Music Gear Review this week

So, you think you know everything about music gear. Well, perhaps yes - but you may want to hear what other expert has to say about what they think is good and bad music gear. This week, let's hear from Alistair Vowles, Audio and Production Engineer from Lime Green Entertainment what he has to say about Shure Sm-58. 

What on earth is Shure Sm-58?

" Possibly the most well know and most common live vocal microphones. There is little negative comments that can be said about this microphone. It is most commonly used in live events, but I do not know a single recording studio that does not own at least one of these microphones.

They are popular due to their affordability, reliability and their custom designed diaphragms that boosts the midrange frequencies and cuts the bass frequencies. This means that without any added EQ’s this microphone brightens the human voice.  The other reason that this microphone is so popular with the live sound industry is that this dynamic microphone will still work perfectly even if it is dropped from a considerable height.

I have seen Sm-58’s that have been abused to the point that the hard metal mesh protecting the diaphragm has been bent into a square, and it still gives amazing sound and quality. The inbuilt pop-filter in the Sm-58 also does its job perfectly so even in a studio environment, you don’t need to have to set up an added pop-filter.

I would highly recommend this microphone, either if you are a new artist with a tight budget, or an experienced sound engineer who wants to record at the highest qualitly".