[Nem]

what exactly are the differences between an sm57 and an sm58? im looking to buy a new mic and just wondering which of these 2 i should get

[Tekker]

Originally Posted by scotty_b

Hey guys
I think the Shure mics are industry standards because of their legacy, and maybe they were great mics once, but now there are so much better.

Kind of going off topic (just slightly )... But I think that's true for a lot of the "industry standards" (ie. Pro Tools, the Yamaha NS10's, etc.)... Those products were likely the "first" on the scene and built up a name for themselves. Then after years and years of using these products people will still continue to use them and recommend them because they really know how to work with them. But for a lot of people just starting out now that don't know how to get the most out of these older "industry standards" there is a lot better stuff to start out with.

-tkr

[tsiratiug]

The 57 is an industry standard because it does exactly what it supposed to. I've never been in a pro studio to this day that didn't have a butt-load of 57's in the mic cabinet. They're great for close mic'ing a guitar amp and snare drums. The best way to get a 57 to sound good is lower the impedence on your preamp or console (it responds to a lower imp. than most mics) and slam it with mucho SPL's. A cranked amp or snare whack is what the 57 loves. There are dynamic mics with better frequency response curves but very few are as consistent as the old workhorse. A Sennheiser 421 is another mic that loves a beatin' and has more bottom end where the 57 is kinda peaky in the mids. That why guitars sit more forward in the mix with a 57.

For vocals or acoustic instruments you almost have to have a large diaphragm condenser. Although, many, many hit records have been recorded with a 57 on vocals but it's generally accepted that a LDC sounds smoother on sources with more dynamic nuance. LDC's run from around $100 to many thousands of dollars.

Added bonus. When you do use that 57 on a cranked amp. Take your new condenser and place it facing the wall across the room (about a foot away from it). It'll won't pick up any direct sound but it'll catch the natural room reflection (real reverb!) and because it's getting little or no direct source sound you won't have to worry about phase cancellation - a track killer if your summing on the fly.

[WernHalen]

SE electronics mics are brilliant as well... not too pricey for what you get... IMHO

[brandondrury]

57 is more for acoustic guitar while the 58 is more for voice though some people like it for both.

Uhhh...

I'm not sure how you can just call an 57 an "acoustic guitar" mic. The 57 does a few things well but labeling it an acoustic guitar mic makes it sound like 1) that a 58 would NEVER make a good acoustic guitar mic (which is entirely false) and 2) that the 57 is supposed to be used on an acoustic guitar. It is not.

The best way to hear the difference between the two mics is to borrow one of each and try them out. You'll know in about 5 seconds what the difference between the two is. Personally, you can't go wrong with either, but I find the SM57 gets a lot more use in my studio.

I generally recommend that beginning recorders get a 57 and a $100 condenser mic. This will cover quite a few basis without breaking the bank.

Brandon