What exactly is the difference between an SM-57 and a SM-58?

[SJJMcGhee]

hey guys, was wondering, what is the difference between a SM-57 and a SM-58. we have a SM-58, but everywhere you hear "Record guitars with 57's, it sounds best". is there much difference, and would you use a 58?

[mudfinger]

The only difference is the housing, which DOES create a slightly different frequency response. Nothing you couldn't address with EQ during tracking or mixdown.

[Bing17]

As stated above, it's the same mic, same capsule except the SM57 is more of a direct mic and the SM58 has a proximity effect because of the ball shape- you can pick up bassier frequencies from the top, bottom and sides.

[2themax]

Yeppir, and they are both pretty much bullet proof...

[Leo_Gibson]

I have a lot of experience with recording, performing & microphones etc.

As has already been noted, they're almost identical mics. They're both amazing all rounders and close to bullet proof. You typically use an SM-58 for live vocals because it is omni-directional i.e. it captures sound from all angles so if as singer is moving around (as most do), the mic will still pick up their voice fairly evenly.
You'd use an SM-57 more for recording instruments / amplifiers where you know they're not going to move around much - the benefit here is that the SM-57 mainly picks up what's right in front of it and ignores the rest, so you don't pick up unwanted noise - just what it's pointing at.

Even though those are the typical uses for each microphone, because they're so similar you can use either one for almost any application. I've used SM-58's to record instruments and I've used SM-57's live ;0

Make sense?

Also, do not be afraid to buy these used! Great way to save cash and they'll still probably outlive you :0

[Thunder Dump]

Originally Posted by Leo_Gibson

You typically use an SM-58 for live vocals because it is omni-directional i.e. it captures sound from all angles so if as singer is moving around (as most do), the mic will still pick up their voice fairly evenly.
You'd use an SM-57 more for recording instruments / amplifiers where you know they're not going to move around much - the benefit here is that the SM-57 mainly picks up what's right in front of it and ignores the rest, so you don't pick up unwanted noise - just what it's pointing at.

This is false. The pattern for both of these microphones is the same--cardioid (the SM-58 is not omni-directional). They both pick up the same--both on- and off-axis. The only real difference is in the ball grille with the foam lining on the 58--it gives a slightly greater degree of pop and wind isolation, and darkens some of the high end above 13K or so. Both are very good at feedback rejection because of the cardioid pattern.

[Leo_Gibson]

Thanks Thunder, my apologies! You're absolutely correct. For some reason, I thought the 58 was omni-directional and the 57 was a tight cardioid (but not hyper cardioid).

Indeed the reason why the 58's are used for live vocals is because of the foam to help protect against wind and popping p's...

If I was only using a mic in a recording environment, from the two, I'd pick the 57 because it's slightly smaller, doesn't have the foam which steals a tiny bit of high frequency and....... LOOKS a little cooler

[JMAnz]

I've recorded guitars with a Shure SM-57, SM-58, and an old Unidyne III 545L. I achieved basically the SAME results (the 545 has a slightly more pronounced top end, but that's it) with these 3 mics. All use the same cardioid capsule. Placed in the same spot, I can get virtually the same amp sound with minimal EQ'ing. I also use either a 57 or 58 for live vocals, both with similar success (I find I have to sing "over" or "under" the 57 to cut down on breath passing over).
I suggest owning at LEAST one of each though. They're great utility mics to have around, and can fill in a LOT of places in a pinch if need be (I remember an evening when they became overheads for live sound fill).

[yeti]

SM57 is less obtrusive on snare (doesn't get in the way physically) and let's a thin voiced vocalist ( Tom Petty comes to mind) get closer to the capsule for more proximity effect. that's about it.