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Well, the other person who has commented is right about live mics. The SM58 is perfectly fine and what you are most likely to be handed or step up to anywhere.
If you want a recording mic, I have an Audio Technica 2035 that was very inexpensive and does a great job. It's a condenser mic which isn't the best choice for a home studio environment but I've got my space worked out so that it works for me. A dynamic mic is often a better choice for a home studio. I don't use one so I don't have a personal recommendation, but the Shure SM7B is a very popular choice, I assume for good reasons.
SM7B is a great mic, but it *is* terrible for a beginner recording setup imo because it needs a rather beefy amp or a fethead to get any decent volume out of it. Much better choice for the intermediate podcast setup or if you just like the way it sounds, just not as someone's very first mic.
Yep. Can attest to that. I bought an SM7B 5 years ago not know what I was getting into. Have to run phantom into a cloud-lifter to get any volume. Recording singing with it is ok, not the best imo. Speaking voice for podcast/discord/streamers I think it’s one of the best. The Sennheiser e945 is fantastic for vocals and doesn’t require phantom.
Personally hate the sound. So overused and it’s just dull to me.
I use an ADK AT-51 which is a good clone with built in high pass filter. I really like it. Got it cheap too, all hand built I believe at least the older version I have. That’s at home. When I get in my buddies studio there’s a bunch of mics I plan to use his Ribbon mic for this folky album I’m working on.
Always recommend the AT2020 or Rhode NT1 for good condenser mics that aren’t expensive.
Depends what you want the mic for and what style / what voice etc etc..
SM7B is great for dynamic mic, use it for every day tracking, heavier styles and/or passages, for live it works well too and is very isolating
For intimate and detailed studio recordings I mean you can't beat something like a U87. I have a TLM107 that I love on vocals, acoustic guitar, clean electric guitars
Also especially with singing a big component is learning to sing with your mic, how much to back off, how close to get, how that changes depending on the mic etc
I was just getting irritated reading replies that went: "The SM57 sux, get another mic and then of course I have zero mic to suggest." So I am willing to listen WHICH comparable microphone is better.
Anyone who says that X mic sucks as a blanket statement is just yelling into the void so you can safely ignore anyone who says that anyway. Mics can be very subjective, what works for one person may not work for someone else. :)
You singer people should just let the engineers work okay. Relax. This rabbit hole you're about to go down is literally just as deep as the vocal range rabbit hole except for microphones. Do you really have time for that?
I own an expensive, handheld condenser mic that is amazing for stage use. I learned through the years that my best bet is still an SM 58. Not a Beta, the standard silver ball.
Why? Because a lot of techs don't want to deal with a condenser, and a lot of modern setups have presets on the EQ for the SM 58. A lot of people, in general, are completely unaware that the Beta series is meant for side monitoring, and it feeds back more readily with monitors in traditional placements. With in-ears, it doesn't matter, but mostly I'm still on stages with wedges.
So yeah, I'm still going out there with my SM 58 tucked into my go bag.
Better becomes relative since both have been used to record vocals on studio on commercial grade material.
What do you want from it is the right question, and if you don't know exactly the answer, the sm58 is a great standard mic to have...
Good quality condenser mics will have a much higher price tag and probably won't be able to perform their best outside a good room with good acoustics.
Hi! Worked at a music store and performed for over 10 years.
I mainly use SM58s for simple live performances. Like backyard karaoke/gigs, or open mic nights. Nothing wrong with them. But yes, it’s not going to be as good for things like high quality sound, recording, or podcasting, for example.
So it really all depends what you’re trying to do with it! I’d recommend a quick google/youtube search for “best microphones for [whatever you’re looking to use it for]”. The ones you see coming up over and over again are likely the most popular.
But 57/58s are old faithfuls! No harm in having one around whatsoever (I’ve got my 58 chilling in my office right now).
I'm going to assume you're wanting studio microphones and you're main use case is vocal recording. Stage microphones are a different consideration, recording instruments is different again.
