Using the Shure SM58 Microphone: A Vocalist’s Ultimate Guide for Pristine Recordings

Introduction

In the pantheon of microphones, the Shure SM58 has etched its name in bold relief, a stalwart amidst fleeting trends in audio recording. This exposition will journey through the corridors of its reputation, unraveling the threads that stitch the SM58 so tightly to the quilt of vocal excellence.

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Key Answers and Takeaways

Layered Vocal Tracks:

• The SM58’s cardioid pattern ensures vocal layers are cleanly isolated.
• Utilizing proximity effect or distance from the mic helps define the character of each layer.

Precision EQ Adjustments:

• The SM58’s midrange presence lays a natural foundation, often requiring minimal EQ.
• EQ alterations with an SM58 are typically subtle, serving to enhance rather than overhaul.

Judicious Application of Effects:

• Its ability to capture clean vocals makes the SM58 a solid base for adding effects.
• Effects should be layered on sparingly to complement the vocal’s natural sound.

Overall, the SM58 serves as a steadfast ally in the pursuit of professional vocal recording, from the crafting of layered harmonies to the subtle nuances of equalization and the careful infusion of sonic effects. With this microphone, the artisan’s hand is free to sculpt a vocal performance into its most compelling form.

Why the SM58?

At the nucleus of the Shure SM58’s allure are characteristics that elevate it beyond the commonplace. With a unidirectional (cardioid) pickup pattern, it shines a spotlight on the intended source—your voice—while side-stepping the ambient noise that could muddy the waters of clarity. Its built-in spherical filter curbs wind and breath noise, making it a sentinel against the unforeseen gusts of live performances or the breathy advances of a passionate vocalist.

Pros:

• The rugged construction of the SM58 lends itself to a form of immortality on the road. The microphone’s casing and mesh grille are not merely constructed but forged, able to withstand the knocks and falls that accompany life on the stage.
• Consistency is another hallmark of the SM58. Whether you’re cradling it in a home studio or weaving through a packed venue, the audio output remains steadfast—a trait highly prized in the unpredictable world of performance.
• A contoured frequency response tailored for vocals means that the SM58 naturally flatters the voice, with a brightened midrange and a bass roll-off that counters the proximity effect—when a sound source is close to the microphone, bass frequencies are exaggerated, a phenomenon the SM58 is engineered to tame.

Cons:

• However, its tailored frequency response, while generally an asset, can also be a limitation. The very shaping that endears the SM58 to vocalists can make it less suitable for capturing the naturalistic sound of other instruments, particularly those with significant high or low-end detail.
• The SM58 is also traditionally a wired microphone, which, while reducing the risk of interference, can limit mobility for performers who find themselves confined by the length of the cable, longing for the freedom of a wireless system.
• Finally, in a studio environment where every nuance is scrutinized, some might find the SM58’s sound lacks the refinement and detail of higher-end studio microphones, which can offer a broader frequency range and more nuanced sound capture.

In the grand scheme, these drawbacks are but minor shadows on the SM58’s luster, and for many, they are not dealbreakers but simple considerations to navigate. The microphone’s virtues—the warmth it brings to vocals, the camaraderie it offers to those braving the road, the simplicity it presents to those embarking on the voyage of sound—hold the scales heavy in its favor.

Setting Up Your Shure SM58 for Success Recording Vocal’s 

Laying the foundation for vocal virtuosity starts with proper assembly of your tools. The SM58 offers a canvas, but it is the correct positioning—distance from lips, angle of entry, elevation from the floor—that transforms a humble setup into a sanctum of sound. The ambiance of one’s surroundings, the gentle treatment of reverberation and echo, plays a duet with placement, together molding the resulting timbre.

Positioning your SM58 isn’t a mere step; it’s an art. Distance from the lips, for instance, plays a critical role. A rule of thumb is to keep the microphone about a fist’s width away from the mouth. This proximity helps avoid capturing too much of the room ambiance while preserving the nuanced tones of the voice. However, for those singers whose performances are full of vigor, backing off slightly can mitigate the risk of clipping and take full advantage of the microphone’s cardioid pattern to reduce unwanted background noise.

The angle of entry, or the tilt of the microphone towards the mouth, is equally vital. Singers should angle the microphone slightly off-axis to their mouth, which can help reduce plosives—those pesky bursts of air that produce a ‘pop’ on certain sounds like “p” and “b”. It also allows for a more comfortable head position and breathing technique, which are crucial for a natural and dynamic performance.

Lastly, elevation from the floor matters more than one might guess. Depending on the acoustics of your space, a microphone too low can catch an excess of reflective sounds, while one too high might miss some of the body and warmth that comes from closer, more grounded positions. The optimal height is usually aligned with the mouth of the performer, ensuring the sound waves travel directly into the microphone for the clearest capture.

