Bugera 333 + SM57 - i5 comparsion

[Zool2107]

Hi!
So I have this amp and I decided record a short clip to compare the Shure SM57 and Audix i5 (there was a thread about these 2 mics not too long ago).
So here are the 2 audio files (24 bit unprocessed wav files):

Shure SM57: http://members.chello.hu/angyal.zoltan2/bugera333_sm57.wav
Audix i5: http://members.chello.hu/angyal.zoltan2/bugera333_i5.wav

I've placed the mics to point at the area where the cone and the dustcap meets, about 2 mm away from the speaker grill. Here are some pictures about the mic positioning:

I've made a basic drum pattern and made a quick mix too (quad tracked, sloppy guitar playing, so a bit messy sounding):
Only SM57 used: http://www.soundclick.com/bands/page_songInfo.cfm?bandID=809825&songID=7110126
Only i5 used: http://www.soundclick.com/bands/page_songInfo.cfm?bandID=809825&songID=7110132
Both mics used (1-1 of them each side): http://www.soundclick.com/bands/page_songInfo.cfm?bandID=809825&songID=7110152

If anyone interested I've played on an LTD EC-2005 guitar, Ibanez Tube Screamer, Bugera 333 into some kind of Peavey 4x12 cab, and the mics were plugged into an Alesis iO26. The setting of the amp was the following:
Gain: 11:00
Bass: 13:30
Mid: 10:00
Treble: 13:00

Tube screamer:
Drive 9:00
Tone 12:00
Volume: 12:00

Not the best tone I know, I've just dialed in something in 5 mins, because I haven't got too much time to do this, but I think you can compare the mics' sound.

I hope that someone will find this thread useful

Ps: Please don't flame me about my english, this is not my native language.

 

[DanKraw]

Personally, I like the sound from the SM57 better. That's the mic that I have, and I think it's considered a "legendary" mic for a reason, it does it's job very well.

 

[Rupturemetal]

See I like the i5, most of the impulses I use are i5 miked

 

[Metaltastic]

Eh, I prefer the mids on the 57, the i5 sounds like what I expected it to from my experiences owning one, kinda "dense" in the mids (around like 400-600, I'd guess) and a bit harsh. I'm sure it's better on snare, but after personal experimentation I'll stick with the 57 on guitars!

 

[Ermz]

The 57 sounds a lot more nasal, but that's part of its character. I keep getting the impression that that the i5 is a bit too present in the high mids to really be friendly on guitars. There's something not very weighty about it, but then again it may work in context of a mix - in particular if you are after Come Clarity-type, harsh-as-hell tone.

It's a tough comparison as those 2 different mic positions would contribute to vastly different tone. Simply sticking them on opposite sides of the same speaker doesn't mean that the tone at both positions is the same.

 

[colonel kurtz]

i don't even need to listen to the clips to tell what the difference will be...i5 will be thicker in the low mids, lacks the presence bump of the 57, and sounds more "open" up top, where the 57 will sounds more boxy and nasally, but quite possibly work out better in a mix

i still prefer 57's on cabs, but the i5 wins on the snare almost every time for me

 

[beyond dead]

yeah, im lovin the i5 on snare. bought it for guitar, but it sure dont beat the 57. e609 sounds fuckin sweet under the snare!!!!!

 

[Keiffer]

thanks for the effort to do the comparison. I like these and wish peeps would do more of them.

but based on the mic positions I don't think it is very valid from a mic comparison standpoint. mic positioning is very sensitive and moving just a fraction will really alter the tone... and especially having the mics in two different positions. maybe consider another with pains to have both in the same position.

thanks again

 

[Let it burn...]

i like the sound of that bugera