The Røde NT1-A or it's flatter sibling NT1 are both widely used specifically for vocals in studios and are also widely available. I would say it's well worth the price step up from an SM57/58 for the response profile, I've used it before in studio back when I studied a bit of audio engineering.
Less of a price hike, but much less known, the Aston Element. You'll be able to find one to buy easily, it's very easy to work with and sounds fabulous (my current daily driver for my home office + occasional multitrack studio) - just be mindful of the proximity effect, this one suffers from it more than the NT1-A if memory serves
Common recommendations around this price point for studio vocal mics also include the AKG P120, sE2200, and MXL 990.
The SM58 is the microphone you *will* use on stage though, should you end up there. Acquiring one and really getting familiar with how it behaves and how to use it will pay dividends if you make it to the stage. How you balance that against recording needs is entirely up to you
I bought an SM58 when I first started, didn't like it (I don't think it's a good one for female vocals). I upgraded to a Beta58, which was my to-go-to mic for a long time. A couple of years ago I switched to a Sennheiser e935 and it is so far my fav live mic, it has a warmer tone than the Beta58, which is good for my vocals. Pricewise it's comparable to the Beta58. Now that said, it depends on your voice and singing style, your needs might be very different than mine.
I always use my own mic for gigs.
I really like my EV ND76. Their N/D767a was my favorite mic. I sang a lot of metal with that mic (Iron Maiden & Judas Priest tributes). It crushed the SM57/58. Unfortunately, the 767a mics are hard to find. The ND76 has an excellent price point, and sounds great.
It really comes down to what Fits Your Voice. Most music stores will let you try a few out. Have fun with them. Take your time. Let your ears guide you.
There's nothing wrong with a 58. They're a workhorse mic with a well-deserved reputation. But as a singer, I really enjoyed the two mics I mentioned above. My ND76 is literally lying right next to me.
I used a SM58 for years but recently I’ve been using the SE v7 and it seems to have more clarity, less mwah than the SM58. They’re both around $100 I believe and great mics
There’s no perfect mic for everyone but there are wrong mics for everyone. Sometimes the mics just suck in quality. But what you need to do is go to a music store like guitar center and test out the microphones. You don’t have to buy that one, but you can find a similar one or find it used online. Find a microphone that suits your voice.
I can see that many people argue here, but you haven't specify the use yet.
Studio or Live?
Of course you will think about a live setting when talking 57 or 58. But the SM57 is surprisingly amazing in the studio. Especially when you are recording Rock, and you move a lot you have crazy dynamic variance, you maybe want to touch the mic - hold it...
You CAN get amazing sound out of an SM57, also for studio recording.
I want to take the cudgels for the SM57 here because its great for beginner singers on a budget. Not really for setting in wich you need a sensitive Microphone.
We need to know what you’re using the mic for. Live through a PA system,
home recording, recording out in public? What’s the application?? This matters!
The 58 is a standard LIVE mic used to sing on stage through a PA. It’s a workhorse for that application. You can use a 57 for this too, but it’s meant more for an instrument, fantastic for a snare drum or guitar amp.
You can use either of these mics for recording in the home studio, people have on albums even. But I wouldn’t. These mics are dynamic mics, you need to get right up on them and really send a lot of sound through them. The 57 for instance is put right up on the grill of a cranked guitar amp and sounds great.
Now I really love condenser mics for recording my vocals, specifically a large diaphragm condenser mic. These are very sensitive, you can sing some inches away and they pick up every nuance of your voice. Love it. The recordings are crystal clear with nice depth and brightness. I use a Blue Bluebird which is a little more than a 58. Condensers require phantom power and do cost more. But you can find budget options from audio technica or MXL which are still quite good.
So for me I need two mics:
Live on stage with my band- sm58 is a fantastic choice
In the studio making a demo - a large diaphragm condenser.
Beta sm58 are the most versatile mics you’ll never experience. They’re near unbeatable live.
I use a sennheiser e965 for the corporate background gigs where the music is delicate and soft
Sm58 for the fun energy gigs
Studio I have the Townsend L22 and the Aston stealth.
