Shure SM57

Shure SM57 Review

Reasons to buy the Shure SM57 Mic:

• SM7b’s little brother. This microphone has been compared by reviewers to Shure SM7b, which is one of the high-end microphones made by Shure. All reviewers were lost for words on how Shure SM57 achieves SM7b’s perfect sound quality with just a few tweaks.

• Warm, rich, and clear sound. Shure SM57 never failed its users in terms of the sound quality it provides. All users claimed that this microphone produces sounds full of flavor and clarity perfectly, both on vocals and instruments.

• Shure’s renowned durability. No one can go wrong when it comes to the durability of any Shure microphones. Built with a die-cast steel exterior, Shure SM57 is a microphone that will last for decades. One customer purchased his first Shure SM57 in the 1980s, and it still functions flawlessly.

• Perfect for everything. Shure designed this microphone to be suitable for all instruments, and they certainly delivered. Users have been using this for kick and snare drums, percussion, and rack/floor toms, brass/saxophone, and even grand pianos. Its resonator cap works great for all instruments.

• Great for Spoken Word. This microphone might be made for instruments but it works excellently as a vocal microphone too. All reviews mentioned that they used this microphone for live speaking engagements, podcasts, and streams and they loved it.

• Low Sensitivity. This microphone is so quiet that all users that are concerned with untreated recording rooms tagged the Shure SM57 their must-have microphone.

• Excellent background noise rejection. Great for stage and recording studios, the Shure SM57 rejects bleeds from other instruments and noise. All reviewers praised this microphone for this feature.

• Proximity Effect. The Shure SM57 has a strong proximity effect that makes it perfect for snares, acoustic guitars, and guitar amplifiers. Most users noticed a fuller and more powerful sound when they placed it close to the sound source.

• Made to withstand extremely high SPL. Scream all you want to this microphone, it will never budge. The Shure SM57 has the ability to bear very loud noises that users do not need to worry about using it to miking loud guitar amplifiers and snare drums.

• Wide frequency range. This microphone’s dynamic range enables it to properly record a variety of instruments. SM57’s frequency makes it popular among acoustic guitar players, but it also works well with kick drums, snare drums, bass amps, brass instruments, congas, harmonicas, percussion instruments, and so on.

• No feedback. The Shure SM57's high gain before feedback capabilities makes it ideal for stage usage, allowing users to crank up the volume without hearing that annoying screeching noise.

• World class yet fits all budgets. Shure microphones have been icons in the industry. Shure SM57 users have been and will always be astounded on how high end yet cheap this microphone is. There is no question that this microphone is a legend.

Reasons not to buy the Shure SM57:

1. A user recommended that one must have a great amp for this microphone.
2. Windscreen is recommended to avoid plosives.
3. One user suggested that this microphone be used for instruments and SM58 for vocals.
4. A reviewer suggested that condenser microphones are more suitable to cellos than SM57.

SM57 Product overview/summary:

Shure is a recording industry legend for a reason. Started as a radio components kit maker, Shure quickly expanded into microphones, wireless microphone systems, phonograph cartridges, systems, mixers, and even headphones and other listening devices. Shure has been producing high-quality headphones for over a century, and the SM57 is one of their iconic products.

Truly a giant in the market, Shure SM57 is respected worldwide as the industry standard for live performances and recordings. Many artists and studios have this microphone because of its dynamic range, cardioid pickup pattern, and excellent sound quality enables it to record several instruments at different ranges without compromising clarity.

Made for instruments, this microphone has a high SPL endurance that makes it an industry standard for guitar cabinets. It also has a very broad frequency spectrum, which is perfect for guitars; a natural presence boost allows the top end to shine without overwhelming the whole mix, and the natural cut-off at 15,000 Hz is excellent.

The Shure SM57 shines as a long-lasting microphone that captures good sounds. Its small size allows you to travel light, and its die-cast shell is resistant to drops. This microphone is an excellent entry-level option for recording instruments, and both beginners and pros should give it serious consideration.

