Shure SM57 Dynamic Instrument Microphone Item #: SHU SM57LC 

Shure SM57 Dynamic Instrument Microphone

The Shure SM57 Dynamic Microphone is a fixture in the music business. You see it everywhere. In small clubs and 100,000 seat stadiums. This renowned mic is used by legendary performers and the latest up-and-comers. What you may not have seen are the thousands of SM57s at work behind the scenes in professional recording studios around the world. In fact, you'll probably find it in more studios than any other mic.

Not surprising. The unidirectional dynamic SM57 has set the industry standard by defining the way instruments should sound. Which is why it's used by any serious musician or recording professional. Its warm, clean sound along with its carefully contoured presence rise make it ideal for a wide range of instrument miking applications, particularly guitar amplifiers and drums.

The SM57 features a uniform cardioid pick-up pattern that isolates the main sound source and minimizes background noise.

Most remarkably, the SM57 does it all for a price that's well within reach of any musician.

Whether you're in the studio or on the stage, this is one piece of equipment you can't live without.

Shure SM57 Features

• Contured frequency response for clean, instrumental reproduction and rich vocal pickup
• Professional-quality reproduction for drum, percussion, and instrument amplifier miking
• Cardioid (unidirectional) dynamic
• Frequency response: 40 to 15,000 Hz
• Does not include microphone cable

The SM57 is renowned in the music industry as the standard microphone of choice for snare drums and guitar amplifiers, both in stage and studio. It has also been the standard microphone used on the podium of the U.S. President for over 30 years. Its outstanding performance, legendary reliability, and diversity of application make this workhorse the choice of performers, producers, and sound engineers the world over.

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.

Shure SM57 Features

• 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
• Supplied break-resistant swivel adapter that rotates 180 degrees
• Legendary Shure quality, ruggedness, and reliability
• Frequency response: 40 to 15,000 Hz

Application and Placement
Some of the most common applications and placement techniques for the SM57 are listed in the following table. Remember that microphone technique is largely a matter of personal taste—there is no single correct microphone position

Tom-Toms

• Suggested Microphone Placement: One SM57 on each tom, or between each pair of toms, 1 inch (25 mm) to 3 inches (75 mm) above the heads. Aim each mic at the top heads

Tone Quality: Medium attack, balanced sound
• Suggested Microphone Placement: In double head toms, remove the bottom head and place a mic inside aimed at the head

Tone Quality: Medium attack, balanced sound

Snare Drum

• Suggested Microphone Placement: 1 inch (25 mm) to 3 inches (75 mm) above the rim of the top head of the drum. Aim the mic at the head

Tone Quality: Most snap from drumstick impact
• Suggested Microphone Placement: If desired, place a second mic just below the rim of the bottom head

Tone Quality: More snare sound

Guitar & Bass Amplifiers

• Suggested Microphone Placement: 1 inch (25 mm) from the speaker, on-axis with the speaker cone

Tone Quality: Most attack, emphasized bass
• Suggested Microphone Placement: 6 inches (150 mm) to 12 inches (300 mm) away from speaker and on-axis with speaker cone

Tone Quality: Medium attack, full, balanced sound
• Suggested Microphone Placement: 18 inches (.5 m) to 3 feet (1 m) back from the speaker, on-axis with the speaker cone

Tone Quality: Softer attack, thin, reduced bass sound
• Suggested Microphone Placement: On-axis with the edge of the speaker cone

Tone Quality: Thinner, reduced bass sound

Brass & Woodwinds

• Suggested Microphone Placement: Brass: 1 foot (.3 m) to 3 feet (1 m) away, on-axis with bell of instrument

Tone Quality: Bright, clear sound
• Suggested Microphone Placement: Woodwinds: 1 inch (25 mm) to 6 inches (150 mm) away, on-axis with bell of instrument

Tone Quality: Bright, clear sound
• Suggested Microphone Placement: Bell of the instrument 90° off axis from the front of the mic

Tone Quality: Softer, mellow sound

Vocals & Speech

• Suggested Microphone Placement: 1 inch (25 mm) to 6 inches (150 mm) from the vocalist’s mouth

Tone Quality: Rich, warm sound