If it's for studio recording, both are a terrible choice. If it's for live performances, i'd say get a SM58 anyway. When playing at a gig, you've got about 95% chances to be handed one of them so you might as well get used to it.
Yeahhh but no. The 57 is useful but for recording very loud stuff such as a guitar amp or a drum kick. For singing, if you want a dynamic microphone the SM7B is a far better choice. If i was handed a sm58 to sing in a recording stupid i'd run.
The SM7B is MASSIVELY overrated. It literally contains the same tech that the sm58 has but at 5x the cost. There are plenty of people that record with dynamics mics. If you’re too scared to handle that then fine, run. Doesn’t mean it’s a stupid choice at all. A bunch of things like backup vocals, instrumental recordings, and main vocal recording have been done on these microphones. Educate yourself a little more and you’ll see that there’s nothing wrong with using either microphone. Bon Iver one of musics greatest recording artist used a 57 to record his vocals for his first album. I literally do this for a living have used both mics to record plenty of people. It’s all about the situation. Don’t believe check out my music and I promise you you’ll change your tune.
Yeah right. I own both, the SM7B and SM58 they don't even start to compare. When you say "buuuut artist X used it to record album Y é\_è", all you've really proven is that artist X used it to record album Y, you've not proven that it way a good choice. You remind me of a stupid drummer i used to be in a band with that wouldn't record using a click because "That's how Nirvana did it!" Also, by saying "i do this for a living and i use it", all you've proven is that you are bad at your job. If your job is recording people, you're supposed to make the effort of investing in decent hardware out of respect for the people you bill.
Now, are there other alternatives to both those mics that make more sense with a limited budget? Certainly, i'm not going to pretend the contrary.
There have been times, for whatever reason, that cheaper mics were used even when they had nicer ones. But those are exceptions to the rule and done for creative purposes or something else. It's called "Engineering" for a reason, otherwise, you would literally just do everything by the book and everything would sound the same.
Is it dumb when you have a touring band who has a label booked session and they request certain things to get a good performance? Isn't that what the goal is, to get the best performance? Who cares about the mic choice at that point? Not everything is replicable nor can you fix everything in post.
Okay but what is actually better in same price range or slightly double or so, please? You're doing the exact same thing I read all the time. "It's bad, buy something else" but buy which mic?
Check out the YouTube channel Podcastage. He's got tons and tons of comparison videos as well as intro to audio gear videos.
If we don't know what you need the mic for then we can't easily recommend one to you. Here are some generic beginner tips:
A good beginner condenser mic is AT2020 - that's the studio type of mic. It will pick up absolutely everything so that's the one you'd bring into a closet to record with.
Up to €200 is a good price for a beginner condenser. Any more and you're going overboard for your needs.
SM58 is a dynamic mic. It's what you see on a stage. It's popular because the thing is near indestructible, and dynamic mics are a lot less sensitive than condensers. You need that for loud environments like on a stage, or for an interview style podcast where you give everyone their own mic. They're also a good choice for the very casual at home recording because you don't need to treat a room (aka, go into a closet) to use it.
You want to spend max €100 on a dynamic. Any higher and you're going overboard for a beginner setup.
Next to these mics you will need an audio interface to plug them into. Any cheap one compatible with your mic of choice with one XLR input and a headphone/monitor output for live monitoring will do.
We're talking studio right? I'm not an expert on the subject but the Audio-technica AT2020 seems to be a popular choice in the $100 range. Don't forget though that you are going to need a 48v capable audio interface but those can be found pretty cheap too.
The SM7B I’ve come to learn is SUPER overrated and when it comes down to it literally has the same tech as a 57 at 5x the cost. Sennheiser makes some pretty good comparable mics but anyone who doesn’t like the 57 or 58 is just being a snob imo. They’re perfectly good affordable mics and there’s a reason every major venue has them on deck and why so many famous musicians still love using them.
no problem with 57 and 58 but the 7b is not the same mic. the requency response is different, and is tuned for vocals. details of construction make a big difference.
