An SM57 Mic Mod That ACTUALLY WORKS

Can an SM57 mic mod make it sound like an SM7b? Not really, but with this A2WS pop shield from Shure microphones, you can make the SM57 sound like a great Vocal Microphone!
Shure A2WS Official - djcity.com.au/product/shure-a...
Cheaper A2WS alternatives
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Song by oldmanrei
Recorded by Mitchell Rose at The DIY Recording Studio
Filmed and Produced by Mitch at The DIY Recording Studio
FOLLOW ME MITCHELL ROSE AKA. OldManRei
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GEAR USED IN THIS VIDEO:
COMPUTER:
Mac Studio M1 Max amzn.to/3MmOlbx
AUDIO:
Antelope Audio Zen Tour amzn.to/3VhgEvX
Rode Mic Go amzn.to/3ei3XAv
Shure SM7b amzn.to/3Tcw3Mg
Shure SM58 amzn.to/3T43FvS
Shure SM57 amzn.to/3EwGDtq
Neewer Boom Arm Stand amzn.to/3fWNhPt
Rode PS-1 Boom Arm: amzn.to/3SX0DcX
Midas L10 Legend 500 Series Rack: amzn.to/3yv36mT
Presonus Faderport8: amzn.to/3rPUNOs
SPEAKER STANDS: amzn.to/3COQOZ8
CAMERA:
Canon 80D amzn.to/3EAwFaj
Sandisk 256gb Extreme: amzn.to/3fYmkus
Batteries amzn.to/3fYmkus
LENSES:
Sigma 18-35mm F1.8 amzn.to/3Mk0Nsm
LIGHTING:
Yongnuo 600L 600 LED amzn.to/3rIUN2L
Viltrox Super Slim LED amzn.to/3MkaCXa
MIDI
Akai MPK Mini amzn.to/3Ewk7Rj
#thediyrecordingstudio #sm57 #sm7b

[@adamtheduell]

Being mad at someone for putting an SM57 into a cool looking housing is like... Getting mad at Shure for taking their RPM106 capsule and... Putting it into a cool housing and naming it... the SM7B.

[@8L155]

Not even close

[@changer1285]

Who's mad?

[@KeiNova]

I love my SM57. With kids in the house, its been a blessing to actually be able to record in noisier environments without voices on the other side of the house picking up. Its been great, I'm happy with it.

[@diyrecordingstudio]

Yes, excelllent example. This is why sometime condenser mics can be less useful, and a dynamic mic might be the right tool for the job. Awesome, thanks for sharing!

[@Dicasio]

Thank you for this. I record videos as well with the sm57. The windscreen definitely improves the sound.

[@diyrecordingstudio]

Not a problem. Thanks for leaving a comment. Yes it makes such a difference to such a versatile mic.

[@Josh.Bartel]

Wow, I had no idea that even existed. Definitely improves the 57 for dialogue!

[@diyrecordingstudio]

Josh! Yes, it's definitely a neat little trick. I actually prefer the 57 to a 58 once you add the pop filter. How's things man? You channel looks like it's really going well! Congrats! You still in Newy?

[@JohannesLabusch]

Great, thanks! Your AB comparison did not blow me away, but that may have been because the SM7B was a tad louder.

[@ABlankAndrew]

Dude, I found these a few years and got laughed at but it works so well!!

[@diyrecordingstudio]

I don't know why anyone would laugh, but if you know, you know!

[@bgfundy]

Fun Fact: Maryland Sound is the company that does PA for pretty much every event on the DC Mall...and especially all of the inaugurations. An engineer for Maryland Sounds told me that not always...but sometimes (and especially for the inaugurations), those are not good old, all-American SM57s you're hearing at White House events, but SM57 bodies with Schoeps condenser capsules inside, under the windscreens (I'm guessing CMC6/MK41s). Much better rejection, much smoother off-axis rejection and coloration, and therefore more gain-before-feedback in the PA and monitors for the stage party. Shhhhhhhh..... (I mixed an event for Obama, before he was president, and we provided the 2 SM57 presidential kit (with those windscreens...it was indoors) for the event. Let me just say this....Barack liked his foldback monitors LOUD. Even at a lectern, indoors, he liked to hear a lot of himself in the wedges.)

