Comments on: Shure SM58 - still the best microphone

By: Mike G

Mike G — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 04:59:25 +0000

I personally hate the SM58! (GASP!) I have been doing live sound and recording for about 9 years now, and have found that the 58 sounds so “smooth” because it has no real high end (it starts to drop off at about 11k). and as far as durability goes it’s awful. I have broken 4. At the same street price of 99.99, I would purchase an Audix OM2. WAAAAAYYYY more durable and much cleaner highs. for $30 more look towards one of my favorite mics of all time, the E.V. ND-767. Great on vocals. Or, if you can fork out the money for the quality, check out the Heil PR-40. super flat frequency response Lot’s of clean highs, musical mid range, and smoooooth low end. add a little EQ and Compression to any of these and you have wonderful sound that puts the SM58 to shame.

To answer your question Eric…
Condenser mics are MUCH more sensitive to sound, and generally have a better frequency response, because of the way the diaphragm picks up sound. condenser’s have an electrical charge (hence 48v phantom power) vs. a dynamic Mic’s coil around a magnet, mechanical device. The big advantage that dynamics typically have over condenser mics is the ability the Handel higher SPL’s.

Do your self’s a favor and A/B the mics i mentioned before you make a purchase.

P.S. The E.V. RE20 and Sennheiser MD421-2 are the #1 Mic’s chosen by podcaster’s, radio DJ’s, radio talk show host’s, and voice over artists. Not the “tried and trusted old work-horse” of an SM58…

By: Eric L

Eric L — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 05:18:19 +0000

Hello.. I have a Samson C01 condenser mic that I am using for podcast. The only problem is that I am recording from my kitchen table and the mic picks up every little sound. Someone recommeded that I get a Shure SM58 dynamic mic. My question is why the dynamic over condenser for podcasting?

By: Matt Rygelski

Matt Rygelski — Mon, 07 Aug 2006 05:36:36 +0000

I have to tell you, I have spent thousands of dollars testing microphones to find that “perfect” podcast/voice-over mic. The SM58 has a sound very similar to the ElectroVoice RE20, but the SM58 is warmer. The SM58 is much better at smoothing out “highs”, one weakness of voice work on the Sennheiser MD421MKII and the Shure Beta 58. And finally, the SM58 is much less expensive than a Neumann. Are these more expensive mics better? In many ways yes, but for podcasting I have concluded an SM58 is the way to go! (I should know, I own 5 of them!!)