Shure sm58, getting more louder gain?

[3ptguitarist]

I'm wondering if anyone knows how I can get more gain out of the shure sm58 mic? I currently have an echo audiofire 4 audio interface and the mic preamp on it requires me to turn the gain knob really high around 85% to get any sound to be heard from the mic. I'd probably have to turn it up higher to get a good signal from it while hearing myself or recording.

So I'm wondering if there is another way to get more gain out of the the mic without having to turn the gain knob on the interface so high? Would a cheap preamp like a behringer ultragain mic 100 in front of the audio interface work?

[RexXx]

Cloudlifter, Fethead, etc. are made for such tasks.
They are basicly preamps powered by phantom power of your audio interface and give dynamic/ribbon mics up to 27db more gain.

Or get a good mic preamp (not a cheap one).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZBOsZxAQjx0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VlCIZ60NCfk

[BertKoor]

What do you use it for?

Yes, the sm58 needs plenty of gain, but it is designed for loud close-up vocals. It's not the best mic for softer sound sources like acoustic guitars.

[perfumer]

What do you use it for?

Yes, the sm58 needs plenty of gain, but it is designed for loud close-up vocals. It's not the best mic for softer sound sources like acoustic guitars.

FetHeads high quality, low noise signal amplification also extends the usable range of a ribbon microphone, making it more suitable for recording softer passages.

Speaking about myself, sometimes I can't scream into the microphone, because the neigbours will hear me. Other case, if I need to whisper, my voice gets lost in the noise floor.

[perfumer]

Cloudlifter, Fethead, etc. are made for such tasks.

Which one is better?

[vurt]

rode nt4 i used to like on acoustics
one for sound hole and one for neck

im pretty sure it was nt4, little rectangular thing ldc

[vurt]

if you have the cash though, worth demoing some ribbon mics, lovely natural sound

[thecontrolcentre]

Rode NT1 is good for acoustics & vocals (loud or quiet). Its a condenser, so needs phantom power. Very low noise floor.
http://www.rode.com/microphones/nt1

I bought one to replace my trusty SM58 for vocal recording.

[RexXx]

Cloudlifter, Fethead, etc. are made for such tasks.

Which one is better?

I don`t think there is a big, notable difference between them besides price, form factor and availability.

Btw., here is another one - Simply Sound SS-1:
https://simplysound.co/product/ss-1-microphone-preamp/

[vurt]

rode nt4 i used to like on acoustics
one for sound hole and one for neck

im pretty sure it was nt4, little rectangular thing ldc

ignore that
it was the akg-414

[donkey tugger]

Rode NT1 is good for acoustics & vocals (loud or quiet). Its a condenser, so needs phantom power. Very low noise floor.
http://www.rode.com/microphones/nt1

I bought one to replace my trusty SM58 for vocal recording.

NT1/NT1A are great for vocals and you won't go far wrong with either. For acoustic guitars they will also do a good job, but I do always prefer a small diaphragm condenser for this as they always seem to record the transient sounds of plectrum/fingers on strings better (someone explained why once to me- something to do with the smaller capsule size being able to move faster or some science shit.. ) and give an overall 'tighter' sound if you're close mic'ing them. I use a Sontronics STC-1 (comes with it's own wooden box!) which is great, but have previously also got very good results with the cheapy Behringer c4 pencil mics.

Bottom line, a condenser mic will in most cases do a better job for recording than a dynamic, and if you've only got money for one, then get a large diaphragm one.

[3ptguitarist]

What do you use it for?

Yes, the sm58 needs plenty of gain, but it is designed for loud close-up vocals. It's not the best mic for softer sound sources like acoustic guitars.

Man I forgot about this thread and found it while doing a Google search haha.

I will be using it for live streams for gaming and acoustic guitar as well as recording vocals and acoustic guitar.

I'm looking for budget gear so a rode nt1 is too expensive. I'm a beginner and am I'm trying to work with what I have and that is a sm58 mic with the echo audiofire 4 interface. I may buy the ss-1.

Thanks everyone for the suggestions.

[rp314]

Have you given any consideration to buying a small mixer which can also come in handy for other uses? I think Mackie has a 4 channel one for around $100 although I still own a VLZ 1202 and have no idea whether the preamps are of similar quality.

[3ptguitarist]

Have you given any consideration to buying a small mixer which can also come in handy for other uses? I think Mackie has a 4 channel one for around $100 although I still own a VLZ 1202 and have no idea whether the preamps are of similar quality.

Not in a serious way. Do they have more gain for an sm58?

[Frantz]

I use an SM58 for vocals. I plug the SM58 into a combination mic preamp + compressor and send the output of that into my audio interface. I have no issues getting a loud signal.

I happen to use this: https://www.soundonsound.com/reviews/dr ... tation-ts1 They don't make them anymore but you can get something simpler and cheaper.