The Classic Live Vocal Mic! The legendary Shure vocal mic, the SM58, is tuned to accentuate the warmth and clarity of lead and back-up vocal...
The Classic Live Vocal Mic!
The legendary Shure vocal mic, the SM58, is tuned to accentuate the warmth and clarity of lead and back-up vocals. The SM58 is consistently the first choice of performers around the globe. The Shure SM58 is a unidirectional cardioid dynamic vocal microphone designed for professional vocal use in live performance, sound reinforcement, and studio recording. A highly effective, built-in, spherical filter minimizes wind and breath "pop" noise. A cardioid pickup pattern isolates the main sound source while minimizing unwanted background noise. Outdoors or indoors, singing, speech - the SM58 is the overwhelming choice of professionals.
Shure SM58 at a Glance:
- Legendary Vocal Stage Mic
- Rugged Reliability
Legendary Vocal Stage Mic
For over 40 years, when the pros hit the stage, more of them are holding a Shure SM58 than anything else! The cardioid pickup pattern limits interference from other on-stage sound sources, and the frequency response is perfectly tailored for vocals with a brighter midrange and bass roll-off. There's a reason you the see the SM58 on more stages than any other vocal mic - it just works!
Rugged Reliability
It takes more than being designed specifically for the stage to make a mic a legend. As much as it's famous for it's sound, the SM58 is famous for being extremely rugged. The SM58 is built like a tank, meaning that you can travel with it from gig to gig and rest assured that it will last. Shure mics are famous for their bulletproof construction, and the SM58 is no exception.
Shure SM58 Features:
- Frequency response tailored for vocals, with brightened midrange and bass roll-off
- Uniform cardioid pickup pattern isolates the main sound source and minimizes background noise
- Pneumatic shock-mount system cuts down handling noise
- Effective, built-in spherical wind and pop filter
- Supplied with break-resistant stand adapter which rotates 180 degrees
- Legendary Shure quality, ruggedness and reliability
- Cardioid (unidirectional) dynamic
by TG Hoffman from Kansas, October 2008
Music Background: semi pro musician
I have used this mic for over 25 yrs. and, never had a problem. All the vocalists in my band use these mics and, also never a problem. what more can be said, It's like an old friend always there for ya.
There may be other mics that will perform as well as the 58 and, it may be only a personal preference but, the 58 has always come through.
Sure SM58
by Dermot from Ireland, October 2008
Music Background: Home Recording
Thye Sure SM56 was great in the 1970's that was 30 + years a go. Time has moved on. Try the sure beta 87 and listen !!!
SM58 A solid 10!
by Kyle X from Garland,Texas USA, September 2008
Music Background: Songwriter/Bassist/Vocalist/Hobbyist/Student/Home Recordist
I have bought this mic cause of all the greats that use this it. I listen to bands like Staind, Slipknot, Stone Sour, The Misfits (W/ and w/o Danzig), and tons of other metal and hard rock and grunge bands. I love it's durability, sound, and more importantly the price. How can you NOT own a Shure SM58 or SM57 and call yourself a studio???
This mic is tailor made for metal growling vocalists and the pop-py princesses that we all love to hate.
And none of it would be possible without a SM58 a staple in my mic closet, in my arsenal, and in my sound. Pick one up and see why it is the undisputed king of live vocals. I DARE YOU to disagree that this mic DOESN'T pay for itself.
Solid workhorse
by Micah d. from Campbellsville, KY, April 2007
Music Background: Live Sound Engineer
The SM58 is a legend in the live sound industry. It's reptuation is not without merit. It's solid, reliable and can double as a hammer when necessary. It's cheap, every live sound pro should have several standing by at all times.
Best budget dynamic microphone on the planet!
by sabianq from Washington D.C., October 2006
Music Background: Live sound engineer
This Microphone is built!
Shure Brothers out did themselves when they came up with this little gem, If you are a stage performer, or just a hobbyist and have a budget to stick to, you wont go wrong owning this piece of equipment.
