Vintage Shure Unidyne 545 vs SM57

[mickrich]

I have got 2 vintage Shure Unidyne 545 mics in the last couple of days.
I really like them. They sound more open than a 57 and combine brilliantly with 57 for massive sound =]

 

[~BURNY~]

Interesting. I think they sound a bit different from the current 545 production (I have an old one with the Amphenol connector but I had to change the capsule because it was shot unfortunately). I'd say the newer are closer to the 57 but with slightly recessed lows and more open highs like the vintage model.

 

[mickrich]

The 2 I got are USA ones.
One has 4 pin and the other has 3 pin amphenol connectors.
Luckily I discovered that cheap shitty xlr barrels fit snugly into the amphenol connectors. I dismantled a male xlr, cut off the pins and soldered them to the ends of the wires and pushed them into the relevant connectors then pushed the xlr barrel around the connector. Works great.
I love them. Must try one on vocals next and see how it compares to the sm7b

 

[Pxz]

I like the 545 better than the 57 in that particular clip. Where did you get your two 545 in so little time ? Ebay or trading maybe?

 

[mickrich]

I like the 545 better than the 57 in that particular clip. Where did you get your two 545 in so little time ? Ebay or trading maybe?

Got them locally.
I have used them on a couple of sessions now and absolutely love them.
They are missing the piercing sharpness a 57 has and take EQ really well.
A high shelf against a low pass works great with them.
And the 545S on the swivel mount looks so cool.
Apparently, these are identical to a pre Mexico SM57 unidyne with the "SM" meaning Studio Microphone.
"Studio" refers to tv studio and the difference is that the 57 is matte dark grey so it doesn't reflect light like the silver 545.
These can be bought pretty cheap from ebay etc and are simple to wire up (see my post above).
I got the straight 545 from a band as a gift for lending them my Apogee One for tracking DIs.
The 545S cost me €50 form a local seller.
I highly recommend these mics

 

[Pxz]

Wow , that's really cheap for a great mic like that. Time to check ebay and expect my local customs not to rape me with fake taxes.

 

[nezvers]

Damn I love that sound, but I'm unlucky because getting one from ebay would cost me at least around 200$

 

[JeffTD]

545 sounds great in this, thanks for posting! Would love to hear a Unidyne III 57 next to it (non-switched, SM57 body), I know I like mine way better than normal 57s for similar reasons.

The 545 has always cracked me up because it's used as the "cashier announces order to cooks" gooseneck microphone in every burger joint in America. Go figure that it would sound awesome on guitars!

 

[mickrich]

Yes, a 57 unidyne is on my list.
I'm amazed at how good these mics sound. It really is how I would like a 57 to sound. There is no high mid spike that needs cut. It actually reminds me of a more open sounding m201.
I tried one for vocals for a reggae band today into la610 and it was great. No eq needed. I will try it on a metal singer this weekend.

 

[mickrich]

I had the 6505 to Mesa cab set up for a session in the studio today so ran this quickly.

 

[Artean]

The 545 sounds surprisingly good, not as shrill as the sm57 and with a smoother high end. Less fizz.

 

[greyskull]

HEY! Stop giving away all the secrets, you're gonna drive ebay prices up!

 

[FarBeyondMetal]

HEY! Stop giving away all the secrets, you're gonna drive ebay prices up!

I'd like to see what Mick could accomplish with one of those old school CAD e100s.... oh wait, DOH!!!!

 

[~BURNY~]

Guys get one of these Unidyne IV too if you can while you're at it. But shhhh!

 

[tedtan]

Thanks for the shootout, Mick.

Anyone else (aside from Burny) compared the new 545 to the vintage models?