the shure genre

[skaltpunk]

Post your thoughts on Shure Microphones, specifically the SM58 and SM57 mics.

 

[kristian]

hello again.

58s and 57... beasts of work. they can do everything. especially at the homerecording level they are the best first buys. I have 4 SM57s, i know the more pro people around here have 10+ in SM58s & SM57s

 

[ametth]

I cant really choose betweeen the two, they're both great mics.

 

[Prism]

I like the SM57 because if you drop it, there isn't a stupid metallic windscreen that gets irreversibly dented....and you can fit its narrow body into crowded areas with more ease...I hate any mic with a ball windscreen, generally, although I think the SM58 is my favorite mic for lecturers, etc.

Isaiah

 

[Track Rat]

I'll go for the 57. It's a bit cheeper and IMHO, more of an all around workhorse. As pointed out, no windscreen to dent, sounds great on just about anything you put it front of from guitar cabs to drums to voice. Hell, it's one of the best banjo mics I've ever used. I have six 57's and two 58's and it seems I've always got at least one 57 up on something.

 

[vox]

Actually, I'd much rather drop a 58 than a 57, sure the ball grill looks crappy when dented but you can straighten it or replace it quite cheaply, with a 57 the whole plastic 'head' can actually break off.

 

[Queue]

Hasn't it been said that a 58 is merely a 57 with the ball?

Therefore, the 58 would be the value, as it is 2 for 1, remove the ball and you've got a 57!

Queue

 

[harley96]

Queue is exactly right!! There both the same mics internally.I wouldn't recommend taking the ball off the sm58 though, If I remember correctly if you do so your removing the protective element but then again they were made to be abused!!!!!

 

[Sonic Misfit]

Okay, I am showing my age here, but I have been a long time user of Shure mics and in my mic collection I actually have a Unisphere B and a Unidyne. I bought both of them when they were new and they have been around the block. These were the forerunners of the SM58 and SM57, and they still work today, about 30-some years later.

As far as value, purely on price performance, I would say the SM57. But as far as dependability they are both great performers.

 

[Queue]

I've got a used 57 that says Unidyne III on the decal, also says Model SM57 guess mine's a transition mic?

Queue

 

[darrin_h2000]

If you drop the 58 Get one of those gold balls at mars to replace it.


57 is the best value. for the money. good all arround mic.

 

[tdukex]

57 is the best value. You are paying $20 for the ball on a 58!
I'll take a 57 anyday--more versatile.

 

[ColdAsh]

Hasn't it been said that a 58 is merely a 57 with the ball?

Therefore, the 58 would be the value, as it is 2 for 1, remove the ball and you've got a 57!

Queue

Im not saying your wrong but if they're the same mic then why do they have different frequency responses?

 

[Gidge]

Ill vote for the 57...I always take the ball of the 58 whenever someone hands me one.....that ball isnt worth $20 to me......

 

[Queue]

ColdAsh,
The difference is introduced by the ball!
Queue

 

[ColdAsh]

Ok Queue,
I didnt realaise that the ball could do that much difference

 

[smellyfuzz]

57 an excellent dill-doe

58 can be painful

 

[Blue Bear Sound]

The 58 *IS* a 57 with a ball on it... the windscreen and built-in pop filter account for the slight dip in upper-mid frequency response...

We *have* been thru this many, many times in the past..................

And Sean... you're gonna hurt yourself using those mics that way!

Bruce

 

[Markd102]

I've always found the 57 to be more directional than the 58. Is that a characteristic of the ball vs the cap?

 

[Blue Bear Sound]

That I'm not sure about.... there is no reason for that, they are both cardioid with the same on-axis spec............

I'm sure your impression is an audio illusion... if you actually measure it, I bet they will be identical.

Bruce