All user reviews of 5/5 for the Shure SM57

The Shure SM57 is a modern classic microphone, and it is used more prominently in the studio that any other singular microphone. It is a legendary, but simple dynamic microphone, with a frequency response from 40 Hz to 15,000 Hz, cardioid pattern, 150 ohms rated impedance, and the basic 3-pin XLR connector on the base. It is unidirectional in nature, with a very small sound entrance and windscreen. It doesn’t have a particularly flat frequency response, but it sounds very musical, and it can be used in a variety of applications, including guitar amps, vocals, drums, wind instruments, stringed instruments, acoustic guitars, room ambience, and more.

What’s great about the Shure SM57 is that it is used almost universally, and it is one of the cheapest microphones you can buy. It is still a quality product from a quality microphone manufacturer (in Shure), and that makes it perfect for so many budgets and applications. However, there are many fake Shure SM57’s floating around, particularly on eBay, and if you are not careful, you will end up with a Chinese-made fake that looks just like the real mic, but sounds thin and tinny. In fact, I owned a fake SM57 for a few months, and I didn’t realize it was fake until I started testing it against another SM57: I knew the mic was sounding bad, but I assumed it was my other equipment, bad mic placement, or phase issues, because I just assumed the mic was real and it fine working condition. Do make sure you do not fall into the same trap, and buy from reputable sellers.


OVERALL OPINION

Overall, the Shure SM57 is a great mic that belongs in every studio, simply because it is so universally used. Even if you have better microphones that work better for specific situations, it’s still a good idea to keep these around, because they are always useful and every musician is familiar with them.

- Micro instrument
- Micro versatile
- Micro Dynamic Cardioid (unidirectional)
- Bandwidth = 40 to 15,000 Hz
- Bandwidth adapted to the recovery and instrumental voices
- Impedance = 150 ohms
- Quality of recovery professional drums and amplified instruments

OVERALL OPINION

I use it already for almost 2 years and I'm still very satisfied.
This is probably the best mic I could use and I do it again this choice without hesitating.
By placing it in front of the amp has a particular place more or less inclined we find accurately the sound of the amp as understood when we play remains only to do the video editing and it is party!

Shure SM 57 is one of the best mics on the market that are actually affordable and wont cost you an arm and a leg. Plus most all music stores even local stores (not big chain stores) carry this line of mics from Shure. The Shure SM 57 will take care of all of your needs and its one of the best all around mics you will find. Just try it on some drums, and you will be surprised by how good it actually is and for the price what more could you ask for.


OVERALL OPINION

Overall, there are a lot of mics on the market some good and some bad. But we are all on a budget and want the best we can get for our money. For the price range of this mic you wont find a better mic that cost around the same amount of money. That is the reason it is so popular, some of the more commercial studio’s still use the Shure SM 57 even though they have enough money to go with whatever mics they want. You can also use the SM 57 for live use and watch how good it sounds. The frequency response on it is second to none (for the price range). Not to mention the Shure SM 57 will last you for every! Unless you do something really horrible to it and intentionally try to break it. It can take all of the bangs from moving it around from place to place especially if you don’t have a covor or protection to put it in when traveling. This thing has been dropped numerous times and keeps working like a charm. I really love the Shure SM 57, you cant go wrong with anything from Shure, they are a company that has been around for a long time.

Straight black, all metal, SM-57 Shure microphone. Standard issue in just about every recording studio on the planet, next to the SM-58. I've been using it for vocals as well as mic'ing my bass cabinets or even my upright when I'm playing with Ribbons: www.myspace.com/ribbonsmakemusic.

I got it a long time ago from Pianos 'n' Stuff in Blawnox, PA, in their used department. I needed a microphone, so I got this one, since it was a good brand name, and a fairly standard microphone. It was only $29.99 there, so I was pretty happy.

<a href="https://www.nstuffmusic.com">https://www.nstuffmusic.com</a>

Even beat up and stomped on (and this microphone certainly has been, long before I got my hands on it), it still puts out some really sweet tones when you sing or play through it. It's very dry, but still has a warmth that it adds to the sound, not unlike a ribbon mic might. No distortion, no static, and overall, no problems with it whatsoever.

