SM-57- Real vs Fake and Mod Links

The following is  multi-purpose, multi-topic, Shure sm-57 and sm-58 post.   Real vs Fake (I like mine real), modifications, and random info to help you (and me) not get ripped off and make better records.

 Real vs Fake   

-A pdf with German and English on Fake vs Real- 

-A site that does a good run down of Fake vs Real- 

Mods

-DIY Recording Equipment List of Mods- this led me down the 57 Rabbit Hole-

-GearSlutz Take on the 57 TAB-Funkenwerk Transformer Mod- (buy the transformer here from Mercenary Audio)

-GearSlutz Take on the TapeOp Mod-

-The Hux Capacitor's take on the TapeOp Mod- 

-TapeOp Message Board on the Mod- with instructions on making a remote transformer insert

-Recording Mag's Impedance Mod Article- Really indepth

-The Granelli G5790 Mod Kit- Elbow/90 degree 57

-Recording Hacks General Info on 57- Excellent Resource and FAQ

Microphones in Places They Should Not Be

Word on the street says Zappa used to put Pignose Amps in all sorts of very uncomfortable places, like filing cabinets.  The last couple of times I have recorded, I tried to put an extra mic in places they didn't belong.  For one group I put a mic in a dryer, covered it with a busted cymbal and turned the gain way up.  In another, we built a little steel sweat box for an amp.  Both created very strange timbres and frequency mashing that I am using in both projects.  I plan on putting more mics in places they shouldn't go.  Samples are below.

Neumann U87 in the Dryer sample

Mini Guitar Amp in Sweat Box sample

Sennheiser e602

I got this mic cause I needed another mic to capture low end sounds (I already have an AKG D112).  I did some research and figured this was the best bang for my buck (I still want about 18 421's . . . ) as I still needed (and got) a Radial ProDI Passive box (it is the hotness).  I like the e602.  It does the trick on kick and bass.  Placement really changes the tone on this mic, but the sweet spots are pretty wide and easy to find.  Below are some links-

-GearSlutz Board post with the e602 placement tests- This is the post that made me buy this mic.  The samples here will show you the capabilities of German Engineering.  This is a very detailed and in depth page.

-Sennheiser's Spec Sheet-  cause I like frequency response graphs

Field Recording Trains, Overpasses, and Frogs 04-08-2010

Using the field recording setup described below, I went out on 04-08-2010 and tried out an AT Pro37 and an SM57 in various conditions to see how my reverse DI box theory works (it does).  So I went to the levee/ train track area on the north side of Lawrence and started walking.

AKG D200 Microphone

I picked this AKG D200 up as a free be a long time ago, before I new what AKG was or did. It was another mic that got thrown around the WinDixie bag full of Optimus and Realistic mics.

My Microphones

My mic closet isn't the deepest, but I have decent tools to make decent recordings, especially some of the space/jam/esoteric joints I record to hard drives. Below are links to articles, links, and reviews on the mics I own.

------Rode NT-1a------

Manual pdf-

Tape Op Review-

------Audio Technica Pro 37------

Manual pdf-

Tape Op review- Steve Albini called this the best mic under $200 period.

------Sennheiser e602-----

Blog Post on this mic

------Shure SM 57------

Manual pdf-

------Shure SM 58------

Manual pdf-

------AKG D112 (on loan)------

Manual pdf-

------AKG D200------

Blog post on this mic