Shure SM58-LC Cardioid Vocal Microphone without Cable

by Shure

Product Features

• Frequency response tailored for vocals, with brightened midrange and bass rolloff to control proximity effect
• Effective built-in spherical wind and pop filter. Frequency response: 50 to 15,000 Hz
• Pneumatic shock-mount system cuts down handling noise.
• Uniform cardioid pickup pattern isolates the main sound source and minimizes background noise

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 4.9 x 3.3 inches ; 1.5 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B000CZ0R42
• Item model number: SM58-LC
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (29 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #452 in Musical Instruments (See Top 100 in Musical Instruments)
  • #5 in Musical Instruments > Recording Equipment > Microphones > Dynamic Microphones > Vocal

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

The Shure SM58 unidirectional (cardioid) dynamic vocal microphone is designed for professional vocal use in live performance, sound reinforcement, and studio recording. It has a legendary vocal response for singing or speech. Rugged construction, a proven shock-mount system, and a steel mesh grille ensure that even with rough handling, the SM58 will perform consistently, outdoors or indoors.

An industry standard for live performance, sound reinforcement, and studio recording. Click to enlarge.

View frequency response. Click to enlarge.

View polar patterns. Click to enlarge.

The Standard for Dynamic Vocal Mics
You'll find multiple SM58s in most any studio or live music venue--no doubt you've heard of them. The SM58's frequency response is tailored for vocals, with brightened midrange and bass rolloff. The uniform cardioid pickup pattern isolates the main sound source and minimizes background noise, which is ideal for vocals, especially in live situations where background noise is substantial.

The microphone's pneumatic shock-mount system cuts down handling noise, making it a great choice for handheld vocals, and the built-in wind/pop filter helps keep things in check.

The dark gray, enamel-painted, die-cast metal case has legendary looks and--paired with the mesh grille--legendary toughness.

SM58A Specifications

• Type: Dynamic (moving coil)
• Frequency Response: 50 to 15,000 Hz
• Polar Pattern: Unidirectional (cardioid), rotationally symmetrical about microphone axis, uniform with frequency
• Sensitivity (at 1,000 Hz Open Circuit Voltage): -54.5 dBV/Pa (1.85 mV); 1 Pa = 94 dB SPL
• Impedance: Rated impedance is 150 ohms (300 ohms actual) for connection to microphone inputs rated low impedance
• Polarity: Positive pressure on diaphragm produces positive voltage on pin 2 with respect to pin 3
• Connector: Three-pin professional audio connector (male XLR type)
• Net Weight: 298 grams (10.5 oz)

What's in the Box
Shure SM58 Microphone, Stand Adapter

Product Description

A standard on stages throughout the world for years, the Shure SM58 Dynamic Vocal Microphone offers a carefully tailored frequency rise at about 4,000 Hz for smooth as silk vocals that stand out in the mix. Long associated with its unmistakable sound and unsurpassed reliability, the Shure SM58 Dynamic Vocal Microphone is widely considered the most popular mic in the world. Designed for professional vocal use in sound reinforcement and studio recording, the Shure SM58 Dynamic Vocal Microphone utilizes a highly effective, built-in, spherical filter that minimizes wind and breath pop noise while the cardioid pickup pattern isolates the main sound source and minimizes unwanted background noise. The tailored vocal response on the SM58 is a legendary tone that has become a world standard. Shure SM58 Dynamic Vocal Microphone Features Smooth, mid-frequency presence rise for world-famous SM58 Mic sound Uniform cardioid pickup pattern isolates the main sound source Minimizes background noise Pneumatic shock-mount system cuts down handling noise Rugged construction for extreme reliability in demanding applications Effective, built-in spherical wind and pop filter 50 to 15,000 Hz frequency response Supplied with break-resistant stand adapter which rotates 180 degrees Legendary Shure quality, ruggedness, and reliability Includes a mic stand adapter and a zippered storage pouch Proximity Effect When the sound source is less than 1/4 inch from the microphone, the microphone boosts bass frequencies (by 6 to 10 dB at 100 Hz), creating a warmer and richer bass sound than when farther away. This effect, known as proximity effect, happens only in unidirectional dynamic microphones like the Shure SM58 Vocal Mic. The low-frequency roll-off on the SM58 provides greater control, allowing the user to take full advantage of proximity effect. Rugged construction, a proven shock mount system, and a steel mesh grille ensure that even with rough handling, the Shure SM58 Dynamic Vocal Microphone

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

137 of 141 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good for vocals only!, May 16, 2006

By 

David L. Vasser (Charlotte, NC USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

