SM57 Placement

[LCW]

Got an SM57 placed so the edge of the mic is in line with the edge of the dust cap. The mic is at 90 degrees to the grille cloth, it just looks angled due to the camera creating an optical illusion.

Is this ok?

 

[spawnofthesith]

Looks good to me

 

[MirrorProfiles]

Looks absolutely fine but listen to the results and move it around based on how it sounds. Also be sure to check every speaker, there’ll likely be one you like better than the others.

All speakers and tones (and 57’s!!!) are different so you just have to fine tune things to where they’re happiest. I wouldn’t worry too much about how it looks, move it based on how it sounds.

 

[Orvillain]

No, the correct position is 0.3 to the right.

 

[newholland]

like other folksve said- looks ok to me, but so hard to count on how it sounds. i always put at least a full fist worth of distance between the grille and the mic face, and find that it helps roll the mondo bass boost off, and lets you get a little better control of too much tooth. ymmv.

 

[bikescene]

I’ve gotten use to measuring from the cap center for recall. The most pleasing SM57 on axis sound on a typical Celestion is typically 2” away from the center. Sometimes it is 2.5” away depending on the amp-speaker combo, and I make a note of it. Those distances are approximately the position that you are showing.

 

[spawnofthesith]

As others have said, mic placement is the epitome of “use ears not eyes” there’s no one and done definitive solution and it’s rather subjective and scenario specific anyways

But that looks like a fine starting point

If you can loop the guitar in anyway and listen through headphones while moving the mic around that’s really the best way to figure out what you want

 

[LCW]

As others have said, mic placement is the epitome of “use ears not eyes” there’s no one and done definitive solution and it’s rather subjective and scenario specific anyways

But that looks like a fine starting point

If you can loop the guitar in anyway and listen through headphones while moving the mic around that’s really the best way to figure out what you want

Ok cool - I was going to ask if there was a way to do “real time” or if more trial and error (recording, listening, move, repeat.). I have open back headphones so probably just do the latter though.

 

[MirrorProfiles]

Ok cool - I was going to ask if there was a way to do “real time” or if more trial and error (recording, listening, move, repeat.). I have open back headphones so probably just do the latter though.

You could put some masking tape along the floor and mark different positions, then reamp and label the files so they correspond to each spot. Generally speaking though, you'll be able to hear if it's too fizzy (and then you move it away from the middle) or too dark/hollow, so you move it towards the centre. It really depends on what you're going for, any position can work for something and you'll likely want to move things around depending on what the intention is.

 

[la szum]

Good advice here.

I'd also suggest not trying to get a tone in isolation. Apply those methods in the
actual mix of the project your are working on. It's really the only way to lock in
on the tone that works for the song/mix/instrumentation.

 

[2dor]

If it sounds good, it is good.

What I usually do is I play a DI on a loop into the amp, then get a pair of IEMs (I have a Truthear Zero Red and a Hexa), mic up the cab and move the mic around until I hear what I like in my ears. Then move to my desk to sanity-check; rinse & repeat until you're satisfied with the results.

As @MirrorProfiles suggested, try all the speakers out; you'd be surprised how well the top speakers perform most of the time.

 

[AFKAEjay(retired)]

Too much high: move off axis from the cone,
Too much low end, move the mic back a bit. (Close proximity effect)

 

[EOengineer]

Butch Vig has mentioned a trick where he’d basically send white or pink noise through the amp cranked up in the room and then move the mic around until it was picking up the balance that he wants.

You’ll need a good set of isolation headphones if you don’t have someone who can move the mic around while you monitor.

 

[sleewell]

try this

 

[James Freeman]

No, the correct position is 0.3 to the right.

Would that be in inches, feet, arms, legs, yards or football fields?

 

[Orvillain]

Would that be in inches, feet, arms, legs, yards or football fields?

leagues.