[@diyrecordingstudio]

That's awesome information, I never would've know that. Very sneaky and very clever.

[@Tmanaz480]

He knows that having yourself loud in your monitors helps keep you using a relaxed, controlled voice.. Seeing a large crowd in front of you makes you want to yell.

[@portersblackboard]

Great information!! I never would have guess that about the mics but not surprised. Same traditional American look but new tech hiding under there. And Great story too!!! @bgfundy

[@portersblackboard]

Thanks for that tip! I will have to try that out.@@Tmanaz480

[@minty_Joe]

Did you by chance reverse the polarity in the monitor amp to combat feedback issues? I do that often and you'd be surprised how much more signal before feedback you get.

[@iurigrang]

Honestly, the difference I hear the most is that you're a lot closer to the SM57 capsule than you are to the SM7B. The sound reacts a lot more to micro head movements, and there seems to be a lot more proximity effect. Great comparison tho

[@TH-lo8mq]

I think it's mostly mental. Podcasters just like using fat mics even though, with a tiny bit of eq, they are nearly identical.

[@destinationnew]

Thank you. I am looking for a voiceover mic for when I am travelling and I have a box of SM57s. This should work great. My biggest problem is that I will need to record in a wide variety of hotel rooms (usually in a closet with a duvet!) and I find dynamic mics are more forgiving of the environment than something like my NTG3. I travel with a Zoom F3 recorder so that would work as the interface to Logic Pro X. Thanks again - that's a lot cheaper than I feared I would be paying for a solution!

[@BrainDeadTX]

Great tip, thank you!

[@diyrecordingstudio]

No problem. Thanks for the comment.

[@jabezhane]

I was into watching all these mic reviews and comparisons from various KZbinrs for a while and I found it amusing that even through my high end AT headphones...I couldnt tell a damn difference between any of them. Its like comparing white paint.

[@diyrecordingstudio]

Yeah it can get like that sometimes, depends which mics though. Some mics are very very different from one another.

[@LorneVignettes]

You are Exactly right Sir. All these videos of people messing with the internal components of the SM57 is strange. I think I will trust the very professional electrical engineers over at Shure Bros. Inc. That the SM57 is built correctly plus I think it sounds best the way it is right from out of the box. I would never change it because it works.

[@diyrecordingstudio]

100%. One of my most used mics in the studio!

[@djjoeykmusic]

Great video Thank you

[@diyrecordingstudio]

Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment Joey!

[@eleanorgiovanni]

I've been usinng a sm58 now I think I'm going to get one 57, cool video!

[@diyrecordingstudio]

Thank you so much for stopping by and leaving a comment! Absolutely get one, it's the mic of many uses! I love the channel BTW, your DIY ribbon mics were fantastic!!!!

[@eleanorgiovanni]

@@diyrecordingstudio Thank you! 💛

[@albertoskrico9412]

I’ve been using this set up for years, amazing workhorse mic. Not the best but very very good and reliable for sure.

[@diyrecordingstudio]

Thanks Alberto! Exactly, you nailed it.

[@Mesmancer]

Just curious, what channelstrip do you use?

[@rangersmith4652]

You can treat an SM58 similarly and get even closer. But since most people can't really hear the difference in the sound, the best reason to use an SM57 or SM58 over an SM7B is cost. For the price of an SM7B and a FetHead or Cloudlifter to boost the gain, you can buy four or five 57s/58s.

[@JeffBourke]

Tip 2: instead of sliding it all the way on, leave 10mm air gap inside.

[@diyrecordingstudio]

Thanks for the tip Jeff!

[@clintedmonson]

FYI from an SM7B owner...just purchased one of these and hooked it up to my interface learned that there's a bit of line hum once you get the gain up to voice-over vocal levels (~45+ Db of gain). SM7B has a humbucking coil that cancels line hum out but this model does not. SM57 sound great but I've had to add a noise removal VST to my vocal chain to get rid of it - a simple noise gate isn't enough.

