Sm57 Sm58

Nem · #1 May 28th, 2006

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

allthumbs · #2 May 28th, 2006

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

nagukush · #3 May 29th, 2006

Hi Buddy

I got these links for ya (from the manufacturer's site) I hope this helps

Sm 57 - http://www.shure.com/microphones/models/sm57.asp

Sm 58 - http://www.shure.com/microphones/models/sm58.asp

Kindest Regards
Kush

scotty_b · #4 May 31st, 2006

The 58 is a workhorse vocal mic. They are good for gigs - almost indestructable in my experiences. A car ran over mine in a club carpark as I was unpacking for a gig and the bag split open. Some gaff tape on the capsule and it was back to working order.
The 57 is often used for guitar amps and parts of the drum kit, such as the snare.
In my opinion neither is particularly good on acoustics

WernHalen · #5 May 31st, 2006

I agree with Scotty about neither being brilliant for accoustic work. I would rather get a good quality Senheiser mic for accoustics. For placing in front of an amp the sm58 and 57 works very well... I prefer the 58 cause of its ruggedness like Scotty eluded to...

interesting stuff about the sm 58... It was originally designed for the beetles by a mr. Ernie Seeler after they requested a mic that was nearly indestructible, which had good response and would stand the test of time... Look where we are now so many years later and it is still a brilliant mic. Looks like the beetles did not leave us with just some good music... Cant remember where I read that...

allthumbs · #6 May 31st, 2006

That is odd. The shure 57 is considered the industry standard though other mics are starting to get equal or better reviews.

WernHalen · #7 May 31st, 2006

i have learned long ago that the industry standardis not always the best... It has got a lot to do with sentiment...

In SA people prefer Black diamond strings, no one knows why it just is... I found out that for some time BD strings were the only strings available in SA and that is probably why they are so popular...

Nem · #8 May 31st, 2006

ok well if im not going to get a shure mic, then what would everyone recommend for around the same price, and maybe a bit cheaper?

im not looking to record much electric, itll mainly be used for recording acoustic and vocals.
and i dont know much about mics, but when people talk about response are they talking about bass and treble? because i would like a mic that boosts the bass a bit so I dont have to go in afterwards and do it manually....or is that a bad way to do it?

BigBaby · #9 May 31st, 2006

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.

WernHalen · #10 June 1st, 2006

I did not want to seem to shoot shure down... I just wanted to say that they are not the best there is out there. Then again the best is a relative term, depends on what you are looking at...

Shure mics are definately going to last and they will most probably give you good tone for much longer than the other mics... They might just stink a little bit...

allthumbs · #11 June 1st, 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by WernHalen

I did not want to seem to shoot shure down... I just wanted to say that they are not the best there is out there. Then again the best is a relative term, depends on what you are looking at...

Shure mics are definately going to last and they will most probably give you good tone for much longer than the other mics... They might just stink a little bit...

WernHalen · #12 June 1st, 2006

The stink comes from years of spit...

Tekker · #13 June 18th, 2006

Hi Nem,

I don't know if you've made your purchase yet, but since you're recording acoustic and vocals, then you might want to think about a condenser mic like the Studio Projects B1 (which is in the same price range as the SM57/58 mics)... Condensers are much better for acoustic guitars than either the 57/58 and depending on your voice they can sound better on vocals also.

Condensers require phantom power to operate so you'll also need a mic preamp (like an Art Tube MP) which runs at $40. So that'll put you at a little more than an SM57 or 58, but it'll be worth it.

-tkr

guttertrashsingalong · #14 June 19th, 2006

ya know that reminds me of something funny......i was doing a rhythm guestspot with a local band and i had to share a mic for backing vocals and man it smelled like a bag of --- then later when the bassist came up talking to me his breath smelled just like the mic..so i learned dont share mics

scotty_b · #15 June 19th, 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by allthumbs

That is odd. The shure 57 is considered the industry standard though other mics are starting to get equal or better reviews.

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.
The great things about the 57 and 58 is that they are just about indestructible. I use them for live gigs, and even had a car run over the 58 and it still works.
I prefer Rode mics for actual studio work, though they are generally much more expensive. Samson make some budget mics that are competitive with the Shure in price and performance. JTS also make budget mics that are reasonable.