SM57s or 58s?

[thecajunboy]

What's the difference between SM57s and SM58s, as far as recording guitar is concerned? Is there a noticeable difference to use a 58 in place of the somewhat defacto standard SM57? Any reason to not use 58s if you have a bunch of them and no 57s?

[Jimbilly]

Isn't it the same parts?, but the 57 is a bit more directional?

[Aceldama]

I was told they were very similar except for the grill. The 58 is tailored for vocals and the 57 for applications where you want to minimize background noises. I keep one of each, the 58 for vocals and acoustic guitar, and the 57 for micing my amp.

[JJ Paul]

If you don't - no problwm.

But since a 57 is relatively cheap, it does pay off to have a couple hanging around.

The good thing of these mics is that they offer excellent rejection of the sound waves that come from the "rear" (i.e. where the xlr connector is) - which makes for cleaner recordings with more separation.

YMMV, etc,

JJ Paul

[i8guitar]

You can pull the 57 closer into the speaker, if you are going for that technique (though you could pull the windscreen off the 58). As for the tonal difference, I feel the 58 has more artificial highs and mids than the 57. And I think the 57 responds better to higher sound pressure levels. My .02.

[silentman]

Use whatever you want. Whatever sounds the best. There is no 'standard'. Don't give into the hype.

[tomteriffic]

They're very similar. The 58 has more of a presence peak, though, in the sibilance range, and the grill keeps you from getting the element right up against the speaker grillcloth. A little tweaking of positioning ought to get you similar sounds, though. My stock starting point is up against the grillcloth, about halfway out the speaker cone. Move closer to or further from the speaker center for more or less high end, respectively.

[LittleC]

I use mine like Aceldama - 58 for vocals and 57 for amps, etc. however, I agree with Silentman:

Use whatever you want. Whatever sounds the best. There is no 'standard'. Don't give into the hype.

[serial]

The 58 is better since it is a bigger number. That or whichever one costs more.

[thecajunboy]

Reason I'm asking is that I don't have a 57 to compare to.

[Hamer95USA]

Hey guys,

For live use: I run the SM-58 for vocals exclusively. I use SM-57 mikes for guitars, vocals and drums: snare, rack toms and floor toms

For recording: The SM-58 for vocals. The SM-57 for drums, guitars and vocals.

Guitar George

[earachemyeye]

I'm with serial on this one, the bigger number MUST be better...right?

Joe

[jerseydrew]

Hey guys,

For live use: I run the SM-58 for vocals exclusively. I use SM-57 mikes for guitars, vocals and drums: snare, rack toms and floor toms

For recording: The SM-58 for vocals. The SM-57 for drums, guitars and vocals.

Guitar George

I agree. At least that's how I always used them. Come to think of it, I never questioned why. I know that my SM57 works great on a mic'd amp, and I saw no reason to change it.

[tobereeno]

when I do backing vocals, more often than not I use an SM57. Just feels more comfortable in some way - or maybe it's because I sing so quietly that getting an extra half-inch closer to the element helps.

[ArnieZ]

I was told that the 57 and the 58 have the same cartridge inside!

ArnieZ

[Smakutus]

I was told that the 57 and the 58 have the same cartridge inside!

ArnieZ

They supposedly do, but there is a sound difference between the two, at for recording vocals..

out..

Jeff.

[Bass Guy Dave]

If I understand correctly, the 57 and 58 have the same cartridge inside, but the 58 has it recessed into the handle a bit (for a 'tighter' pattern--picking up less sound from the sides and rear of the mic.)

Although I'm definitely sold on the 58 because it has the bigger number

Either could be quite usable, I'd think.

Best wishes.