Shure SM57 or SM58

[ledhed]

Anyone want to recommend one over the other? I don't record live drums or vocals...I only need it for miking guitar amps (a Peavey Classic 30 tube amp and a Fender Princeton Chorus solid state). I'm recording with a Tascam 488 MKII 8-track machine.

[SilentSound]

Whenever i had to use a live vocal mic such as sm58 or ev457 there is this presence peak that doesn't work with distorted guitar. I'd go with the sm57 for micing an amp. I use a 58 with the ball off for snare. Don't know why i told you that but there it is hope it helped.

[Slackmaster2K]

I use the SM57 to mic my amp and it works great. The SM58 is more suited for vocals.

I was down at the music store the other day talking to the guys about microphones. All the salespeople agreed that there are better microphones than the Shures in the $100 range. One dude said that many people stick with the SM57 & SM58 for the same reason that you'd go to McDonalds while on a road trip. They're familiar, have been around for quite a while, and you know what to expect.

Off hand I don't remember which microphones they were recommending (they DO sell Shure microphones along with the others). Anyone care to comment? All I know is that that I like my SM57 since its the only mic I've used

Slackmaster 2000

[harpzilla]

Im told that the SM57 and 58 are the same mic but for the ball. The ball holding the pop filter for vocals. Since hopefully, your guitar doesn't have a ssssibilant s, you don't really need the ball but it really doesn't make much difference. Anyone know any different?

[Recording Engineer]

I'd be really interested to know what those other dynamic mics in the $100 range were. The only ones I've come across and with my eyes and what others have said are those live mics by CAD; though I've never even heard any CAD myself. Of course, I've never really looked into replacing my 57s, and I don't plan to; though my mind is always open if anyone cares to shed some light.

[SN]

When I was shopping for a mic in January for guitar and general recording live use this is what I went through.

SM57: but wait the Sm58 is the same mic with a better handle and a ball for vocals.
SM58: I'll get this one Salesman "naw, the 8 is ok but the Audio Technica 41-HE is better. Here try themm both out. They are the same price.

I tried them both out and the ATM 41-HE is definately better than the SM58. I use it to mic the guitar amp, and the classical guiar, for distance micing, and for vocals.

Only later did someone mention that the sm57 and sm58 may not be identically electrically.
But I'm not sure about that.
Perhaps the sm58 is the sm57 with a pop filter and protective cage, plus and easier to hold handle, and therefore $10 more. Maybe, maybe not.

[Recording Engineer]

If I'm not mistaken, but I'm pretty sure the Shure 58s and 57s are the same electronicly, but the grill and windscreen give a presence boost at I think around 3k. Most people don't like this boost for miking electric guitar amps, but I wonder why they don't use 58s on snares more often than 57s considering we all like to boost around 3k on the snare for a little more presence and clarity.

[usman]

there are various samson mics in the 100 buck range that are supposedly comparable or better than the sm5x. not sure about this myself.

[SilentSound]

Hey. That presence peak on 58 is my trick for miking snare!!! Actually i metioned it early in the post.

[dgatwood]

Spammer reported.

[Kingofpain678]

Originally Posted by awesome

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wtf?

how very gay.

[dodgeaspen]

Lots of people use the 57 for almost everything. I know almost nothing about the 58.

[Big Kenny]

Turn 'em upside down and they all look alike, or is that.........never mind

[omtayslick]

http://shure.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/sh...F90ZXh0PXNtNTg!

[Jewishjay]

The windscreen on the 58 has an affect on the eq curve, so even though they are basically the same mic, the 57 is the classic workhorse for recording electric guitars and the 58 is more suited to vocals.

[darrin_h2000]

I wonder if the OP died in a fire from when his Peavey burst into flames.

[walton]

Good website, i have bookmarked your site for future reference.Thanks

[dgatwood]

Thread re-reported.

[soundchaser59]

THIS MIC is a much better cab mic than any 57..... roughly the same price, too.