I have been experimenting with microphones recently and have found some excellent models. I have had a Shure SM57 for the past year which I seem to run a bit hot and cold with.
The one thing that puts me off is the handling noise. Despite what I have read about the Pneumatic shock-mount system that should cut down handling noise, it is the nosiest mic I have. It seems very susceptible to general handling vibration. If I tap the body or the XLR mount the sound transmits straight through. It also seems very sensitive to wind/nose breath noise. More than any other mic I have.
So is this normal? Do other people suffer from the same complaint?
Thanks Rick, It definitely isn't counterfeit. It was bought from a very reputable source and has been looked at by an excellent mic technician, who I am sure would have spotted the difference.
i know people like them and i respect that. i have one and i've tried to like it. i really don't though. maybe i'll try again. maybe my imt isn't very good. maybe i have poor skills. maybe i'll wake up one day and realise what ive been doing wrong. but right now i dont care for the way my playing sounds through a sm57.
best non bullet i've used is a beta 57A. that was pretty cool, but a totally different mic. heaps better in the hand than a sm57. i believe handling noise can be an issue with sm57.
great mic though. i use mine for mic-ing speakers.
what is the difference between the 57 and the 57 beta tomorrow there is a battle of the blues harp bands i asked the soundman what he was using to mike the harps he said 57 beta he has been running sound for these contest for 3 years getting pretty darn good at it
I had the same problem until I got a Bulletizer. It not only sounds better but makes it much less fatiguing trying to hang on to the mic. If you run your amp really hot with a lot of gain you're probably going to get some noise.
@1847,. Polar pattern: Beta 57A = supercardioid; SM57 = cardioid Output level: Beta 57A is 4dB hotter than SM57 Handling noise: Beta 57A is quieter than SM57 Grill: Beta 57A has a hardened grill that is very difficult to dent Frequency response: Beta 57A has extended low end and high end compared to SM57
The Beta 57A sounds different than SM57. You may like it better or you may not.
@Libertad Occasionally, an SM57 may develop an audible rattle when the microphone is shaken vigorously. The noise may be reduced or eliminated by inserting a small piece of acoustic foam (such as used in the 55SH Series II grill) between the SM57 grill housing and the black metal screen.
Use a bright light to locate one of the four flat areas beneath the screen. Carefully insert the foam piece between the grill frame and screen. Push it in until no longer visible. If necessary, repeat using one of the other flat areas.
The addition of this foam does not degrade the SM57 frequency response or polar pattern. ----------
It's not just the rotating head. The whole body of the mic seems more prone to handling noise. At comparable volume levels to other mics it is just noisier.
Has anyone taken one apart, how does the pneumatic shock mount system work?
EUREKA! I think I have it sorted, I hope my findings help other people.
It was the inline transformer that I was using! I already had a an Audix but I changed over to a IMP mini. The difference in tone is appreciable. The IMP picks up and seems to emphasise the higher frequencies, this was particularly apparent with my breathing noise! After changing back to the Audix my SM57 is more handable.
In my experience the Audix is the abnormal one - it cuts signal and high frequencies. If it is muting your breathing noises, how can it NOT be messing with your tone? I have tested 4 different IMT's - the Shure and the Whirlwind IMP are the best - the Audix definitely muddies things up.
I almost wonder if there is something wrong with your mic.
If you're recording, I can see where handling noise is an issue. But ALL mics have handling noise. I don't find the SM57 to be any worse or better than any other vocal mic. It is not an issue in live performance.
SM57's DO have a high frequency handling noise from the grill "clicking". RHarley's suggestion above works - you need a really fine tool to get the foam under there but it works. The Bulletizer also solves that problem.
Greg's 100% correct about all mics having handling noise of some sort from personal experience and often times when you have the volume on the amp at the threshold of feeding back, it tends to happen, and more often I've found it when using really cheapo cables that have a very thin plastic jacket and if the noise is loud enough, it can also cause feedback problems as well. ---------- Sincerely, Barbeque Bob Maglinte Boston, MA http://www.barbequebob.com CD available at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/bbmaglinte
"SM57's DO have a high frequency handling noise from the grill 'clicking'."
Which is precisely why I've always been hesitant about getting a 57 or a 545 to play through. Only stick mic I've used to date is my DM13.
I have an Emerson M189 that surprisingly works well for harp, both cupped and clean-on-the-stand. Very lightweight due to the plastic construction, on/off switch that's very quiet, but what amazes me about it is that it's got probably the least amount of handling noise to it of any vocal mic I've ever seen. A cheap directional karaoke mic! Whoodathought?! ----------
Hawkeye Kane
Last Edited by on Oct 22, 2012 8:15 AM