Adjusting these elements of the SM58’s placement isn’t just about the technical capture of sound—it’s about coaxing the room and the microphone to cradle the voice just so, ensuring that when the mix comes together, the vocals sit perfectly within it. The vocal takes its rightful place at the forefront, clear, present, and compelling, balanced exquisitely with the rest of the instruments.

Optimizing Shure SM58 Settings for Various Vocal Types

Adaptability reigns supreme. For each timber and pitch, from the quivering tenderness of an intimate ballad to the raucous release of pent-up emotion, the SM58 adjusts and accommodates. Manipulating distance, exploiting the proximity effect, and understanding the intricacies of sound pressure levels, the SM58 is a chameleon to the voice’s demands.

Every voice demands its stage, its own unique set of conditions under which it can perform most magnificently. The Shure SM58 offers a canvas on which the savvy soundsmith can paint with broad or refined strokes to bring forth a vocal masterpiece.

Manipulating distance is a dance with sound. Moving closer to the SM58 enhances the low-frequency response, lending warmth and fullness to a voice. This proximity effect can be a boon for a thin or reedy voice, providing it with a more substantial presence. Conversely, by stepping back, the bass response is less pronounced, which can clarify a voice that’s naturally rich or muddled.

Exploiting the proximity effect requires an intimate understanding of one’s own instrument—the voice. For a vocalist with a robust low end, a little distance helps. But one must also consider the genre and the desired effect. The cozy intimacy of a jazz crooner differs from the brash boldness of a rock frontman. Singing closer to the SM58 will increase the bass, potentially advantageous for a singer with a higher pitch or a more delicate timbre.

Understanding the intricacies of sound pressure levels (SPL) is about acknowledging the power of your voice and its potential to overwhelm. The SM58 is resilient, capable of handling high SPL without distortion. Yet, for the loudest of belters, keeping that slight distance can prevent the microphone from capturing an overly aggressive signal. It’s a balancing act—too close and the sound might distort, too far and the voice may be lost amidst a sea of ambient sound.

To adjust and configure each aspect:

• Start with the microphone at a neutral position, aligned with your mouth, about two to three inches away.
• Sing and observe. If the voice needs more body, inch closer to the microphone, allowing the proximity effect to embellish the sound.
• If the mix calls for a crisper, more articulated vocal, introduce more space between you and the SM58, always mindful of the room’s reverberations.
• For those blessed with powerful pipes, mindful of the SPL, position the microphone so that it captures the dynamism without caving to distortion.

By taking command of these elements, a vocalist can sculpt the raw material of their voice into an audio form tailored to the needs of the mix, ensuring that the final product resonates with the intended emotional and sonic impact.

Achieving Studio Quality Sound on a Budget

The pursuit of auditory perfection need not be a quest of lavish expenditure. The SM58, modestly priced, steps into the arena with titans, its price tag belied by its performance. In comparison, its virtues are amplified—a testament to sensible investment without a compromise of quality.

Common Recording Challenges and Solutions

Even in the hands of a virtuoso, the SM58 may encounter the specters of recording—unwanted noise, sibilance that pierces, plosives that pop. Yet with each, there exists a strategy of mitigation, a path carved through trial, error, and the wisdom achieved by audio alchemists of the past.

Tackling Recording Hurdles with the SM58

The SM58, a trusted steed in the vocal arsenal, is not immune to the trials of recording—unwanted noise, sibilance, and plosives—but equipped with knowledge, one can navigate these challenges deftly.

Combatting Unwanted Noise: Whether it’s the hum of an appliance, the murmur of a crowd, or the rustle of a hand on the mic, unwanted noise is the bane of clarity.

• Strategies for Mitigation: With an SM58, utilize its cardioid pickup pattern by orienting it away from noise sources. A shock mount can serve as a buffer against handling noise. For ambient sounds, isolating the recording space or using baffles can work wonders. When electrical hum intrudes, inspect the grounding of equipment and cables.

Sibilance That Pierces: Excessive ‘s’ and ‘sh’ sounds can cut through a mix with an unwanted sharpness.

• Strategies for Mitigation: Position the SM58 slightly off-axis to your mouth to naturally lessen sibilance. A pop filter is also effective, capturing those harsh sibilant sounds before they reach the mic diaphragm. In post-production, employ a de-esser, a tool designed specifically to soften these frequencies without dulling the rest of the vocal performance.

Plosives That Pop: The pesky bursts from ‘p’, ‘b’, and ‘t’ sounds can cause the diaphragm of an SM58 to overreact and create a low-frequency pop.