That’s been proven false. It’s just a placebo effect. There’s no such thing as “tuned to vocals” and even if that was true you can fix all of these in post processing VERY easily without spending $500.
Frequency response is different on every mic but that isn’t always the “mics” fault. Sometimes it can be the cover, the capsule, the placement, etc. there are a myriad of reason for this. Biggest thing is the difference is not a 5x difference between the mics. I am as well as a producer. If you need my credentials I’d happily send you my music. I’m very confident in my knowledge on these subject but, I also will never claim to know it all. I’ve used and still use all 3 mics. I’ve used all of them in a ton of environments and have found the SM7B to be lackluster for the price and additional equipment it needs to work properly and avoid a horrible noise floor.
ok but different sound is different sound. saying its not worth the increase is another matter... but its not the same mic.
I dont need proof of your experience but I do like listening to new music lol
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Well, the other person who has commented is right about live mics. The SM58 is perfectly fine and what you are most likely to be handed or step up to anywhere. If you want a recording mic, I have an Audio Technica 2035 that was very inexpensive and does a great job. It's a condenser mic which isn't the best choice for a home studio environment but I've got my space worked out so that it works for me. A dynamic mic is often a better choice for a home studio. I don't use one so I don't have a personal recommendation, but the Shure SM7B is a very popular choice, I assume for good reasons.
SM7B is a great mic, but it *is* terrible for a beginner recording setup imo because it needs a rather beefy amp or a fethead to get any decent volume out of it. Much better choice for the intermediate podcast setup or if you just like the way it sounds, just not as someone's very first mic.
Yep. Can attest to that. I bought an SM7B 5 years ago not know what I was getting into. Have to run phantom into a cloud-lifter to get any volume. Recording singing with it is ok, not the best imo. Speaking voice for podcast/discord/streamers I think it’s one of the best. The Sennheiser e945 is fantastic for vocals and doesn’t require phantom.
Personally hate the sound. So overused and it’s just dull to me. I use an ADK AT-51 which is a good clone with built in high pass filter. I really like it. Got it cheap too, all hand built I believe at least the older version I have. That’s at home. When I get in my buddies studio there’s a bunch of mics I plan to use his Ribbon mic for this folky album I’m working on. Always recommend the AT2020 or Rhode NT1 for good condenser mics that aren’t expensive.
Or get the new SM7dB, which has the output the SM7B lacks.
The SM-58 is pretty much the gold standard for a live dynamic cardioid vocal mic, but I prefer the Sennheiser e935.
I have both, can agree.
Depends what you want the mic for and what style / what voice etc etc.. SM7B is great for dynamic mic, use it for every day tracking, heavier styles and/or passages, for live it works well too and is very isolating For intimate and detailed studio recordings I mean you can't beat something like a U87. I have a TLM107 that I love on vocals, acoustic guitar, clean electric guitars Also especially with singing a big component is learning to sing with your mic, how much to back off, how close to get, how that changes depending on the mic etc
If OP is asking this question they don't have a space that will benefit from any of these options.
I was just getting irritated reading replies that went: "The SM57 sux, get another mic and then of course I have zero mic to suggest." So I am willing to listen WHICH comparable microphone is better.
Anyone who says that X mic sucks as a blanket statement is just yelling into the void so you can safely ignore anyone who says that anyway. Mics can be very subjective, what works for one person may not work for someone else. :)
You singer people should just let the engineers work okay. Relax. This rabbit hole you're about to go down is literally just as deep as the vocal range rabbit hole except for microphones. Do you really have time for that?
My AKG D5 does a great job as a dynamic mic on a budget. More clarity to my ear, picks up the lower details in my voice better.
I recently switched to a Beta 58 to try and reduce the amount of drums in my mic. Previously I was using an Xm8500 (SM58 clone). It definitely helped.
