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| SM-57, THE KING! |
In the world of microphones, few names carry the weight of the Shure SM-57. It’s a paradox: a humble workhorse revered as royalty, a tool that’s both at the bottom of the gear bag and the top of the industry’s must-have list. Compact, reliable, affordable, and blessed with a tone that flatters nearly everything it captures, the SM-57 has earned its place as a cornerstone of live sound and recording. Let’s dive into its storied history, technical brilliance, and enduring legacy, while addressing its sibling, the SM-58, and why Shure remains unmatched despite a sea of imitators.
A Star is Born: The SM-57’s Market Entry
The Shure SM-57 was introduced in 1965, a time when rock ‘n’ roll was reshaping culture and studios were hungry for versatile, rugged microphones. Designed by Shure’s legendary engineer Ernie Seeler, the SM-57 was built to withstand the chaos of live performances while delivering studio-quality sound. Its predecessor, the Unidyne III capsule, laid the groundwork, but the SM-57 refined it into a form that would dominate for decades.
Big names flocked to it early. The Rolling Stones used SM-57s to capture Mick Jagger’s raw energy and Keith Richards’ gritty riffs. Led Zeppelin’s John Bonham famously battered his drums in front of them, with SM-57s on his snare becoming a defining sound of rock. Over time, everyone from Jimi Hendrix to Nirvana, Red Hot Chili Peppers to Adele, has relied on its unmistakable clarity. Even politicians and presidents—Bill Clinton and Barack Obama among them—have used SM-57s for speeches, a testament to its versatility beyond music.
Technical Brilliance: What Makes the SM-57 Tick
The SM-57’s magic lies in its deceptively simple design, optimized for real-world demands. Let’s break down its key specs:
- Frequency Response: The SM-57 boasts a tailored response from 40 Hz to 15 kHz, with a gentle boost around 4-6 kHz that adds presence and clarity. This makes vocals pop and instruments cut through dense mixes without sounding harsh. It rolls off below 200 Hz to reduce rumble, perfect for close-miking.
- Handling Noise: Built like a tank, the SM-57 features an internal shock-mount system that minimizes vibrations from stage rumble or clumsy hands. Drop it, kick it, or swing it—stories abound of SM-57s surviving abuse that would kill lesser mics.
- Balanced Output and Output Impedance: With a low-impedance (150 ohms nominal) XLR output, the SM-57 delivers a clean, balanced signal over long cable runs without noise or loss. This makes it a staple in both studios and live rigs.
- Directional Pickup: Its cardioid polar pattern is laser-focused, rejecting off-axis noise like stage bleed or crowd roar. This tight pickup is ideal for isolating sources in chaotic environments, whether it’s a snare drum or a screaming guitar amp.
Applications: The Swiss Army Knife of Mics
The SM-57’s versatility is legendary. It’s the go-to for:
- Snare Drums: The SM-57’s punchy midrange captures the crack and body of a snare like nothing else. Drummers from Dave Grohl to Questlove swear by it.
- Guitar Amps: From Marshall stacks to boutique combos, the SM-57 loves electric guitars. Engineers often place it inches from the speaker cone to grab every nuance of distortion or clean sparkle. Metallica’s Black Album owes much of its guitar tone to SM-57s.
- Vocals: While less common than its sibling SM-58, the SM-57 shines on vocals in studios or gritty live settings, especially for artists like Kurt Cobain who wanted raw edge.
- Other Favorites: Horns, acoustic guitars, toms, even harmonicas—the SM-57 handles them all. It’s also a broadcast staple, capturing everything from radio hosts to podium speeches with clarity.
Why It’s Popular: The Special Sauce
What makes the SM-57 special? It’s the perfect storm of durability, sound, and affordability. At roughly $100, it’s a steal for pros and hobbyists alike, holding its price despite decades of inflation. Its rugged build laughs off punishment—there are tales of SM-57s surviving floods, fires, and tours with punk bands. Sonically, it’s a chameleon, flattering sources without overpowering them. It doesn’t impose its own character; it enhances what’s there.
The SM-57’s consistency is another draw. Buy one today, and it performs like the one your dad bought in the ‘70s. Shure’s obsessive quality control ensures that every unit meets the same standard, a rarity in an era of cost-cutting.
SM-58: The Sibling Rivalry
The Shure SM-58, introduced in 1966, is often called the SM-57’s vocal-optimized twin. While they share the same Unidyne III capsule at their core, the SM-58 has key differences:
- Grille Design: The SM-58’s ball grille includes an internal pop filter, reducing plosives and wind noise for vocalists. The SM-57’s flatter grille lacks this, making it less ideal for close-up singing.
- Frequency Response: The SM-58 has a slight bass boost when close-miked (proximity effect) and a more pronounced midrange lift, tailored for vocals. The SM-57’s response is flatter, better for instruments.
- Application: The SM-58 dominates live vocals—think Bono, Chris Martin, or any karaoke night. The SM-57, while vocal-capable, thrives on instruments and amps.
Are they the same capsule? Yes, but the tuning and housing make them distinct. The SM-57 is raw and neutral; the SM-58 is polished for singers.
Evolution or Perfection? The SM-57 Today
Is today’s SM-57 the same as the 1965 original? Shure insists it’s virtually identical, with only minor tweaks—like improved connectors or shock-mounts—enhancing reliability without altering the sound. Some purists argue vintage models have a warmer vibe, but blind tests show negligible differences. Advances in manufacturing have made modern SM-57s more consistent, if anything, ensuring every unit is a winner.
Epilogue: Shure’s Reign Continues
Despite a flood of clones—some eerily close in sound—Shure remains the king of live sound reinforcement. Why? Trust. When you grab an SM-57, you know it’ll work, night after night, stage after stage. Copies might save you a few bucks, but they lack Shure’s pedigree, durability, and that intangible mojo. From dive bars to Wembley Stadium, the SM-57 is the sound of music itself—unfussy, unyielding, and utterly iconic.
In a world obsessed with the new, the SM-57 stands as proof that some things are already perfect. Long live the king.
Thanks for reading High on Technology, Good Music To You!
©April 2025 by Mark King, It's not ok to copy or quote without written permission of the author
