SM58 as an instrument mic?

[getreel]

I have 2 Shure SM58s in great shape in my studio that I don't use very much except for an occaisional scratch vocal. I was wondering what, if any, instruments/other sounds any of you guys are using or have found a 58 useful for. I seem to remember using one on a floor tom long ago and don't remember how much I liked or disliked the sound. That was back in my 4 track days as a teenager and only had 58s, some old AKG dynamics, whatever I could dig up to record a demo with. Now I got to thinking about what I could use my two old 58s for other than when I need a live vocal mic at a gig.

[AGCurry]

If it's what you have, use it. It's not great but it's unlikely to suck.

[getreel]

I don't mean that's all I have. I have many mics...that's why I never reach for my 58s in the studio. I was just seeing if there were people who have lots of options using 58s for anything instrument-wise sometimes.

[wayne kerr]

I don't mean that's all I have. I have many mics...that's why I never reach for my 58s in the studio. I was just seeing if there were people who have lots of options using 58s for anything instrument-wise sometimes.

Well, Steve Albini reaches for one frequently... when he needs to pound a nail into a board, for example.

[Garthplinko]

I've used them on guitar cabinets when I had to and been ok with the results -not stoked but ok. If you have other mics, I say sell 'em and put the money towards something you have had your eye on. You don't need to hang on to it just to have a scratch vocal mic - pick up one of those super cheap AT things they sell at guitar center for 20 bucks and that'll do.

[Everybody's X]

I like them on guitar cabs and toms

[bniesz]

well, people use 57s on EVERYTHING.
58s (not beta) are the same capsules as 57s

i've used 57/58s on snare, toms, guitar cabs, room mics, vocals

not my first choice usually, but never my last.

[getreel]

I like my 57s on guitar cabs and toms so I guess the 58s could substitute. I think the reason I don't use them on drums is the big ball end is bigger than a 57 and harder to position. I think I may sell at least one of them of not both and get a Beyer 201. Been wanting one for awhile.

[Jon Nolan]

I've recorded a shitload with 58's. Sometimes it sounds pretty good! It's like anything though I guess, and of course it's relative to the mic's limitations.

I know I used an XY pattern orf 58's on a piano and I'm 99% sure i used them in another XY as overheads on a song of mine called "Mary (won't you come along?" fwiw, it's here: http://www.myspace.com/jonnolan

i liked em on my upright in particular. i mean, that's what my piano sounds like, so i was happy. it was all i had at the time to choose from at the time, so...

jon

[joeysimms]

I mic'd a snare drum shell with a 58 just yesterday, sounded awesome.

[OneZero]

I once hung one over my Fender Bassman amp for a scratch bass track. I was super surprised how "thick and guey" it sounded.

[EasyGo]

Given that 58s are so close to 57s, it's cool to unscrew the ball windscreen thingy for micing up guitar amps and other instrument duties. I only have 1 57, so my 58s see a lot of action on instruments!

[jckinnick]

Dr. Dog told me they recorded the drums on Easy Beat with a Sm58 and a RodeNTK, but they could have been thinking of a 57

[markmeat]

I've used them on toms and occasionallly on the beater side of a kick drum... I remember (not so far) back when this was all I used on vocal tracks as well...

MEAT

[vvv]

I have one that I use all of the time on guitar amp combos and cabs, both on and off axis (like when you hang it from the handle for a live gig; it can sound good!) and always like how it sounds slightly lo-fi, and fits well in a rock mix.

I also find it works well for tambo, cowbell, etc.

Sometimes, when I just have to scream (think punk-rock, not emo), the 58 is the perfect choice, and again when I want a kind of lo-fi but intimate Nick Cave/Mark Sandman-type vocal.