The first rule of microphones is that, "No one microphone is perfect for every purpose." Rule two is, "Experiment with different mics in different applications to find your signature sound." I've used Shure SM58's along with their ancestors and relatives back to 1968. I primarily used them for broadcasting and recording spoken word content but I have used (and still do use) them for singing some back up vocals. The SM58 does one thing well and that is vocal performance when used very close to the mouth for public address use. Some people, me included, actually sound better and more comfortable in a live performance setting when using another mic, the Shure SM-57. The SM-58 is a very good vocal mic and for some people probably the best choice. For example, anyone who can not resist putting the mic right up against their lips while singing will probably want the SM-58. People with softer or weaker voices will want the SM-58. The SM-58 is highly directional and has a noticable yet manageable proximity effect (which means the bass increases the closer you get.) This mic does not pick up well from much over 8 inches away. The reason so many singers think you are supposed to shove microphones practically inside your mouth is because the ball type Shure vocal mics require you to get them very close or they don't sound right. On the other hand, the SM-57 sounds best several inches away from the user's mouth and works fine up to 12 inches away. While the SM-58 is certainly the number one professional PA vocal mic, there are precious few other uses for it because it has a colored sound with a prominent frequency response boost in the upper midrange plus a sound source has to be very close before it is picked up clearly. It works ok for conga drums and the like, but the SM-58 is about the last thing you'd want to use to mic a sax or guitar. Personally these mics are not the best for my mic technique or the basic nature my voice, but for some people they sound great. The live vocal mic that works best for me is the Shure SM-57 with a windscreen. However for other people the SM-58 works better. It depends on your voice and what you want the mic to do. If you have a very deep voice, the SM-58 might be the second best choice after the SM-57 which has a better low frequency response. One certain advantage of the SM-58 is the excellent gain before feedback capability. This mic can be turned up louder than almost any other mic without that annoying PA squeal. Another advantage of the SM-58 is that it is still available (at a slight extra cost) with a built-in on/off switch. The SM-58's ball shaped grills are very sturdy and even if you should dent one you can get a replacement which screws right on for about ten dollars. I've seen SM-58's dented, rusty, dusty, smoked up, spit into, with pieces missing and slammed into a hardwood stage with the full weight of a boom stand adding mass to the fall and yet I've never seen but one stop working and that malfunction was due to an on/off switch that got dirt in it. All the pro-line Shure mics are top quality. The pro line Shures also hold their value well. If you buy one and decide you don't like it, you can get about what you paid for it on eBay. I would compare as many mics as possible before buying one. Senneheiser's EVOLUTION mics sound really good too and are worth a look. The SM-58 will be the number one on-stage vocal mic for the forseeable future because most people follow the crowd instead of actually trying out different mics and picking the one that works best for their particular voice. These things are so durable that even if they stopped making them today they'd still be around for another 20 years at least.

34 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A rehearsal workhorse, August 14, 2004

By 

Aaron Rubenson "Frugal Tenor" (Seattle, WA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This is an excellent, general purpose microphone at a reasonable price. I'm a classically trained vocalist, and I use the SM58 for rehearsal and "scratch" recordings. It delivers clear, true, and warm sound under all standard conditions and requires essentially no fine tuning or signal processing. I still prefer the crisp detail of a condenser microphone for formal demo recordings (my favorite is the Studio Projects C1), but it's hard to beat the simplicity and reliability of the SM58 for everyday use.

21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars SM58 - buy a few for live use, February 20, 2006

By 

Justin "pa2hire.co.uk" (Bedford, England) - See all my reviews

The Shure SM58 is one of the most recognisable microphones in the world - and for good reason. It is the main stay of many a hire companies microphone hire stock, including mine (pa2hire.co.uk). Practically unbreakable, and if you do manage to drop it from a high stage / skyscraper, you can also buy a replacement pop shield. Very suited to rock, or other musical styles that need powerful vocals. Make sure your singers lips are touching the pop shield to get the best results, though, unless they have very good mic technique. The proximity effect (increase in bass when you sing or talk close to the mic) makes this important. If the singer is a foot away from an SM58, the chances are they will sound thin, and you will also have gain before feedback issues....
Sonically the response has a nice presence peak in the upper mid range, but the top end rolls off quickly after that. Opinion is split about whether that is a good or a bad thing - it helps keep a lid on feedback, but it doesnt sound as hi-fi as some other mics. I have had some singers complain that their vocal top end is not quite right - sometimes asking for more top end. I guess they are used to the sound of expensive condenser mics on their recordings. My solution is normally to give them another mic, like a Beta 58, or Beta 87a maybe, rather than use EQ. If you A/B test an SM58 verses these mics it will always lose. But it can still be a better mic in some cases, such as when you are looking for a cardioid rather than hyper-cardioid response (the SM58 has a cardioid response, which means it has a wider pickup pattern at the front). But most vocalists will be more than happy with the sound the SM58 gives.
The SM58 also does a pretty good job on drums (not really bass drum), and other loud things like guitar cabs. It uses the same capsule as the SM57, one of the best mics for guitar cabs.
In conclusion, yes there are a lot of mics that sound better, and some of these are quite a bit cheaper - but ask yourself the question are they as durable as an SM58, and if you are a professional, will your clients want to use a mic they have never heard of?

Take care,
Justin Miller
pa2hire.co.uk