Name rap records/artists whose vocals were recorded with a sm57/58 ??

[mikeon]

I've read quite a lot about the sm57 and how it was used on many great hits and artists (bono,beth orton etc) and it seems like a real great mic (for its price), but how many rappers used these mics for their vocals, and on what songs ??

[mikeon]

Well weren't any rappers tracked using them ?? Condensers all the way eh??

[DaKid]

I'm not sure if I saw a video or someone had told me about it, but I think Wu Tang would chill in the control room and pass around a 57 sometimes and mash out....

Then again, I could be horrendously wrong...

My memory blows.

[Fluency]

^I've heard they used to record w/ an SM7, so that might be what you're thinking of.

[illynoise]

Although a lot of people on here will tell you they like the 57 58 and SM7. They aren't a good substitute for any condenser that I've experienced! I've owned all of these mics and I personally prefer the handheld AT mics in general. They kill the Shure's in sound quality!

[Fluency]

Originally Posted by illynoise

Although a lot of people on here will tell you they like the 57 58 and SM7. They aren't a good substitute for any condenser that I've experienced! I've owned all of these mics and I personally prefer the handheld AT mics in general. They kill the Shure's in sound quality!

Depends on the quality of the equipment, & also the vocalist(s). I've heard the SM7 being pushed by a Neve 1072, & it sounds nice & crisp. From my own personal experiences, it seems to work a little better with higher-pitched voices.

[illynoise]

Originally Posted by Fluency

Depends on the quality of the equipment, & also the vocalist(s). I've heard the SM7 being pushed by a Neve 1072, & it sounds nice & crisp. From my own personal experiences, it seems to work a little better with higher-pitched voices.

But if you need a Neve to push a SM7, does that really make sense? It seems a little silly to me!

[Barron43]

You don't need a neve to push a SM7, but it helps. Since it's a dynamic you will need a pre with some clean gain to give...I use mine for adlibs and emphasis stacks that I want to punch through. Where a LDC is smooth and rounded, I equate the SM7 to a 2x4 with aggressive vox. Just depends of the voice.

[KidWork]

Not Rap but someone told me Bono from U2 records all his vocals with a sm57

...my bad already been said

[mikeon]

I think he uses a sm58 and records in the control room?? ... thats wat i said earlier...

[HoPMiX]

i justed used a sm7 to cut a scratch vocal with a full band. 1073-1176. the vocal is dope..
im thinking of buying one for hop hop stuff. its very edgy and cutting through.

[B-Muzik]

why the hell would u record with a low output mic...those mics are so hard to get a good signal thats why they are good for live performances cuz they have big POWER AMPS...GET A GOOD CONDENSER!

[somedude74]

Originally Posted by B-Muzik

why the hell would u record with a low output mic...those mics are so hard to get a good signal thats why they are good for live performances cuz they have big POWER AMPS...GET A GOOD CONDENSER!

Hard to get a good signal, OK. That is why they are good for live performances, OK. I guess my SM7 sucks for recording. I will sell it now.

I am from VA, and sent my wife to PENN for a masters program. Tthe Copabananna rules on South Street.

[Stitch333]

Originally Posted by GTR

Copabananna rules on South Street.

you obviously haven't gotten around.

[Reza]

Originally Posted by B-Muzik

why the hell would u record with a low output mic...those mics are so hard to get a good signal thats why they are good for live performances cuz they have big POWER AMPS...GET A GOOD CONDENSER!

it just means that you need a dope pre-amp. An SM7 with a kick ass pre is a great option - especially if you're tracking in an untreated room!!!

Do some searches on the SM7 and you'll see they get a lot of love - from people that have access to all sorts of mics.

[Fluency]

Originally Posted by illynoise

But if you need a Neve to push a SM7, does that really make sense? It seems a little silly to me!

You don't need a Neve, I have an MS1B - burned a cd today w/ a snippet I recorded/mixed down last night, put it in my car (very high-end system so it definitely screams at you if the quality's not up to par), & actually went through the whole song w/ nothing agitating me. Everything sounded smooth.

My favorite thing about the SM7 is that it sounds natural - I'd rather start out w/ a clean vocal & eq it to sound how I want, than start out w/ a colored one.... if you don't like the way your pre/mic combo colors your voice, it seems like your primary objective shifts to making your vocal sound more natural which can be tricky sometimes. Mixing an SM7's vocal = a lot less frustrating IMO.

[Fluency]

Originally Posted by B-Muzik

why the hell would u record with a low output mic...those mics are so hard to get a good signal thats why they are good for live performances cuz they have big POWER AMPS...GET A GOOD CONDENSER!