• Strategies for Mitigation: A steadfast pop filter stands as the first line of defense, dispersing the air from these explosive consonants. Also, angling the SM58 away from the direct air blast, yet still capturing the voice, can mitigate the impact. In the absence of a filter, a simple workaround is to place the mic at a 45-degree angle and sing over the top of it, so the air isn’t hitting the mic diaphragm directly.

Approach these common recording challenges with the SM58, and through strategic techniques, they become less daunting. The goal is a vocal track that’s as clear and clean as the conviction behind the voice it’s capturing—a track that stands proudly in the mix, bearing no scars from the recording battlefields.

Advanced Techniques for Crafting Professional Vocal Recordings with the SM58

Delve deeper and the SM58 reveals its arcane aspects. With the right incantations—layered vocal tracks, precision EQ adjustments, judicious application of effects—the SM58 can elevate the commonplace to the realm of enchantment, breathing life into the lifeless, adding color to the monochrome of raw audio.

The SM58, while often synonymous with rugged live performance, can be a formidable tool in the studio, particularly when one ventures into the world of layered vocal tracks, precision EQ adjustments, and the judicious application of effects.

Layered Vocal Tracks: Layering vocals imbues a track with depth and complexity, turning a solo voice into a choral symphony.

• Impact of the SM58: Its consistent cardioid pattern keeps each layer focused and isolated. By exploiting the mic’s proximity effect for warmth or stepping back for clarity, one can differentiate the layers, ensuring each has its own space and character in the mix.

Precision EQ Adjustments: Tailoring the frequency spectrum of a vocal track is both art and science, aimed at carving out the perfect niche for a voice within a song.

• Using the SM58: With its natural midrange presence, the SM58 provides a solid foundation for EQ work. It may require a gentle boost in the highs for airiness or a cut in the mids to reduce mud, but these adjustments are about refinement, not repair. The SM58 often demands less EQ than other mics, allowing the natural voice to shine through with fewer modifications.

Judicious Application of Effects: Effects can transport vocals from the earthly to the ethereal but must be applied with a light and informed touch.

• The Role of the SM58: Its inherent ability to capture vocals with presence and without excess noise makes the SM58 an excellent starting point for effect application. Whether adding reverb for space, delay for depth, or modulation for texture, these effects are applied to a clean and clear signal, ensuring that the vocal quality doesn’t degrade under the weight of processing.

The SM58 can be the craftsman’s chisel, rendering layers, EQ, and effects with precision. It’s about more than just the tool; it’s about the wielder’s vision and how deftly they can use the SM58’s steadfast reliability and sonic characteristics to bring that vision into the realm of audible reality.

The SM58 in Action: Real-world Applications

Music history are adorned with tales of the SM58 in battle, weapon of choice for luminaries whose voices have defined epochs. Its capacity to authentically translate artistic intention into audible form has rendered it an invisible, yet indispensable comrade in creative endeavors.

Comparing Shure Microphones

In the lineage of Shure microphones, each model offers a different slant on capturing sound.

SM58 vs. Beta 58A: The Beta 58A, at roughly 159, boasts a supercardioid pattern and higher output, offering more detailed sound with tighter directionality than the 99 SM58.

SM58 vs. SM57: The SM57, typically the same price as the SM58, is revered for instruments, with a presence boost suitable for capturing the attack of percussion and strings rather than the nuanced vocals the SM58 caters to.

SM58 vs. SM7B: The studio-favorite SM7B, priced at around $399, offers a flatter, wider frequency response, perfect for capturing smooth and clear vocals.

SM58 vs. PG58: The more budget-friendly PG58, at around $59, provides an introductory level option but with less audio fidelity compared to its more robust relative, the SM58.

SM58 vs. SM48: For those with tight purse strings, the SM48 sits at about $39.99, serving as an entry-level mic but with a noticeable step down in both build and audio quality.

SM58 vs. SM58S: The SM58S is the SM58 with an on/off switch, offering identical sound and build quality for a negligible price increase of about $10.

SM58 vs. SM58LC: The “LC” simply indicates the SM58 comes without a cable, typically at no price difference.

SM58 vs. SM86: The condenser-based SM86, priced at approximately $179, delivers a cleaner and more detailed sound, ideal for a studio-like capture on live stages.

Shure Microphones Comparison Table

Microphone	Pattern	Price	Best For
SM58	Cardioid	$99	Live vocals, general use
Beta 58A	Supercardioid	$159	Live vocals with higher clarity
SM57	Cardioid	$99	Instruments, snare, guitar amps
SM7B	Cardioid	$399	Studio vocals, broadcasting
PG58	Cardioid	$59	Beginners, budget-conscious
SM48	Cardioid	$39.99	Beginners, budget-conscious
SM58S	Cardioid	$109	Live vocals with mute switch
SM58LC	Cardioid	$99	Live vocals, without cable
SM86	Cardioid	$179	Detailed vocal capture, live

Comparing Non-Shure Microphones

SM58 vs. AT2020: The Audio-Technica AT2020 is a studio condenser microphone known for its detailed capture and wide frequency response. At around $99, it is a go-to for home studio vocal recording, though less rugged for live use.

