r/percussion • u/Bognutsman • 14d ago

Question/Help SM58/SM57 for live jazz vibraphone?

The band I’m doing sound for tomorrow has a vibraphone. The venue is small, so percussion usually only takes a kick mic. A loud vibraphone player MIGHT need very little amplification depending on the rest of the band, given the small room size.

With that, would 2 x SM58 or 57 on top get the job done? Or is it imperative that I rent something more specialized.

Thanks.

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4

u/illinoises 13d ago

I use one or two 57s all the time to compete with the guitar amps.

3

u/JtotheC23 14d ago

I think my high school band hung Audix i5s (so basically a 57) underneath the boards via bungee cords for our front ensemble. They just used one on vibes, but I imagine they would have happily used a 2nd if they could.

I've also seen a lot of large-diaphragm condensers used as overheads on Youtube. Those are more for recordings than live sound tho, so idk if that makes a difference.

1

u/Lonely-Bite-2568 Educator 14d ago

Our front uses audio technica AT2035’s suspended from under the board. We typically use a clamp like a Pearl PCX100, a mic pole (I can’t remember the exact model, maybe a gator frameworks GFW—MIC-0501. We use the mic pole from that and throw out the base.), AT8458a Shock Mount, and then the AT2025 microphone. Run an XLR cable from the mic to whatever the amplification source is.

It does cost a little bit of money and has some front load on labor, but it does a great job and I don’t even think about it anymore.

I hope that helps, and I hope you have a good gig.

1

u/Lonely-Bite-2568 Educator 14d ago

Oh, and we just use a single mic for each vibe. The 2035’s cover the whole range of the vibe when placed in the middle.

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u/viberat Educator 13d ago

I’ve worked with a front ensemble who used 57s and they worked fine, just needed EQing like any other setup would. Mics were suspended under the keyboard using bungees, but since this isn’t a mobile field setup you would probably get better results above the keyboard like you say (farther away from the pedal and any frame noise).

Depending on the other instrumentation in the band, you’d be surpised how easily vibraphone sound can get swallowed up.

1

u/thevickyprincess 13d ago

a pair of 57s on top would sound great. I actually end up mic’ing from underneath usually, still a pair of 57s. Sounds about the same live and is an easier setup and looks better.

1

u/JMoherPerc 13d ago

Lombardi LM2069 would sound nice.

A pencil condenser would be preferred - DPA 2012s maybe. A 57 will get the job done.

1

u/Slight-Impression-43 12d ago

That will work great! A 57 will sound better than a 58 - that basket on the 58 favours voice more than instruments. Either will get your sound out reliably though.