SM57 Alternatives? Vocals & Instrument Mic'ing

[strumminsix]

Hey gang! Looking for some ideas on mic's that are like 57s but either cheaper.

I'm looking for a pair of mics to toss into my bag in case they are ever needed. Coming into this year we are playing larger rooms so a few more mics are needed.

I know 57s are regarded by most as the best utility mic but I'm hoping the collective here could identify a few that'd do just fine as a backup.

If anything cheaper than $90 is just unworthy crap and I should buy used (CL or ebay) I can accept that but figure ask first :)

PS - I did search and find an old thread on this but it was almost 5 years old and a flame session

http://www.thegearpage.net/board/showthread.php?t=125729&highlight=sm57&page=3

[TimmyP]

I don't know what 57s and 58s sell for these days, so with that in mind:

EV N/D767a - about $60 used on eBay - a better live vocal mic than any Shure I've tried (unless your stage is really quiet). The N/D967a and PL80a are good as well. I expect that these are also better than 57s on instruments, though I've not tried them.

Sennheiser E835 - as above.

Audix D4 - $85 to $100 used on eBay - smaller, lighter, and better sounding than the 57.

Sennheiser E609S - I won't say it's better, but in some cases it's much handier.

[funkycam]

I would just buy a used 57 or 58.

[strumminsix]

funkycam, that is what I was thinking at first too!

Thanks, TimmyP, for the Sen E835 tip. I see when on sale I can pickup 3 for 200! That sounds like a great plan!

Any other ideas?

[speakerjones]

I find an Audix I5 is pretty much interchangable with a 57 for intstrument mic'ing duties. Don't know if they're any cheaper though.

[bronco1891]

Blue enCORE 100i, my friend got it for $65. It sounds so much warmer and i feel it does a better job of capturing my guitar tone than the SM57.

[funkycam]

I don't think the audix i5 is as interchangeable as everyone says.
while it will withstand similar high SPLs, it is voiced really differently to a 57 to my ear: much more highs & lows.
I think an i5 is a great snare top mic, but when i had a 57 & i5 i did an A/B & liked the 57 much better.
of course YMMV

[Scafeets]

I mic'd my amp with a 57 for 30 years, and recently switched to a Sennheiser 609 after a sound guy put one on my amp at a gig. It sounds better and seems to be just as tough. And for 100 clams, it's a great deal.

[TimmyP]

I mic'd my amp with a 57 for 30 years, and recently switched to a Sennheiser 609 after a sound guy put one on my amp at a gig. It sounds better and seems to be just as tough. And for 100 clams, it's a great deal.

You should try a 906 :-)

[Ronitor]

I agree with Timmy on the 906, though I've been using the 609's in place of the 57 for atleast 7 years now. Everytime I do it to a guy that asks if I can use a 57 instead, by the end of the gig (if not soundcheck) I've usually changed their minds. That said, if you are looking for a couple of mics to have on hand as a "just in case", and that case can be anything from an acoustic instrument- a vocal, a used beta57 would be the way I would go. Hey Scafeets, where was that gig at?