Receiving Helpdesk

does shure sm57 need phantom power

by Jeffrey Bartell Published 3 years ago Updated 3 years ago

Phantom power is a way to provide power to microphones that require electricity to operate, typically condensers. On the other hand, dynamic mics—the ubiquitous Shure SM57 and SM58, for example—do not require power.Mar 27, 2017

Does the SM57 need Phantom Power?

Being a dynamic mic, the SM57 does not need phantom power. Although it shouldn’t damage it, it’s advisable to have phantom power switched off when using this mic.

Is the Shure SM57 a good mic?

Let’s first look at the sound quality, cost, and specifications of the SM57. On the reputable audio engineer forum Gearslutz, it has an overall rating of 4.15 stars out of 5, with 48 reviews (as of this writing). So, clearly, it’s a very good mic. Shure made the SM57 so it was versatile and able to handle most sound sources.

Do I need a preamp for my SM57?

The SM57 is one of those dynamic mics that needs a good amount of amplification so an external inline or outboard preamp is recommended, especially if the preamps in your audio interface, mixer or field recorder aren’t the strongest. When it comes to inline mic activator type preamps, in my opinion there are two standout models.

Is the SM57 worth the money?

The SM57 can take a beating and still sound just as good as it did out of the box. The SM57 is just under $100. And that’s a great deal for the quality, versatility, and reliability you get with this mic. That price point fits the budget of most home producers.

Can a Shure SM57 handle phantom power?

The SM57 is a dynamic microphone. A professional, balanced, dynamic microphone will not be damaged by phantom power. It will "ignore" it.

Do Shure mics require phantom power?

No, the Shure SM58 microphone does not require phantom power simply because it does not have any active circuitry within it.

Does the SM57 need a preamp?

The SM57 is one of those dynamic mics that needs a good amount of amplification so an external inline or outboard preamp is recommended, especially if the preamps in your audio interface, mixer or field recorder aren't the strongest.

What do I need for Shure SM57?

Requirements for the Shure SM57Whether you're recording in a studio or on stage, you'll need a mic stand.An XLR cable is also required. ... While it's great you don't have to worry about a dedicated pre-amp, you still need something to transmit the signal.

Is the Shure SM57 a condenser mic?

About Dynamic Microphones Dynamic microphones like the Shure SM57 and Shure SM58 are legendary for not only their good sound quality, but also for the amount of abuse they can withstand.

How do I know if my mic needs phantom power?

How do I know if my mic needs phantom power? Well, the simplest way would be to verify whether your microphone is a condenser type or another type such as dynamic or ribbon. If it is a condenser microphone it will need phantom power, if it is a different type of microphone it will not.

Do you need cloud lifter for SM57?

It shouldn't require a Cloudlifter or external amp to power it since it doesn't appear to be a gain-hungry mic like the SM7B.It also has an integrated shock mount to minimize unwanted noise, shock, and vibrations from traveling through the mic arm, into the microphone, and into your recordings.

Is SM57 good for vocals?

Is the Shure SM57 good for vocals? Yes. As covered above, it can work very well on loud singers. But if you're looking for a vocal mic, you may want to look at a condenser microphone first.

What is the Shure SM57 used for?

The Shure SM57 unidirectional dynamic microphone is exceptional for musical instrument pickup or for vocals. With its bright, clean sound and carefully contoured presence rise, the SM57 is ideal for live sound reinforcement and recording.

Why is SM57 so good?

It Has Excellent Off-axis Rejection. Thanks to its tight cardioid polar pattern, the SM57 is ideal for all kinds of common situations. For example, it's my first choice for miking a snare drum in the studio. If you position it right, it offers really good rejection of the hi-hat sound — even with a hard-hitting drummer ...

Is the Shure SM57 worth it?

The simple answer here is that a Shure SM57 will give decent results with almost anything. From music to speech, and from TV to field recording. Its status as a general-purpose microphone means exactly that; it is the jack of all trades. In a musical sense, there are many ways in which an SM57 will prove its worth.

Is a Shure SM57 good for live performance?

Utility Microphones for Live Sound. The Shure SM57 and SM58 can be used for almost any situation. While they are slightly different, the 57 can be used for vocals and the 58 can be used on instruments and amps.

How to use SM57 on guitar?

Acoustic Guitar. Using an SM57, or any dynamic mic, on an acoustic guitar will give you a warm sound. You will have to place it closer to the guitar than you would a condenser microphone because it’s not as sensitive. Try pointing it at the twelfth fret about eight inches away and adjust from there.

How much is SM57 mic?

The SM57 is just under $100. And that’s a great deal for the quality, versatility, and reliability you get with this mic. That price point fits the budget of most home producers. And the quality matches what you’d hear in a pro-level studio.

What is a SM57 modification?

A modification means you do minor surgery on a piece of equipment to change the sound. This can be a fun experiment if you have the budget for a new SM57, in case the modification goes south. There’s a modification you can do to a Shure SM57 that will bring out more low end.

How to mic a kick drum?

First, you can point the mic directly at the audience side of the drumhead about 2–3 inches away. This will give you a nice boomy sound.

How far away should a SM57 be from the drum?

When miking a snare with an SM57, place it four inches away from the edge of the drum and aim it at the center of the head. This will give you the best sound and also avoids the drummer accidentally hitting the mic. However, even if that does happen, the SM57 is super durable and probably won’t get damaged.

How to mic a guitar amp?

