SM 57 or 58 for home studio?

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tbear2500

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I need (well, want is a better word) a microphone for a home studio. I've done some looking around and have determined that I will probably go with a Shure SM57 or SM58. I have also been thinking of a Behringer B1 but reviews I've read say quality is horrible, as well as a Studio Projects B1 or Audio Technica AT2020, and any opinions or advice on those mics is appreciated, but from what I have read the SM57/58 is the best choice for starting a home studio largely because it will always be useful (whereas when I get more money the other $100ish mics become throwaways).

I am a soon-to-be college student so money is very tight. While I'm looking to do primarily home studio recording, something I can take with me to record live performances would be nice (which is where the dynamic mics come in handy, not needing phantom power and being capable of xlr-to-usb direct connections). I want to record instruments, primarily high brass (trumpet/F horn) as well as vocals. I understand no one microphone can do a great job of both but there has to be one miles better than what I'm using now.

The SM58 seems preferred for vocals, which makes sense as it is intended to be a vocal mic, and i have heard that if you take off the screen you're basically left with an SM57. Can anyone say how true that is? For that reason is it better to get a 58 for my purposes, or should I use the 57 for vocals (with an adequate pop filter, of course)? I also intend to get some kind of mixer/audio interface for use in my "studio." I would really like one with USB connectivity as I have a rather poor soundcard. Any advice on a good model or what to look for in that is greatly appreciated.

I know this is a lot to ask for in the Mic forum but this seems like the best place to find people who can answer my questions. Thanks in advance to all who respond.
 
A 57 and 58 are internally the same mic. The 58 has a ball pop filter. If I could only have one, it would be the 58 as it's ready to go for vocal duty and you could stick it in front of an instrument.
 
I am by no means a pro, but I did ask the same questions, when I started setting my studio up.

Sm57 seem to be better all rounders. Especially if you are going to record different things with them, brass, acoustic guitars, vocals. Good bargains are to be had on eBay on them too, just make sure it's not a fake. They are pretty robust so even 2nd hand ones should be ok if the seller assures its been looked after. Think I bought one for 40 quid and it's been fine.

I've a got a phonic helix 18 FireWire mixer/audio interface which I think is excellent. Has everything I need and more. 18 ins, loads of outs and FireWire to cubase. I think it was about 300 -£350 new. Maudio and focus rite do alternatives. I rememb at the time the helix was in my price range and had built in effects which the others for that price range didn't. (I like a bit of reverb in my head phones when recording vocals, and sometimes a bit on the vocalists voice live, is all I use the effects for.)

As I say I don't have a huge deal of exp in using loads of different mics but that was the advice given to me, and I like my sm57. Actually I now have 3...
 
The mystery continues ! Is it or isn't it ?
The jury is out, still.......
 
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For some amusement as well as information, this thread is a classic of the genre.
 
If you do get a 57 or 58 (and personal preference is th 57 as an firster all arounder) beware of counterfeits. That said, you could do worse then a 57 knock off, I bought a few for $25 locally, and they are reasonably satisfactory.
 
Blue Jinn said:
If you do get a 57 or 58 (and personal preference is th 57 as an firster all arounder) beware of counterfeits. That said, you could do worse then a 57 knock off, I bought a few for $25 locally, and they are reasonably satisfactory.
Click to expand...

57 counterfeits?
They're under a hundred bucks already.
 
Yeah, but I've already spotted a few. They mostly weren't even that much less expensive, though a few were really cheap.

Thing is, there was a time when I didn't think something as simple as a microphone could be worth even $100. I'm guessing those counterfeits are designed with people who think like that in mind.
 
I use a GLS ES-57 (I've read good reviews places of it) and put my SM57 to rest, to be honest.

$30 new, and a bit warmer, but feels (physically) like the exact same thing (to me).

To each their own, but you could get an ES-57 *and* an ES-58 and still be on top (or an ES-57 and an AT2020. That combo is $100 on amazon /shrug)

Just my pennies tossed in!
 
I would go with neither they both make your hair fall out, turns you old and grey!

You had all better send all of your 58's and 57's to me so as I can properly dispose of them. :facepalm:
 
Well the system I'm using now (microphone I got from a kareoke machine my mother bought -> 1/4" to 1/8" adapter -> Computer mic input) is doing a good job of that already. Could a 57/58 not help me? Keep in mind I will be at this for a long time and any reuseable equipment will be nice (as I stated, others have said previously to stay away from most other $100 mics because they become useless as your studio budget increases). Is there a better alternative given my current situation?
 
tbear2500 said:
Well the system I'm using now (microphone I got from a kareoke machine my mother bought -> 1/4" to 1/8" adapter -> Computer mic input) is doing a good job of that already. Could a 57/58 not help me? Keep in mind I will be at this for a long time and any reuseable equipment will be nice (as I stated, others have said previously to stay away from most other $100 mics because they become useless as your studio budget increases). Is there a better alternative given my current situation?
Click to expand...

Some home Karaoke machines have pretty sweet mics, but it's hard to beat an SM 57.
And no matter how long you are doing this an SM 57 will always come in handy down the road.
I say go for it!
 
Most people prefer a 58 over a 57 for vocals, but I'm one of the few that likes the 57 better on my voice. Is this going to be strictly for vocals, and then, just your voice? If you need it to be multi-purpose, the 57 is sort of a swiss army knife, duct-tape kind of mic. Not the best solution for anything, but good enough for almost everything. When you upgrade your vocal mic, you'll still find plenty of uses for the 57.
 
tbear2500 said:
Well the system I'm using now (microphone I got from a kareoke machine my mother bought -> 1/4" to 1/8" adapter -> Computer mic input) is doing a good job of that already. Could a 57/58 not help me? Keep in mind I will be at this for a long time and any reuseable equipment will be nice (as I stated, others have said previously to stay away from most other $100 mics because they become useless as your studio budget increases). Is there a better alternative given my current situation?
Click to expand...



I think that they were referencing the $100. Condenser microphone market.
 
I need the microphone for vocals and instruments. I am a brass player and have been for longer than I have been a singer. What vocals I do record on it will most likely be my voice, but the fact that I want a microphone good for recording instruments is largely what drew me to the SM57, and the similarity between the 57/58 is what drew me to the SM58. I'm actually in Canada right now with my area youth symphony and I will not be buying anything until I get back to the States, so while the 57 looks like the winner I might change my mind.

I also need an interface for it, and because my budget is so small the M-Audio MobilePre USB looks like a good option (I'm hoping to get one used for ~$50). Any of you have experience with that or recommendations for/against?
 
How handy are you with DIY? You could get a cheap condenser and mod it.
 
Im not sure where you live, but Im positive I could go to almost any moderatley sized city with 100-110 bucks and come home with a 57 and a 58. $120.00 tops.
 
dreib said:
Im not sure where you live, but Im positive I could go to almost any moderatley sized city with 100-110 bucks and come home with a 57 and a 58. $120.00 tops.
Click to expand...

Well, I can't be sure in the USA but, if you're getting an SM57 or 58 for $50-$60 new, there's every chance it's a counterfeit. Even in the States I believe they're more like $90ish each.

....and Moresound is right that they're more like $170 each down here, making them vastly over priced for what they are.
 
Blue Jinn said:
How handy are you with DIY? You could get a cheap condenser and mod it.
Click to expand...

I'm usually pretty good with DIY, but I've never worked with microphones before and I don't want to risk wasting money right off the bat. What kind of mod are you suggesting?
 
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