[@diyrecordingstudio]

That might be because you preamp in your interface doesn’t have enough gain. A better preamp or a cloud booster will fix that nice and easy.

[@ronawitry]

sm57 + a2ws + EQ to sm7b the result is perfect

[@thenewgamers7382]

I actually used the sm57 using this idea 4 years ago and yes it does work. It actually works better on my voice than the 7b recording vocals for music. But the 7b actually wins in this case to three controls on the back and the higher quality sound. But I will say this I used the 57 for 2 years before upgrading and still to this day I use it! For recording vocals for music, because it takes away the muddy sound in my voice the 7b can't. I mainly use them 7b for podcasts, live streaming, and recording videos. But I also wanted to try the 57 using the cloud lifter I got for the 7b and boy I was surprised on how much better it performed without even turning up input! I actually had to turn it down all the way and move it up by a sliver to get that perfect clean gain with no hissing! I was surprised, but the 57 is definitely the to go for when starting in any situation, as I got mine for $20. I highly recommend you guys to do what he stated in the video until you have the budget to get the 7b. But overall awesome video!

[@jeetray11]

It seems you need to speak an inch or two closer to sm57 to get about the same level of output of the 7B right? Thanks for the video - I actually ordered the pop filter before I landed here. I was just curious to see how the filter is attached on the mic and landed here. Very well presented video. Thanks.

[@MrAdopado]

The SM7B normally requires MORE gain than an SM57, all things being equal ... so I think he just didn't match levels very well and perhaps overcompensated. The physical design of the SM7B means that the actual capsule is further away from you because it's set back within its housing. This is one of the reasons the SM57 is getting more plosives as the capsule as right at the front and you are speaking directly at the diaphragm. Not only do you need to pop filter on the SM57 but you need to be a little further away. In fact the presidential SM57 mics are always set back on the podium so there's absolutely no chance of plosives even if the president were to shout at the top of his voice!

[@jeetray11]

@@MrAdopado Tell me about your experience or what you can tell me about using sm57 with the pop filter as a singing microphone for studio work. Can I make spotify/youtube quality vocals with it?

[@IzaakClifford]

Now I just need an SM57

[@diyrecordingstudio]

Get one!! Everyone needs at least one!

[@tacticaljackson]

For home studio use, I’m perfectly happy having spent $25 less for a 4 pack of cheap foam filters from Amazon. However, if I was trying to push an SM57 into a live vocal role, I think the price of the Sure product pretty easily justifies itself.

[@diyrecordingstudio]

Yeah totally. It just makes it look a bit more professional. You're right though, cheap foam filters will do the job too! Thanks for leaving a comment.

[@dadudezpr]

You rock dude

[@diyrecordingstudio]

Cheers man, thank you!

[@AdamSliger]

I gotta get me one of these windscreens

[@diyrecordingstudio]

Yeah theyre great, effective and affordable for sure. Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment.

[@MR1JUNO]

amazing

[@diyrecordingstudio]

Thanks!

[@flavanthensome]

What frequencies did you boost and how much?

[@diyrecordingstudio]

I'm honestly not too sure as I did this video a while ago, shouldve added a screenshot! I probably lowered the highs, boosted the mids and bass a little to match the curve!

[@cristopherjohansson1323]

Since the SM7 is transformerless has anyone compared the SM7 to a modded SM57 (without the transformer) with this foam?

[@diyrecordingstudio]

Good question. Not that I was able to find, with someone specifically using that wind shield. There’s a few out there testing the SM7b vs transformerless sm57 though. In my opinion, there is more at work here, creating the frequency responses of the respective microphones, than just the transformer or lack thereof. That why in the video, I thought it important to address how everything about the mic matters. The simple answer is, if you want to mod it to sound exactly like an SM7b, then you need to build an SM7b. There are no shortcuts, mods or hacks that will get you there 100%.

[@LorneVignettes]

Please don't ruin the SM57 by taking the transformer out. It doesn't sound better. The engineers over at Shure put that in there for a reason.

[@cristopherjohansson1323]

@@LorneVignettes I have like 10 sm57’s, 2 is transformerless. I wouldn’t say it ruins the mic, the difference isn’t night and day exxept the volume drop. It’s actually pretty cool on snares.