You can mic a guitar amp many ways, but we’ll just look at miking it from the front. From the front, you can point the mic toward the center of the amp about an inch or so away. This will capture a bright and clear sound. If you angle the mic away from the center, you’ll end up with a warmer sound.

How to make a clicking sound on a drum?

Put the mic inside the drumhead cutout on the audience side of the skin. Move it toward the drummer side of the skin until it’s not quite halfway inside the drum. This will give you more of a clicking sound. And if you need more top end, point it more towards the beater.

Does the SM57 need phantom power?

yeah you got it right, the SM57 is a dynamic mic and doesn't need phantom power. Most mics that need that (if not all) are condenser mics. I don't see how phantom power would effect the signal... but i still don't understand why he would have it on in the first place.#N#So just ignore that man's whine.#N#Toodles!

Does a 57 mixer need 48V?

A 57 doesn't require 48v and will work fine regardless of whether phantom is applied or not (it'll happily 'ignore' it if applied, making it fine to use alongside condensers if your mixer only has a global 48v switch).

What preamp should I use for Shure SM57?

If you want your Shure SM57 to perform to the best of its ability, you need to give it some gain. For most, an inline preamp like the Cloudlifter or Fethead will be a great choice – they’re portable, convenient and low cost.

What is SM57?

The SM57 is one of those dynamic mics that needs a good amount of amplification so an external inline or outboard preamp is recommended, especially if the preamps in your audio interface, mixer or field recorder aren’t the strongest.

What is the difference between SM57 and SM58?

The mics do look a little different though and that’s because as mentioned at the start of this article, the SM57 was originally designed as an instrument mic whereas the SM58 was designed as a vocal mic so features a ball grille with a built-in pop filter.

What is a mic preamp?

A preamp is what provides amplification. Mic preamps can come in different forms though and it’s worth covering those first as each one has it’s pros and cons. My old Alice Mic-Pak outboard preamp – lots of clean gain and doesn’t cost the earth.

Why do dynamic mics need a preamp?

This is because the diaphragm of a dynamic mic needs more sound volume to move and because it’s that movement which produces the electrical signal , the small amount of movement that you get with a dynamic mic means that a weaker signal is generated. A preamp is what provides amplification.

What is the best level of signal for a microphone?

Professional line level (the one you’ll generally find with professional audio equipment) is the highest level of signal and is rated at about +4dBu. Mic level on the other hand is generally a much weaker signal and as most microphones output at mic level, amplification is required.

What is cloudlifter mic?

The Cloudlifter has a solid fan base and has become one of the go-to gain boosting devices for pairing with a low sensitivity dynamic mic. Offering +25db of clean gain, the Cloudlifter is not only portable but ruggedly built to cope with the demands of regular use in the studio or on location.

Why turn off phantom power?

Additionally, it's a good idea to turn phantom power off while plugging and unplugging microphones to prevent any potential power surge and general pops and loud noises, which could damage your speakers/headphones over time.

How many volts does a mic need to run?

This method is referred to as phantom power. The worldwide standard for phantom power is 11 to 52 volts of DC (typical studio mics run on 48v). Your preamp will typically have a button labelled 48v, which allows you to turn this on/off. However, some older mixers and cheaper audio interfaces may not have phantom power.

Where was the power supply for a condenser microphone?

This power supply would often be located quite near the microphone and was usually large, heavy, and cumbersome.

Does a mixer have phantom power?

However, some older mixers and cheaper audio interfaces may not have phantom power. In this case, an external phantom power supply can be added between the condenser mic and the preamp.

Who is Marc from Shure?

Marc forms part of our Pro Audio team at Shure UK and specialises in Digital Marketing. He also holds a BSc First Class Hons Degree in Music Technology. When not at work he enjoys playing the guitar, producing music, and dabbling in DIY (preferably with a good craft beer or two).

Does a dynamic microphone need phantom power?

A dynamic microphone, like the SM58, does not require phantom power because it does not have active electronics inside. Nonetheless, applying phantom power will not damage other microphones in the vast majority of cases. The reason is that modern dynamic microphones are designed to accept phantom power without issues, ...

Why is the SM57 used for recording instruments?

The reason the SM57 is used for recording instruments and the SM58 is used for recording mostly vocals is because of the differences in their grilles. Welcome to The Home Recordings. Report this Ad. The SM57 has a built-in grille that’s actually part of the cartridge, which means that the diaphragm of the microphone can be placed a bit closer ...

Why is the SM58 the best mic?

The reason that the SM58 is considered to be one of the- of the best vocal mic in history, is because of how reliable it is and its excellent sound quality.

What does the ball grille on a SM58 mean?

This ball grille on the SM58 means that there will be a bit more distance between the source and the diaphragm. The closer the sound source, the more pronounced the proximity effect will be. So, you could say that the SM57 has a more pronounced proximity effect then. This difference in grille design is also responsible for ...

What is the best microphone for recording instruments?

Used to record guitar and bass cabinets, drums -especially snares-, and loads of other instruments all over the world, the SM57 is considered to be the best dynamic microphone for recording instruments.

Does the SM57 have a peak?

Like I mentioned earlier, the SM57 has an increased presence peak, as does the SM58 but not as much, which brings out clarity both in the vocals and in the instruments that are recorded.

Can you use a pop filter on a SM58?

You will need to use an external pop filter for this, but other than that you’ll be completely fine.

Is the Ball Grille better than the SM57?

As far as the frequency response goes, it’s almost identical to the SM57; It has a slight boost in the presence frequencies which simply helps bring out some clarity in the vocals.

image
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9