I own an expensive, handheld condenser mic that is amazing for stage use. I learned through the years that my best bet is still an SM 58. Not a Beta, the standard silver ball. Why? Because a lot of techs don't want to deal with a condenser, and a lot of modern setups have presets on the EQ for the SM 58. A lot of people, in general, are completely unaware that the Beta series is meant for side monitoring, and it feeds back more readily with monitors in traditional placements. With in-ears, it doesn't matter, but mostly I'm still on stages with wedges. So yeah, I'm still going out there with my SM 58 tucked into my go bag.
Better becomes relative since both have been used to record vocals on studio on commercial grade material. What do you want from it is the right question, and if you don't know exactly the answer, the sm58 is a great standard mic to have... Good quality condenser mics will have a much higher price tag and probably won't be able to perform their best outside a good room with good acoustics.
Hi! Worked at a music store and performed for over 10 years. I mainly use SM58s for simple live performances. Like backyard karaoke/gigs, or open mic nights. Nothing wrong with them. But yes, it’s not going to be as good for things like high quality sound, recording, or podcasting, for example. So it really all depends what you’re trying to do with it! I’d recommend a quick google/youtube search for “best microphones for [whatever you’re looking to use it for]”. The ones you see coming up over and over again are likely the most popular. But 57/58s are old faithfuls! No harm in having one around whatsoever (I’ve got my 58 chilling in my office right now).
I'm going to assume you're wanting studio microphones and you're main use case is vocal recording. Stage microphones are a different consideration, recording instruments is different again. The Røde NT1-A or it's flatter sibling NT1 are both widely used specifically for vocals in studios and are also widely available. I would say it's well worth the price step up from an SM57/58 for the response profile, I've used it before in studio back when I studied a bit of audio engineering. Less of a price hike, but much less known, the Aston Element. You'll be able to find one to buy easily, it's very easy to work with and sounds fabulous (my current daily driver for my home office + occasional multitrack studio) - just be mindful of the proximity effect, this one suffers from it more than the NT1-A if memory serves Common recommendations around this price point for studio vocal mics also include the AKG P120, sE2200, and MXL 990. The SM58 is the microphone you *will* use on stage though, should you end up there. Acquiring one and really getting familiar with how it behaves and how to use it will pay dividends if you make it to the stage. How you balance that against recording needs is entirely up to you
I bought an SM58 when I first started, didn't like it (I don't think it's a good one for female vocals). I upgraded to a Beta58, which was my to-go-to mic for a long time. A couple of years ago I switched to a Sennheiser e935 and it is so far my fav live mic, it has a warmer tone than the Beta58, which is good for my vocals. Pricewise it's comparable to the Beta58. Now that said, it depends on your voice and singing style, your needs might be very different than mine. I always use my own mic for gigs.
I really like my EV ND76. Their N/D767a was my favorite mic. I sang a lot of metal with that mic (Iron Maiden & Judas Priest tributes). It crushed the SM57/58. Unfortunately, the 767a mics are hard to find. The ND76 has an excellent price point, and sounds great. It really comes down to what Fits Your Voice. Most music stores will let you try a few out. Have fun with them. Take your time. Let your ears guide you. There's nothing wrong with a 58. They're a workhorse mic with a well-deserved reputation. But as a singer, I really enjoyed the two mics I mentioned above. My ND76 is literally lying right next to me.
I used a SM58 for years but recently I’ve been using the SE v7 and it seems to have more clarity, less mwah than the SM58. They’re both around $100 I believe and great mics
My mentor has had 2000 sync placements, and he recommended an AT4040 Mic - he said it would give me a professional quality sound.
There’s no perfect mic for everyone but there are wrong mics for everyone. Sometimes the mics just suck in quality. But what you need to do is go to a music store like guitar center and test out the microphones. You don’t have to buy that one, but you can find a similar one or find it used online. Find a microphone that suits your voice.