[@LorneVignettes]

@@cristopherjohansson1323 It does ruin the mic. If Shure didn't think so they would sell transformer-less SM57s.

[@cristopherjohansson1323]

@@LorneVignettes Not trying to say against you or anything. But how would it ruin the mic? Maybe from a selling point. But it was very popular mod a decade ago or probably two decades ago. The tranformerless mod and the TAB transformer mod was very popular back when I started with recording.

[@ScottGrammer]

The SM7B is transformerless, and this is responsible for both its infamously low output and its improved low end compared to the 57, whose transformer loses some bass response due to low primary inductance (on purpose), and at the same time increases the output due to impedance transformation upwards from the 50 ohm capsule impedance.

[@diyrecordingstudio]

Nailed it, youre right. There are a few other factors that affect the overall frequency response of both mics as well, which is why simply removing the transformer doesn't turn a 57 into an SM7b.

[@ScottGrammer]

@@diyrecordingstudio Yeah, I've heard transformerless 57's, and while they do sound different, it's still not an SM7b. The SM7 has a different chamber behind the diaphragm that improves its bass response, and there are other differences.

[@KingLuanMusic]

Yes and there have been people who have removed the 57’s transformer for that reason!

[@ScottGrammer]

@@KingLuanMusic Absolutely. I have heard such modified 57's and if you can deal with the lower output, they sound great. I own a pair of 40-year-old 57's but I'm not tinkering with them. I like them too much as they are!

[@vadimsky]

Secret so well kept, that you can see it in frame on tv broadcast of almost all presidential indoor speeches. Edit: well, you mention this fact later on)

[@diyrecordingstudio]

yup, I shure did! ;p

[@user-eo1jb6kw9u]

When you switched microphones at 5:39 ... with this video in the background I wondered why the audio quality dropped off LOL. My Digital Media professor always said "you won't recognize a good microphone, as much as you recognize a bad one".

[@definingslawek4731]

It must be some bias that told you it’s bad considering they’re using the almost the same capsule. Sm57s are one of the most used mics in history, people wouldn’t use it if it was bad.

[@user-eo1jb6kw9u]

You can tell the difference is my point. It sounds perfect, but with the comparison you notice somethings better. sm57 is amazing don't get me wrong. @@definingslawek4731

[@gh00al]

EQ is an integral part of it. When the 57 is EQ'ed to match the curve of the 7b, it takes real work to tell them apart if you're trying, and probably you would never spot the difference if you didn't know to look for it. But without EQ they are quite different. Not worse in general, but the 57 is not super well suited to vocals without EQ.

[@minty_Joe]

The SM7B is actually an SM57...on steroids (according to Shure, Inc.). The top half capsule assembly of the 57 is what they started out with and then built a very robust shock mount along with bandpass filters. The other factor is that the SM7B lacks the audio transformer used in the 57 and 58 models, making the gain on the 7B about 10 decibels less. In addition to the windscreen mod shown in the video, you can also swap out the stock transformer for one sold by TAB Funkenwork, the T58, which goes for about $90 USD. This mod retains the same gain but allows the frequency response to be about equal to the SM7B.

[@diyrecordingstudio]

Yeah you're right on almost everything here. The filters on the sm7b arent band pass filters though, just to clarify. They all use the same style of capsule, but thats where the similarities end. I really don't think you can make any dynamic mic sound like another, the capsule, chassis, headbasket all change the frequency response. You can, as you said, get close though.

[@minty_Joe]

@@diyrecordingstudio Whenever I record with an SM7B, I don't mind keeping a flat response or even a bit rolled off of the low frequencies. That way if you have to get close up to the mic, proximity effect isn't a problem or even noticeable. You can always do EQ tweaks later in post-production to compensate. Another thing is go ahead and invest in the Cloudlifter CL1 or Fethead in-line for quiet sounds and vocals. I know there's many who argue against this, but it's worth having it.

