SM 58 vs. SM 57 Mic question

George Kimery · From: Limestone, TN, USA

We use an SM 58 for vocals and an SM 57 for amps or snare drum. I have always been told that both mics have the same capsule, but the 57 doesn't have the wind screen. My question is, if you put a foam windscreen on a 57, don't you now have a 58 clone? I once played in a band that the vocalist preferred a 57 over a 58. I know a 57 is OK for vocals but it is not Shure's flagship vocal mic. Any comments?

Michael Brebes · From: Northridge CA

The 57 and 58 are similar, but if you take the screen off the 58 you can see that the capsule is physically different. There are foam windscreens that you can buy for a 57 but they aren't as physically robust as a 58. There are plenty of pictures of people singing thru 57's during the 60's.
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Jack Stoner · From: Kansas City, MO

One of our bandmembers uses an SM57 for vocals. He has brought other mic's at times, as he works in a music stoere, and I can't tell any difference between the SM57 and a Peavey "vocal" mic that he's used.

Bill A. Moore · From: Silver City, New Mexico, USA

I personally prefer a 57 for vocals, the low/mid frequencies are little more pronounced, and I think feedback is easier to control. My wife too prefers a 57, but we both have, and use 58's on occasion, although they seem to pick up more off axis, (noticeable with an acoustic electric guitar). Of course after buying some sound hole blockers, that shouldn't be a problem in the future.

Godfrey Arthur · From: 3rd Rock

The windscreen/pop flter on a 58 keeps the vocalist a specified distance from the capsule and filters plosives. If one has good mic technique then using a 57 should be easy.

The grill on a 57 presents an increased proximity effect and 5KHz frequency boost.

But the 57 and 58 are the SAME capsule.

Using the 57 for vocals works well for vocalists who may benefit from the boost in the 5khz range though the 57 was designed for instrument micing.

If feedback is a problem I've found the Audix OM-7 to be really good in controlling that for vocal work. I also find you can sing through them with less effort over a 58.
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Pete Burak · From: Portland, OR USA

I run a 57 into an old ART Tube Pac mic pre-amp (just for the handy Gain control at hands reach).
I have used both and like the 57 better for singing.

George Kimery · From: Limestone, TN, USA

Great information. I have a new band and one of the
singers said he had a mic. I asked him if it was a 58 and he said yes. Miscommunication, I assumed a singer with his own mic would know what I meant when I said 58. It was a Shure $50.00 Mic that had some lettering followed by 58, so to him,it was a 58. I couldn't get his mic to come on for a while. Finally took a look at it and it had an on/off switch that was off. I hate mics with on/off switches. The only mics I have is an EV PL-80, which is a good vocal mic, and an SM-57. This is why I was interested in opinions of a 57 for vocals.

It is apparent he is not up to speed on mics, not knowing what I meant when I said a 58 and standing there not knowing his mic had an on/off switch while I struggled to get his sound on. Knowing this, I am going to tell him that different mics work better for different singers,and suggest he try out my two mics to see if they fit his voice better. I don't want to knock his mic. I have foam pop filters, so I will put one on the 57 so it looks more like a spherical mic like he is used to. He has a sort of Vern Gosden voice, so we will see how it goes tomorrow.

Godfrey Arthur · From: 3rd Rock

Brooks Montgomery · From: Idaho, USA

I like the Shure Beta 57A
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Tom Gorr · From: Three Hills, Alberta

I sing through a Beta 57A as well (formerly my guitar amp mic). I give it a 7/10 for vocals but good enough for now.

I didn't like the regular 57 for anything... Sounded like crap across the board to my ears. Maybe I got abad one...?

I do prefer the Beta 58 of my singing partner... I find the psycho acoustics of the Beta 58 makes me sing slightly differently..more relaxed effort .. Thus better.

Scott Duckworth · From: Etowah, TN Western Foothills of the Smokies

Without looking a spec sheets, I would tend to think due to the design, the 57 might be a little more directional than the 58.
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Jack Stoner · From: Kansas City, MO

I've got Shure SM57/58 and a Beta 58 in my home recording studio stock. I find the Beta 58 a little more focused and clearer for both male and female vocals. But they are not used that much as I have much better AKG condenser mic's for vocals.

I tried an SM57 too mic my Dobro and didn't like it. I ultimately used a Ribbon.

George Kimery · From: Limestone, TN, USA

I wasn't implying that I hated mic's with on/off switches due to sonic concerns. Just hate them because people are always turning them on and off. When running sound, I just got tired of hollering turn your mic on, only to have them fiddle trying to get the mic in and out of the clip and then looking for the switch. I have seen this at a lot of shows and it is just annoying.

Godfrey Arthur · From: 3rd Rock

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