SM57 vs SM58 for vocals....

[Droopy_TX]

I use a 57 with the soft pop filter add-on because I got it on sale.
The 58 is better for driving nails, though, due to its rigid pop filter.

 

[Bunk McNulty]

I still have the SM58 I bought back in 1983. Still delivers, although I haven't used it over the last 5 years because my band's sound guy insists on Sennheisers for everyone (he's taped our names on each one; even the foam pop filters are color-coded), and I ain't gonna argue with him. Kinda hoping I'll get to sing though one again in the not-too-distant future...

 

[pie_man_25]

Without any doubt, THIS is the best mic ever for a LOT of singers I’ve heard over the years...View attachment 4108023

I certainly sound best out of that one

 

[Gustopher]

We use 58s but I am getting myself a SM55 because I want to try it.. and let’s be honest, it looks cool as hell.

 

[WillyW]

Short answer is SM58 hands down.

I like the Sure 58 beta but needed a new mic "right now" twenty years ago and my local GC was out of stock. So I bought an Audix OM-6 and have used it exclusively since. Our lead singer uses a 20 year old wireless Sennheiser that is the bees knees! We recently rehearsed at a rented hall which was equipped with nothing but Sennheisers. They were great sounding for sure, I wish I knew the model number!

That's how I got my Senheiser, Out of stock on the Shure in an emergency, and the Senheiser was $5 cheaper anyway.

I shortened the shaft on my Audix 0m-7 and use it as a harmonica mic.

 

[sonojono]

I was recommended this from a bedroom musician that self records in his studio apartment.

Audio-Technica AT2020 Cardioid Medium-diaphragm Condenser Microphone

 

[dbsfgyd1]

Title sez it all. Which is your preference and why?

I wouldn’t know, but just about every working singer, and every sound engineer I’ve been around would rather use the SM58.

 

[lbbc]

My guitarist and I use wired SM58As and my singer uses a wireless SM58A...we had SM58s for 20+ years, and felt these were great replacements (a little more clarity and presence through our PA)

 

[Plectrum72]

Sennheiser E-935

 

[sonojono]

but lots of sound engineers don't want to deal with a condenser, so I always have an SM58 with me and usually that's what gets used.

Half true, although I’ve never met a sound engineer that are pretty competent with their craft ever scoff at the idea of working with condenser mics in the studio

 

[Bermuda Ron]

I am a conservatory-trained high lyric baritone. I began touring in the mid 70s with vocal groups in large concert halls. Our engineers always insisted on sm57s with foam pop filters for our hand-held applications. The 57's eq is warm and beautiful for full dynamic range singing - sexy presence at ppp and a more narrow axis for rolling back off the ffs. (Good mic technique for singers is a lost art as most now wear head pieces. I suggest your search Morgan James if you want to see a Juilliard trained singer using a mic correctly).
For my solo work with "Pops" orchestras, I would always show up with a 57 in my jacket pocket. If after a song or two the house mic was not to my liking, I would whip out my 57 and ask the tech to change it out.

Now, if I had a kid in a garage band, I would buy six-pack of sm58s for sure. Rugged and built for rockin' n screemin', beer spittle and sweat. Just does not have the sense of presence for pp, mp, mf vocals.

I only like condensers for choral/trio/quartet natural blend applications. Condensers for vocals is like using active pickups. God gave us the most colorful and expressive musical instrument in the human voice. Capturing that voice is done best without compression and in passive pickup mode.

 

[Tim Skaggs]

I use a 57 because I sing a lot of falsetto backup, and the 57 has less wind screen than a 58, seeming to make it a little more sensitive. I have a few cheap AKG mics that are as good or better than a 57 or 58. I use them in an acoustic band. I also have a few large diaphragm condenser mics that are good for recording almost anything, but pretty worthless for playing live, even for acoustic instruments. They sound good in a quiet environment, but bring in too much everything else. First (and last) time we played in a restaurant / brewery, and during the first break after the restaurant crowd arrived, I discovered how well the big diaphragm condensers will pick up forks, knives, spoons, ice, throat clearing, laughter, etc....

 

[Flamingo21]

@Bermuda Ron Thanks for chiming in! Very useful info.

 

[Bullitt5135]

As others have said, 58 for vocals because of the pop filter. To me the SM58 s the Ford 150 Pickup of microphones. It's great in a lot of circumstances, rugged and reliable. It's not the best mic for all situations or singers. I started with the 58, but my vocals were always a little lost in the monitor mix (same mix for all 3 singers). When I switched to an EV n/d767a, I noticed improved presence and clarity right away, and have been using one ever since. My suggestion is to check out the vocal mic shootouts on YouTube. Better yet, buy an SM58 and one other mic, try both, keep the one you like better and sell the other. Repeat until you're happy.

 

[bikeplate]

Id take a shure Beta58 before either. That being said, look up Telefunken M80!!

 

[gitfiddl]

Of the choices given by the OP, I'd go with the 58 for vocals, but I am a firm member of the E-835 camp. I think they are much better than the 58 for the same reasons given by KBD.

 

[EatS1stBassist]

Title sez it all. Which is your preference and why?

When I found a $30 GLS MIC (58 clone) I used it for live work. Don’t let the low price fool you this kicks the 58 and 57‘s @$$. They also have a 57 clone used to be sold through Orange County speaker which now is online just type in GLS Mic you will be so glad you did, however you may not have a background to compare it to but I did. I used to buy up to $500 stage Mics and none of them compared to these. At the time a $20 Mic and that’s with many pros would come in and buy a bunch of those mics for the tour. So look into them. Worth your time you could buy two of those mics for one of the 58s. They sound better and work better guaranteed.GLS Audio Professional Series Microphones

 

[cableguy]

A lot of really good input. I'm looking at some of the suggestions this morning. I didn't want to bias the survey, but I'm looking to replace my 20 plus year old SM58. It has been to war & back and surprisingly still works, although it looks like it needs a viagra. (pics or it didn't happen) I did replace the ball/screen about 5 years ago. It had a few too many dents....
More background is I only sing back-up. (Rock trio & 4-piece cover Americana covers) Mostly lower harmonies and have a pretty limited range. I'm looking at another SM58 just because that mic has been what I know. However any improvement a mic could help with would be welcome. Both @Killed_by_Death and @Bermuda Ron made great points. I'm also looking to keep around the SM58 price range.

 

[Monkey]

I've been using a Beta58 for a long time now. I sing in the tenor range and do a lot of background as well as some lead vocals, and the Beta adds a noticeable clarity that cuts through without being shrill for my voice. When I use a regular 58 now, it sounds a bit muffled to me (but still perfectly workable for gigs). I've used a 57 live a few times, and I must admit that my mic technique is not great when I'm playing bass and singing, so I was guilty of some artillery-shell plosives.

 

[electracoyote]

View attachment 4108027

There is also the grill array and differences in proximity effect. If you're trying to say they are the same mic that performs the same, sorry, after 40 years of experimenting with vocal mics, we'll have to agree to disagree on that one. Smart singers would be wise to audition them both and decide for themselves. They most likely will hear and feel a difference, and a 57 with a wind screen might just sound better to them. Many major label heavy hitter singers have specifically requested the 57 over the decades.