The legendary Shure SM58 ® – at around $100 (20% less on Ebay) – is surely the world’s best value and most popular vocal mic!

Exactly what is the Shure SM58?

The SM58 ® is a:

• unidirectional (cardioid pattern)
• dynamic
• vocal microphone

Shure designed the SM58 for professional vocalists’ use in:

• live performance
• sound reinforcement
• studio recording

Because it’s so well known, and treated as the worldwide standard entry-level professional stage mic, musicians expect to find the SM58 ® in any recording studio. And that’s probably a good reason for every commercial studio to have a handful of them.

Hammer on?

With its uncanny ability to survive the kind of abuse that would be the end of any other microphone, the SM58 ® has not only helped to define the sound of rock vocals on stage, it’s also been used as a hammer to build stages – then gone on to perform flawlessly! Which is exactly why the unique mix of robust construction, and warm, clear vocal tuning, makes the SM58 ® a really great fit for live, gigging performance.

Certainly – But Not Everyone Agrees…

Having said that, there’s always someone around with a contrary view…Guess what mic Bruce Swedien used to fatten up Michael Jackson’s vocals on the Thriller album? Yes, it was an SM58 ® in that studio.

Evergreen?

So what’s kept this mic in the lead for so long? I guess its the distinctive upper-midrange presence peak that ensures an intelligible, lively sound, combined with the tough durability proven over decades of live use. I’ve seen the Shure durability myself in action for 40 years! I had, until very recently, a Shure Unisphere B (forerunner of the SM58 ®) which I bought when I was a teenager in the ’60s! Like the Unisphere model, the SM58’s characteristic “ice cream cone” appearance is formed by a tough, built-in spherical filter, highly effective in minimizing wind and breath “pop” noises. This cage also keeps an inch or so between the vocalist’s lips and the mic’s diaphragm, and so limits the proximity bass boost effect from becoming excessive.

Here’s how the manufacturer puts it:

“…the legendary Shure vocal mic is tuned to accentuate the warmth and clarity of lead and back-up vocals. Consistently the first choice of performers around the globe.”

Should it be your choice too?

Probably yes, if you need it for:

• live vocal use
• hand held comfort through a long set
• hammering in the nails as you build your stage!

Is the Shure Beta58a worth the extra cost?

Yes, for some people….

If you need:

• greater feedback rejection
• better high frequency response
• higher end-on sensitivity

… then select the Shure Beta 58a instead.

For purely studio recording use, you should, of course, consider a large diaphragm condenser mic from the Shure KSM range – for example the KSM27 or KSM32. The challenge for the small studio operator will be to beat the SM58 ® for value for money.

For instrument recording, SM57 or Beta57a would be better models to check out.

For more options, here’s a link to a useful Shure Mics Selection Table showing when to choose which Shure microphone.

If the Shure SM58 ® is the right mic match for your music, buy it here.