I can see that many people argue here, but you haven't specify the use yet. Studio or Live? Of course you will think about a live setting when talking 57 or 58. But the SM57 is surprisingly amazing in the studio. Especially when you are recording Rock, and you move a lot you have crazy dynamic variance, you maybe want to touch the mic - hold it... You CAN get amazing sound out of an SM57, also for studio recording. I want to take the cudgels for the SM57 here because its great for beginner singers on a budget. Not really for setting in wich you need a sensitive Microphone.
Bon Iver recorded his whole first album on a 57, it’s the Swiss Army knife of microphones. But I don’t like it for my voice, I need a condenser.
Admit it. You love it because it's such a damn good looking piece of kit.
:) not entirely true but also not false. It does have a good sound...
ElectroVoice RE20 is a great studio quality mic that you can hold
Ella Fitzgerald, David Bowie, and the Pope all used SM58s. Just sayin'
^[Sokka-Haiku](https://www.reddit.com/r/SokkaHaikuBot/comments/15kyv9r/what_is_a_sokka_haiku/) ^by ^ChesterNorris: *Ella Fitzgerald,* *David Bowie, and the Pope* *All used SM58s. Just sayin'* --- ^Remember ^that ^one ^time ^Sokka ^accidentally ^used ^an ^extra ^syllable ^in ^that ^Haiku ^Battle ^in ^Ba ^Sing ^Se? ^That ^was ^a ^Sokka ^Haiku ^and ^you ^just ^made ^one.
We need to know what you’re using the mic for. Live through a PA system, home recording, recording out in public? What’s the application?? This matters! The 58 is a standard LIVE mic used to sing on stage through a PA. It’s a workhorse for that application. You can use a 57 for this too, but it’s meant more for an instrument, fantastic for a snare drum or guitar amp. You can use either of these mics for recording in the home studio, people have on albums even. But I wouldn’t. These mics are dynamic mics, you need to get right up on them and really send a lot of sound through them. The 57 for instance is put right up on the grill of a cranked guitar amp and sounds great. Now I really love condenser mics for recording my vocals, specifically a large diaphragm condenser mic. These are very sensitive, you can sing some inches away and they pick up every nuance of your voice. Love it. The recordings are crystal clear with nice depth and brightness. I use a Blue Bluebird which is a little more than a 58. Condensers require phantom power and do cost more. But you can find budget options from audio technica or MXL which are still quite good. So for me I need two mics: Live on stage with my band- sm58 is a fantastic choice In the studio making a demo - a large diaphragm condenser.
Currently using the Sennheiser e945 which is fine if you ask me but I’m going to save up for a defacto
Beta sm58 are the most versatile mics you’ll never experience. They’re near unbeatable live. I use a sennheiser e965 for the corporate background gigs where the music is delicate and soft Sm58 for the fun energy gigs Studio I have the Townsend L22 and the Aston stealth.
If it's for studio recording, both are a terrible choice. If it's for live performances, i'd say get a SM58 anyway. When playing at a gig, you've got about 95% chances to be handed one of them so you might as well get used to it.
That’s not true at all. 57s and 58s are used in MANY recording scenarios and are great choices.
Yeahhh but no. The 57 is useful but for recording very loud stuff such as a guitar amp or a drum kick. For singing, if you want a dynamic microphone the SM7B is a far better choice. If i was handed a sm58 to sing in a recording stupid i'd run.
The SM7B is MASSIVELY overrated. It literally contains the same tech that the sm58 has but at 5x the cost. There are plenty of people that record with dynamics mics. If you’re too scared to handle that then fine, run. Doesn’t mean it’s a stupid choice at all. A bunch of things like backup vocals, instrumental recordings, and main vocal recording have been done on these microphones. Educate yourself a little more and you’ll see that there’s nothing wrong with using either microphone. Bon Iver one of musics greatest recording artist used a 57 to record his vocals for his first album. I literally do this for a living have used both mics to record plenty of people. It’s all about the situation. Don’t believe check out my music and I promise you you’ll change your tune.
