SM58 - The Final Verdict??

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TaxMan88

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Okay, here goes.

SM58. I want opinions. I know it's designed for stage vocals, but what do you all think it's best at doing??

Should I use an SM58 to record vocals on demos?

What should I use an SM58 for?

Is the SM58 worth ANYTHING?

I figure that if it's got a rep, it's got one for a reason, and I want to know what you guys feel about it. Gimme all your ideas on the SM58. Let it out, vent, do what you've got to do, but I want the ups and downs of the famed SM58.

Thanks,
--Tax
 
I've used it on bass drum in a pinch and it WORKED!
I didn't even have a stand. Just laid it on the floor.
I like it for Internet voice chat as well.
But remember that the SM57 is $20 less and just as good...
Just doesn't feel as substantial in your hand.
 
It's a popular and popularly-accepted mic for live vocals, and people use them for studio vocals as well, but I don't like the 58 on my voice through my gear. Imagine an attractive woman wrapped in an attractive blanket - looks pretty nice, but she's still wrapped up in that blanket... that's what the 58 seems like to me. This is definitely the first time I've compared my voice to an attractive woman or a microphone to a blanket. It's an analogy - go easy on me.
 
Because I sing live on stage, I have an SM-58 for jams, and in case the club doesn't have one. As a result, I use it in my studio where the 57 would do just as well.. but if you have no plans to do live stage-vocals, the 57 is a better bet ... for a few reasons, but mainly this one:

Because of it's size and shape, the sm57 is better suited to snare and top micing. It's got a flat head, so you can get the diaphram closer to your source, and the smaller body makes it easier to position and less likely to get hit by flying drum sticks.

The 57 *is* a studio staple for a reason. I don't reccommend the 58 as a studio vocal mic. It's not horrible, but when I need good vocals, I use my C1000S, or better still, I go out and RENT a good condenser Mic. There are those who would disagree...
 
Its kind of weird,but you see the 58 all over the place live on stage but hardly ever in the studio,whereas the 57 gets a major workout in both settings.
Tom
 
I would pick the 57 over the 58 because of the reasons already listed, you could always use a pop screen for vocals, making it more useful than the 58.
 
The SM58 is essentially an SM57 with a pop-screen.... look at the specs at the Shure sight - remove the windscreen from the 58 and you pretty much have your 57...............

Bruce Valeriani
Blue Bear Sound
 
I have done a recording once with a SM58-57 when it was all i had. Really, they dont do too bad in the studio, but you are required to do more heavy EQing and a little more processing the make it sound good. Its definately no comparison to a C1000S condenser on vocals but it still does an ok job when all you need is a demo.

As far as chosing between a 57 and 58, im not sure. I thought that the 58 also had a low cut filter built into it to help reduce pops from the mouth. But still, i would also have to recommend the 57 over the 58. because you can make a pop screen if your really having problems with pops on a 57.

My conclusion, the SM57-58 are basically the standards of mics. Every studio has them for one reason or another. Most common reasons, Drums, and Guitar amp.

I hope i have helped you out in your quest. ;)
 
Gotta have the 57 for studio, 58 for live gigs but get the beta it's much beta!
 
I had both a 57 and a 58, bought them when I thought I needed the 57 for miking my amp and the 58 for vocals. Found out they were essentially the same. I don't like the 57/58 on my voice either, but I think most dynamic mics are a little thin in a studio setting. Now I've got a CAD Equitek E-100 condensor for vocals and recording instruments where I want a warmer sound than the 57 provides (such as classical guitar). I like having both bases covered, but I find myself reaching for the E-100 much more often than the 57 now.

<--Will-->
 
Well like it's brother, the SM-57, it's great for Hammering Nails into a Drumriser!

Needless to say, I hate SM-58's. After 10 years of live sound, and having to deal with every hack wannabe-singer who had his own piece of shit SM-58 that he thought was "special" and wanted to use because "it was his" (Funny, The female vocalists would use whatever I stuck in front of their mouths ;) Hehehe )[ okay so I'm a sexist pig, sue me! ], I can't stand the damned things.

For Vocals I prefer E.V.'s N/dym series, they just seem more Crisp to me, while the SM-58's seem muddy to me.

Oh, but 10 years ago, I did see David Yow (the singer from Jesus Lizard) shove a 58 up his ass!

So there IS another use for it!(and yes, it WAS plugged in.)


Tim
 
Yeah right.... like the classic 57 mic'd guitar amp was recorded with the SM57 shoved up the engineer's ass for all these years?!?!? C'mon - both the 57 and the 58 have their place. I agree, the 58 is not a great vocal mic, but a close mic'd Fender thru a 57 is tough to beat....

Bruce
 
bvaleria said:
Yeah right.... like the classic 57 mic'd guitar amp was recorded with the SM57 shoved up the engineer's ass for all these years?!?!? C'mon - both the 57 and the 58 have their place. I agree, the 58 is not a great vocal mic, but a close mic'd Fender thru a 57 is tough to beat....

Bruce
Click to expand...

Nope Bruce,
I just can't stand them.

I do not even own a single Sure mic anymore.
For Snare, I went with a Beye M422, Toms have Ndym 157's, Kicks AKG D112's, Overheads I'll switch betwem a pair of PZM's mounted to the ceiling, or a pair of ATM 811's, which I also have for the Hi-hat.

Guitar get's a Sennheiser MD515, and an ATM811.

Bass goes direct.

Tim
 
OK... now I'm curious, Tim - what made you give up on a 57 for close-mic'ing? Must've been something traumatic!!! :confused:

:)
Bruce
 
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