SM58 vs. e835: Sennheiser’s e835, similar in price to the SM58, is a dynamic mic that competes with clearer highs and better feedback rejection thanks to its supercardioid pattern.

SM58 vs. SE V7: Priced comparably to the SM58, the SE Electronics V7 dynamic mic delivers a crisper high-end and excellent off-axis rejection, great for both live and studio settings.

Non-Shure Microphones Comparison Table

Microphone	Pattern	Price	Best For
SM58	Cardioid	$99	Live vocals, general use
AT2020	Cardioid	$99	Studio vocals, detailed capture
e835	Supercardioid	$99	Live vocals, clear highs
SE V7	Supercardioid	$99	Live and studio, crisp highs

Each microphone has its arena where it shines brightest. The choice hinges on the intersection of use-case, environment, personal preference, and the inherent sonic signature you seek to explore and express.

FAQ Section On Using The SM58 for Recording Vocals

Q1: Can I use an SM58 for recording vocals?

• Yes, the SM58 is widely used for recording vocals due to its durability, sound quality, and ability to handle high sound pressure levels. It’s a favorite among musicians for both live performances and studio recordings.

Q2: Are SM57 and SM58 the same when it comes to recording vocals?

• While both microphones are from Shure and have similar durability and design, the SM58 is specifically tailored for vocal use with its built-in spherical wind and pop filter. The SM57 is more commonly used for instrument miking, but both can be used interchangeably in various settings depending on the desired sound.

Q3: Can you use an SM58 for instruments?

• Absolutely. Although the SM58 is designed with vocals in mind, its versatility allows it to be effectively used for miking instruments as well, especially in live settings.

Q4: What are SM58s good for?

• The SM58 is renowned for its reliability, sound quality, and versatility. It’s ideal for vocal recordings, live performances, podcasting, and even miking instruments. Its robust design can withstand rough handling, making it a go-to choice for touring bands and recording studios alike.

Q5: How does the SM58 compare to other microphones for recording vocals?

• The SM58 stands out for its affordability, durability, and consistent performance. It delivers clear, warm vocal tones with minimal background noise. While there are higher-end microphones with various features, the SM58 provides exceptional value and is a staple in the music industry.

Q6: Are there any tips for recording vocals on an SM58?

• Yes, a few key tips include:
  • Use a pop filter to reduce plosives.
  • Experiment with microphone positioning to find the best sound.
  • Consider the room’s acoustics, as they can significantly affect the recording quality.
  • Adjust EQ settings during mixing to enhance the vocal track.

Q7: What are the best settings to use on the SM58 for clear vocal recordings?

• The SM58 is a dynamic microphone, so it doesn’t have built-in settings. However, for clear vocal recordings, ensure you have proper gain levels on your audio interface or mixer, use a pop filter, and position the microphone correctly to capture the best sound.

Q8: Can we delete SM58 entries?

• This question seems to be more about data management than microphone use. If you’re asking about removing SM58 recordings, it would depend on the software or recording platform you’re using.

Q9: What makes the SM58 a reliable microphone for vocals?

• Its cardioid pickup pattern minimizes background noise, while the built-in wind and pop filter reduces unwanted sounds. The rugged construction ensures it can survive drops and rough treatment, maintaining its performance over time.

Q10: Will a Shure SM58 sound better on vocals than other microphones?

• “Better” is subjective and depends on personal preference, the type of vocals, and the context of the recording. The SM58 is praised for its warm, clear vocal reproduction, making it a beloved choice for many. However, the best microphone for you might depend on specific needs and the sound you’re aiming for.

Conclusion

Our exploration of the SM58 concludes, yet it stands ready to embark anew on countless sonic odysseys. Its utility and resilience echo the human condition—expressive, tenacious, dynamic. It beckons to the vocalist, the artist, the orator, to partake in the time-honored tradition of communication through sound.

Call to Action

Take up the SM58, test its mettle against your vocal aspirations, and partake in the grand chorus of its proponents. Share your experiences, dispense your wisdom, and should you seek companionship or counsel, know that a fellowship of SM58 aficionados awaits, bound by a common reverence for this vessel of vocal veracity.

In this short but robust guide, the essence of the Shure SM58 has been laid bare—a tool not merely of utility, but of potentiality. It is a conduit for the voice seeking clarity, a steadfast ally in the crusade for purity of sound. In your hands lies not just a microphone, but a legacy.