Shure SM58: How This Mic Became the Live Standard
· re:union Radio editorial · 2 min read
Since 1966, the Shure SM58 has been the go-to live vocal mic: rugged, cardioid, and still found on stages and in DJ booths worldwide.
The Shure SM58 has been in service since 1966 – a dynamic microphone with a cardioid pattern, built for one job: capturing vocals live, reliably and without fuss.
At a glance
- Dynamic microphone with cardioid polar pattern
- Frequency response from 50 to 15,000 Hz
- Introduced in 1966
- Regarded as the world's most used live vocal microphone
A Grille That Swallows Plosives
The SM58's signature spherical grille is lined inside with a layer of open-cell foam. This design acts like a built-in pop filter, taming harsh P and B sounds before they hit the capsule.
Pneumatic Suspension Instead of Springs
Inside, the capsule doesn't sit on springs or rigid rubber, but in a so-called pneumatic suspension: a soft rubber balloon encloses it, damping handling noise and body-borne vibrations. This combo of pop filter and shock mount is a key reason for the ruggedness and longevity the mic is famous for.
Why It Became the Reference Point
The SM58 is considered the "industry standard for live vocal performance microphones" and "the most popular live vocal microphone in the world." That status has held for decades, partly because the mic has been used in wildly different contexts: from Robert Lockwood Jr. in 1982 to Patti Smith in 2007 and Randall Bramblett in 2015. For a beginner DJ setup, the SM58 is often the first sensible addition once you need to make announcements or run live vocals.
"Industry standard for live vocal performance microphones" – "the most popular live vocal microphone in the world"
The Switched Variant: SM58S
If you don't want to mute the mic solely via the mixer, there's the SM58S variant with a built-in on/off slide switch right on the body – the only technical difference from the standard model.
| Transducer Principle | Dynamic (Moving Coil) |
|---|---|
| Polar Pattern | Cardioid |
| Frequency Response | 50 Hz – 15,000 Hz |
| Introduced | 1966 |
| Special Features | Integrated pop filter, pneumatic capsule suspension |
| Variant | SM58S with on/off switch |
A side effect of its popularity: counterfeit SM58s are documented. If you're buying used, keep an eye out – much like with other long-lived DJ gear classics such as the Sennheiser HD 25.
FAQ
Is the Shure SM58 suitable for instruments too?
It's primarily designed for live vocals; its frequency response and cardioid pattern are tailored for handheld singing applications.
What's the difference between the SM58 and SM58S?
Technically identical, the SM58S simply adds a built-in on/off slide switch on the microphone body.
Source: Wikipedia – Shure SM58
