Hi! I will have the opportunity to record a 50 people choir in a month, and I was wondering if I can achieve this task using only SM57's. I will use a Korg D888 for the recording, so the maximum number of mics will be 8.

I know these are not the perfect mics for this kind of jobs, but I'd like to try. Also, I'll record the choir for free, so I'm not willing to invest a lot of resources here. By he way, I'm convinced that the SM57's are the most reliable, nice sounding and have the best price/performance rate in the world, so I want to give them the chance.

What do you think? Any comments about mic placement or any suggestions?

Thank you very much!
Daniel.

No, you can not record a choir with SM57s. The range of a 57 is not suitable for this. No matter how you place the mikes, they will pick up only what is within about 5 feet in front of them, and you can not get a good mix for a 50 person choir no matter how well you place the mikes.

Instead of 8 SM57s, use 2 or 3 overhead mikes instead.

EDIT:

Quote:

By he way, I'm convinced that the SM57's are the most reliable, nice sounding and have the best price/performance rate in the world

Reliable, sure, but not the best performance in the world, nor the nicest sounding.

They are designed for solo live performance in a loud atmosphere.

Well, thanks for the answer. I think it was a dumb question. Sorry for that.
May I ask you any suggestions about what mics should I use? Will a couple of Shure KSM109 or KSM137s as a stereo pair do the job? I don't want to spend a lot of money if I have to buy some mics for this project.
Thanks for your help.

I've recorded larger choirs using a RODE NT4 Stereo Microphone with excellent results!! The RODE NT4 retails for $899 and most pro-audio retailers sell it between $449 and $499. I purchased mine at FULL COMPASS for only $277.00, however the price is probably higher now since I bought mine in 2002 or 2003.

You'll need to either hang the mic over the choir or buy yourself a big studio boom to get the mic over the choir. I used a big studio boom and the end results were totally fantastic!!

Anything else....contact me at: midnight_blue_studios@yahoo.com

JBW

I have used MXL990s mikes with very good results. Around $90 at Guitar Center.
Just let them "warm up" for 15 or more before recording. They quiet down after about 15 minutes and the S/N ratio gets much better.

If you have a better budget....Try the Audio Technica 2020 or AT4040.
_________________
Scott McKinney
Solid Sound Entertainment Services
Loveland, CO.
www.solidsoundentertainment.com