Re: SM57's (was amp mics)

[rocket@xxxxxxxxxxxx (Rick Barker)]

>On Mon, 14 Nov 1994, Hugh Messenger wrote:
>
>> I also happen to like their tone for harp work.  I'd advise anyone who's
>> been using bullets for a while to try a 57.  It requires setting your amp
>> up a little differently, but you may be suprised at the amount of overdrive
>> and honk you can get from them.  I especially like the profile - I find
>> using a bullet is like trying to hold a tennis ball and play at the same
>> time.
>
> Hugh - do you use your SM57 on a mic stand or do you cup it in your hand
>with the harp? I got one recently and I tried it out as a hand held mic.
>It wasn't very responsive (I had to turn the amp WAY up) and I found it
>difficult to hold. It's great for miking an amp through a PA though.

Depending on the amp, a 57 may not have enough drive. Those low-Z mics have
very low-level signals which are boosted by the PA pre-amp section. They
don't have near the output of a guitar pick-up(which is what most amps are
designed for) or a hi-Z bullet mic. A mic pre-amp may help.