
SM58 - Rugged, reliable vocal microphone
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Introduction:
The SM58 is a classic ball-end cardioid dynamic vocal microphone that is designed and intended for professional use. It is rugged and reliable and sounds great in almost any environment with almost any singer or speaker.
Experience:
I've owned, used and loved SM58's since I was a Production Director at a small AM radio station in the early 1980's. We used to bring local bands into the studio on the weekends, mic them up and put them on the air for an hour. Each band was different so getting good sound without a lot of setup time or practice was challenging. I made sure the vocals were always done on an SM58 and they were always solid. Today I do live sound reinforcement and some light recording and, despite the fact that I've got some very expensive condenser mics, I'm still using the SM58 as my main go-to vocal microphone. It serves as a solid, stable reference point for dialing in difficult voices. I've actually had performers bring their own vocal mics only to abandon them and ask specifically for my SM58's. You can't beat them for real-world sound applications.
Commentary:
Shure designed it right the first time. The SM58 has remained unchanged for decades and is still considered an excellent microphone today. Shure makes this mic in large quantities and yet maintains high quality at a $100 price point.
This mic functions extremely well. The presence peak at 1K keeps vocals warm and helps ensure that your vocal will cleanly cut through the most complex layered mix without tweaking the equalization. The cardioid pattern helps keep nearby instruments from bleeding into the vocals and making your sound muddy. The balanced output on the XLR connector ensures that you won't pick up noise on the way to the preamp or mixer.
On the off chance that you discover a way to make this thing fail, Shure offers excellent service and support. They also have many useful accessories and replacement parts available through their dealers and their web site. Run it over with a truck and need a rebuild? No problem! Send it in.
Related Products:
The updated Shure Beta 58A has essentially the same sound with more output for the same sound level, albeit at a price point that is $30 to $40 higher.
The SM57, a 'kissing cousin' of the SM58, is an excellent, equally rugged instrument microphone that lacks the presence peak of the SM58. While I have seen this used as a vocal mic with good effect, it really shines on drums or guitar amps where a high SPL is present.
Caveats:
Make sure you understand the application this mic is intended for. DO NOT use this microphone for micing things at a distance as it is designed for close vocal work. 1"-4" is the typical working range from mic to mouth.
Beware of counterfeits! There are some less-than-legit copies out there that won't sound as good and are much less durable. Some of these fakes are VERY hard to spot until you either use them (sounds bad or has buzzy ground problems) or drop them (breaks easily).
DO NOT buy the SM58S! The 'S' model has a switch that is prone to failure and, unless you really need it, the switch is just a possible source of problems. Also, some counterfeits are SM58S clones that are not advertised as having a switch. If you get one of these return it immediately for a refund.
Conclusion:
If you're doing sound and can fog a mirror then you'll eventually need an SM58 or two. Go buy it and be wonderful.
Review ID: 10000000013313565

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