SM57 stock vs. SM57 transformer removed

[006]

Same everything, only difference is the transformer was removed:

Before

After

Also for clarification, this is using Fredman mic method, SM57 is straight on the dustcap in both, i5 is the angled mic in both.

Here are just guitars, and then also just SM57 (which is aimed at the center of the cap so on it's own shouldn't sound too good, of course):

Stock SM57 - Solo

Modified SM57 - Solo

Stock SM57 - Guitars Only

Modified SM57 - Guitars Only

 

[JBroll]

I hope you didn't pitch the transformer - I can actually build you an external transformer-box-thing so that you can go from transformer to non-transformer with the flick of a switch. I love the hell out of this modification, but sometimes a little box like that can be all kinds of helpful.

Jeff

 

[drew_drummer]

Honestly... I'm hearing very little difference. What is this mod supposed to do?

 

[006]

Really? I can post just the raw guitars. It's wayyyy less harsh in the mids, the bottom end is bigger, the top end is smoother. I'll post the solo guits in a bit.

Jeff: I still have it, I honestly probably wouldn't use it though I do really appreciate the offer. I am going to just pick up a 2nd 57 used somewhere, been wanting more than one for oh... 6 years now or so Although I may mod that one the same as well, who knows.

 

[drew_drummer]

Just one of the DI tracks from before and after might be good. It's a bit difficult to actually hear what the mod is doing with all the different layers.

 

[Ribbon]

Dissection used to just plug a Metalzone into a JCM900 dual reverb. That's how Somberlain and Storm Of The Light's Bane were recorded.

I don't believe in a 'good guitar tone', or 'good tone' at all for that matter. I don't really believe in 'Metal' as a genre either, but that's besides the point. With sound, it all comes down to what fits and what doesn't, there's really no objective standard at all where I come from. I much prefer Human Waste to Pierced From Within, for example. One is organic, rusty and disgusting and the other is awkwardly sterile and clinical. And yes, one of these two fits Suffocation better.

This is not at all a general aesthetic preference for the raw and low fi -- I wouldn't want Traced In Air recorded in the sewers.

 

[drew_drummer]

Dissection used to just plug a Metalzone into a JCM900 dual reverb. That's how Somberlain and Storm Of The Light's Bane were recorded.

I don't believe in a 'good guitar tone', or 'good tone' at all for that matter. I don't really believe in 'Metal' as a genre either, but that's besides the point. With sound, it all comes down to what fits and what doesn't, there's really no objective standard at all where I come from. I much prefer Human Waste to Pierced From Within, for example. One is organic, rusty and disgusting and the other is awkwardly sterile and clinical. And yes, one of these two fits Suffocation better.

This is not at all a general aesthetic preference for the raw and low fi -- I wouldn't want Traced In Air recorded in the sewers.

Wrong thread!

 

[paladin shredder]

I'm not hearing much of a difference either. Could be that the i5 might be masking the 57 in the mix a bit.

The tone sounds incredible for both.

 

[Ribbon]

Wrong thread!

Oh Christ.

 

[006]

Ok, the other files are posted in the first post.

The tone sounds incredible for both.

thanks a ton dude, still needs work but I am generally happy with how it sounds.

 

[Soundlurker]

Yeah big difference, actually. Not necessarily better if you're looking for the slightly more agressive tone you get with the unmodded sm57, but it is smoother.

 

[JBroll]

I don't think that I'd call it more aggressive... more leprechauny, perhaps, but not all leprechauns are out to kill us.

Jeff

 

[drew_drummer]

Right, yeah. I can definitely hear a difference between the two solo tracks - modded one has a bit of a tighter characteristic, sounds more rounded.

Thanks for posting single tracks - as I've said before (and gotten into heated debates with people about!) I tend to prefer single tracks for comparisons, as the mix isn't getting in the way of hearing what's going on.

The two solo tracks are night and day, but the two full mixes less so. I'm really interested why that might be...

 

[MetalJonesy]

i prefer it stock, love that top end characteristic (fizzyness)

 

[VH100R]

I prefer the modded 57.

 

[dani]

only listened to the mixed tracks, but i'd side with the modded '57.

how is it for vocals? i'd heard it makes it more SM7-like?

also, how bad is the reduction in output levels of the mic?

thanks,

 

[JBroll]

It's no SM7 - the capsule is still pretty different - but I doubt that it'll be as hit-or-miss as the unmodified SM57. (I sounded less awful through the modified 57, but I must admit that I don't have as much experience getting good vocal sounds out of the 57 anyway.)

I think that the modification loses about 10dB-12dB for a typical input. I may be misremembering, but it was pretty noticeable - not so bad that most preamps would start to choke, but certainly present.

Jeff

 

[006]

As far as the level, yea it's got less level. Dual Recto on 2, decent level, the preamp gain on my interface was on like 9-10 o'clock, modded it needs about 2 o'clock to match the level - to give you an idea. So thats a blaring guitar amp, haven't tried on vocals yet but I will see about doing some kind of comparison. I am usually using SM57 for aggressive vocals anyway so I am really curious how it sounds for that too.

 

[JBroll]

I still have my SM7 if you want to compare with it.

Jeff

 

[pipaguapique]

yeah...unmodded 57 for me on guitars.

on snare, the modded one is butter!