eq, amp set up for shure sm58?

cullashark · Post by **cullashark** » Fri Sep 28, 2007 1:45 am

i just brought one home today.. i was using a m-audio nova, but i was annoyed at how it picked up sounds of my roomates etc through the walls cause it was so sensitive...

anyhoo, i wanted something i could hold and be ruff with... but its so bassy when i just plug it stright through...

does anyone have any tips? or recommendations on how to get a good eq or amp kinda set up for the sm58? i'm using it primarily for rapping.

thanks.

Machinate · Post by **Machinate** » Fri Sep 28, 2007 2:04 am

this is probably due to the proximity effect.

You basically have two choices - move slightly away from the microphone - like, just an inch or even less - or eq your way out of it. Eq8 is great for highpassing.

cullashark · Post by **cullashark** » Fri Sep 28, 2007 2:15 am

thanks, im gonna play around more with the proximity.. if i still cant find nothing i'll try looking for alternatives for EQ...

i do like the EQ in ableton.. and it works great for sounds/loops/instruments.. but for vocals, the presets are kind.. not so hot for what i want, and im kind too dumb to find how to make it sound better haha

b.phonic · Post by **b.phonic** » Fri Sep 28, 2007 5:19 am

SM58's aren't the best choice for recording vox, a good mic pre would help along with eqing after you record the dry vox. I would recommend using the M-Audio mic and either trying to sound proof your room, record in the closet or bathroom, or while sometime when you won't record too much excess noise.

4.33 · Post by **4.33** » Fri Sep 28, 2007 6:57 pm

cut everything below 60 hrz at least
mild compression will also help you out

but you just can't be given exact instructions here how to eq YOUR voice.
just experiment
record and listen
then again
and again
until it sounds right the next day

i dont agree with b.phonic that sm58 is not good for recording. cmon man, bjork is claimed to have recorded her latest album with sm58 in most cases. and i guess she had a couple of hi end mikes around)) of course she's been using super-pooper recording tract, but in the end, sm58 just did the job. or sigur ros, using cheap ass octavas along with super expensive mikes. and all these guysand girls sound like there's no tomorrow.

cullashark · Post by **cullashark** » Fri Sep 28, 2007 8:18 pm

thanks.. sigur ros and bjork.. cant go wrong there... what album did u say she used it on? volta or medulla?

b.phonic · Post by **b.phonic** » Sat Sep 29, 2007 1:52 am

Using a cheap mic isn't an issue as long as you know how to make it sound good. You have two choices either use good mics and techniques or bad mics and good recording and studio techniques.

4.33 · Post by **4.33** » Sat Sep 29, 2007 6:16 am

volta, i read some interview on the recording techniques for the album,
somewhere on her site