Shure SM57 vs SM58 vs SM7b : Microphone Shootout!
Today we’re taking a look at three very popular microphones: the Shure SM57, the SM58, and the 7b. Now, you may questions around these microphone such as, “Do they sound any different from each other”, “If so, what are those differences”? If you’re looking to buy one, “Which one should I buy”, “Do I need more than one of them, or can I get by with only one of them”? We’re take a look at these questions and more! And hopefully by the end of this, you’ll have all of your questions answered.
Make sure you check out the video above. In it, I compare each microphone in common recording use cases: electric guitar, snare drum, singing, and speech. This is how you’ll really get to know each microphone and see how it performs in each of the these situations.
After you watch the video, be sure to comment down below which you liked best: the SM57, the SM58, or the 7b and why.
Since we can’t really listen to each microphone though text on a webpage, I’m going to give you my general thoughts on how each mic sounds, pros and cons, and who it might be best for if you’re trying to narrow down to just one (or possibly two) mics.
What they have in common
Excellent build quality - Each of these mics have a great build quality. They have metal bodies, very durable grilles, and just all-around tanks. Some people say you can even use the SM57 or SM58 as a hammer. I can’t say that I’d recommend that, but as long as you treat them reasonably well, any of the three should last for many years.
Can record nearly anything - Each of these microphones can certainly work as a general purpose microphone that you can use to record just about anything and get great recordings. One mic might excel at something more than another, but if you understand the pros and cons of each, there isn’t hardly anything you couldn’t record.
The Unidyne III capsule - Each mic has the same or very similar capsule. The capsule is essentially the part of the mic that captures the sound and turns into an electrical signal that can then be recorded.
The SM57 and the SM58 have the exact same Unidyne III capsule in them.
The SM7b has a capsule that is very similar and is very much based off the Unidyne III capsule. It’s basically a tweaked version.
Can handle high SPLs - They can all handle very loud sounds and high SPLs. Again, very durable and they can pretty much handle anything you throw at them
Cardioid mics - They all have a cardioid pattern. This means they pick up sound best from directly in the front and reject the sound from directly behind.
Budget friendly - They are all three budget friendly. If you’re looking for an affordable mic that you can use for many years, these are great choices.
The SM57 and the SM58 are each $99 brand new. Sometimes they go on sale and you can pick one up for $85. If that’s still stretching the budget, then you can always buy a used one. Because they are so durable, buying a 57 or 58 used is a pretty safe bet. I bought an SM57 off of Craigslist for $50. Sure it’s scratched a bit, but it sounds perfectly fine.
The SM7b is a bit more money at $399, but that’s still pretty reasonable for an excellent quality microphone. We’re not taking Neumann U87 prices at $3,600 or anything close. Again, these are great mics to buy used. I picked up mine used off of Reverb.com for $325. It is mint condition, had the box, stickers, manual, and everything else. So, there are deals to be had if you look for one.
The SM57
Defining sound characteristic - The SM57 has a more aggressive midrange sound to it that works particularly great for electric guitars and snare drums. This really focusses on the main frequency of those instruments and helps them sit in a mix.
Proximity effect - You can the SM57 right up on a sound source and take advantage of the proximity effect that cardioid microphones tend to have in order to get some more low end response. There’s no large grille on the mic to get in the way.
Placement and positioning - This mic is a standard for snare drums in the studio and in live situations. Not only does it sound great, but because of its size and shape it is easy to sneak between the snare and high hat while staying out of the drummers way.
Strength : Instruments - As mentioned, the SM57 is a standard on electric guitars, snare drums, and many other instruments. It is especially good for loud instruments that require a durable mic.
Weakness : Vocals - While the SM57 can definitely be used to record vocals (and has reportedly been used on some major hit songs) and sound great, it does easily suffer from plosives (pops from “t”s, “p”s, etc.) and wind noise. I would highly recommend investing in and using a quality pop filter when recording vocals.
Should you get it ? - The 57 would be my choice of these three if I was recording mostly instruments in my studio and little to no vocals. Or if I needed a mic for my guitar amp when playing live and wanted/needed to have my own mic, this would be the one. If I needed a mic for a lot of vocal work as well, I’d probably look at one of the other two.
