Shure SM57 Cardioid Dynamic Microphone

Own a time-tested legend: the Shure SM57 cardioid dynamic microphone. It's a worldwide favorite on drums, guitar amps, and more -- on stage or in the studio.

Overview

No microphone locker is complete without a Shure SM57 microphone (or five). Great for live sound or studio recording, the SM57 handheld dynamic 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.

Features:

- Performance tested, industry standard
- Uniform cardioid pickup 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
- Zippered storage bag and break-resistant mic clip
- Shure quality, ruggedness and reliability

The Most Popular Snare Mic, Ever

The SM57 is a rugged 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… read more 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 SM57 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 750 Hz removes the boominess from vocals and instruments alike, with a ruler-flat response up to 3kHz. Enhanced definition up around the 6-10 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 balance the two properly in a mix. 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 SM57'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

The SM57 has passed Shure's now-famous drop test: Shure employees dropped the mic from a seventh-floor balcony, picked it up, plugged it in -- and heard no loss of performance. Ideally, your mics won't suffer that kind of torture, but isn't it nice to know they can survive it? For further proof of this legendary mic's reliability, look no further than the White House. A pair of slim, unobtrusive SM57s with discreet black foam windscreens have perched atop the Presidential podium for more than 30 years, delivering the goods with workhorse consistency. The next time you bump into the leader of the free world, mention that you use the same microphone. The President is sure to be impressed.

WARNING: Cancer and Reproductive Harm - www.p65Warnings.ca.gov.

Specs

- Type: Dynamic
- Frequency Response: 40 to 15,000 Hz
- 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: 1.25 lbs; Shipping Dimensions: 10 x 5 x 4 in; Manufacturer Part Number (MPN): SHU SM57LC
SM57-X2U, with X2U USB Adapter: Shipping Weight: 2.25 lbs; Shipping Dimensions: 11 x 6 x 4 in; Manufacturer Part Number (MPN): SHU SM57X2U

Documents and Manuals

For support or warranty questions, please contact the manufacturer:
Phone: 800-516-2525
Email: service@shure.com

Spec Sheet

User Guide

Shure's Description

Shure SM57 Microphone

What can you say about the Shure SM57? It is a tool found in the workbench of every sound engineer, both for live and studio applications. There's simply no question: it's a "must-have" mic.

The SM57 is a cardioid (unidirectional) dynamic microphone with a contoured frequency response of 40 to 15,000 Hz, perfect for clean reproduction of vocals and instruments. But the SM57 is most renowned in the music industry as the standard microphone of choice for snare drums and guitar amplifiers. Go to any stage or studio and you're likely to find SM57s pointing at the amps and snare.

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.

By the way, the '57 has been proudly standing on the podium of the US President for over 30 years, so you can add patriotism to its outstanding attributes! This mic is also known to take a beating and come back for more, so tell your roadie Rocco to have a ball! Its outstanding performance, legendary reliability, and diversity of application make this "workhorse" the choice of performers, producers, and sound engineers the world over.

Features:

- Performance tested, industry standard
- Uniform cardioid pickup 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

Reviews

(257 ratings)

Submitted March 31, 2013 by Brownsound L in San Diego, CA

"All season all terrain!"

Overall:

(see rating details)

Verified Customer zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.

I have been using the SM57 20+yrs weather its on toms,snares,Bass drums(yes! Bass drums!)guitar amps,percussion,vocals you name i"ve been there done that. Very easy and quick to get awesome sound and EQ on the mixer.I purchase a Jet city isolation cab six month ago and installed an Eminence Lil Texas. Long story short I wanted to get away from that SM57 mic for recording purposes and try something else.I tried Audix i5,senheiser 609,xl's and other brands under $200 range no matter what I did i could not get a good descent sound. After six month of experimenting I grab one of four SM57's I own,well needless to say the true awesome guitar sound is back and works with pro tool 9 tons better than the other mics. Don't get me wrong other mics that I mentioned sound great but they get lost in the mix or you have to do massive EQ changes.To my ears,the SM57 is more natural or lets say a more audio environment friendly,very reliable,I own four of these and have lasted me 15+yrs now through a lots of set ups and tear downs as well as accidentally drops.Cant go wrong with the SM57 and for $99 a piece,one of the best musical equipment purchases you will make, I have no regrets.... I purchased mind for $79 each 15+yrs ago brand new!

Sound
A very natural reproduction of sound live or recording. Audio environment friendly

Ease of Use
C'mon man!

Quality
lasted me 15+yrs of heavy use so far!… read more

Manufacturer Support
never had to....

The Wow Factor
I never leave home on the way to a gig without the SM57 on my guitar case as well as a small mic stand. I reposition my own mic in front of my amp cause half the sound man out there are not guitar players! some are computer geeks running the sound boards!

Musical Background:
Electric Guitar,Bass Drums,Live/Recording 20+yrs

Musical Style:
All kinds where loud Electric Guitar is wanted!

19 of 19 people (100%) people found this review helpful. Did you?