SM57 Product Specifications List:

General Specifications

• Polar Pattern: Cardioid
• Frequency Response: 40Hz-15kHz
• Sensitivity: -56.00 dBV/Pa – 1.60 mV/Pa
• Transducer Type: Dynamic
• Connectors: 3-pin XLR

Dimensions

• Item Weight: 15.1 ounces
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 4.9 x 3.4 inches

Application

Instrument

kick and snare drums, percussion, and rack/floor toms, brass/saxophone, and even grand pianos

Shure SM57 FAQ’s:

Is it possible to link the Shure SM57 to my iPhone XR?

No, you will not be able to connect this to your iOS smartphone right out of the box.

It is technically doable, but you would need to feed the microphone with 48V Phantom power and then convert the signal to Bluetooth using an XLR to 3.5 converter or something similar. It's probably a lot easier to buy anything like ASIN: B010W6W8OW or B07M8JLFLK instead.

Would this give me more gain before feedback than an SM 94? Is the sound quality on 57 worse than it is on 94?

The SM94 has a better flat response in our opinion, but it is more sensitive because it is a condenser. The SM94 has been out of production for a long time, and some argue it isn't equivalent to the SM57 (apples to oranges and all that).

The SM57 is a dynamic and multi-purpose microphone. It's not very sensitive, so you'll probably be able to get more gain before getting feedback.

Because the ambient field is never the same and not always optimal, microphones will not always operate the same in all situations. Examine speaker location, evaluate sensitivity, and become acquainted with frequency response graphs.

All of these things can assist you in making your own personal choices.

NOTE: The sound quality of Shure microphones has never been a problem.

Is this mic only suited for DJs?

It'd work. This SM57 microphone, on the other hand, is more suited to instruments. For voices, the Shure SM58 would be the go-to mic.

Is it possible to use the SM57 with an acoustic grand piano linked to my Mac laptop for live Zoom online meetings?

For the Shure Sm57, you'll need an audio interface. For Mac, I believe Apogee is the best option. For PC, I use Focusrite. You might also try using a USB microphone to see if that works.

How many do you recommend for drum recording?

1 performs admirably. For most room sizes, 2 would suffice. You can order or ret what you don't need one at a time.

 Is the Shure SM57 a good microphone for Rap vocals?

The Shure SM58 may be a better choice for rap because it includes a built-in foam screen to manage popping.

Would the SM57 be suitable for recording brass instruments such as a trombone, French horn, or trumpet? How does it stack up against the SM-58?

The SM-57 is an excellent instrument microphone! The SM-58 is more of a high-end vocal MIC. Both are excellent microphones. The 57 is excellent for instruments.

Can the SM57 microphone be used for dictation with Nuance Dragon?

Yes, but you'll need the right tools to connect it to the computer. A USB microphone is what you need if you want a microphone that can be plugged straight into your computer.

Do I need to purchase two SM57s if I want to record the piano sound?

The following are two exceptionally effective stereo setups utilizing directional microphones inside a grand piano:

1. An ORTF stereo set-up 12 inches (30 cm) above the strings in the mid frame. The microphones are angled 45 degrees downwards and are aimed towards the pianist.
2. Two parallel cardioid microphones placed fewer than 24 inches (60 cm) apart over the mid hammers, aiming 45° downwards and towards the pianist.

What is the greatest distance between the microphone and the mouth? I'd like to desk mount it and use it for streaming, but I can't have any background noise coming in from 4 feet away.

It's really weak for vocals, at least with what I've got. To hear myself well, I need to be around 6" away and immediately in front of it. As a result, I doubt it will detect distant sounds.

Will the SM57 be effective for amplifying a violin?

In live settings, the SM57 is frequently used to mic guitar amplifiers or percussion instruments such as congas or even cymbals. I would not suggest this microphone for violin. In conjunction with a boom mic stand, you'd have an obstruction, and the violinist would have to stay in a constant place, distance, and angle from the mic to avoid a phasing in and out effect. The SM57 is a unidirectional microphone that, though adequate for most purposes, may not provide the intended effect when used with a violin or other bowed instruments. Consider a Dean Markley 3001 Transducer Acoustic Pickup or, for a more professional sound, a Piezo Acoustic Contact Mic Pickup. They are detachable and allow the musician to move freely.

Famous artists/producers/records that used this microphone:

1. John Lennon
2. The Killers.
3. Bono
4. The Red Hot Chili Peppers.
5. Thousands of other artists and musicians