Shure SM58
Summary
Abstract
The Shure SM58 is the most iconic live vocal microphone ever made and a surprisingly capable studio tool. “SM58! It’s a legend for a reason” sums up the community’s respect for this workhorse. It shares the same Unidyne III capsule as the Shure SM57, with the primary differences being the grille design, body shape, and pop protection. Community members note that with a thick foam cover at about 4 inches from the mouth, an SM58 sounds “much closer than people expect” to an Shure SM7B. Under $300 for a vocal mic? “I would honestly get an SM58, personally.”
Key Characteristics
- Type: Dynamic
- Polar Pattern: Cardioid
- Notable Features: Same Unidyne III capsule as SM57 and SM7B, integrated windscreen/pop filter, legendary durability, industry standard for live vocals
Use Cases
While primarily a live vocal mic, the SM58 has legitimate studio applications. One engineer used SM58s on drum overheads with “quite good” results. It works well as a room/drum-god mic — one example describes an SM58 “hanging out from the ceiling in a big warehouse type space” through CLM Dynamics preamps. The car metaphor applies: “sometimes you just need an SM58” — it is the Miata of microphones, not the fanciest but possibly the most fun. For soft/rock vocals, it is a legitimate contender alongside the SM57.
Comparable Alternatives
| Unit | How It Compares |
|---|---|
| Shure SM57 | Same capsule, different grille; SM57 brighter due to grille proximity, SM58 has pop protection |
| Shure SM7B | Same capsule family; SM7B has more body and rejection, but “shockingly similar” to SM58 with foam cover |
| Telefunken M80 | ”Sound incredible” but 3x the price |
| Crimson Audio Mod | Available modification for enhanced SM57/SM58 performance |
| Electro-Voice RE20 | Step up for studio vocal applications |
See Also
Source Discussions
Quote
Channels: recording, gear-talk, microphones Date Range: July 2022 — January 2025 Key Contributors: SoundsLikeJoe, cian riordan, BatMeckley, joebegalla Total Mentions: 15 across 12 threads