a tube 57 mic

GroupDIY Audio Forum

Help Support GroupDIY Audio Forum:

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.
if you plug in your 57 to a tube pre, it will be "tube-d up". Its a passive mic, so adding an active stage to it would be comletely redesigning it, not simply modifying it.

dave
 
if you plug in your 57 to a tube pre, it will be "tube-d up". Its a passive mic, so adding an active stage to it would be comletely redesigning it, not simply modifying it.
:thumb:

o.k. so could one completely reinvent the wheel and stick a tube into a SM57?
 
Ahhhhhhhh, yer a bunch of wussies! I've had this in my studio for ages!

sm57mod.jpg


Joel
 
You can put a tube in anything.

WHY?

What is "wrong" with the popular SM57 that would be improved by a tube?

No, I won't use an SM57 on everything unless I have no choice. But it is an excellent mike. It isn't flat, but it has the right shape for many situations. I've never noticed it makes a lot of difference what preamp it goes through: it still has SM57 flavor. And it is so darn cheap for a steady-quality mike.

Sure, put a tube in it. Output level is dynamic-low, so tube noise will overwhelm mike self-noise. In most situations where a 57 is indicated, this is not a problem: amp-buzz and bar-chatter makes theoretical noise meaningless. But to be perfect, you should use a step-up transformer to get weak-signal level up above tube noise. Problem: the 57 has a transformer already. Cascading iron can lead to funny results (though we do it all the time). Or you could replace the internal tranny, but I bet it is part of The Sound.

Some things can be improved. The SM57 can't: it is already "perfect" for what it is.
 
[quote author="PRR"]In most situations where a 57 is indicated, this is not a problem: amp-buzz and bar-chatter makes theoretical noise meaningless.[/quote]
PRR, you are one hell of a writer!
:thumb:
 
Just while we're on the topic, is there any mileage in upgrading the tranny in the '57? The stock item has to be a cheap and nasty one....... I'm really a great fan of this mic....seriously.

Andy
 
pucho812,
Condenser capsules put out such a tiny signal, they need to be amplified right at the source and thus the "head" amp was born. With dynamic mics, it doesn't really matter which end of the cable the "head" amp is on, within reason of course. So there's really no advantage to having the amp in the mic.
 
[quote author="PRR"]Some things can be improved. The SM57 can't: it is already "perfect" for what it is.[/quote]

Except for the grille cover in the most recent version. That's a bad design, how it mechanically floats. I've had them rattle on me when miking bass cabs and kick drums. I'm not sure why they got rid of the old grille design, but I would guess cost is the reason. When was the last time the price of that mic went up?

I have to admit though, there are two pieces of gear that I just don't understand what all the hoopla about them is. One is the TS-9 tube screamer and the other is the SM-57. I can almost allways find a mic that works better than a 57. There, I said it. I feel better now. :green:
 
For everyone who loves 57's, you owe it to yourself to check out a 421. Its like a 57, but with none of the crappy peaky junk and boxiness of a 57. I will still put a 57 on a snare drum, but thats really about it these days. I guess we like what we like though.

dave
 
What is "wrong" with the popular SM57 that would be improved by a tube?
IMO Absolutely nothing. It is the go to mike when nothing else works. However it comes as a possibility under audio phoolery(SP).Since tubes are a rage these days why why not? because it's possible as far as I know.
Some things can be improved. The SM57 can't: it is already "perfect" for what it is
:thumb:

Bottom line I am looking at like that is it possible? and if so why would you or why not?
 
[quote author="soundguy"]For everyone who loves 57's, you owe it to yourself to check out a 421. Its like a 57, but with none of the crappy peaky junk and boxiness of a 57. I will still put a 57 on a snare drum, but thats really about it these days. I guess we like what we like though.

dave[/quote]

The 421 and the 441 are two of my faves for dynamics these days. Peaky and boxy are good descriptions for the 57. In all fairness though, the 421 and 441 cost about 4x and 8x what the 57 does. If I were doing live sound, I'd probably bring the 57s and leave the others home.

-Chris
 
[quote author="Emperor-TK"]Except for the grille cover ...That's a bad design, how it mechanically floats...two pieces of gear that I just don't understand all the hoopla...TS-9 tube screamer and SM-57. I can almost allways find a mic that works better than a 57.[/quote]Glad to hear all of this, Chris - I thought I was the only one! :wink:
 
I know a fella made one years ago to replace all his Neumans. It works great but has a very high degree of difficulty in modifying. Seems the notch cut fot the tube must be dead on, no room for error. Also as I understand you do not have the ability to hand hold because of temperatures. LMAO

TBSM57-version4.jpg
 

Latest posts

Back
Top