I have seen this microphone thrown, dropped, stepped on, driven over and even dropped in a toilet. The darn thing just keeps on working.
And if it stops working for what ever reason, The people at Shure will do everything in their power to get you on the road again!
If you are looking for a great priced, Awesome sounding, road worthy microphone, look no further, this microphone will become a family heirloom you give to your children's children.
You may not have thought of this reason to buy an SM-58
by Andrew Koenig from New Jersey, USA, September 2006
Music Background: Semi-pro musician
The SM-58 is too well known as an industry workhorse to need further elaboration here. However, I saw an article in Acoustic Guitar magazine some time back that pointed out an important reason for owning one that hadn't occurred to me.
Their point: Because the SM-58 is so popular, most venues use them. Which means that unless you bring your own microphone to every gig, sooner or later you are going to have to use an SM-58. So you might as well get started right away in learning how to sound good through one.
YOU MEAN YOU DON'T HAVE ONE YET?
by Jimi Krystofiak from san Leandro Ca, September 2006
Music Background: recording enginer w/ BA
AGAIN LIKE THE 57 YOU GOTTA HAVE THESE. GOOD MIC CLEAR AND TAKES A BEATING. TO SUM THIS MIC UP I WILL PUT IT OUT THERE... SO YOU ALL KNOW OF U2 THE BAND. EVERY SINGLE SONG RECORDED WITH THAT BAND THEY USE A 58 ON THE VOCAL. NONE OF THESE 50000DOLLAR TUBE MICS, SIMPLE 58. WHY? BECAUSE IT WORKS AND ALWAYS GIVES THAT SAME LOVABLE SOUND SO MANY ARE USED TO HEARING .
I keep coming back to it
by Dean Drake from Bellingham, WA, July 2006
Music Background: Semi-pro musician/recording engineer
I've given other microphones in the same price range, (and even some that are pricier) an honest test drive, but I just keep coming back to my SM58. Some of the competitors have a lot more definition and are more sensitive, etc. - but to a fault. I can get right up on this mic and sing as loud as I can and it doesn't get harsh like my other mics do. So, until I find something I like better (and I doubt I will), I will keep on using my SM58.
by Justin Miller from Bedford, England, April 2006
The Shure SM58 is one of the most recognisable microphones in the world – and for good reason. It is the main stay of many a hire companies microphone hire stock, including mine. Practically unbreakable, and if you do manage to drop it from a high stage / skyscraper, you can also buy a replacement pop shield. Very suited to rock, or other musical styles that need powerful vocals. Make sure your singers lips are touching the pop shield to get the best results, though, unless they have very good mic technique. The proximity effect (increase in bass when you sing or talk close to the mic) makes this important. If the singer is a foot away from an SM58, the chances are they will sound thin, and you will also have gain before feedback issues...
Sonically the response has a nice presence peak in the upper mid range, but the top end rolls off quickly after that. Opinion is split about whether that is a good or a bad thing – it helps keep a lid on feedback, but it doesnt sound as hi-fi as some other mics. I have had some singers complain that their vocal top end is not quite right - sometimes asking for more top end. I guess they are used to the sound of expensive condenser mics on their recordings. My solution is normally to give them another mic, like a Beta 58, or Beta 87a maybe, rather than use EQ. If you A/B test an SM58 verses these mics it will always lose. But it can still be a better mic in some cases, such as when you are looking for a cardioid rather than hyper-cardioid response (the SM58 has a cardioid response, which means it has a wider pickup pattern at the front). But most vocalists will be more than happy with the sound the SM58 gives.
The SM58 also does a pretty good job on drums (not really bass drum), and other loud things like guitar cabs. It uses the same capsule as the SM57, one of the best mics for guitar cabs.
In conclusion, yes there are a lot of mics that sound better, and some of these are quite a bit cheaper – but ask yourself the question are they as durable as an SM58, and if you are a professional, will your clients want to use a mic they have never heard of?
Take care,
Justin Miller
http://pa2hire.co.uk
