Over the last few years, Shure has gained notoriety for producing high-quality recording equipment. And amongst its expansive catalog of choices, the SM58 Cardioid Dynamic Vocal Microphone continues to grow in popularity.
Since its initial launch in 2004, this microphone has become popular amongst podcasters, musicians, comedians, and everyone who needs a microphone to deliver a fantastic vocal performance.
Durable, affordable, and packed with features that can deliver detailed recorded vocals and outstanding audio quality, there isn’t much this amazing microphone can’t do.
But is it the right choice for your podcasting needs? And what exactly makes it such a great microphone?
Join us as we take a thorough look into the Shure SM58. Here, we’ll break down each feature and determine precisely why this microphone has become the industry standard for recording vocals.
Table of Contents
Design
Let’s kick things off by looking at the overall design of the Shure SM58. Its enamel-coated metal construction makes it highly durable and ensures it’s rugged enough to carry between recording sessions without getting damaged easily.
The microphone’s head, which houses the dynamic capsule, is made from a steel-mesh grille. This design also reduces the chances of it suffering from damage or environmental exposure and keeps it well protected.
This steel-mesh grille is also removable, making it easy to clean the inside of the microphone when necessary.
It requires an XLR cable for connection, which might seem a little archaic in terms of modern technology and the evolution of the US port. Still, it makes it more than suitable for creating a secure connection to a mixer or audio interface.
However, this “outdated” connection doesn’t mean you can’t use it to record directly into your computer. You’ll have to use an interface with an XLR input, which is simple enough.
Something else incredibly appealing about this microphone is that many of its internal parts are easy to source and replace.
This ease means that, in the unlikely event of something going wrong, you won’t have to purchase a new microphone, which can save you a lot of money.
It doesn’t require any disposal or rechargeable batteries to get it working, and it doesn’t even rely on Phantom power to operate it.
Connect one end of an XLR cable to the microphone, the other to an audio interface or mixer, and you’re good to go!
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Pickup Pattern
The Shure SM58 operates with a cardioid pickup pattern. This pickup pattern focuses the microphone’s attention on the sound coming from a 180º arc directly in front of it while completely blocking any background noise.
That makes it ideal for vocal recording, and it also means that you don’t have to worry too much about getting placement right. As long you or your guest sits in front of the microphone, it’ll pick up nothing but vocals.
It is also a dynamic microphone. This type of mic design records vocals and produces natural, real-life tones when spoken into.
Again, this makes it an ideal choice for recording a podcast, as your audience will want to feel like they are in the room with you rather than listening to an almost-robotic voice.
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Frequency Response
The natural tones that the Shure SM58 can deliver are all because it has an extended frequency response of 50Hz – 15KHz. This frequency range means that all high or low voices are reproduced digitally in a clear, life-like manner.
Remember, however, that this is a dynamic microphone designed with vocal recording in mind. So, if you’re planning on using it to record low-frequency sounds such as a kick drum or a bass guitar, you’ll likely find that they come across as much quieter.
That shouldn’t put you off, though, and you can always edit it afterward using free audio production software such as Audacity or GarageBand.
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Audio Quality
The Shure SM58 is a well-known and popular microphone, often used for live performances. Its popularity is primarily due to its good sound quality. The microphone is a good choice for Youtube, podcasting, music demos, etc.
The SM58 also does a good job canceling background noise, so it should perform well even in a more noisy environment.
The SM58 was made for voice and does an excellent job capturing it. However, it is recommended to use its windscreen to keep the airflow from overwhelming the sound, especially on consonants like ”b”, ”p” etc.
The only real con of the SM58 is that it has extremely low sensitivity, so you will need to drive your preamps pretty hard.
Overall, the Shure SM58 is a popular choice for podcasting, as it can help to produce clear and articulate audio.
For more details on the model, we recommend the video below.
Shock Mount System
The Shure SM58 is designed to either be handheld or mounted on a stand and will give you equally good performance from both, thanks to the internal shock mount.
This feature ensures that any vibration-induced noises, such as echoes reverberating from bare walls and floors or accidental table-bumping, don’t get picked up by the microphone while recording.
