Shure
Shure SM57
Best professional choice for capturing loud instruments in any environment.
The Shure SM57 is a globally recognized professional instrument microphone, celebrated for its consistent natural sound quality. This dynamic microphone is a staple in both studio and live settings, featuring a wide frequency response ideal for close-miking instruments. Its legendary, bulletproof design ensures exceptional durability for constant travel and demanding use. The SM57 utilizes a tight cardioid polar pattern for superior sound isolation, making it a reliable choice for any audio professional.
$98.00
Owner Satisfaction
4.9
/ 5
Category Rank
2
/ 1735
#2 in Microphones
Price vs Category Average
-81%
Below average
Microphone Type
Dynamic
/ Dynamic
Who it's for
- Touring musicians needing gear that survives the road
- Studio engineers seeking a reliable, classic instrument sound
- Drummers and guitarists recording high-volume, aggressive sources
Who should skip it
- Home recordists using budget interfaces with noisy preamps
- Vocalists requiring crisp, airy high-end detail
- Engineers wanting a flat, uncolored sound without extra EQ
Performance breakdown
Build durability
Legendary construction that survives decades of heavy touring and studio abuse.
Sound isolation
Tight cardioid pattern effectively rejects unwanted background noise in loud environments.
SPL handling
Handles extreme volume levels without distortion when miking loud guitar amps.
Versatility
A reliable workhorse that captures everything from snare drums to vocals.
Frequency response
Natural, balanced capture that sits perfectly in any professional mix.
Ease of placement
Compact form factor allows for precise positioning in tight, crowded spaces.
Key Specs
Microphone Type
Dynamic
Frequency Response
40Hz - 15,000Hz
Polar Pattern
Cardioid
Output Impedance
150 ohms
Sensitivity
-56.0 dBV/Pa
Connector
XLR
Weight
284g
Max SPL
150 dB
Features
- Industry-standard for instrument miking
- Delivers clean, natural sound reproduction
- Extremely durable, road-ready design
- Tight cardioid pattern for excellent isolation
- Reliable performance in any environment
- Ideal for high-SPL sources
- Virtually indestructible build quality
What customers say
The Shure SM57 remains an industry standard, celebrated primarily for its legendary durability and rugged build quality. Users trust this microphone implicitly for consistent reliability across demanding studio and live settings. Its sound profile is highly valued for delivering a focused, punchy mid-range, making it the preferred choice for capturing high volume sources like snare drums and guitar cabinets. Reviewers consistently emphasize its exceptional versatility and longevity. This microphone is widely regarded as an unparalleled investment, offering enduring performance and steadfast dependability that audio professionals rely on year after year.
Know before you buy
While it is the industry standard for miking instruments like snare drums and guitar cabinets, it is also a capable vocal microphone. Many professional studios use it for aggressive or rock-style vocals where a punchy, present sound is desired.
Yes, the SM57 is designed to handle high sound pressure levels up to 150 dB. It is specifically engineered to capture loud sources without distorting, making it ideal for close-miking guitar amps and percussion.
No, the SM57 is a dynamic microphone and does not require phantom power to operate. You can plug it directly into any standard XLR interface or mixer input.
The tight cardioid pattern focuses on sound directly in front of the microphone while rejecting noise from the sides and rear. This makes it excellent for isolating a specific instrument in a busy studio or a loud live stage environment.
Absolutely. It is famous for its 'bulletproof' construction, featuring a die-cast steel body and a rugged polycarbonate grille. It is built to withstand the physical demands of constant travel and heavy stage use.
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$98