Bb
113 posts
Dec 21, 2009
5:13 PM
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Is there much difference between these two mics?
Hoping Greg can weigh in on this one. Thinking about getting one of his Ultimate series mics. Anyone have opinions on these?
Thanks.
-Bob
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KC69
116 posts
Dec 21, 2009
6:40 PM
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Bb: Great question: I just had the similar question tonight with Greg on the phone. Wow, he is not only courteous, but has a ton of knowledge. I just ordered the Ultimate Series SM57. I did'nt even know he had a Christmas dicount. Thank You Greg. Now maybe I won't have to Re-Marry that Beautiful Woman for the 3rd time.Wow,what a savings. I'm interested to hearing Greg's post. He gave me a lot of info on the PE54 that I have. Thanks Again Greg, sorry to bug you so much. Christmas just got a lot more Bluesier for this old dog! And I Thank You K.C.
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hvyj
32 posts
Dec 21, 2009
7:17 PM
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SM 57 is deeper and smoother. Probably a better quality mic. 545 may be a better mic for harp, though. It creates a pleasing texture that works well with harp. The 545 distorts nicely with a tight cup, or can be played relatively clean. Both have proximity effect. Both have a full bodied tone.
i have a 545 Ultimate and i love it. In fact, i got a second one to have as spare. Sounds terrific into an amp or into a PA. With the right technique you can get as much dirt and distortion from this mic as you want or need and it can also be played clean when you want to be clean. Great harp mic.
A stock 545 can be a little heavy and cumbersome to use. The Ultimate solves those problems. Also, the volume control is a nice feature. Highly recommended!
Last Edited by on Dec 21, 2009 7:21 PM
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toddlgreene
278 posts
Dec 22, 2009
5:33 AM
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I believe the frequency response for a 57 is a bit lower than the 545, but it's probably for picking up lows that either you nor I could generate, anyway. I've played thru both, and do prefer the way the 545 distorts a little quicker, but both are nice. Much easier to hold than a ball-type vocal mic. I have yet to play thru or even hold an Ultimate, but that's GOTTA be nice to not have to deal with the extra weight and leverage of the full-length models. And, to echo hvyj-the volume control is a MUST.
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~Todd L. Greene, Devout Pedestrian
"listen to what you like for inspiration, but find your own voice"
crescentcityharmonicaclub@gmail.com
Last Edited by on Dec 22, 2009 5:33 AM
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rbeetsme
87 posts
Dec 22, 2009
5:50 AM
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I thought people only used SM57's for mic'ing amps and drums. Jason Ricci used to prefer The EV RE-10 stick mics, personally, I can't cup a stick mic, prefer the bullets. For a mic on a stand for harp, I use a Shure pre- SM58 Unidyne or an old Turner crystal (sweet mic! RJ Mishou tried to talk me out of it a few years back)
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HarpNinja
50 posts
Dec 22, 2009
6:02 AM
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I've had both and the comments here are spot on! I prefer the 57. I just recorded some studio stuff last night with an Ultimate 57 and Double Trouble. I should have rough mixes by the weekend. I'll try and share them when I get 'em.
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Mike Fugazzi
http://www.myspace.com/niterailband
http://www.youtube.com/user/NiteRail
http://www.twitter.com/NiteRail
http://www.facebook.com/mike.fugazzi
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toddlgreene
280 posts
Dec 22, 2009
7:01 AM
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Both of the above mics(and most mics intended for vocals)give a lot more flexibility with sound than 'harp mic' stnadards, i.e, Shure bullets, Astatics, et al-due to their frequency response. It's a very personal thing, though-I like to vary my tone, and it's not as easy with the older-style mics and elements. But, to go back to the original post-you won't go wrong with either the 57 or the 545. REMEMBER though-unless wired differently, they're usually low impedance, and you'll need an inline transformer.
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~Todd L. Greene, Devout Pedestrian
"listen to what you like for inspiration, but find your own voice"
crescentcityharmonicaclub@gmail.com
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apskarp
89 posts
Dec 22, 2009
11:00 AM
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I have the Ultimate 545. It sounds really good and you can play it clear or distorted as was pointed out. For me the 545 felt intuitively to be better choice than the 57 - I'm not sure why. One thing might be that it was impossible to get from where I live and it costs 40 euros more in Thomann..
Anyway, I play it with my Marble Max and only drawback compared to bullet mic is that it has lower volume level and thus I need to turn more of the volume from the amp to get it sound. But that's allright as far as the volume knob still has room to move..
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congaron
356 posts
Dec 22, 2009
3:59 PM
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My mic of choice is a samson r21...very similar in specs and all around performance. I have mic'd instruments and vocals with these for years with excellent results. I have also used the sm57. I use a beta 57 as my vocal mic. I use it for harp straight into the pa for clean harmonica tone.
I made a bullet shaped harp mic out of the element from an r21 on a whim. I ended up putting it back into a cut down r21 body, flattening the mesh ball to within 3/8 inch of the element and epoxying the xlr connector back into the open end. It is a very versatile mic with many tones available. I agree a vocal or instrument mic is more versatile for harp. How you play makes a huge difference in tone, whatever gear you use.
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Greg Heumann
199 posts
Dec 22, 2009
6:43 PM
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Wow! I'm honored to have so many customers on here!
First, I can tell you that OLDER 545's were dirtier than the new ones. Partly due to their transformer and partly due to the older heads. In fact, I've had a few old SM57's come my way that were also dirtier than the new ones. You can tell an old SM57 because it has a ground lug on the cartridge like 545's do - the modern SM57 only has the two signal lugs.
NEW 545's (R45 cartridge from Shure, AKA "Unidyne III") are MUCH closer to the 57 in tone. Ultimately the 57's frequency response extends a little higher, so it is clearer for mic'ing acoustic instruments including harp. The 545 still works in these environments but will be just a little less present. When played cupped, the 545 is not exactly more distorted but it does add a little more coloration to the sound.
Can't go wrong with either of them.
AND... only 3 more days to get your 10% Christmas Discount.... :)
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/Greg
BlowsMeAway Productions
BlueState - my band
Bluestate on iTunes
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