Question about Shure SM58 for Home Recording

[ravenomega]

I was wondering if the Shure XM58 mic would be good for recording vocals at home on my PC. If so does the XM58 come with USB or would I need the XM58+X2u?
Thanks!

[Phantom Piggy]

I'm gonna assume you mean the Shure SM58 which doesn't come with a USB output so if you wanted to use it then you would also need the X2u or an audio interface.

As for the mic being good it really depends on what you're using it for.

[ravenomega]

I'm gonna assume you mean the Shure SM58 which doesn't come with a USB output so if you wanted to use it then you would also need the X2u or an audio interface.

As for the mic being good it really depends on what you're using it for.

Yes the Shure SM58. I was just wondering if it would be good for recording vocals at home, or is there a better mic for that?

[Bobbsy]

Okay.

The SM58 is a 45 or 50 year old design for a dynamic microphone. In the intervening time, lots of better sounding mics have come onto the market. Also, the 58 is aimed largely at the live sound market--decent off axis rejection and relatively low sensitivity for working on loud stages.

The huge advantages of SM58s is that they're built to be tough as hammers (I've actually seen nails driven with them) and sound ops all over the work know exactly what they should sound like and how to EQ them to get the best out of them.

Quite a few recordings have been made on SM58s with decent results but, if you ask if it's the best choice? Probably not.

And, no, there's no USB version--but unless there are extenuating circumstances, USB mics are not recommended round these parts anyway.

[FromtheSOUTH]

Until you're ready to spend 100$+ on a dedicated vocal mic, the SM58 will do fine. I've used them on virtually everything, with mixed results. I've used this mic for my vocals, works great in conjunction with another mic, and have gotten some decent guitar tones through it. That being said, +1 to bobbsy's post.

Try it out, see if you like it. If not, buy an MXL 990.

[ravenomega]

Thanks for all the replies! Since the SM58 is a dynamic mic I need to be looking for a condenser mic correct?

[Steenamaroo]

Thanks for all the replies! Since the SM58 is a dynamic mic I need to be looking for a condenser mic correct?

Not necessarily. There are bad, good, and great examples of each type.

[ravenomega]

Not necessarily. There are bad, good, and great examples of each type.

Can you possibly steer me in the right direction? All I am looking for is a Mic that is compatible with a Desktop PC for vocal recordings at home and doesn't pop. Like if you were to give advice for a starter what would you recommend per say?

[arcaxis]

Kind of depends how easy you want to make it and what expectations you have for the recordings. If you got a USB condenser mic you would simply setup what is needed for drivers and recording software and you should be good to go. If you got a XLR connected mic, either a condenser or dynamic you would need an interface to get the audio signal into the computer and you would have a wider variety of mics to chose from. A dynamic would tend to pickup less room noise than a condenser which may be a plus depending where you are recording.

I don't have a USB mic. I picked the AT2020 USB below because I have an AT2020 non-USB mic and am not necessarily recommending it, but just to show some examples in use. With a condenser mic like this it would be recommended to use a pop filter as seen in these videos. A USB may be the easiest and cheapest way to see if you want to go any further or not.

AudioTechnica AT2020 USB Youtube samples......
AT2020 Sound Test (She's out of my life - Josh Groban) - YouTube
Falling Slowly (covered by THreshold) - YouTube
AT2020 Sound Test (You Raise Me Up - Josh Groban) - YouTube
Audio Technica AT2020 USB Condenser Mic (Test #2) - YouTube

Shure SM58 Youtube sample... couldn't find as many...
Alter Bridge - Blackbird vocal cover - YouTube
The Green Manalishi - Judas Priest(vocal cover) - YouTube

[Steenamaroo]

Can you possibly steer me in the right direction? All I am looking for is a Mic that is compatible with a Desktop PC for vocal recordings at home and doesn't pop. Like if you were to give advice for a starter what would you recommend per say?

Have a think about how far you're likely to go.
If you think in a years time you'll be stereo micing instruments and recording drum kits, definitely buy over you head now.
It's saves money in the long run. I'm thinking of an 8 channel interface with mic pres...Presonus fp10/tascam us1800, or something like that.

If you think a nice simple single mic setup is all you're ever going to want, then I guess USB mics are an option, or a basic interface like a firestudio mobile and a mic of your choosing.
I love dynamic mics, others don't, but the big hitters are sm7b, re20, md421 etc.

Budget but usable condensers...rode nt1a, mxl v67g, SP B1 etc.