Microphone Shoot-Out!: AKG D112 vs Shure SM57 (Mesa Dual Rectifier/PRS Custom 22)

Mic Shoot Out!: AKG D112 vs Shure SM57. These two mics are arguably the two biggest "Go To" mics for Recording. The AKG D112 is a Kick Drum Microphone, where as the SM57 is an all-around "Work Horse" Microphone. The D112 is priced at around $250, where the SM57 is priced around $100. Both Mics are going through a Tascam US1641 USB Audio Interface into an iMac 24" and Logic Studio 9. I did not have both mics set up on different inputs... both are going through input one (Switching the Cable and placing the mics after each take). Guitar used was a Paul Reed Smith Custom 22 Brazilian Limited Edition.

Which Mic do you think sounds better? I will be doing more Mic Shoot-outs over the next few Months...

Category:

Music

Tags:

• AKG
• mic
• microphone
• shure
• sm57
• d112
• mesa
• boogie
• dual
• rectifier
• cowcar music
• cowcar studios
• home studio
• studio
• prs
• paul reed smith
• custom 22
• brazilian
• imac
• apple
• tascam
• us
• us1641
• us 1641
• ryan dunn

[nivlafarts]

The Shure sounds tighter and more articulate. I would just double track if I wanted more guitar, it might be annoying but it disciplines you! Also, I think the bass is what adds the beef to a guitar tone. Were these recorded with a preamp or just dry? Nice playing btw!

[CowcarMusic]

@nivlafarts Recorded dry! I agree with double tracking for discipline... I got a Tape Based 4 Track in '96, a year into playing, and it increased my skill 1000%... the only problem is I find it hard not to double track now... which isn't always needed and can take away from some recordings... I just love it though lol

[kesanar218]

i like the warmth of the 112

would you get the same warmth using a beta 52

[CowcarMusic]

@kesanar218 haven't tried the 52... it's a possibility though lol

[lebenmachtdurstig]

pretty unfair:

every microphone in the world sounds betten than a sm57.

[CowcarMusic]

@lebenmachtdurstig lol

[RobTyler93]

I think the D112 is sounding pretty tasty because of the boost in the 2-4kHz range it has (aimed to gain some click when recording kick) and also a boost in the low end making it thick in this shootout. I'm sure you can get a better sound with mics in the same price range out there. You're going to be attenuating the low end anyway if mixing with bass. Nonetheless made a decent sound for a video shootout!

[sammy5772]

@instereovideos EXACTLY, it seems to em that that much bass would just mussy up the low mids and walk all over the bass if left un-eq'd. Something that might sound great solo'd can sound like total shit in a mix.

[radulica]

The SM57 is an industry standard, but I gotta admit, I've never tried putting the D112 to a guitar amp. In the distortion part, the D112 sounds much better and fuller than the SM57, but for the acoustic part, the SM57 just has much more clarity than the D117. It's really a matter of what sound you prefer. But that's what I would do, use the D112 for Distortion and the 57 for the acoustic parts.

[zapzzapzzapz]

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