Shure SM58

[jonno0205]

Hi i am considering buying an SM58,

can somebody please tell me some of the technical information, advantages, disadvantages, features ect. compared to other mics

 

[philbagg]

Advantages:
They're extremely cheap (roughly $100), and it's not reflected in it's sound IMO.

They're very rugged: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=33QPLbQi9FI


Disadvantages:

Depends on what you're looking to do with it... But its a great mic IMO

 

[dgatwood]

Advantages:
* Makes a great hammer.

Disadvantages:
* Most of them have been used as hammers.
* They're pretty muddy sounding. The whole "No highs, no lows, must be Bose" line was probably the fault of the mics.

 

[RawDepth]

The SM58 is an antique that should have died by now. There are many other modern designs for the same price that will run circles around a 58.

For example, check out the N/D767a by EV. When testing them side-by-side you'll hear a huge difference like night and day. (But be advised when shopping...the little "a" in the model number indicates a major improvement over the older N/D767.)

 

[Lt. Bob]

The SM58 is an antique that should have died by now. There are many other modern designs for the same price that will run circles around a 58.

For example, check out the N/D767a by EV. When testing them side-by-side you'll hear a huge difference like night and day. (But be advised when shopping...the little "a" in the model number indicates a major improvement over the older N/D767.)

I don't care for SM58's too much for vox and, personally, I switched to EV mics for stage use many years ago.
But the 58 does make an absolutely great guitar amp mic.

 

[darrin_h2000]

I think that you can do better of course...but in reality they are widely used...it is better to buy an SM57 and get a foam popfilter...you will get more mileage out of that.

 

[Lt. Bob]

I think that you can do better of course...but in reality they are widely used...it is better to buy an SM57 and get a foam popfilter...you will get more mileage out of that.

double-ditto

 

[Ronan]

I think its a great mic. I often use them on vocals even though I have very high end mics available.

Its a very cool mic, but the far more important questions is whether or not its a good match for your voice.

 

[suprstar]

It's a cheap mic that sounds a lot better than its price would indicate. In the studio I've mic'ed vox, guitar amps, and high toms with it. Not my standard go-to mic but works well enough. I see 58's used more on stage for live use vox mics more than anything.

 

[pohaku]

Try one and see what it sounds like on your voice. Might be good. Might not. They are pretty indestructible. Like others, if I want that sound, I prefer an SM-57 with a pop filter. More flexible for use on instruments as well. if I want a performing dynamic mic for vocals, I generally prefer the Audix OM-6, but you need to see how the mic fits your voice.

 

[witzendoz]

If I could only own 1 mic in it would be a SM58 or better still a Beta 58.

Most (not all but most) live concerts on DVD have a SM58 or Beta 58 for vocal.

They will also mic a guitar cab, snare drum, toms, bass amp, kick drum, sax, trumpet, etc etc, with good results. It may not be the best mic for each individual application, but it will product an acceptable result.

I own 5 SM58's and a Beta 58 amongst my mic collection.

Cheers

Alan.

 

[darrin_h2000]

If I could only own 1 mic in it would be a SM58 or better still a Beta 58.

Most (not all but most) live concerts on DVD have a SM58 or Beta 58 for vocal.

They will also mic a guitar cab, snare drum, toms, bass amp, kick drum, sax, trumpet, etc etc, with good results. It may not be the best mic for each individual application, but it will product an acceptable result.

I own 5 SM58's and a Beta 58 amongst my mic collection.

Cheers

Alan.

I guess I have the trifecta...the 2-SM58s...Beta58...and 2-565s.
but right now my prefered stage mic is a Beyer M69.

 

[witzendoz]

I guess I have the trifecta...the 2-SM58s...Beta58...and 2-565s.
but right now my prefered stage mic is a Beyer M69.

I just remembered I have a couple of 585's these were hiZ but we changed them out to LoZ when they were bought new (about 1976). I used to use these to record into a TEAC A360 cassette deck (the best they made at the time and the old recordings still sound good) and used them in the band for vocal.

The M69 is also a great mic, but they do cost more than the SM58, I still think SM58's are the best value for money all rounder.

Cheers

Alan.

 

[fox929]

Just purchased one off ebay for interviewing an audience kinda thing, using it as a live mic for an audience.

Although, the ebay user had violated ebays terms and conditions, and now it has been de-listed after I had paid for it through paypal. Hopefully it ships here soon.

 

[darrin_h2000]

Just purchased one off ebay for interviewing an audience kinda thing, using it as a live mic for an audience.

Although, the ebay user had violated ebays terms and conditions, and now it has been de-listed after I had paid for it through paypal. Hopefully it ships here soon.

Never buy one off of Ebay...there are too many crooks and the SM58 and 57 both are counterfited...always buy ones you can check out first...and use the online guides to be able to tell the fakes from the real ones...Ive spotted fakes in my pawn shop.

 

[Yonce N Mild]

Just purchased one off ebay for interviewing an audience kinda thing, using it as a live mic for an audience.

Although, the ebay user had violated ebays terms and conditions, and now it has been de-listed after I had paid for it through paypal. Hopefully it ships here soon.

That's exactly how I got my fake 58.

 

[witzendoz]

Never buy one off of Ebay...there are too many crooks and the SM58 and 57 both are counterfited...always buy ones you can check out first...and use the online guides to be able to tell the fakes from the real ones...Ive spotted fakes in my pawn shop.

With a US street price of $100 why would anyone go on ebay? Go to a reputable dealer and pay the $100, it will be the best $100 you will ever spend. Go back to when they were released and in todays money they would be $600.

Cheers

Alan.

 

[Bluebird 1funky]

Buy one

I have an SM 58 &57 first two mics I bought. I also have a couple of Audio-Technia mics, a 3035 & a 4040. There are some cases when I have used the 58 because it fit with what I wanted to say. Choice and preference are very subjective, so I say buy one if you can.