SM 57 and SM 58 Interchangeable?

[Robertt8]

I've heard that they are the same capsule, and the only "real" difference is the ball on top. Is this true? Can you really use the SM58 (which is what I have (2 of) that's why I'm asking) in places where you'd use the SM57? Like snare...or whatever?

Thanks!
Robert Tait

 

[Farview]

Yes, they do sound slightly different but they are good at the same things. Most of the time a 57 and a 58 will sound more alike that two random 57s will.

 

[mshilarious]

After several other members posted pictures of 57s that had been struck by drumsticks, I've taken to using the 58 with the foam inside the ball removed. That probably doesn't make a big difference, but it does look cool.

 

[bennychico11]

i've heard the reverse. that the difference between the two is the polar pattern and the 58 has a wider one. i think what makes the 57 a tighter pattern is the phase holes on the sides of it that cancel anything coming through the sides. and what you can do is just tape them up to help reduce the sound that is canceled and resulting in a wider pattern. never tried it, but this is what i've heard you can do. i could be completely wrong

 

[Blue Bear Sound]

i've heard the reverse. that the difference between the two is the polar pattern and the 58 has a wider one.

Never ever heard that... they're the same capsule, so there's no basis for a difference in polar pattern...........

 

[Robertt8]

Never ever heard that... they're the same capsule, so there's no basis for a difference in polar pattern...........

umm...so you'd say they could be used interchangebly?

 

[bennychico11]

Never ever heard that... they're the same capsule, so there's no basis for a difference in polar pattern...........

yeah i know...like i said this was a theory that was told to me. i never tried it to prove it

 

[Blue Bear Sound]

umm...so you'd say they could be used interchangebly?

Pretty much...... the difference in sound comes from the difference in casing and the ball-end on the 58 (since the ball end limits the proximity to the capsule - unless you unscrew the top half....)

 

[Robertt8]

thanks! case closed.

 

[fenix]

theyr'e not the same.

 

[Bulls Hit]

theyr'e not the same.

Unscrew the top of the 57, take the ball off the 58, & they is identical

 

[Blue Bear Sound]

theyr'e not the same.

They ARE....... same capsule, slightly different casing/housing......

 

[mattamatta]

Mathematically, they are almost the same. There is only a 1.73% difference.

 

[bennychico11]

Mathematically, they are almost the same. There is only a 1.73% difference.

how the HELL did you figure that out?? or am i missing the joke?

 

[mattamatta]

Simple I merely devided 57 by 58, and converted it to a percentage difference.

Feel free to quote me on that (just dont make me look like TOO much of an idiot )

 

[Robertt8]

how the HELL did you figure that out?? or am i missing the joke?

I almost posted the same question...I figured he was some kind of engineer with a complicated mathmatical formula...as it turns out his formula was quite simple

 

[bennychico11]

Simple I merely devided 57 by 58, and converted it to a percentage difference.

Feel free to quote me on that (just dont make me look like TOO much of an idiot )

hahaah....jokes on me

 

[mattamatta]

I'm not an engineer yet, but I'm a student on my way toward a BS in electrical engineering....

But I think I already have a BS in BS (haha! it's a pun!.... ok ok, I'm sorry, puns are "very" "humorous")

Anyway, yeah, I made that up one time on the harmony central forums when a similar question was being asked, and I found it pretty funny.