Re: Fwd: [Harp-L] Stick mic of choice...

[G <gigs@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Date: Thu, 05 Jan 2006 22:13:00 -0000
From: "John K." <jkuzloski@xxxxxxxxx>
Subject: Fwd:  [Harp-L] Stick mic of choice...
>I really like the old shure 545's -- they're hot and cut 
>through the mix.  I have no experience with the current production 
>545's (but have heard good things about them).  Lots of folks like 
>the SM57 (low Z only unless you use a transformer)and it never hurts 
>to have one around for general purpose like playing acoustically or 
>miking an amp or hammering nails (so they say).  It has proximity 
>effect that (through some magic!) emphasizes the bass when you are 
>very close (as in cupped).  

Hi,
This proximity effect is common amongst all three Shure mics you mention
here, it's charted in their manuals.  

Both the SM57 and 545 (ie. any Shure mic with R45 cartridge) have a higher
peak at their top end, and tend to compress more than the SM58 when cupped,
although all three increase in bass end when cupped, the SM57 & 545 have
more bass end response than the SM58, the SM58 starts at about 50Hz, the
SM57  somewhere around 40Hz, and the 545 manuals don't say exactly where it
starts, but the charts indicate its nearer to 40Hz than 50Hz.  

When wired to high impedance the 545 (any model), apart from the obvious
increase in signal level, gains even more top end which really cuts through
the mix.

I own and use all three mics with harmonica, and don't intend to part with
any of them.

Cheers,
-- G.