Just went through this same issue - got a SM57 based on the great reviews - but it sounded dead when playing soft acoustic fingerstyle. Got an AKG C1000S - much better!
Signal chain:
My beginner/early intermediate fingers => Larrivee L-03R => AGK C1000S => M-Audio Firewire Solo => HP Laptop with FL Studio Producer Edition => Altec Lansing Powered Speakers.
Brand new setup - so far so good.
Next step is to replace the computer speakers. I have a Yamaha amp with SPDIF input and and old but great pear of Klipsch towers.
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