SM57 vs. SM 58 vs. BETA 58

Not many things will get me to arrive an hour early for work. But test driving a few mic’s to potentially prove a drummer wrong, that did it. The drummer in question had recommended to me, that I do not try to choose between the Shure SM58 and the Shure BETA58, but instead to go with an Shure SM57 as “they are great for female vocals”. I was dubious, very dubious, to me the SM57 will always be an instrument mic. But I decided to give him the benefit of the doubt and put his wisdom to the test…

So there I was, arriving at work a whole hour early. There was mocha and it was good.

First I tried out the SM57. My reaction… it made me sound like a trumpet! Kinda. Made me sound like I had waaay to much mid-mids. Which could just be that thats exactly how my voice really sounds – because I know the SM57 is supposed to have a very flat and accurate mid-range.

Next came the SM58. This seemed a little more flattering on my voice, though had quite a bit less clarity. Slightly muddy.

And finally the BETA58. This was definitely the most flattering on my voice. It had a lot more clarity than the SM58 too.

So there you go, IMHO the drummer in question was dead wrong. Although, perhaps just wrong for over-generalising. Admittedly my vocals are not necessarily the most typical of all female vocals, and I’m willing to admit that it’s possible that a 57 is great for female vocals other than mine. Of course I would need to conduct further testing before I was convinced