Shure SM57 Cardioid Dynamic Microphone

zZounds' Take on Shure SM57

No microphone locker is complete without a generous selection of SM57s. Great for live sound or studio recording, it is one of the most popular mics in the world for faithfully capturing audio from any vocal or instrumental source. You can trust Shure's legendary reputation to deliver professional results on all of your audio projects.

The Most Popular Snare Mic, Ever

The SM57 is a dynamic microphone that can handle extremely high sound pressure level (SPL) without distortion. As a result, it is often picked first for high-volume instrument sources. Countless hit recordings feature an SM57 on the top snare head, with a second SM57 run phase-reversed on the bottom. This technique will give you a fat, snappy tone with plenty of stick-crack and snare buzz. You can blend the two mics in the mix to get just the right back-beat for your song.

Perfect for High-Volume Amps

Guitar amplifiers are another SM57-friendly sound source. It takes some major gain to overdrive a high-wattage tube amp. In fact, recording studios will often isolate a half-stack in its own room while the guitarist listens at a safer volume over headphones in the control room. Your SM-57 can handle it, though. Close-mic one of your amp's 12-inch speakers and you'll get a clear, precise guitar tone that will cut through any mix. You'll bring the energy of a live performance to your recorded guitar tracks, for a much more accurate interpretation of your music.

Custom-Tuned Frequency Response

While snare drums and guitar cabinets are two of its strengths, the SM57 has a custom-tuned frequency response from 40Hz to 15 kHz, which covers a wide range of instruments and voices. Tapered bass roll-off from around 750Hz removes the boominess from vocals and instruments alike, with a ruler-flat response up to 3kHz. Enhanced definition up around the 6- to 10-kHz range brings brilliance and clarity to upper harmonics, adding sparkle to the top of your mix. It's hard to believe how something so simple as the proper microphone can have such a positive impact on your final product, but one listen to the SM57 and you'll be a believer.

Cardioid Pickup Pattern

Today's multitrack recording techniques often rely on good separation between recorded tracks. If one instrument is bleeding over onto another instrument's track, it can be difficult to mix the two properly. The SM57 uses a cardioid pickup pattern to focus on a specific sound source. Audio from outside the pickup pattern is rejected for clean, isolated studio recordings. The unidirectional pattern is also beneficial in a live-sound setting. You have more freedom in mic positioning, letting you boost microphone gain much higher without worrying about feedback.

An Incredibly Reliable Microphone

Professional sound quality is only part of the story. The SM-57's rock-solid reliability is just as impressive. After all, what good is a "go-to" microphone if it's not ready when "gone-to"? The die-cast steel casing protects internal components from damage, while Shure's patented internal shock mount reduces mechanical noise caused by handling or room vibration. A polycarbonate grille shields the stainless steel dynamic element from the rough treatment typically inflicted upon a touring microphone. Gig after gig, session after session, you can count on your SM57 to perform just like the first time you plug it in.

The Drop Test and Mic of Choice for the President

As with all mics in the SM series, the SM57 has passed Shure's now-famous drop test. The prototype was dropped 10 times from a height of 10 feet with no loss of performance. Ideally, your mics won't suffer that kind of torture, but isn't it nice to know they can?

For further proof of this legendary mic's reliability, look no further than the White House. A slim, unobtrusive SM57 has perched atop the Presidential podium for more than thirty years, delivering the goods with workhorse consistency. The next time you bump into the leader of the free world, you can tell him you use the same microphone. He's sure to be impressed.

Manufacturer's Description for Shure SM57 Cardioid Dynamic Microphone

The legendary Shure SM57 is exceptional for musical instrument pickup and vocals. With its bright, clean sound and contoured frequency response, the SM57 is ideal for live sound reinforcement and recording.

The SM57 has an extremely effective cardioid pickup pattern that isolates the main sound source while minimizing background noise. In the studio, it is excellent for recording drums, guitar, and woodwinds.

Outstanding performance, reliability, and application diversity make this "workhorse" the choice of performers, producers, and sound engineers worldwide.

The Shure SM57 unidirectional dynamic microphone is exceptional for musical instrument pickup or for vocals. With its bright, clean sound and carefully contoured presence rise, the SM57 is ideal for live sound reinforcement and recording. It has an extremely effective cardioid pickup pattern which isolates the main sound source while minimizing background noise. In the studio, it is excellent for recording drums, guitar, and woodwinds. For musical instruments or vocals, the SM57 is a consistent choice of professional performers.

Features:

- Performance tested, industry standard
- Uniform cardioid pick-up pattern for maximum gain before feedback and excellent rejection of off-axis sound
- Tailored frequency response specifically shaped for guitars, drums and vocals
- Advanced pneumatic shock mount system that minimizes transmission of mechanical noise and vibration
- Enamel coated metal construction, polycarbonate grille with stainless steel screen resist wear and abuse
- Furnished with zippered storage bag and break resistant stand adapter • Extremely durable under the heaviest use
- Shure quality, ruggedness and reliability zZounds is an authorized dealer of Shure products.

- Type: Dynamic
- Frequency Response: 40 to 15,000 Hz (see Figure 2)
- Polar Pattern: Unidirectional (cardioid), rotationally symmetrical about
microphone axis, uniform with frequency 3-pin professional audio connector (male XLR type)
- Case: Dark gray, enamel-painted, die-cast steel with a polycarbonate
grille and a stainless steel screen.
- Dimensions: 32 x 157 x 23mm (1-1/4 x 6-3/16 x 29/32 in.)
- Swivel Adapter: Positive-action, break-resistant, adjustable through 180 degrees,
with standard 5/8 in.-27 thread
- Net Weight (without cable): 284 g (10 oz.)
- Furnished Accessories: Swivel Adapter, Storage Bag

Dimensions and Weight in Packaging

SM57 LC, without Cable

Shipping Weight: 1 lbs

Shipping Dimensions: 10 x 5 x 4 in

SM57, with Tripod Boom Stand and Mic Cable (18.5 Foot)

Shipping Weight: 8 lbs