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CardioidShure SM58

MSRP: $204 Cardioid Dynamic Microphone

Shure SM58

Description

Perhaps the most widely known vocal mic in the world, the SM58 celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2006.

It is a cardioid dynamic mic, designed around the same Unidyne III capsule as the SM57. In fact, the SM58 differs from the SM57 in only a few respects:

  • The ball grille contains a foam blast filter.
  • The ball grille reduces the bass boost due to proximity effect, simply because it prevents the mic from being positioned so closely to a sound source.

More features:

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

The SM58, like the SM57, can be modified in at least two ways:

  1. The transformer can be removed; see details on the SM57 page.
  2. The stock transformer can be swapped for a unit from TAB-Funkenwerks, giving the SM58 a wider frequency response and a sound similar to the SM7; see TAB-Funkenwerks transformer upgrades for the SM58.

The SM58S incorporates an on/off switch.

The Shure SM58 is also known as: SM58S, SM-58.

The mic was released in 1966.

Pickup Patterns Pads & Filters
  • Cardioid (50 - 15,000 Hz)
Diaphragm size Impedance Max SPL
n/a n/a n/a
Weight Length Max Diameter Interface(s)
298g (10.51oz) 162mm (6.38'') 51mm (2.01'')
  • 3-pin XLR male (1)
Power Specifications

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