It also cuts out any handling noise, so if you find you need to rearrange your microphone during your recording session, it won’t create any uncomfortable scratching sounds.
This makes it perfect for passing the mic between two people in an interview.
Pop Filter
The Shure SM58 features an internal pop filter to eliminate any plosives on the recording.
That means certain words requiring pronunciation with ‘p,’ ‘k,’ ‘g,’ ‘d,’ or other ‘plosive’ letters will be produced smoothly and won’t leave a ‘popping’ sound on your recording.
As well as protecting against plosives, the built-in pop filter will help prevent any breath noises from appearing on your recording.
Nobody wants to listen to a heavy breather after all, and the Shure SM58 will make sure any silent moments or sharp intakes of breath are clean spaces.
The internal pop filter also allows you to use this microphone outdoors without worrying too much about wind noise affecting your recording. This internal pop filter makes it perfect for taking your show out on the road!
Accessories
As far as accessories are concerned, there isn’t much to shout about. You get a zippered storage case, which is ideal for keeping the microphone safe when it’s in storage or if you’re taking it out on the road.
There is also a 180º stand adapter made from super-hard plastic, which allows you to mount the microphone to your preferred style of stand.
It’s worth noting, though, that the Shure SM58 doesn’t include a wide variety of accessories because it doesn’t need them.
While other microphones may include external pop filters and shock mounts, this brilliant little piece of equipment has them built directly into it.
Price
Despite its fantastic features, the Shure SM58 is a reasonably priced microphone. You’ll be hard-pressed to find an alternative microphone that can do so much yet cost so little, and it’s perfect for anybody on a strict budget.
The inexpensiveness of it also means that it’s an excellent choice for anybody new to podcasting and looking for a great quality microphone that will last a long time without spending a fortune setting their studio up from scratch.
Pros & Cons
The features and benefits of the Shure SM58 are undoubtedly fantastic. However, every person has their own needs and wants, and there might be a couple of things that won’t work with your podcasting setup.
Below, we’ve broken down each of the features into a simplistic list of pros and cons, giving you a better idea of whether it’s the right choice.
Pros:
- Rugged, durable construction that is designed to withstand wear and tear, as well as protect the microphone’s internal components
- The XLR port creates a stable connection to a mixer or an audio interface.
- A dynamic microphone designed specifically for recording vocals
- Operates with a cardioid pickup pattern that concentrates on vocals and eliminates background noise
- The pickup pattern also means less time spent worrying about placement
- Has a frequency response of 50Hz – 15KHz to pick up natural tones from a variety of voice types
- Features an internal shock mount that eliminates any vibration sounds when recording
- Also features an internal pop filter that removes plosives and can reduce wind noise when recording outside
- Comes with a zippered storage bag and a 180º stand adapter
- Is a budget-friendly option that contains a lot of features you’d find in a more expensive microphone
Cons:
- Doesn’t feature any USB connection ports
- There isn’t an XLR cable included with the microphone
- Isn’t the best choice for recording musical instruments
User experience
The Shure SM58 is popular for live vocal performances, thanks to its rugged construction and adjustable design.
Product reviews of the SM58 are generally positive, with users noting its durability, versatility, and clear sound quality.
According to users, this model is reasonably priced and an absolute standard in the industry.
However, some users have found that it doesn’t always live up to expectations. Some customers have encountered problems with the mic, such as its lack of compatibility with some audio systems and its tendency to dent easily.
Conclusion
The Shure SM58 is popular for many reasons, the most important being that it works reliably and competently. Not only can it produce warm, rich, natural vocals, but it is also highly durable, which means it’ll last a long time.
The cardioid pickup pattern works harmoniously with the dynamic capsule to produce clear vocals while eliminating background noise.
This design makes it a perfect choice for podcasting where your audience only wants to hear you and nothing else!
By choosing this microphone, you’ll also produce audio with vocals that have a natural tone and sound as though the person speaking is sitting in the room with you. This clear sound comes from its wide frequency response range.
Finally, it’s a perfect choice of microphone for anybody just starting with their podcast or working on a strict budget.
Inexpensive, durable, and reliable, you’ll find it challenging to source another microphone that can do so much for such a small price.
