How to record fine with one SM57

[Tico Teco]

Hi Folks,

Well, I have one SM57, a Marshall JCM900, A Rivera 5512, a Behringer mixer MX 602A, a Lexicon MPX100. The question is: do i need to buy another SM57 to get a killer sound, or is it possible to do the work with just one? I managed to have a good sound with the Marshall but it was always **** with the Rivera ( too bassy, strange). I also let the board flat. I also tryed to record my acoustic nylon string with the 57, but too bassy, not defined, a **** .
Do you have some tips?

Many Thanks,

Robert.

[Poddy]

For acoustic guitar i actually like to use a nice full bodied condenser. Picks up the feel of the instrument much better in my opinion. But you can keep that as an afterthought for the moment. Try playing in a brighter room if at all possible. And dont forget to spend some good time playing with the mic placement. If your getting a bit too much bass point the mic towards the neck a bit more. Dont sit it right over the hole if you will. The Sm57 is definitely a workhorse of a mic. And i wouldnt have any queries recommending it for live use. But for studio use i think there are definitely some better mics out there today. Just something to think about in future.

[Wiemer]

Tico,

I don't know if you are a rock guitarist but one sm57 should give a decent result..Try to put the sm57 more to the center of the speaker on your rivera for a more crisper sound and more to the edge of the speaker for a more bassy sound..Always record on axis so put the mic straight in front of the speaker and not with an angle..Play a little bit with the distance between the mic and the speaker.. Do you record to a sequencer?..Copy your guitar track a couple of times and put a little delay on the start of each track..eg 0ms, 5ms, 10ms, 15ms, 20ms but never exceed 30ms..Then EQ them all a little differently..This will "thicken" up your sound..Good luck..