This is an excellent, general purpose microphone at a reasonable price. I'm a classically trained vocalist, and I use the SM58 for rehearsal and "scratch" recordings. It delivers clear, true, and warm sound under all standard conditions and requires essentially no fine tuning or signal processing. I still prefer the crisp detail of a condenser microphone for formal demo recordings (my favorite is the Studio Projects C1), but it's hard to beat the simplicity and reliability of the SM58 for everyday use.

The Shure SM58 is one of the most recognisable microphones in the world - and for good reason. It is the main stay of many a hire companies microphone hire stock, including mine (pa2hire.co.uk). Practically unbreakable, and if you do manage to drop it from a high stage / skyscraper, you can also buy a replacement pop shield. Very suited to rock, or other musical styles that need powerful vocals. Make sure your singers lips are touching the pop shield to get the best results, though, unless they have very good mic technique. The proximity effect (increase in bass when you sing or talk close to the mic) makes this important. If the singer is a foot away from an SM58, the chances are they will sound thin, and you will also have gain before feedback issues....

Sonically the response has a nice presence peak in the upper mid range, but the top end rolls off quickly after that. Opinion is split about whether that is a good or a bad thing - it helps keep a lid on feedback, but it doesnt sound as hi-fi as some other mics. I have had some singers complain that their vocal top end is not quite right - sometimes asking for more top end. I guess they are used to the sound of expensive condenser mics on their recordings. My solution is normally to give them another mic, like a Beta 58, or Beta 87a maybe, rather than use EQ. If you A/B test an SM58 verses these mics it will always lose. But it can still be a better mic in some cases, such as when you are looking for a cardioid rather than hyper-cardioid response (the SM58 has a cardioid response, which means it has a wider pickup pattern at the front). But most vocalists will be more than happy with the sound the SM58 gives.

The SM58 also does a pretty good job on drums (not really bass drum), and other loud things like guitar cabs. It uses the same capsule as the SM57, one of the best mics for guitar cabs.

In conclusion, yes there are a lot of mics that sound better, and some of these are quite a bit cheaper - but ask yourself the question are they as durable as an SM58, and if you are a professional, will your clients want to use a mic they have never heard of?

Take care,

Justin Miller

pa2hire.co.uk

I have been using the Shure SM58 microphone for over two decades of live performance. It is simply the best affordable microphone available for lead or backing vocals. It's so durable, you could literally use it as a hammer then perform a sweet ballad with no ill effect. I have never had one break down in hundreds of shows.

My current primary SM58 has a couple dents from rough use in rough venues but sounds just like it did brand new. The only reason I've ever replaced one is because they were stolen. If you're just starting your professional career, this is the microphone you need. If you're a seasoned veteran of the music biz, you've probably already got one in your gig bag.

Get a Shure SM58, don't use some crappy thing that costs half as much, you won't get enough level into the board. Your sound guy will thank you, they know just exactly what to expect.

Any other comparable quality microphone will cost you at least twice as much.