sm57 vs. beta 57

[etunes]

Is there a significant difference in the old stand by SM 57 / 58 and the Beta 57 /58's? Are the betas worth the additional $?

 

[Garak]

The Beta 57A and the Beta 58A are supercardioid. Which means they will pick up less room noise. The are really built for live use where you need good gain before feedback.

For general purpose studio stuff stick with the good old SM-57.

We use the Beta 58A at the live audio company I work for and I find them alot better than the SM-58. They are hotter and have great gain before feedback.

 

[Blue Bear Sound]

In addition, the Beta's are a bit brighter in the top end........

Bruce

 

[Henrik]

What about the Beta87's, then?

 

[nessbass]

I've read somewhere that the membrane or whatever it is called of the beta57 weighs only half as much as that of the SM57, thus being more accurate in reproducing e.g. transients of a snare drum. Is that correct?

David

 

[tubedude]

Thats my understanding, also... I prefer it on snare AND guitar cabs over a standard 57.

 

[Sabith]

Well the reason the diaphram weight is so different is because the sm57 is a dynamic mic and the beta is a condenser. They work quite differently and the diaphrams are different.

Sabith

 

[KHAN]

Well the reason the diaphram weight is so different is because the sm57 is a dynamic mic and the beta is a condenser. They work quite differently and the diaphrams are different.

Sabith

The Beta57 is a dynamic mic, and I prefer it to the SM57.(but not by a large margin).

http://www.shure.com/beta57a.html

 

[tubedude]

The Beta87A & C are condensors, and generally better mics. For only $250, makes more sense to go that route for live vocals. Good rejection, too. Better detail.
The 57 and 58 are moving coil.

 

[Sabith]

heh...... oooops I feel kinda dumb now.

I just thought the different between the SM's and the beta's were that the SM's were dynamic and the beta's were condensors............ shows how much I pay attention....

well, back to sleep I go

Sabith