a bit to push those mics. I am always bossting the levels as high as they will go to get a decent signal.
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krizrox
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RE: pre amp for a Shure SM57 recording acoustic guitar
May 03, 06 8:53 AM
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Larry Kriz www.LnLRecording.com www.myspace.com/lnlrecording Sonar PE 8.5, Samplitude Pro 11, Sonic Core Scope Professional/XTC, A16 Ultra AD/DA, Intel DG965RY MOBO, Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 2.4GHz processor, XFX GeForce 7300 GT PCIe video card, Barracuda 750 & 320GB SATA drives, 4GB DDR Ram, Plextor DVD/CD-R burner.
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chaz
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RE: pre amp for a Shure SM57 recording acoustic guitar
May 03, 06 1:26 PM
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Thanks for posting the link, Larry.
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tammuz7000
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RE: pre amp for a Shure SM57 recording acoustic guitar
May 03, 06 7:02 PM
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I use a larivvee 12 string and mic it with a studio project c1 mic and put the pick up in the line in of a lexicon omega usb sound card and record 2 guitar tracks and mix them...I think it sounds great...to get a much better sound you will need a large condensor mic...I used a dymanic AKG for years and the difference was night and day...the sure is a dymanic mic and wont sound as full as a large condensor.. you can hear my 12 string on a song called perfume ladiesy on my site at: www.soundclick.com/thomasmoore Tom
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