Actually, they're just really good in terms of blocking out background noise (in this case, audiences), & deal with high's pretty well. Being that they do have a low output & need a lot of gain, if anything, they amplify any line noise caused by "big power amps".

If you're going to get a condenser mic, I hope you have the money for a quality one along with a good pre - otherwise you're going to spend another chunk of money every week on aspirin, not to mention plug-ins.

[B-Muzik]

Originally Posted by GTR

Hard to get a good signal, OK. That is why they are good for live performances, OK. I guess my SM7 sucks for recording. I will sell it now.

I am from VA, and sent my wife to PENN for a masters program. Tthe Copabananna rules on South Street.

Yeah the Copa's on 40th and Spruce is closer to me but U gotta check out Jim's and Gino's...I swear u can see Gino's like across philly at night time cuz its glowing like Samantha off of Sex and the city when she gets laid...lol...but there are some really upscale places on downtown market...Its a place called Sole-food and the menu is awesome...Also if u like Japanese then check out Hibachi...its down by Penns Landing and its a Japanese steak-house type restaurant...Also if u like sushi...32 an Walnut is Ajia...and its AWESOME...But yeah the other dude needs to grab a condenser cuz its gonna be more clear and accurate than a dynamic...unless u can make ur voice sound like snare...lol...

[B-Muzik]

Originally Posted by Fluency

Actually, they're just really good in terms of blocking out background noise (in this case, audiences), & deal with high's pretty well. Being that they do have a low output & need a lot of gain, if anything, they amplify any line noise caused by "big power amps".

If you're going to get a condenser mic, I hope you have the money for a quality one along with a good pre - otherwise you're going to spend another chunk of money every week on aspirin, not to mention plug-ins.

TRUE TRUE! THAT REAL TALK HOMIE!

[somedude74]

Actually, along with my decent mic pre and distressor, my SM7 far outshines my current condenser mic which is an AKG-414. I feel the 414 is too flat for my voice.

I would much rather have a U87, though. I just don't feel like plunking down 3G for a mic, when I could get a real nice guitar or amp for the same amount.

Philly Side Thread:
---------------------
I gotta tell yah, I go to Pat's, not Gino's when I am in town. Gino's has too many ordering rules. I actually lived on 43rd and Spruce up on a third floor of a Brownstone. It got mighty hot in the summer, not as hot as on the 4th floor, though.

[MufflerMouth]

I'm not sure who has used a 57, I've wondered that myself.

I used one for this recording I did when I was recovering from a migraine. lol

feel free to check it out: Unkool Scam - Police Scanners - YouTube

I don't want this post to come off as a "Hey Come check out my music" kinda thing.
but I guess it kind of is.

Anyway yea I used a 57 on this track through an ART Tube pre. My only gripe about this track is that I couldn't get my back ups mixed to well. I'm still wrapping my brain around back up vocs.

thanks

[MrMeek]

hey muffler, nice song man

backing vocs need to be really precise, that takes years of practice

[MrMeek]

an old distorted 58 works allways in rap songs

[jjboogie]

Erykah Badu records with an sm57.

[carstairs]

I've heard Operation Doomsday was recorded in Doom's bedroom with a 58. It definitely sounds like it was. Very clearly not professionally mixed, but talent trumps all.

[tal213]

i ran a sm57 through a tube preamp out of curiosity and it sounded pretty good.. i have better options, but if it was all i had, i could make it work. the right preamp can make a decent mic into a great mic.

[manysounds]

Ole Dirty Bastard definitely used a 57
I "think" some Beastie Boys tracks they used 58s but I'm not positive, I'll have to ask my boy Roj :P You're not gonna "Pass the Mic" with a mounted U87, that's for sure. Plus they use so much FX why bother with anything "high end"? "Never rock the mic with the panyhose" also. You're just not going to be using an expensive condenser mic without a pop shield.

can't think of any others off the top of my head but I know it happened.

[manysounds]

Originally Posted by mikeon

I think he uses a sm58 and records in the control room?? ... thats wat i said earlier...

I heard that Bono has recorded with a 58 and floor wedges for monitoring. That was done (IIRC) for Achtung Baby. I "think" they did that other times too. Don't take my word for it but that is what I remember. Of course, his name means "Beautiful Voice" so he's got that going for him...
-Also not rap but I hear Tom Petty has recorded with a 57 a number of times. Sounds right to me Suits his vocal character... I can say 100% that John Popper of Blues Traveler used a Beta57a to record vocals...

[Storyville]

Originally Posted by jjboogie

Erykah Badu records with an sm57.

That was an SM7 in Chris Athens' control room at Sterling.

[Storyville]

Originally Posted by MrMeek

an old distorted 58 works allways in rap songs

Specifically like "Paid In Full" By Rakim. Ya'll might be too young though.