Start-Playing-Guitar.com's 'The Bridge'

Volume 2, Issue 3: The Mic I Like

New Content on Start-Playing-Guitar.com

The Guitar Fretboard

Once you understand the layout of the fretboard TAB makes more sense, you'll learn how to apply intervals to find notes, you'll understand chord movement faster, and you'll be able to easily communicate with other guitarists. If you haven't already, take a look at the Guitar Fretboard page.

Work In Progress:

Coming soon to the web-site!

• Though it's taking longer to develop than I hoped, the guide to recording guitar to computer is making progress. Rather than post what I have so far, I'm working on images to clarify the connections and make certain I understand the subtleties involved. I hope to have it ready for posting in April.
• Everything you'll ever need to know about guitar tuners: the various styles and why choose one (or more) that are suited to your needs.

The Mic I Like

In addition to using a microphone for vocal performances, many guitarists also use one to get the output of their amplifier into a PA system. Since the worst component in any audio system is what limits the sound quality, you don't want a cheap mic.

There are many brands and models available, but there are two that are recommended routinely: the Shure SM57 and SM58.

The SM57 Instrument Microphone is well suited for most applications. It's sturdy, so you can drag it around in your equipment bag and know that it will perform each time you pull it out.

This microphone is designed for instrument and voice pickup, and it's no stranger to demanding situations. If you take a look at the microphones used by the President of the United States, you'll find the SM57 on the podium. You'll also find it in use by many traveling professional bands, and in many recording studios.

The design of the mic isolates background noise in most applications while giving great frequency response (40-15K Hz). The built-in pneumatic shock-mount system reduces handling and stage noise.

What about the SM58? The SM58 is classified as a vocal microphone by Shure. With the same internal cartridge as the SM57, the key difference is the spherical grille on the SM58. The grille is designed to reduce wind and pop, two problems often encountered with stage vocal microphones.

The different grills produce slightly different frequency response curves at extremely close distances. Since a person's mouth can get closer to the internal cartridge with the SM57, bass response is slightly improved. Proximity effect refers to how the characteristics of sound are altered based on the distance between the source and the receiver. Essentially, bass response is improved as the source approaches the receiver (the microphone, in this case). The SM57 allows the speaker, or singer, to get closer to the cartridge. You can improve the bass response of the SM58, to closely approach the SM57, by removing the grille. Doing so makes it more likely that the diaphram will be damaged. If bass response is critical, stick with the SM57.

You can pick up either microphone for about $100 from MusiciansFriend.com .

Go For A Big Finish!

I hope you've enjoyed this issue of The Bridge. See you next month!

Steve
Steve@Start-Playing-Guitar.com