SHURE 57 or 58?

[powderfinger]

What has the best overall use, 57's or 58's? Vocal and instrument. Opinions please.

 

[Wil Davis]

Both.

SM58 has a removeable pop-filter/windscreen. Take it off and it's very similar to a SM57. Use SM57s for micing quitar amps, and SM58s for vocals. I've heard it said that the filter on the SM58 changes the high-end response. I think the filter makes the SM58 more robust than the SM57.

They're fairly similar, get six of each ( :> )

- Wil

 

[Tom Hicks]

The 57 has pretty flat response and the 58 has a bit of upper-mid boost.
Tom

 

[John Sayers]

They've both got a mid boost haven't they??

 

[MISTERQCUE]

It's like comparin' as to what tastes better,Apples or Oranges?
They're both extremely worthwhile felxible mics whereas the 57 is excellent for micing amps and the 58 has good midrange for vocal applications.

 

[bvaleria]

The 57 has pretty flat response and the 58 has a bit of upper-mid boost.
Tom

Tom, the 57 has the presence peak -- the 58 has the peak also but it is less apparent (partly 'cos of the windscreen/foam.) Which is why, when you remove the top off of a '58, you essentially have a '57...

Bruce Valeriani
Blue Bear Sound

 

[Prism]

I think the 57 looks cooler in the studio, and the 58 looks better on the stage. Ball mics in the studio make me nervous.

Isaiah

 

[RWhite]

I may be mistaken on this, but I think the 57 has a slightly tighter pattern on it than the 58, doesn't it?

 

[Prism]

I thought it was the other way around ... because the 58's windscreen causes it to be more directional...??

Isaiah

 

[bvaleria]

This SHOULD end the confusion!

Both mics are cardioid.... and check out the freq specs for both mics - they are VERY similar (but not identical)....

The SM57 -
http://www.iosphere.net/~bvaleria/images/SM57.jpg

The SM58 -
http://www.iosphere.net/~bvaleria/images/SM58.jpg

Bruce