I have no qualms. Sure the grill is dented, but that's merely cosmetic.

I'm pretty sure if it's survived whatever put those dents in the grill and all the scratches all over it and still puts out sound comparable to a brand new SM-57 (and it does, believe me!), then I'm pretty sure I could chuck it into the Grand Canyon, go down, pick it up, and play a show with it right then. Nothing short of dynamite will hurt this thing.

Fantastic piece of gear. For under $100, I can't think of anything better.

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

Straight black, all metal, SM-57 Shure microphone. Standard issue in just about every recording studio on the planet, next to the SM-58. I've been using it for vocals as well as mic'ing my bass cabinets or even my upright when I'm playing with Ribbons: www.myspace.com/ribbonsmakemusic.

I got it a long time ago from Pianos 'n' Stuff in Blawnox, PA, in their used department. I needed a microphone, so I got this one, since it was a good brand name, and a fairly standard microphone. It was only $29.99 there, so I was pretty happy.

<a href="https://www.nstuffmusic.com">https://www.nstuffmusic.com</a>

Even beat up and stomped on (and this microphone certainly has been, long before I got my hands on it), it still puts out some really sweet tones when you sing or play through it. It's very dry, but still has a warmth that it adds to the sound, not unlike a ribbon mic might. No distortion, no static, and overall, no problems with it whatsoever.

I have no qualms. Sure the grill is dented, but that's merely cosmetic.

I'm pretty sure if it's survived whatever put those dents in the grill and all the scratches all over it and still puts out sound comparable to a brand new SM-57 (and it does, believe me!), then I'm pretty sure I could chuck it into the Grand Canyon, go down, pick it up, and play a show with it right then. Nothing short of dynamite will hurt this thing.

Fantastic piece of gear. For under $100, I can't think of anything better.

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

This is Shure's do it all mic. Often used for micing amps for recording or live settings.

I originally purchased this mic for micing my Crate acoustic guitar amplifier through the PA system in live settings. I didn't do much research before making the purchase, I felt like this was one of those mics that is the industry standard for a reason, much like its brother the SM-58. I picked it up at a local music store for $90.

<a href="www.bpmmusic.com">www.bpmmusic.com</a>

This mic is all good. The size and shape are great, it makes it easy to get the mic directly in front of the speaker you are micing. The best part of this mic is that you get to hear what is actually coming from the speaker. The 57 doesn't have any kind of frequency bump like a 58 does. The 57 is not known for a vocal mic but I like how it sounds with someone who has a Bassey voice. It definitely lets your voice come through as it is. If you are used to the low frequency bump and warm sound of a 58, this is not the vocal mic for you.

I still haven't come across something that I don't like about this mic. There are others I prefer for some things but they don't have a $90 price tag.

I have dropped it several times and transported it without packing it the way I should and it still works like a champ. Built to last and very durable.

Overall, you won't find a more versatile mic for $100 or less. It is great both in the studio and in a live setting. They are built to last forever and don't take much fiddling with, just plug them in and find out where you want to put it.

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

I bought my SM-57 through Musicians Friend for around $80 because I had experience using them from undergrad work in telecommunications. On the first day, the teacher came in said "This is an SM-57." He held up the mic and then THREW it against the concrete floor. He then plugged it in and it worked flawlessly. You can literally pound in nails with this mic. And on top of everything else, they have superb response qualities. For anyone going on the road or recording at home, I give my full and whole-hearted recommendation to the Shure SM-57.

Built like a tank. Great frequency response. Resonable price tag.

Nothing.

Bulletproof.

If you need a mic for vocals or guitar or just about darn near anything else, buy this microphone.

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

This is a dynamic microphone; utilization includes live and studio settings.

