Shure 57 & 58 mics question

willwonka · #1 08-10-2006, 01:19 PM

Question for you guys I have a 57 and a vocal 58 (i think beta 58a not sure but for vocals), lately i have been using my 57 instead and it seems to sound better.... What is the difference between the 57 and 58, i thought they were basically the same mic with a few variations, and why would vocals sound better on a mic better suited for instruments rather than a mic that is meant for vocals? I have a low voice if that plays any factor into it.

Any feedback is much appreciated, I am thinking about buying another 57 for my vocal mic.

Or if you guys have some suggestions on some other mics (I got a fairly low voice)

Thanks

markjazzbassist · #2 08-10-2006, 03:22 PM

i have a sm57. they are vocal/instrument mics and are usually used to mic amps or for horns. that is what they excel at. they are a better speaking vocal mic, than a singing vocal mic.

the 58 is supposed to be for singing only, but i have heard many complaints from soundmen that they are very bright and harsh.

the reason you may like the 57 better is cause it may be a little warmer than the 58. good luck.

willwonka · #3 08-10-2006, 03:29 PM

The sound seems a bit warmer and smoother from the 57 than the 58, i get the odd pop, but i think a wind screen would take care of it.

vindy500 · #4 08-10-2006, 03:37 PM

ones got a big ball at the end?

but seriously, shure cant say whats best for you, its like fender starts making a rock bass and a blues bass and a metal bass and a jazz bass(oh wait...) ect

different strokes for differnt folks

willwonka · #5 08-10-2006, 03:47 PM

Any comments on the 57a beta for vocals?

markjazzbassist · #6 08-10-2006, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by willwonka

Any comments on the 57a beta for vocals?

don't you mean beta 58a?

we use them at my church. Same results as the 58's (read above post). If the 57's working, stick with it.

IanStephenson · #7 08-10-2006, 05:08 PM

Anyone seriously into this sort of thing will tell you that "strictly speaking", "from a technical point of view" they're both pretty appauling mikes. We use them because they're cheap, tough, we're used to them, and IN PRACTICE they work pretty good.

If you're going to worry about the "right" thing to do, you'd use something else completly. If the 57 works good for you then thats the right tool for the job.

Ian

Peter Squire · #8 08-10-2006, 08:39 PM

I have a 57, my lead singer has a 58. Both work fine.

**Pacman** · #9 08-10-2006, 08:44 PM

The 57 and 58 are the same mic capsule. The only real difference is in the screens used on each.

ImaStupidBaby · #10 08-10-2006, 10:00 PM

i thought the 57 was unidirectional and the 58 was cardiod.

then again, we were smoking a lot of sinsemilla on the way to the Musicans Friend distru center....so maybe that was it.

Basshole · #11 08-10-2006, 10:08 PM

No, as said above, the 57 and 58 are identical capsules, only the pop screen is different (hence the slightly greater claimed low-end response for the 57 due to "proximity" effect).

The Beta series mics are COMPLETELY different, sonically, and frankly don't sound nearly as good to MY ear.

They do have neodymium magnets, and thus higher output, so they may be preferrable in certain applications...but frankly an EV 757 sounds a lot more like a "Neo 58" for my money...which is why that's where I spent my money

ImaStupidBaby · #12 08-10-2006, 10:15 PM

now my question is why would a Musician's Friend salesman take advatage of four stoners? Lordy.

Rick Brienzo · #13 08-10-2006, 10:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IanStephenson

Anyone seriously into this sort of thing will tell you that "strictly speaking", "from a technical point of view" they're both pretty appauling mikes. We use them because they're cheap, tough, we're used to them, and IN PRACTICE they work pretty good.

If you're going to worry about the "right" thing to do, you'd use something else completly. If the 57 works good for you then thats the right tool for the job.

Ian

I am seriously into this sort of thing and I disagree. That's like saying a Fender P-Bass is appalling.

The SM57 and SM58 are like the P and Jazz bass of the microphone world. Each one is a classic and will work well on about any source, voice or instrument.

I have done a few vocal mic shootouts the studio and have had everyone in the room pick the SM58 over a Neuman U87 on more than one occasion.

And to answer the original question. A SM57 makes a fine vocal mic. As a matter of fact if I could only own one mic it would be a SM57.

ImaStupidBaby · #14 08-10-2006, 10:30 PM

the SM57 is a pretty standard mic. Theres not a whole lot you can't do with it. Its good to have at least one laying around.

Rick Brienzo · #15 08-10-2006, 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ImaStupidBaby

i thought the 57 was unidirectional and the 58 was cardiod.

Unidirectional and cardiod are the same thing.

They each have the same element but the patterns are a little different due to the shape and venting of the grills.

ImaStupidBaby · #16 08-10-2006, 10:38 PM

so it is.

Basshole · #17 08-10-2006, 10:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick Brienzo

I have done a few vocal mic shootouts the studio and have had everyone in the room pick the SM58 over a Neuman U87 on more than one occasion.

Next time, try including an RE-20 in the shootout. Oddly, most people sound better on the RE-20 than they do on the U87. This has happened numerous times when I have tried out a number of different mics on singers.

Rick Brienzo · #18 08-10-2006, 10:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Basshole

Next time, try including an RE-20 in the shootout. Oddly, most people sound better on the RE-20 than they do on the U87. This has happened numerous times when I have tried out a number of different mics on singers.

The RE-20 is a great mic as is the SM7. I think they are a little more forgiving than most of the upper end condensers.

Munjibunga · #19 08-10-2006, 10:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by willwonka

Any comments on the 57a beta for vocals?

The Beta57A is an excellent vocal mic. Oddly, I was putting our girl singer on a Beta 58A, and it sounded OK, but we did a gig where I put her on a wireless mic with an SM-58 capsule, and it sounded better for her. I tried a wired SM-58 this week at practice, and it sounded great. So that's what she'll be on in the future (even though I own a Neumann KSM-105). My brother and I use Beta 87C's and they work great for us.

What it gets down to is that each voice is unique, and you have to experiment a bit to find a mic that is most complementary to your voice. It sounds like the SM-57 gives you the results you like, so I'd stick with that. There's nothing to be embarrassed about ... it is a vocal mic, after all. From the Shure site:

SM57 Instrument Microphone

The Shure SM57 unidirectional dynamic microphone is exceptional for musical instrument pickup or for vocals. With its bright, clean sound and carefully contoured presence rise, the SM57 is ideal for live sound reinforcement and recording. It has an extremely effective cardioid pickup pattern which isolates the main sound source while minimizing background noise. In the studio, it is excellent for recording drums, guitar, and woodwinds. For musical instruments or vocals, the SM57 is a consistent choice of professional performers. It is also the standard microphone used on the podium of the U.S. President for over 30 years. Its outstanding performance, legendary reliability, and diversity of application make this "workhorse" the choice of performers, producers, and sound engineers the world over.

Peter Squire · #20 08-11-2006, 12:32 AM

+1 Munji.

I (for some unknown reason) sound better through a 57, my lead singer prefers a 58. IMHO, in a live setting at least, the difference is not going to be a deal breaker.

I bought the 57 because I know that it is a good, all-around workhorse. I get excellent results from drums, amp-mic'ing and vocals too, so it made sense to use the 57.

As said before, YMMV