"Nebraska" - A PortaStudio, two SM57's, and Inspiration

studmissile

I posted this here (http://www.guitarforum.co.za/recordings/pro-recording-where-who-and-how-much/msg222202/?topicseen#msg222202) but thought it deserved it's own topic.

Fascinating read, the stuff of legend
Bruce Springsteen's "Nebraska" - A PortaStudio, two SM57's, and Inspiration
http://tascam.com/news/display/226/

Still my favorite Bruce Album
=

AlanRatcliffe

...and a helluva time getting it mastered. ?

singemonkey

SM57s? But "soundmen" have told me that they're not vocal mikes! ?

(pet peeve)

Enjoyed that.

AlanRatcliffe

singemonkey wrote: SM57s? But "soundmen" have told me that they're not vocal mikes! ?

I approve your use of quotes. ? I did sound for Roger Lucey on the weekend and offered the 57 as an option as he also plays flute, sax and low whistle. He went 58, but I had to boost the highs a little and would have preferred the 57.

Keira-WitherKay

Yes as for recording on a portable cheap system , these days its even easier , technology has progressed to a point that ....and i make clear ... In the right hands ... Anyone can record at cd quality, on little more than a laptop and affordable software .... Its learning to use that software to require the desired result and quality thats the problem, and of course the material you record must be of high standard ..... A great song stays a great song . So the time has never been easier to record on relatively cheap devices and still get good quality than now

singemonkey

Keira, it was ever thus. I once heard a 4 track cassette recording made by a professional producer. I couldn't believe my ears. Compared to our kak-handed effort it sounded like anything you'd hear on the radio. But while it's easy to say that anyone can get the results with today's gear, it's a lot like saying that anyone can play like Steve Vai on a Squier. Yes it's true, but it kind of hides the enormous amount of skill you need to develop - something I've learned myself trying to produce decent things using our marvelous modern tools. The results are immediately better than on a Fostex - and easier to get. But they still don't sound close to what I'd want them to.

But yeah, I can record CD quality, multi-track, onto my ipod (not much bigger than an SA ID book) - which is pretty freakin' amazing.

Arno-West

It's all in the ears people. All in the ears.
"Golden Ears", "Elephant Ears" call them what you want, if somebody have good ears, they will get a good sound out of anything.

One time at a gig, the mic in the kick-drum stopped working (found out later the coil was fried), it was an AKG - D212 (egg-thing), supposed to be the McDaddy of Kick-drum mics. The only spare mic I had with me was an el-cheapo Prodipe TT1. I put that in the kick-drum and tweaked the EQ and Compressor a bit and voila! Got to within 95% of the AKG's sound.

We now use both the fixed AKG and the Prodipe an the kick-drum at gigs.

I love SM57's. You can mic-up just about anything with them and they are really not bad vocal mics either. Just remember to always tape the little grill-housing onto the mic itself with some insulation tape, otherwise it will rattle....and you will hear it rattle.

studmissile

Tom Petty's well known for using Sm57 as vocal mics.

even Lemmy, but his appears to be mutant!

Arno-West

studmissile wrote: Tom Petty's well known for using Sm57 as vocal mics.

even Lemmy, but his appears to be mutant!

Take note that the casing is taped-up every time...

singemonkey

Interesting point Arno. Thanked.

Yeah. In real life some top vocalists have used SM57s - including Elvis who had one in a gold casing ? But the myth persists among some well meaning people that SM58s are for vocals and SM57s are for miking up instruments.

studmissile

Yeah I see, thanks Arno I'll make a note of that.