OVERALL OPINION

The famous Shure 57...there is a serious love/hate on this microphone. I've been on both sides of the pendulum, so here's my experiences...
It seems that every major guitar tone in the studio and live applications use the 57. World famous mic that one has to have...and even better, it's actually affordable! After decades of using dozens of other mics, I decided to buy (2) of these mics.
First impression was awful! couldn't get a decent sound in my home recording setup...I'm not sure if my ears were used to condensers & ribbons, but this mic presented a 0/10 for me. Back into the case they went; I assumed they could be useful for live band or drum tom mics or whatever so I kept them. As time went on, every gig I played- from crappy bars to 1200 seat theater, the 57 was put right up on my amp grille. I returned to my studio to try the mics again.
This time I had quality preamps. Instead of lo/mid level pieces, i actually had a Universal Audio 6176 to plug into...with proper placement, I realized that the 57 did indeed have that familiar magic sound- a desired hi pass to eliminate the rumble, a lo pass to avoid the piercing highs, and a mid frequency that loved guitars. I was suddenly hooked! Finding the sweet spot was a chore- I don't have a separate engineer and a control booth; I have 1 large room and work the mic with my headphones blasting, searching endlessly for the sweet spot. Dead center is a horrible sound- unfortunately most live engineers stick it right there on a gig-YUCK. Right where the center meets the cone is a good spot to shoot for- too much cone is too warm, too much center is to bright, but somewhere in between lies the SPOT. Once the spot is located, I grab another 57 and put it right next to it in perfect parallel. Both mics right up as close to the grill as possible. Molting these 2 mics together yields a perfect rock/metal tone for guitarists.

Time went on and I needed to sell of my 6176...bought another, then needed to sell that too, lol. I'm now using an inexpensive GAP73 & an 11R for my mic pres- humble and inexpensive, yet more than serviceable preamps. I realized that the 57 still sounds great, but huge attention to placement is the key. It can easily turn to crap mud or piercing highs, but find the sweet spot and it is golden.

Overall- great bang for your buck! Getting a pro-proven piece of gear for under $100 is extraordinary. I didn't go much into it, but these mics can sound killer on snare top (awesome application!), snare bottom, toms, vocals, you name it, it will do the job....and it will take a beating! I love that these are so cost effective, I can leave them setup for recording and just leave them there day after day. i wouldn't dare do that with an expensive ribbon or condenser, but with the 57, I'm like set it and forget it. Once I find my sound, it stays there for months!

Microphone Type: Dynamic
Polar Pattern: Cardioid
Frequency Response: 40Hz-15kHz
Impedance: 150 ohms
Includes clip, XLR cable tie and bag.

OVERALL OPINION

I've used nearly all the studio go-to mics for guitar cabs, and I keep coming back to the SM57. The e609 sounds great for lower gain, but lacks aggressiveness for higher gain applications, the 57 does it all. The Sennheiser MD421 is a great cab mic, but is also 4 times the price - And at that price, it's certainly not $300 better. The Royer ribbons sound AMAZING, but not something I'd use as a standalone sound - Pair it with a 57 and you're golden.

These mics are the most popular dynamic mics on the planet for a reason, they can literally do anything, and sound great doing it! Guitar cabs, toms, snare, vocals - If you can put a mic in front of it, it'll probably sound pretty good with this one. It might not excel as well as other mics at certain applications, but where you'd normally use a dynamic mic, in order to find something "better" you're looking at spending MUCH more money. The 57 works amazingly well with nearly any preamp you pair it with, thus you can make great tracks on a cheap $100 interface, and in a $1 million recording studio with it.

The SM57 is a workhorse in the studio and live. Every musician should own at least one.

What kind of microphone? I generally used my mics for a little while, I do not hesitate to experiment. This mic is very bine his work, it's a classic and I think it is part of the microphone that we must have in its fleet.

What technology? it is a dynamic cardioid.

OVERALL OPINION

How long you use it? for 6 or 7 months
What is so special that you love the most, least? manufacturing and sound, at least I do not know. nothing?

Did you tried many other models before buying it? no, I wanted to have. this micro

How would you rate the quality / price? very good.

With experience, you do again this choice? absolutely.

Dynamic microphone that is no longer such specifications are available everywhere on the net, I do not leave it here

OVERALL OPINION

Used for nearly 10 years (occasionally as too much time to record).
Bought without trying, but simply because of its side "indispensable" in the studio and live.
Served with a friend who recorded the album in a punk group typed for guitars and snare.
For my part, I do not use that for the guitar: very accurate with the exception of the famous bump in the treble!

In short, it is indeed a must-have micro. This cash very well the high level of noise a "big mess" drivée by a beefy amp, restores a clean and easily workable.