SM57 & SM58: Difference in frequency response curve!

[mshilarious]

One quick and easy way of distinguishing between SM57s and SM58s is that one is square on top and the other is round (I forget which is which).

If you put the 58 up against the mains, they make this sound:

HWEEEUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUPH

Whereas the 57 sounds like this:

HWEEEEEEEIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIP

 

[tallman]

Bassy? Muffled? I find that a broken 57 has these characteristics. Poking holes in the diaphragm usually fixes that. Use one of the pins on the flux capacitor for this purpose.

 

[lpdeluxe]

Mshilarious, that's a useful bit of information. Now, if I just had a 57 or 58...

 

[acorec]

What is the difference between the SM 57 and SM 58? Anyone know? I am just curios because the 57 sounds completely different than the 58.
Do they share any parts with each other? Is one a condensor?

 

[MadAudio]

Is there an echo in here?

 

[noisedude]

No - one is a ribbon. That's why it has a ball on the top, because it's more fragile. What's more - I don't know why they numbered them next to each other because they are TOTALLY DIFFERENT just look at these graphs:

 

[turnitdown]

A.) That was hilarious !!!
B.) I can't believe this thread is still alive!!!

 

[boingoman]

No - one is a ribbon. That's why it has a ball on the top, because it's more fragile. What's more - I don't know why they numbered them next to each other because they are TOTALLY DIFFERENT just look at these graphs:

MWAAAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!

 

[lpdeluxe]

It's very simple, guys: add **1** to an SM57, and you've got an SM58. Conversely, subtract **1** from an SM58, and then you have an SM57. Jeez, doesn't anybody understand binary?

 

[The Seifer]

is the sm57 good foar vocalz?????

 

[mshilarious]

It's very simple, guys: add **1** to an SM57, and you've got an SM58. Conversely, subtract **1** from an SM58, and then you have an SM57. Jeez, doesn't anybody understand binary?

That's not true, all Shure mics are numbered using reverse hexadecimal, such that the 58 (85; 133 in decimal) is 16 more than the 57 (75; 117).

The reason for this is if you plot the mic's frequency response, it corresponds to the binary equivalent:

58: 10000101
57: 01110101

This works for other Shures too:

81: 00011000 (note how nice and flat that curve is).

 

[lpdeluxe]

=Blush= I will take that wonderful correction gracefully.

 

[bleyrad]

As a mic designer (I designed the Nuetell V666, V2001: A Stage Oddity, and V911), I just wanted to correct you guys on a few points.

First of all, removing the ball windscreen from the end of the SM58 does not complete its metamorphasis into a 57. What this does is loosen the magnetic field around the torridal transformer beneath the capsule, allowing it the "flow freely" into the air, as opposed to being "constrained" in a ball by the metal windscreen. This results in a smoother frequency response.
After you remove the ball, however, you need to put some sort of electrically-conducting grease over the capsule (I prefer graphite powder mixed with silicone), then put the mic in the oven (top rack works best) and bake for a good 2-3 hours at 375 degrees. I kid you not. This will bind the magnetic abberations introduced by the oven's elements (make sure you use a conventional oven, not convection) to the capsule in a way similar to that done in the manufacture of a SM57. Yes, the capsule is the same in both mics, but the after-process is not. Usually Mexican immigrants do the baking process cheaply, taking little care for proper kitchen safety and smelling tests; this is why older SM57's (all-American) sound more appetizing than newer ones.

As for the "graphs" posted previously by another member, I don't know what that is all about, it must be some stupid joke. I mean, a smiley face for a frequency response? Get real buddy.

BTW, if you accidentally wreck your 58 by setting the oven temp too high, just smear some more of that grease on it... all over the mic. Then bring it into bed with your girlfriend and all of a sudden this "general purpose" do-it-all mic has found its favourite application .
Good luck fellas.

 

[noisedude]

As for the "graphs" posted previously by another member, I don't know what that is all about, it must be some stupid joke. I mean, a smiley face for a frequency response? Get real buddy.

Sorry

BTW, if you accidentally wreck your 58 by setting the oven temp too high, just smear some more of that grease on it... all over the mic. Then bring it into bed with your girlfriend and all of a sudden this "general purpose" do-it-all mic has found its favourite application .
Good luck fellas.

I hope that's with the ball off

 

[boingoman]

As for the "graphs" posted previously by another member, I don't know what that is all about, it must be some stupid joke. I mean, a smiley face for a frequency response?

That's how you know it sounds good. Everyone knows that

 

[noisedude]

And anyway - those graphs took a good three minutes of my time mastering Microsoft Paint. Don't jip my science just cos you don't get it!

 

[lpdeluxe]

Noisedude, I apologize. I got so caught up in reading the scientific explanations that I failed to review your highly accurate charts. What can I add, other than that they illustrate perfectly what we've been discussing?

Oh, wait, I know what I can add...



No, never mind.

 

[TripleJ]

As a mic designer (I designed the Nuetell V666, V2001: A Stage Oddity, and V911), I just wanted to correct you guys on a few points.

and bake for a good 2-3 hours at 375 degrees. I kid you not.
Good luck fellas.

I think I speak for everyone when I say:

FUCK THAT.

 

[DJL]

Wow, this thread sure went down hill... I guess that's what happens with grown men that still live at home with their parents... they have enough free time to sit around smoking crack and dreaming up BS to post on the mic forum. The shame of it all is... some of the newbies will believe the crap they read here.

 

[fretmeister]

The reason the SM 58 is sold as a vocal mic is because the ball keeps the singers lips from the capsule, which is modulated by the flux capacitor. If the singers lips come in direct contact with the capsule in the rare but potentially disastrous circumstance that the flux capicator is in a hyperexitable disequilibrium, a disturbing discharge can occur. This is more likely to happen if the drummer is playing syncopated rhythms. This is the dirty little secret that Shure doesn't want you to know.