The SM58
Defining sound characteristic - The SM58 sounds fairly similar to the SM57, but it doesn’t seem to have as an aggressive midrange.
Proximity effect - If you take the grille off, you can get an SM58 right up against a guitar cab or other sound source and take advantage of that proximity effect in order to get that beefier low end just like you can with the SM57.
Placement and positioning - This is a mic that is very easy to put on a stand and place just about anywhere you want. It’s also designed to be hand-held and reduce noise from handling. Again, you can take the grille off and it’s nice and easy to setup for snare just like an SM57 because it is very similar in size and shape.
Strength : Versatility - This mic is great for recording just about anything. It can handle loud instruments like the SM57, but because it has the grille on it, it works better for vocals as well. Not only can this mic be used in a studio situation, but it can double as a live mic for just about anything as well. It’s one of the most popular (if not the most popular) mics for live vocals.
Weakness : Vocals - I know I just said that this is one of the most popular (if not the most popular) mic for live vocals, and it’s certainly great at doing that, for a studio situation it still has a bit of a weak spot when it comes to plosives and wind noise. While it definitely handles them better than the SM57, when it comes to the critical nature of studio recording, I’d still highly recommend a quality pop filter to keep vocals nice and clean.
Should you get it? - If I was on a tighter budget and could only get one of these mics, but I planned on recording a lot of different things, then this would be my choice. It kind of does everything. I can record any instrument you throw at it (figuratively of course) and is better at handling vocals than the SM57. Being able to remove the grille also adds some flexibility. It gets my vote for best all-around mic of the bunch.
The SM7b
Defining sound characteristic - To my ear, the SM7b sounds much smoother and controlled than the other two microphones. Especially on vocals. The top end and mids aren’t as prevalent, but certainly not dull.
.Proximity effect - You won’t get as much low end boost from this mic from proximity effect because of the design. With having the built in metal grill, you can’t get all the way up on the capsule to maximize the proximity effect. However, this mic already has some extra natural low end that the SM57 and SM58 don’t so it may not be a big deal to you.
Placement and positioning - This mic was designed to be used in a radio or broadcast situation and it’s perfect for that. However, there is no getting around the fact that this mic is heavier, bulkier, has a bit cumbersome mounting system than the other two mics. This can make it a little more difficult to use in some situations - especially miking a snare. It is certainly not impossible, but can require a little more patience at times.
Strength : Vocals - Recording vocals is what the SM7b is really known for. With the windscreen, built-in metal grille and the placement of the capsule, this microphone is fairly resistant to plosives and wind noise. Sometimes I still like to use a pop filter for insurance. I often remove the windscreen when using a pop filter. Also, the smoother sound of the 7b can be really great for rock, aggressive, or raspy voices. Sometimes a condenser mic can sound a bit harsh on those voices, and the SM7b can handle it really well.
Weakness : Some instruments - Aside from the placement and positioning discussed above, the SM7b is missing some of the aggressive mid range that makes the SM57 shine on some instruments and can therefore sound a little more subdued at times. However it does have the mid presence boost and bass roll-off switches that can help you get closer to that 57 sound. Also, some people like the SM7b on certain instruments because of the smoother nature - high hats for example.
Should you get it? - If you are mostly recording vocals, sometimes other instruments, and the SM7b is in your budget, then I’d definitely recommend it of the three. Even better, if you have the budget to get the 7b and another one of these mics, I’d pick up a SM57 as well. Then you basically have all of your bases covered for single mic applications.
One thing to keep in mind also is that this mic is known for having a pretty low signal output, so you may need to invest in a Cloudlifter or similar inline preamp booster that increases the level. If not, then you may find that you have to turn up the preamp on your interface to a point where noise starts to be introduced. I have not bought one yet for my 7b because my interface handles it pretty well, but it’s something I’ve definitely considered.
Wrapping it up
These are all three great microphones that can really handle a lot of different recording and live situations. Like most things in life, each has its strong points. Which one is right for you depends on what your budget is and what you’re using if for.
Hopefully this was helpful for you and answered many of your questions. If you still have questions, please leave them in the comments and I’m happy to answer them. Also, let me know which mic you like best and why. I really like hearing other opinions and thoughts.
And remember, gear is important, but music is about creating and sharing!