SM57 and vocals/recording...?

[raul]

ok, so i'm about to jump into the world of audio recording! i'm getting Ableton and need a mic. thinking about the SM57 for instruments, well for guitar and bass...is it also going to suffice for vocals? is it a good vocal recording mic? i understand it's great for instruments but howsabout for vocals?

[rob2001]

I haven't used a lot of mid/high end vocal mics but for my voice in my humble studio I prefer a 57. It likes to be helped by a preamp and I use a foam ball and sometimes a screen. I'm sure there are better mics but it works fine for me if I sing well.

[Nelson89]

an sm57 will work for vocals, its not the best out there (well depending on the voice, i could be), but it will still get you something. What you have to remember though is that it needs a bit of gain, and like rob2001, i would recommend using a pop screen/filter in front of it to get rid of those plosives.

[TimmyP]

Never owned a 57, never will - there are too many better sounding options, the D4 being my go-to, but even live I usually use a better mic than that for anything other than toms and snare. I'd try a 2020, a Fathead, or a Pro37.

[paulscape]

It can be used. I had to use a 57 live for a while when I lost my proper vocal mike. Not very dynamic as a vocal mic but my voice is also probably not very dynamic ;)

[george4th]

Rode NT1 for Vox. A great mic for not a lot of cash. I have three, if you can find an older one that has not been abused I think it sounds better than the NT1A. Studio Projects makes some really good clones also for cheap. Again if you can find any of these used but not abused you would be doing yourself a great service Vox wise. IMHO.
G

[3dognate]

It'll work if that's what you have available. You have to get right in it... move side to side and it'll lose you...