Description
The Shure SM57 unidirectional dynamic microphone is exceptional for musical instrument pickup or for vocals. With its bright, clean sound and carefully contoured presence rise, the SM57 is ideal for live sound reinforcement and recording. It has an extremely effective cardioid pickup pattern which isolates the main sound source while minimizing background noise. In the studio, it is excellent for recording drums, guitar, and woodwinds. For musical instruments or vocals, the SM57 is a consistent choice of professional performers.
General Rules for Use
- Aim the microphone toward the desired sound source (such as the talker, singer, or instrument) and away from unwanted sources.
- Place the microphone as close as practical to the desired sound source.
- Work close to the microphone for extra bass response.
- Use only one microphone to pick up a single sound source.
- Use the fewest number of microphones as practical.
- Keep the distance between microphones at least three times the distance from each microphone to its source.
- Place microphones as far as possible from reflective surfaces.
- Add a windscreen when using the microphone outdoors.
- Avoid excessive handling to minimize pickup of mechanical noise and vibration.
- Do not cover any part of the microphone grille with your hand, as this will adversely affect microphone performance.
Note: The grille on top of the microphone should rotate freely. This is part of the design and does not mean the grille is broken. In certain applications (such as close-miking drums) an audible rattle might occur. A windscreen or a very small piece of foam wedged under the grille can eliminate this problem, but do not apply tape or otherwise cover or block the grille vents, as this disrupts the directionality of the microphone. Please visit the Shure website for more information.
Go ahead. Play hard.
- Contoured frequency response for clean, instrumental reproduction and rich vocal pickup
- Professional-quality reproduction for drum, percussion, and instrument amplifier miking
- Uniform cardioid pickup pattern isolates the main sound source while reducing background noise
- Pneumatic shock-mount system cuts down handling noise
- Extremely durable under the heaviest use
- Frequency response: 40 to 15,000 Hz
What is the SM57 best suited to?
It’s the most popular choice for a professional musician who wants to mic up their amplified or acoustic instrument such as a guitar amp or bass amp, saxophone, trumpet or drums. It is used on stages and in studios around the world.
How does it sound?
The contoured frequency response with its presence rise, helps the instrument cut better through the main mix. The extremely effective cardioid pickup pattern isolates the main sound source and will simply record what you point at it while rejecting sound from the rear.
Specifications
| Element Type | Dynamic (moving coil) |
| Frequency Response | 40 to 15,000 Hz |
| Polar Pattern | Cardioid |
| Sensitivity |
(@ 1 kHz, open circuit voltage) -56.0 dBV/Pa[1] (1.6 mV) |
| Polarity |
Positive pressure on diaphragm produces positive voltage on pin 2 with respect to pin 3 |
| Out Impedance | 310 Ω |
| Microphone Connector | 3-pin, XLR-type |
| Housing |
Dark gray, enamel-painted, die-cast steel with a polycarbonate grille and a stainless steel screen. [1] 1 Pa=94 dB SPL |
| Diagrams | Dimension and internal connection diagrams for the SM57. |
| Dimensions | 157mm (6.34 inches) = Length, 32mm (1.26 inches) = Diameter |
| Net Weight | 0.284 kg (0.625 lbs) |
| Shipping Weight | 0.57 to 0.60 kg (1.25 to 1.32 pounds) |
| APPLICATION | SUGGESTED MICROPHONE PLACEMENT | TONE QUALITY |
|---|---|---|
| Tom-Toms | One mic on each tom, or between each pair of toms, 2.5 to 7.5 cm (1 to 3 in.) above drum heads. Aim each microphone at top drum heads. On double head toms, you can also remove bottom head and place a mic inside pointing up toward top drum head. | Medium attack; full, balanced sound. |
| Snare Drum | 2.5 to 7.5 cm (1 to 3 in.) above rim of top head of drum. Aim mic at drum head. If desired, place a second mic just below rim of bottom head. | Most “snap” from drumstick. More “snare” sound. |
| Guitar & Bass Amplifiers | 2.5 cm (1 in.) from speaker, on-axis with center of speaker cone. | Sharp attack; emphasized bass. |
| 2.5 cm (1 in.) from speaker, at edge of speaker cone. | Sharp attack; higher frequency sound. | |
| 15 to 30 cm (6 to 12 in.) away from speaker and on-axis with speaker cone. | Medium attack; full, balanced sound. | |
| 60 to 90 cm (2 to 3 ft.) back from speaker, on-axis with speaker cone. | Softer attack; reduced bass. | |
| Vocals | Lips less than 15 cm (6 in.) away or touching the windscreen, on axis to microphone. | Robust sound, emphasized bass, maximum isolation from other sources. |
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.