How to do the SM57 transformerless mod - Step by step tutorial

[@audiotoolshed]

There 's a blog on our website about this SM57 mod. Check it out! www.whitenoisestudio.com/how-to-do-the-sm57-transformerless-mod-tutorial/ Intro: 0:00 Unsoldering the contacts: 0:34 Removing the transformer in a pot of boiling water : 1:34 Resoldering the contacts: 2:43 How does the SM57 without transformer sound - Snaredrum: 03:54 How does the SM57 without transformer sound - Guitars: 06:05

[@nickcarter4006]

I can see how loosing 3k and 7k presence in a snare mic would make mixing much simpler, especially for a top side mic where you aren’t using it for presence as much as transient shape. I think as a guitar application it comes down to personal taste, but the guitar demonstration made the difference readily apparent. Thanks for the science! My recommendation would be transformer for leads, no transformer for heavy rhythm

[@audiotoolshed]

Yeah, removing the transformer should be done for having an extra tone alternative. Bit like the mid switches on a sm7b. I personally prefer w/o trafo on snare, on guitar cab i use both variations, depending on guitar sound. But I switch mics more on guitarcab , also using md421s, md409 etc or a condenser on occasion.

[@Ponchy]

Great vid! Will most likely be doing this to one of my 57's eventually.

[@audiotoolshed]

Go for it! Will be a nice alternative to your other sm57s

[@dynatwenty]

This video is so great and on the point! Will do this asap!

[@audiotoolshed]

Thanks for watching!!

[@gabedestellano]

It's important to mention to be very careful not to turn phantom power on when you've removed the transformers in a 57 it's really easy to damage them once they're transformerless.

[@audiotoolshed]

Absolutely true.

[@oleg.ptiitz]

Hello, thx for the vid, it's been really useful! I've got a question, how to get rid of molten silicon inside the tube properly? It's leaked out and covered the inside so it's a challenge to put the xlr back in

[@audiotoolshed]

Hey there! I would carefully re-melt. Scraping it off as last resort.

[@Ecmusicproductionschannel]

Melt again and poke a straw through the glue

[@AturaxAudio]

Highly interesting! More mod videos like this would be cool! I'm sure there are loads of things you could cook up :)

[@audiotoolshed]

Cook up ^^ I was not planning to pull out every transformer out of every mic i own ;-) But I did put the transformers of the sm58 / sm57 into a 19'' housing to be used in mixing. I will do a video on that one day.

[@AturaxAudio]

@@audiotoolshed Where did you hear about this mod? I can't believe I've never come across it. I only own one SM57 and I'm tempted to give it a go.

[@audiotoolshed]

@@AturaxAudio It's known also as the tape-op mod. So that's how I came to know it mostly, but I heared from it on some forums too.

[@matsfrommusic]

It's the 7k boost that you can do without. The 3k may be a little too much perhaps but does feel like it's missing in the modded version.

[@audiotoolshed]

Depends on the source ofcourse. This bump is switchable on the sm7b for instance and I prefer off on that one.

[@mikkohelin529]

I think the wires from the capsule should go to pins 2 (+) and 3 (-) - not to pin 1 which is the ground and connects via the socket to the microphone body.

[@audiotoolshed]

Hey Mikko! By removing the transformer you make the mic unbalanced. So 1 of the wires has to be the ground.Wiring them wrong around will invert phase. Check it to be sure :-)

[@mikkohelin529]

@@audiotoolshed Removing transformer doesn't make it unbalanced - you did it when you connected it that way. Just connect the + output (yellow cable to transformer) to XLR + pin and the green to - pin and let the XLR ground be there where it is. Obviously you can swap the connections if you are worried about the phase.

[@audiotoolshed]

@@mikkohelin529 Hi Mikko, you're right about the unbalanced part, the transformer doesnt make the mic balanced. I had it mixed up with regular audio transformers who usualy can do unbalanced to balanced and vice versa. I do connect the wires correctly and it is mentioned correct in the video. pin 2 to the A of the capsule and pin 3 to the B of the capsule. Pin 1 of the XLR is always ground.

