Shure SM57

This instrument/vocal mic has proven itself to be a reliable workhorse both onstage and in the studio.

The Shure SM57 is a versatile mic that’s very popular. Its dynamic build makes it durable enough to stand up to road travel night after night, and it also does a great job in the studio.

Though the SM57 is suitable for many different instruments and voice types, it tends to work best for accentuating mids and highs. That’s why it’s not the best choice for lower-toned instruments and voices.

Shure SM57 Instrument/Vocal Mic

This instrument/vocal mic has proven itself to be a reliable workhorse both onstage and in the studio.

The Shure SM57 is a rugged, dynamic microphone that is made to withstand a wide range of environments, and performs well in a variety of settings.  Because of its wide frequency response, it can be used to mic numerous instruments such as keyboards, guitars, and the bass.  It can also be used to mic the snare drum, or as one part of a pair of overhead mics used in an X-Y configuration when mic-ing drums.

Though it is among the smaller microphones available today for mic-ing instruments, and sometimes vocals, it is built to endure abuse from being onstage and on the road.  Its natural sound brings out the nuances that are sometimes lost with mics not suitable for a specific instrument or voice type.

The cardioid pattern helps to isolate the main source, which allows the mic to target the actual sound of the instrument or voice and bring it out to accentuate its natural warmth and presence.  This pattern also helps to minimize any background noise that can occur from other instruments, as well as room noise that is present in many live rooms.  That is what makes it ideal for mic-ing guitar and bass amplifiers.  It is also great for mic-ing snare drums, toms, and congas, as well as brass instruments. 

Setup is easy since this mic will easily fit onto any stand with or without a boom.  Use it on a small stand to mic an amplifier, or in an X-Y or alternate configuration when setting up overheads for drums. 

The conclusion: This mic is built to last and is, by far, one of the most versatile of its kind.  It’s been used for many years, and has become a standard among many musicians and studio owners in the music industry.  Its many useful features are what make the SM57 a very popular choice to this day.