[@kniferideaudio5145]

The only frequency differences between a SM57 and SM58 COMES DIRECTLY from the built in winds screen on the SM58. They are the exact same components other than the windscreens. Foaming a 57 will pretty much give you a 58 in all practicality. The SM7b is ALMOST the exact same as a 57, aside from being transformer less and having a passive eq circuit to cut bass and tilt the dampening to accentuate the high mids. The genius of the SM7b is that it is designed to put you right in the sweet spot of proximity if you are right up on the mic, if you stay on mic, you sound consistent! The Beta 52 is very similar as it has a little circuit that does the opposite (tilts low to accentuate the bass. I once built a little box that you could plug and mic into and flip between the Beta 52 "Bass" circuit, and the high boost circuit of a Sm7b, or go flat. It wasn't entirely that useful, bit it did a thing. Shure had gotten a lot of action out of the Unidyne 3 capsule and made a ton of mics by barely tweaking what it does. I'm a mic nerd.

[@diyrecordingstudio]

Yeah you're right about the sm58 windscreen. Can I also ad some things I mentioned in another video. The SM57 has a different head basket that changes the high freq. response too. The 7b is different again as it has no glue or transformer behind the capsule, as well as a completely different body design. ALL of those make a difference too. The different headbasket again changes the response slightly. The Beta 52 is a completely different capsule and design. It is also Supercardioid, so frequency changes alone wouldn't completely get the same sound/effect as the other mics. Thanks for leaving a comment!

[@johnviera3884]

EQ on input processing.

[@ParthMusic]

Hi, i want to record acoustic guitar using this mic on scarlett solo. which cable should i use for this mic? "XLR to TS" or "XLR to TRS". as one input would be occupied by Vocal mic on Scarlett solo. only 6.35 jack input would be vacant.

[@LorneVignettes]

Use a 1/4 Inch TRS to XLR female Balanced Signal Mic Cable. Make very sure it's a balanced 1/4" plug going into your Focusrite.

[@diyrecordingstudio]

I Wouldn't recommend pluging your mic into the Instrument input (channel 2). The gain and impedance will be wrong for your mic. How your interface works is; Channel 1 = Mic Pre for Mics Channel 2 = Instrument input Like a DI (Direct Input) for Bass, keys, electronic instruments and even your acoustic Guitar, which admittedly would sound better mic'd up than direct. You best approach is, record acoustic guitar with your mic first, then do vocal overdubs.

[@LorneVignettes]

@@diyrecordingstudio yeah that's true. That's why I bought the 2i2 after I had the solo.

[@libbyhyett6625]

Question... so the foam shield puts the vocalist at a better distance from diaphragm.... I was under the impression that (with a 58) the closer to the cage, the better. So the 57 is different in that sense. Am I right?

[@diyrecordingstudio]

Great question Libby. Because of the sm57 head basket, you are very close to the diaphragm. With the pop shield on, it would put you at a similar distance to when you use an sm58.

[@libbyhyett6625]

@@diyrecordingstudio alright, awesome. Ta :)

[@slawsonscot]

Think Pink Floyd (David Gilmour in particular) used this live for all most of his live performances.

[@diyrecordingstudio]

Yeah he certainly did. Theyre a great vocal mic for sure, especially when paired with a good mic pre!

[@Mesmancer]

SM7B = SM57, but then 8cm deep inside a steel pipe.

[@diyrecordingstudio]

Yeah, kinda not really man. Theyre both completely their own thing with their own sound. There's more difference than just the body.

[@QbanThunder]

The SM 57, 58, 7B and 55 all use the same Unidyne capsule. Just as many people have used the SM58 and 57 to record studio vocals as the people using SM7B.. I’ve seen it many times in my life. The reason is that they have their own sound. Not to mention the slight low frequency roll that they provide.. I still have all of my old Chrome Shure Unidyne mics from the ‘70s and early 80s.. There was even a transition from one of the Unidynes to an SM57.. it was black and everything.. even though it didn’t say it, it’s 57.. I use one of mine to mic guitar cabs. They sound so good.. BTW, the 57 and 58 are pretty much the same mic, just different grilles.. and I’m sure you know what the SM stands for..😊💜🙏🤘✌️🎸🔥

[@rigocornejo6003]

people can have different frequency responses in their voices. Factors such as vocal anatomy, age, and health can contribute to variations in the pitch and tone of individuals' voices. So eq is the way to customize a mic to you voice and make it sound goosd. A little foam might make you voice sound weird, especially when you have 0 skill speaking into a mic.

