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JackLudden
Published on 08/10/08 at 04:30
The SM58 is a dynamic microphone. It should primarily be used for live vocals. This is the mic that you see at almost every live performance you've been to, except for maybe the higher end concerts that would have something nicer. Being a cardioid dynamic mic, it is well suited for close mic'ing an isolated source in a noisy environment (ie, stage).
Stick this mic right up to a singer's mouth and you will get minimal bleed from the other instruments on-stage. The frequency response also is tailored for this use. It has a low frequency roll-off to account for the proximity effect that will be caused by someone singing with the mic right on their lips. There is also a presence boost in its frequency response, so this should help the vocals cut through a bit better.
Additionally, the head of the mic is encased in a wire grill over some foam, so this will help to reduce the plosive sounds you'll get from a singer.
OVERALL OPINION
I've been using these since about 6 years ago. It is pretty much the standard live vocal mic. It definitely gets the job done just fine, and at an attractive price. If I had to complain, you could say the highs can be a little dull, but frankly this is less important in a live setting - you wouldn't really want to use this for recording, when a condenser mic would be best.
They are also extremely durable - I've dropped SM58's so many times and they always work just fine. And if you dent the grill on the end and you need your mics to be in pristine condition - Shure sells replacement grills. Another benefit this has is due to the fact that it's a cardiod, if you keep it faced toward the band, and behind your main PA (so that your mic never faces the fronts of the speakers) you can dramatically reduce chance of feedback, because the mic is going to reject sound source from behind it.
I've used many similar products, and at this price range, for a live vocal mic you can't go wrong. Not only would I buy it again - I have - I own a few of them. Any band who wants to start getting some of their own performance equipment should definitely invest in one or more of these mics, until such time they can afford much higher priced alternatives.
Stick this mic right up to a singer's mouth and you will get minimal bleed from the other instruments on-stage. The frequency response also is tailored for this use. It has a low frequency roll-off to account for the proximity effect that will be caused by someone singing with the mic right on their lips. There is also a presence boost in its frequency response, so this should help the vocals cut through a bit better.
Additionally, the head of the mic is encased in a wire grill over some foam, so this will help to reduce the plosive sounds you'll get from a singer.
OVERALL OPINION
I've been using these since about 6 years ago. It is pretty much the standard live vocal mic. It definitely gets the job done just fine, and at an attractive price. If I had to complain, you could say the highs can be a little dull, but frankly this is less important in a live setting - you wouldn't really want to use this for recording, when a condenser mic would be best.
They are also extremely durable - I've dropped SM58's so many times and they always work just fine. And if you dent the grill on the end and you need your mics to be in pristine condition - Shure sells replacement grills. Another benefit this has is due to the fact that it's a cardiod, if you keep it faced toward the band, and behind your main PA (so that your mic never faces the fronts of the speakers) you can dramatically reduce chance of feedback, because the mic is going to reject sound source from behind it.
I've used many similar products, and at this price range, for a live vocal mic you can't go wrong. Not only would I buy it again - I have - I own a few of them. Any band who wants to start getting some of their own performance equipment should definitely invest in one or more of these mics, until such time they can afford much higher priced alternatives.