Why Is The Shure SM58 Such A Popular Microphone?

May 8th is officially Shure SM58 day! To celebrate this legendary microphone, Sam try to answer the question "Why is the SM58 so popular?"

Find out more about the any of the mics featured in this video at PMT Online...

Shure SM58 Vocal Mic: https://bit.ly/3FrhLBQ

Shure SM57 Instrument Mic: https://bit.ly/3ynRRNE

Shure Beta 58A Vocal Mic: https://bit.ly/38YjhiH

00:00 Introduction to the Shure SM58
01:35 Shure SM58 history
02:42 SM58 vs SM57 comparison
03:54 Shure SM58 tech specs explained
05:36 What makes the SM58 so tough & durable?
07:43 The influence of the Shure SM58
08:42 Using a Shure SM58 for Podcasting & Recording
09:47 Where to by Shure microphones

If you’ve ever been to a live gig, watched a stage show or ever seen anyone hold a microphone while speaking – you’ve likely been looking at a Shure SM58 dynamic microphone. Everyone from Led Zeppelin, AC/DC, Bruce Springsteen, Run-DMC to Henry Rollins have championed this mic. You’re not only in good company when you decide on one, but you’re essentially joining the “big leagues” in terms of live sound.  
 
But why is the Shure SM58 so popular? Why does everyone use it? Why does every stage have one and what else can I use it for?

The SM58 is so popular among musicians and speakers alike thanks to its versatility, almost indestructible construction, built-in pop filter, and a cardioid polar pattern that rejects unwanted noise, transparent sound and balanced frequency response. Not to mention extremely high SPL and replaceable parts. In a nutshell, it’s the only live vocal mic you’ll ever need for a career in live music or speaking.
 
The major benefit of the Shure SM58 is the fact that it is a dynamic microphone. This means it can handle a really loud sound source, like a screaming vocal or brass instrument without the capsule distorting.

Dynamic microphones are also less sensitive than condenser mics so they’re not going to start breaking up in sound quality the louder you get. In fact, the Shure SM58 has a max SPL of around 150-180dB which is the equivalent of a space shuttle launch. So live vocalists and engineers will appreciate that they can push the vocals and the mic a little harder onstage.  
 
Reliable, robust, hardwearing, industry-standard – these are all qualities associated with the Shure SM58. You’ll be forgiven for thinking that it looks, well, boring at first glance, but behind its humble and slightly understated design is a workhorse of a microphone complete with a detailed capsule, impressive frequency response and high SPL that can handle a jet engine taking off, all wrapped up hidden inside the almost indestructible, ergonomic handle.
 
The solid die-cast steel body is weighty, yet not so much that it becomes cumbersome, and houses an internal shock mount system that protects the capsule and reduces noise from mechanical vibration. This means that even if you hit the mic with your teeth (it happens) or you hit the mic stand, you’re far less likely to hear it through the PA.
 
Another major benefit and a key reason the SM58 is so popular is down to the cardioid polar pattern. This polar pattern effectively rejects off-axis noise, which makes it ideal for live singers and vocalists as it rejects all the sounds around and behind the mic, focussing solely on your voice. This is especially useful in the live arena as the mic won’t pick up the drummer or guitars around you, allowing the engineer to effectively mix your vocals. It also helps reduce monitor feedback too.
 
The Shure SM58 is not as sensitive in terms of frequency response as some other studio mics, but that’s a good thing. Clocking in at 50Hz-15kHz, this is a deliberate design feature designed to bring out the best in vocals in all applications without too much top-end detail. The bass attenuation of 40-100Hz reduces the proximity effect or “boominess” which sometimes creeps in when you are too close to the mic. This is why you see a lot of vocalists rest their mouth on the Shure SM58 when they’re singing – it can handle it, whilst providing a fairly flat transparent tone that doesn’t bring out any frequency in particular.
 
If you want a hard-wearing vocal microphone for live shows that you will never have to upgrade, the SM58 is a classic option. Should you want greater detail, it might be worth comparing it to the Shure Beta58A but this is an essential piece of kit every musician should own. Turn up, plug in and play, confident this mic won’t let you down.

#SM58day #ShureSM58 #SM58

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