[@mikkohelin529]

@@audiotoolshed Please rewind the video back to 3:40, it shows that you connected the the red wire to pin 2 and the shield of single wire shielded cable (should really use a twisted pair of unshielded wires) to pin 1 while the pin 3 was left floating. However, you spell it correctly "pin 2 to A point and pin 3 to B point in capsule". In the video however you solder to pins 2 and 1 in that order. The pin 3 is the pin in the middle, pin 1 is the ground pin. Anyway, some kind of schematic would be nice, and thanks for the inspirational video anyway! This mod makes SM57 to sound more like SM7B and unfortunately also as quiet. You will need a proper preamp with > 55 dB gain.

[@audiotoolshed]

@@mikkohelin529 I'll be damned you're right. That's an oopsie in the video and this way it's unbalanced. Fortunately the text and explanation is correct. Twisted cable can be better for sure, the cable I used was at elast of way better quality then the cable standard inside the sm57 and provides similar protection ( read barely useful) Yup the the volume drops a lot without the transformer, the sound has less mids and more top end as you can hear in the video. Add a clean preamp with enough gain to boost the signal on soft signals or , in the case with snare, you don't have to use the pad on the preamp anymore. I also keep a sm57 without the mod for sounddifferences. There's a reason why the sm57 works well on guitar cabs. The mod gives a cool sound alternative.

[@TnSn5]

Or just buy an sl75c? I was thinking of getting sm57 but with so many videos out there im confused now.

[@SchmooglyBoo]

Hey, is there a specific type of wire i need to solder, or do thicker copper wires work too?

[@audiotoolshed]

If you look at the cheap small wire used in a sm57 i would worry too much about using thicker cable. Will work as well. Dont go too thick, you need to squeeze that all in that body.

[@SchmooglyBoo]

@@audiotoolshed yup, i just found a thinner one cause even though it’s a bit more fragile, it works like a charm

[@audiotoolshed]

Ok good :-)

[@robbyrock-drummer]

Great video. I have a SM57 copy mic already without transformer, and im getting very nice low end from it, but it cant be placed within 15 cm or so of the drum, then the audio very messed up. Some told me because the pickup is being hit by too much pressure and causing distortion. Sound pressure level. A transformer should help smooth out the signal removing the fine fizziness. You think this is the issue? And you think solved if i ad a transformer?

[@audiotoolshed]

Thanks! I think something else is going on. I will speak about a real SM57, I dont know about the different types of copies floating around :-) The transformer in a sm57 is made to amplify the signal from the capsule and with that colors the sound with a very midrangey tone. So if the capsule would be blown out by a kick, the transformer wouldnt fix that. Try reducing the input volume of the mic to see if the soundcard isnt the one clipping. If that isnt the case, there's not much you can do, that would mean the mic capsule simply cant handle the soundpressure. Try on other sources too to double check.

[@robbyrock-drummer]

@@audiotoolshed Thanks for the info

[@audiotoolshed]

@@robbyrock-drummer You're welcome!

[@rongrosstube]

I think your copy likely has an inferior capsule than a genuine SM57/58 capsule which will withstand enormous amounts of SPL and why they are frequently used in sound reinforcement and recording sitting directly in front of guitar amps and close to drums. Your distortion is probably due to the fact that the capsule's diaphragm is breaking up when hit with high SPL. A used SM57 often goes for a very reasonable price so there is little excuse to substitute with an inferior copy if you need the performance of a genuine SM57. The clones by Behringer, Pyle, GLS and a host of others can sound ok, but cannot withstand high SPL and the overall build is nothing like the Shure mics. The transformer adjusts the impedance to match that of professional sound systems. It does impart a slight change in "color", but that is up to the listener's opinion. Another important function of the transformer is to isolate the diaphragm from potential DC as in 48V phantom power for condenser mics that might otherwise damage the voice coil. Be sure to leave XLR pin 1 connected to the frame ground of the mic to maintain the balanced output characteristic.

[@doknox]

I have a behringer 57 clone and it doesnt have a transformer but sounds great! It had a lot of handling noise but I filled the body up with epoxy and it fixed the issue.

[@sempler101]

I am just thinking about to do this, but i will drill thru the ressitor with a long drill...do you think it is ok that way?

[@audiotoolshed]

I wouldnt do that. You never know were that drill will bite into - potentially more dangerous.

[@sempler101]

@@audiotoolshed Haha ok thx

[@audiotoolshed]

For sure!

