Shure sm57 into presonus tubepre

[jfbrown42]

I want to play my Mando on stage with a live (rock/folk) band including drums and guitars. I may only do this once, so I don't want to spend a lot of money. I've already got a Presonus TubePre preamp. I'm thinking of buying a Shure SM57, running it into the preamp, then into the mixing deck (probably a Mackie) and hence to the PA system.

I'm thinking the Shure will be of use down the road in a home studio setup and people speak highly of them for micing guitar cabinets and cymbals.

So what do you think?

[mandroid]

You have to spit in dynamic mics , that is be right on them to be heard, fortunately they are moisture tolerant.

A cheap small diaphragm condenser mic at 1/3 of the price would work at a foot from the instrument, rather than needing to be within an inch.

but with reasonable care the 57 will last your lifetime .

others have ,a I read, found less costly AKG dynamics as worthy.

[steve V. johnson]

You probably don't need the preamp, as a preamp per se. # Mandolins on mics or with pickups go quite nicely into the Mackies I have used and own.

Something with EQ may give you better sound options before going into the PA.

57 is fine with me. #No big deal. #

stv

[Ted Eschliman]

I went direct from a McIntyre pickup from my Gypsy's Octave Mandolin into my TubePre, and the overall amplified tone was terrific, but I definitely still needed a notch filter, or some kind of EQ to take the woof out of it in certain frequencies. I would think using a mic would complicate things even more, so I'm not sure this would be a good path to take. As mentioned, proximity is crucial with this mic; getting it hot enough to perform at a distance invites all kinds of additional feedback issues in high decibel stage environments.

[Crowder]

You won't be heard on a stage with drums if you try to use a mic on its own. Any kind of cheap contact pickup would be better.

[Folkmusician.com]

You can never go wrong, owning an SM57. These are great workhorse mics and one of the most versatile out there. They are also nearly bullet proof. That said, they are not ideal for acoustic stringed instruments... Drums, amps, vocals, misc... yeah... Mandolin... only if you do not have a Small diaphragm condenser mic available.


If you are playing with drums and PA and you're in a less than ideal environment, skip the mic altogether. It will be more trouble than it's worth. and within a rock band, a full acoustic tone just makes things muddy anyway.

A pickup is the way to go unless you are able to deal with feedback and mic bleed. Mic pres also make great instrument pres if you use a pickup. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

I do think your logic is good. Even though the SM57 is less than ideal for micing your mandolin, it will work and it is a great mic to have in your home studio.

[Ken Olmstead]

I have played on an SM57 many times as it is often the mike provided at festivals and such where plugging in your own microphone is frowned on due to time constraints so learning to play on one is a good idea. However, you do HAVE to be right on it! Shove it as far inside the mandolin as possible for your breaks and back off about 6" for rhythm and it will work fine. There are better options as suggested but I agree that there are far worse things than owning an SM57! It may be hard for you to hear with the drums, just depends on the venue and who is doing the sound.

[UnityGain]

If your band is anything like my band, there isn't a chance you will be heard playing through a mic. Or rather, there isn't a chance you will hear yourself through a mic. I highly doubt that you will be able to get enough monitor to hear what you are doing on stage without feedback. So your only choice is to go through the mains primarily, but you wont be able to hear yourself very well unless you are really loud in the house, which isn't good either. Sadly, pickups are really essential in loud bands.

On the other hand, as mentioned, a 57 is a great mic to have, its a really versitile solution. And its worth a try, maybe your band is quieter than mine. Actually, hopefully your band is quieter.