SM57 or SM58

Posted on Dec 11, 2002 06:02 pm
Murphy
An outburst for perfection
Member Since: Dec 11, 2002

For recording vocals and acoustic guitar.

Thanks

dbmasters
Administrator
Since: Apr 03, 2002

Dec 11, 2002 06:09 pm

58

57 works better for stronger signals like guitar speakers, drums and such. For acoustic and vox I think I would go for the 58.

still4given
Brother in Christ
Member
Since: Jun 12, 2002

Dec 13, 2002 09:39 am

Electronically they are identical. If you unscrew the ball off of a 58 it will essentially be a 57.

dbmasters
Administrator
Since: Apr 03, 2002

Dec 13, 2002 10:21 am

the 58 will capture more sound around it than the 57 will, the 57 is better for whatever is right in front of it...or more so than the 58 anyway...

Sonico
Member
Since: Apr 19, 2002

Dec 13, 2002 10:31 am

I've read that the 58 is a 57 with an internal pop filter. That makes it a better choice for recording vocals.

Anyway, if I were you I'd go for a condenser mic for recording vocal and acoustic guitars. There are a lot of good options in a low-mid price range. I've had excellent results with mi Audiotechnica 3035 and I know that the Studio Projects and the Octava Mk319 are very good deals.

Johnny Hero
Member
Since: Apr 26, 2002

Dec 13, 2002 02:42 pm

If what still4given said is correct, I think Shure ought to market an SM57/SM58 mic... you can change heads to make it one or the other. Who else likes this idea?

still4given
Brother in Christ
Member
Since: Jun 12, 2002

Dec 19, 2002 09:56 am

What I said is right. Same diaphram same electronics. The only difference is the pop filters. If you unscrew the ball off of the front of a 58 it will sound exactly like a 57. Neither of these is all that great on acoustic guitar. You'd be much better off with a condenser. On a tight budget, the Behringer ECM8000 reference mic sounds great on acoustic guitar. The only draw back to this mic is that it is omni and picks up the room. If you have a good room it can be stellar sounding. I'm speaking about acoustic guitar here. For vox, the 58 is the better choice.

Blessings, Terry