[@jorgemellooliveira9611]

Obrigado ótimo vídeo

[@doknox]

I have 2 of the behringer 57s. They dont have a transformer. Probably why its cheaper. That and the body is hollow and gets a lot of handling noise. But I suppose if you wanted you could buy the right transformer and put it in the behringer, fill the body with wax or epoxy and have a real 57 for half the price. For another 20 bucks you can have the modded more open version. Still less than the price of a sm57.

[@audiotoolshed]

If you calculate in the price for the labour you need to put it, you will be suprised ^^

[@Chinhnguyen0497]

So it only has capsules l? no circuit inside?

[@audiotoolshed]

Capsule to transformer. Very simple design.

[@glennodonoghue644]

Nice, been meaning to give this a go for a while. Can you use the transformer again or is it rightly bolloxed?

[@audiotoolshed]

I built two of those removed transformers in a 19'' housing, added connetors and a volume pot to it and use it for an instant midrange boost eq type of type when I want ;-) So the answer is ''yes'' ;-)

[@silkroad1201]

Done. It made zero difference. I think I either have a fried xlr connector or a bad capsule. It's sounded boxy and thin ever since I hooked up a bad a cable to it. Thought this mod would fix it for some reason lol

[@audiotoolshed]

Boxy and thin is not good at all. If you can rule out you haven't made a wrong soldering connection it can be that a capsule is fried.

[@Demolition2024]

How long for microwave?

[@audiotoolshed]

I wouldnt chuck a chunk of metal in a microwave EVER . Hence the boiling method.

[@wholelottavideo8381]

Why does the 57 have a transformer in the first place if it sounds better without?

[@audiotoolshed]

Gain boost.

[@mrreptile8985]

THANKS I'D HUG YOU IF I COULD.

[@audiotoolshed]

Virtual hugs accepted ^^

[@mrreptile8985]

​@@audiotoolshed Now I can replace broken transformer in my SM57.

[@the_mav_nk2038]

how can you possibly compare these mics when you're placing them at two different positions at the speaker

[@audiotoolshed]

Because 1) I know how these speakers sound 2) I know exactly where these speakers sound the same 3) I know which speakers are in there, how they work / perform since i build the bloody cabinet myself.

[@MRTM-kl5dd]

interesting! but it doesn't sound that better. actually I find it sounds much more muddier.

[@audiotoolshed]

Funny how people hear things differently right? Your muddy is one other's bassy. You're probably missing the midrange boost of the transformer.

[@DrewCarson1212]

Das ist der riesen Unterschied der bei dem Snaresound fehlt wenn die Leute immer mit dem standard sm57 aufnehmen. Wenn man mit gescheitem Equipment und nicht einem billigen 500€ interface aufnimmt, klingt die snare danach megaaaa. Das richtige Prozessing natürlich vorausgesetzt. Das was da untenrum gefehlt hat mit der standard version, bekommst du nie wieder später. Da kannst du EQen wie du willst.

[@audiotoolshed]

Interface really wont be that much of an influence. Standard Sm57 can work well on snare of course, but it has that midrange boost. I often pair a standard 57 with a sdc, a rode nt5 works really great on snare. I often prefer the sound of the nt5 over a unmodded sm57.

[@dylanj8676]

@@audiotoolshed Yeah I don't like the SM58 amd SM57 because of that sound. Midrangey isn't necessarily bad, but on an inarticulate mic it is. Classic U87s and the teflon C414s, as well as Oktava's mics are all good mid forward sounding mics. But a stock SM57 and 58, no thanks.

[@insanejughead]

@@dylanj8676 Agreed with you, bro. My ears like all of the mics you mentioned more than the SMs, too.

[@LorneVignettes]

I don't understand why anyone would do this to a perfectly working SM57. The electrical engineers over at Shure knew what they were doing when they invented this microphone. Not to mention it just makes it sound worse. For any people new to the game of Recording, all you have to do is plug it in and point the mic at the desired sound source, make sure the levels are where you want them and press record. You can also use EQ and process it to improve the sound to your desire. I've been recording audio since 1997. Oh how the technology has changed.

[@rpmusick]

I wouldn't place the mics that close to the grill of the amp. :)

[@audiotoolshed]

Why not. First of all, the grill isn’t moving that much at all so it won’t touch the mics and secondly you don’t know how far or how close the speakers are in relationship to the mics. I do know with this speaker. You place the mics, you listen and adjust. Don’t assume anything from the placement based on visuals. Use your ears.