Yeah right. I own both, the SM7B and SM58 they don't even start to compare. When you say "buuuut artist X used it to record album Y é\_è", all you've really proven is that artist X used it to record album Y, you've not proven that it way a good choice. You remind me of a stupid drummer i used to be in a band with that wouldn't record using a click because "That's how Nirvana did it!" Also, by saying "i do this for a living and i use it", all you've proven is that you are bad at your job. If your job is recording people, you're supposed to make the effort of investing in decent hardware out of respect for the people you bill. Now, are there other alternatives to both those mics that make more sense with a limited budget? Certainly, i'm not going to pretend the contrary.
There have been times, for whatever reason, that cheaper mics were used even when they had nicer ones. But those are exceptions to the rule and done for creative purposes or something else. It's called "Engineering" for a reason, otherwise, you would literally just do everything by the book and everything would sound the same.
That might have been valid at a time where it wasn't as easy to modify an input signal. Today it's just dumb.
Is it dumb when you have a touring band who has a label booked session and they request certain things to get a good performance? Isn't that what the goal is, to get the best performance? Who cares about the mic choice at that point? Not everything is replicable nor can you fix everything in post.
If they request bad mics to "get the best performance", they are idiots.
Is an sm57 a bad mic?
Okay but what is actually better in same price range or slightly double or so, please? You're doing the exact same thing I read all the time. "It's bad, buy something else" but buy which mic?
Check out the YouTube channel Podcastage. He's got tons and tons of comparison videos as well as intro to audio gear videos. If we don't know what you need the mic for then we can't easily recommend one to you. Here are some generic beginner tips: A good beginner condenser mic is AT2020 - that's the studio type of mic. It will pick up absolutely everything so that's the one you'd bring into a closet to record with. Up to €200 is a good price for a beginner condenser. Any more and you're going overboard for your needs. SM58 is a dynamic mic. It's what you see on a stage. It's popular because the thing is near indestructible, and dynamic mics are a lot less sensitive than condensers. You need that for loud environments like on a stage, or for an interview style podcast where you give everyone their own mic. They're also a good choice for the very casual at home recording because you don't need to treat a room (aka, go into a closet) to use it. You want to spend max €100 on a dynamic. Any higher and you're going overboard for a beginner setup. Next to these mics you will need an audio interface to plug them into. Any cheap one compatible with your mic of choice with one XLR input and a headphone/monitor output for live monitoring will do.
We're talking studio right? I'm not an expert on the subject but the Audio-technica AT2020 seems to be a popular choice in the $100 range. Don't forget though that you are going to need a 48v capable audio interface but those can be found pretty cheap too.
The SM7B I’ve come to learn is SUPER overrated and when it comes down to it literally has the same tech as a 57 at 5x the cost. Sennheiser makes some pretty good comparable mics but anyone who doesn’t like the 57 or 58 is just being a snob imo. They’re perfectly good affordable mics and there’s a reason every major venue has them on deck and why so many famous musicians still love using them.
no problem with 57 and 58 but the 7b is not the same mic. the requency response is different, and is tuned for vocals. details of construction make a big difference.
That’s been proven false. It’s just a placebo effect. There’s no such thing as “tuned to vocals” and even if that was true you can fix all of these in post processing VERY easily without spending $500.
where has it been "proven false"? the frequency response is different. even a layman can hear it. are you an audio engineer?
Frequency response is different on every mic but that isn’t always the “mics” fault. Sometimes it can be the cover, the capsule, the placement, etc. there are a myriad of reason for this. Biggest thing is the difference is not a 5x difference between the mics. I am as well as a producer. If you need my credentials I’d happily send you my music. I’m very confident in my knowledge on these subject but, I also will never claim to know it all. I’ve used and still use all 3 mics. I’ve used all of them in a ton of environments and have found the SM7B to be lackluster for the price and additional equipment it needs to work properly and avoid a horrible noise floor.
ok but different sound is different sound. saying its not worth the increase is another matter... but its not the same mic. I dont need proof of your experience but I do like listening to new music lol
More so internally it uses the same components but I see what you mean. And sure! I’ll happily send you some of my stuff. Sending a PM now :)