Shure
SM58
Best reliable vocal microphone for live performers and touring musicians.
The Shure SM58 is a legendary dynamic vocal microphone renowned for its durability and exceptional sound quality. It features a frequency response tailored for vocals, with a brightened midrange and bass rolloff, ensuring clarity and presence. Its uniform cardioid pickup pattern effectively isolates the main sound source while minimizing background noise. The integrated pneumatic shock-mount system reduces handling noise, and the spherical wind and pop filter screens out unwanted air and plosives. Built to withstand rigorous use, the SM58 is the industry standard for live performances, studio recordings, and broadcast applications.
$98.00
Owner Satisfaction
4.9
/ 5
Category Rank
2
/ 1735
#2 in Microphones
Price vs Category Average
-81%
Below average
Transducer Type
Dynamic
/ Dynamic
Who it's for
- Touring musicians needing gear that survives constant travel and abuse
- Live vocalists wanting clear, warm sound in busy stage mixes
- Budget-conscious performers seeking professional-grade reliability at an accessible price
Who should skip it
- Studio recordists using quiet interfaces without high-gain preamp capabilities
- Producers requiring crisp, airy high-end detail for nuanced vocal tracks
- Active performers who move the microphone frequently during live sets
Performance breakdown
Durability
Virtually indestructible construction survives the toughest touring environments and accidental drops.
Vocal Clarity
Tailored frequency response cuts through dense mixes with professional-grade presence.
Noise Rejection
Cardioid pattern effectively isolates vocals while ignoring unwanted stage bleed.
Handling Noise
Pneumatic shock-mount system keeps rumble and vibrations out of your signal.
Plosive Control
Integrated spherical filter handles breath blasts without needing external pop screens.
Versatility
The gold standard for everything from live stages to home studios.
Key Specs
Transducer Type
Dynamic
Polar Pattern
Cardioid
Frequency Range
50 Hz - 15 kHz
Sensitivity
-54.50 dBV/Pa
Impedance
300 Ω
Connectivity
XLR
Material
Metal
Accessory Type
Microphone Stand
Features
- Frequency response tailored for vocals with brightened midrange and bass rolloff
- Uniform cardioid pickup pattern isolates the main sound source and minimizes background noise
- Pneumatic shock-mount system reduces handling noise
- Effective, built-in spherical wind and pop filter
- Legendary Shure quality, ruggedness, and reliability
- Consistent sound reproduction
- Iconic design trusted by professionals
What customers say
The Shure SM58 remains an industry standard, primarily celebrated for its exceptional durability and consistent reliability. Customers frequently describe it as 'the tank,' citing its ability to withstand demanding use, which builds immense confidence in its longevity. Sonically, users praise its clear, warm vocal reproduction, noting that its tailored frequency response is ideal for cutting through a live mix without harshness. The integrated pop filter effectively manages plosives. While versatile, its core strength lies in dependable live vocal performance. Considering its robust build quality and consistent results, the SM58 offers outstanding value, solidifying its status as a universally adored workhorse microphone.
Know before you buy
While it is a staple in professional recording studios, the SM58 is primarily designed for live performance. Its rugged construction and built-in pop filter make it exceptionally reliable for stage use where durability and noise rejection are critical.
No, the SM58 is a dynamic microphone and does not require phantom power. You can plug it directly into any standard XLR input on a mixer, interface, or PA system.
The cardioid pattern is directional, meaning it captures sound primarily from the front while rejecting noise from the sides and rear. This makes it ideal for isolating your voice in loud environments, though you should keep your mouth close to the grille for the best clarity.
The SM58 features an integrated spherical wind and pop filter that is very effective at taming plosives. For most vocal applications, you will not need an additional external filter, though one can be used if you prefer extra protection.
Yes, although it is voiced specifically for vocals, the SM58 is a versatile dynamic mic that is frequently used on guitar cabinets, snare drums, and brass instruments due to its ability to handle high sound pressure levels.
The SM58 uses a standard 3-pin XLR connection. You will need a balanced XLR-to-XLR microphone cable to connect it to your audio interface or mixing console.
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$98