[@diyrecordingstudio]

Very true, certain mics for certain voices definitely. The foam shouldnt make things sound weird though, just stop plosives, sibilance, maybe a bit less bright in the highs.

[@reverendjetstream]

Nixon just liked plosives! 5:22 🎤

[@diyrecordingstudio]

Ha!

[@ilikesubaru]

SM7B sounds good on a good preamp, and on proper gain. otherwise it sounds muddy. SM7B is an over hyped microphone.

[@diyrecordingstudio]

It definitely sounds excellent with a good pre. I don’t necessarily think it’s overhyped, it is super useful, definitely a bit overpriced though. Especially here in Australia 😂

[@deadave100]

Fun Facts: Next time the President of the U.S. speaks at one of his/her speeches, look at the mic. It's mostly a SM57 with windsreen that is use.

[@diyrecordingstudio]

Thanks for that. I think I mention this in the video?

[@travisraab]

Great video. If it's good enough for our last two presidents to enunciate to the world America's poetry of love and war then ill be goddamned if i dont use it to record my next album.

[@g.o.9513]

The voice lacks mid range presence too, and the mic slightly. Be careful as some voice has a very clear prominent mid range. Think for yourself.

[@KingLuanMusic]

SM57 sounded better than the 7b actually! Flat better than EQ.

[@diyrecordingstudio]

Yeah i like it too, depends on the voice though!

[@SianaGearz]

@@diyrecordingstudio I think people in general benefit from a more natural more neutral presentation, but they don't think so when listening to themselves because they aren't used to hearing themselves the way people around them hear them. I am yet to ever like the 7b with any voice.

[@hallanvaara6106]

Your voice sounds better with SM57. SM7b looks weird and sounds weird.

[@koza_zero]

3:00

[@diyrecordingstudio]

Thanks mate!

[@Rob-tt4ep]

The mod you are talking about is the A81WS. That''s the closest to the SM7B and the one used on the white house lawn for more than 50 years.. The A2WS doesn't really handle the plosives as we can hear in your video. I use the A81WS on my SM57 and its fantastic as a vocal/podcaster mic and very close to the SM7B.

[@diyrecordingstudio]

They use both dude. Do your research.

[@s_m_w]

@@diyrecordingstudio Have you tried the A81WS? If so, what do you think of it?

[@jthunderbass1]

at 2:35 is exactly why I don't use or own any of the,

[@Anteksanteri]

Mod of a mod: find (or glue together) a thumb screw and you can easily swap between a more instrument recording and a more vocal use oriented setup.

[@diyrecordingstudio]

Yeah absolutely!!! Great idea!

[@TransplantHelper]

If Caleb can’t do it why can you.

[@chickenlickin3820]

the 'mod' did not work! big old plosive when you said plosive!

[@diyrecordingstudio]

Chicken!!!! Maaaaaate. I’ve missed you and your positive vibes! Where you been?

[@ish_vids]

@@diyrecordingstudio this guys is probably your most loyal viewer 💀

[@rist98]

Not what i expected a "mod" to be. I expected either a transformer swap or a transformerless mod... this isnt really a modification. Its an accessory.

[@giroliro3]

Couldn't you just use a pop filter?

[@sambake88]

Lies. When the President uses the SM57 a much larger Shure windscreen is used. And his HACK is a foam windscreen that comes with the microphone

[@diyrecordingstudio]

Sam bake….. buddy…. Chill for a minute. This is the same one that is typically used. It doesn’t come the microphone at all. The bigger windscreen you are talking about is sometimes used as well, in windier conditions. But this is the standard one that is used by the president. I promise. No lies. Take a chill pill mate.

[@rustyglaze5184]

Click Bait. Its not a mod is an accessory

[@diyrecordingstudio]

Yeah...potato, potahto lol.

[@lauriekibblewhite]

An accessory that modifies the mic maybe? 🤔

[@jameslifetimelearner]

Hmm both are garbage.