Is the SM57 primarily for guitars?

[Irish Pennant]

Is the Shure SM57 primarily used to mic an instrument and the SM58 for vocals?

[akafloyd]

Typically, yes. However, both are often used for vocals and instruments.

[SpruceTop]

Originally Posted by Irish Pennant

Is the Shure SM57 primarily used to mic an instrument and the SM58 for vocals?

Yes, you're correct, but the newer Shure Beta 57A makes a good vocal mic too because of its better pop-screen when compared to the older Shure SM57 design. I'd recommend the Beta versions, the Shure Beta58A and Shure Beta57A over the older versions of these mics because, IMHO, they sound better.

Regards,

SpruceTop

[Bob Womack]

SM57s are great for amps, snare drums, pounding nails, and a hundred other cool things. Several large stars also prefer them for vocals.

Bob

[The Growler]

We've been using the SM57 for micing a guitar. The Beta 58 for vocals. If I'm micing a cabinet, I prefer the Senneheiser e906, but the 57 works fine too.

[Psalad]

Originally Posted by Irish Pennant

Is the Shure SM57 primarily used to mic an instrument and the SM58 for vocals?

I love the '57 for vocals too. I have unscrewed the ball/windscreen of my 58's and used them on guitar cabinets, as (rumor has it) the ball of the 58 is what is different and they have the same element and electronics. Not sure that is true but... sounded good when I used 'em.

[RustyAxe]

Originally Posted by Irish Pennant

Is the Shure SM57 primarily used to mic an instrument and the SM58 for vocals?

Yes ... and no. Many find the SM57 to be a great vocal mic. Although they use the same capsule, and the freq response is very similar, the 57 has a slight bump around 4K that seems to suit some voices. One of the guys I play with always sound better through a 57 than a 58. For years the SM57 (several of 'em) was the mic used on the podium used for presidential press conferences. If I could only have one mic, it would be venerable Shure SM57.

[simondylan]

Originally Posted by Irish Pennant

Is the Shure SM57 primarily used to mic an instrument and the SM58 for vocals?

I don't know where the idea that a Shure SM 57 is an instrument mic. I've seen many people use it for that but I've never believed that it's really very good for that! It's a great vocal mic and like Bob said it's versatile. It's the most common snare drum mic and guitar cabinet mic I've experienced. If I were going to use a mic to amplify an instrument I'd use a condenser mic rather than a dynamic. No specific recommendations though; there are so many!

[Tomm Williams]

The 57 has earned it's reputation as a jack of all trades in the mic world. While a great many people use them , I for one do not like them. In many applications I find them dull to the point of near muddy. I dumped all of mine years ago in favor of the discontinued EV N/D 308 and 408 series mics.

To my ear, these mics sound naturally like what I try to get the 57 to sound like with EQ adjustment. The EV's however are not as road worthy but that's not a problem for me.

[Mobilemike]

I sing into mine from time to time. Works great.

-M

[Irish Pennant]

Thanks for the input on the SM57 and SM58, it's as clear as ever what they are used for.

[noledog]

Originally Posted by SpruceTop

Yes, you're correct, but the newer Shure Beta 57A makes a good vocal mic too because of its better pop-screen when compared to the older Shure SM57 design. I'd recommend the Beta versions, the Shure Beta58A and Shure Beta57A over the older versions of these mics because, IMHO, they sound better.

Regards,

SpruceTop

+1...I've been gigging with both for many years and originally mic'd my guitar with the 57 and sang thru the 58. Now I love the crisp Beta 57A for vox, especially playing outside here on the coast most of the time. Less wind noise too & I prefer the flat screen.