A fixture in the music business, the Shure SM57 Dynamic Instrument Microphone can be seen everywhere you look. From small clubs to 100,000 seat stadiums the Shure SM57 is renowned by everyone from legendary performers to the latest up-and-comers. What you may not have seen are the thousands of Shure SM57 Dynamic Instrument Microphones 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.
Shure SM57 Dynamic Instrument Microphone Features
- Professional-quality reproduction for drum, percussion, and instrument amplifier miking
- Uniform cardioid pickup pattern isolates the main sound source, 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
40 to 15,000 Hz frequency response
Includes Mic Clip and Carry Pouch
The standard microphone of choice for snare drums and guitar amplifiers, both in stage and studio, the SM57 has also been the standard microphone used on the podium of the U.S. President for over 30 years. Defining the way instruments should sound, the Shure SM57 dynamic microphone has a warm, clean sound along with its carefully contoured presence rise make it ideal for a wide range of instrument miking applications, particularly drums, acoustic guitars, guitar amplifiers and woodwinds instruments.
The Shure SM57 dynamic instrument microphone features a uniform cardioid pick-up pattern that isolates the main sound source and minimizes background noise. Most remarkably, the Shure SM57 Dynamic Instrument Microphone 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.
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 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
Guitar and 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
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
Brass and 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 and Speech
- Suggested Microphone Placement: 1 inch (25 mm) to 6 inches (150 mm) from the vocalist’s mouth
Tone Quality: Rich, warm sound
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