SM57 For Me?

The Shure SM57 is renowned as a “versatile workhorse” in the sound recording world. Even the US President uses it – and has done for over 30 years!

One of the most widely used instrument mics anywhere in the world, the Shure SM57 is at its best when recording acoustic or amplified instruments. Ask almost any recording engineer what the best microphone is for miking a snare drum and their answer will be the Shure SM 57. Many consider it the baseline standard microphone against which other instrument recording mics are rated.

How often can you find an SM57 right in front of the lead guitar cab whenever a band is laying down tracks? More often than not…

SM57 for me?

But do you really need to include this microphone in your recording studio gear?

Yes, you very probably should have at least one, if you run a smaller studio where you don’t have the luxury of specializing and need a few mics to cover a variety of applications. And yes, “sure” you should, if you regularly record instruments like guitar amp, bass guitar, or drums with toms and snare.

SM57 – Vocal or Instrument mic?

The SM57’s versatility as a vocal mic is established by several notable artists. Michael Jackson used a Shure SM 57 mic to record the famous Billie Jean in 1982; Cyndi Lauper sings into the SM57; and President Bush is still speaking to the country with the SM57. Shure themselves position the model as an instrument mic:

“SM57 Instrument Microphone – Multi-purpose dynamic microphone with contoured frequency response for clean sound reproduction of amplified or acoustic instruments. It is ideal for close miking: guitar and bass amps; snare drums, toms, and congas; and brass instruments.”

They claim…

• Natural sounding
• Durable bulletproof design
• Used widely in studios as well as on stage
• Frequency response: 40Hz-15kHz
• Tight cardioid polar pattern

Regular SM57 customers…what do they say?

“One of the most reliable and natural-sounding mics you can buy. Moderately priced too.”

“This mic is amazing for recording snare drums, toms, and amp cabs for live events. Our local venue uses this on the snare drum – sounds perfect! I use an SM57 to record my bass drum, because it picks up the thump amazingly well!”

So here’s what I recommend:

Choose the Shure SM57 where you:

• are recording an amplified instrument with low to mid frequency range
• need the mic for a variety of applications

But – don’t choose the SM57 for high frequency percussion instruments eg cymbals

Is there a better mic match to your music that you should consider?

If you need

• greater feedback rejection (eg high power amplified live performance or recording)
• better high frequency response
• higher end-on sensitivity

…then select the Shure SM 57 Beta instead.

With a more powerful magnet, the Beta 57a delivers improved high frequency response, greater sensitivity, and its supercardioid pattern means better ambient noise and feedback rejection.

Here’s a link to a clear summary table of when to choose which Shure microphones.

Buying Tip: Before making a final decision, have a look at a Shure SM 57 review by an independent reviewer, or by users.

Also, have a look at the Shure SM 57 specs if you are technically minded.

Buying Tip: If you need a vocal mic as well as an instrument mic, a good way to get great value is to buy the package including the Shure SM 57 SM 58 combination.

If the SM57 is the right Shure mic match for your music, buy it here