Question: "I have an SM58 and I use the old cord from my cheaper mic, that had an XLR female connector going into the mic and a 1/4" plug on the other end. (The old mic had 3 prongs from its end like the SM58, and this is the cord that came with it.) I plug the SM58 into an old 8 channel mixer (that has no XLR jacks)then use a guitar cord out of the mixer into my Ultimate Chorus amp (guitar input). This seems to work fine, fader on mixer about 4, like the cheaper mic, sounds great, I run 1 guitar and another mic threw this mixer also. The store I bought the Shure mic from said I need the transformer plug on end of the XLR cord to "step up" the impedance or it won't work, but I have no problem and I didn't need the transformer... am I burning out my SM58?? Why is this set up working without the transfomer? Please advise."
Answer: If the microphone is working fine, you don't need a transformer. A transformer would be required if you want to step up the output voltage of the microphone. This would be required if you connected the SM58 into a high impedance input like a guitar amplifier.
Your mixer has enough gain that the input level of the SM58 without a transformer is fine. There is no danger to the SM58.
Question: "I am about to buy an SM58, but I need a good recommendation of what to plug it into. Would a regular electric guitar amp work, or would I need a different kind of amp? If so, what would you recommend?
Also, I have one other question. What advantages does the Beta 58A have over the SM58?"
Answer: You would not be able to plug the SM58 directly into the normal input of a guitar amplifier, unless you added a Shure A95UF or A85F transformer to the end of the mic cable. This transforms the SM58 low impedance, balanced signal into a high impedance, unbalanced signal similar to a guitar signal.
Our best suggestion, however, it to get a piece of equipment that has an XLR microphone input will work perfectly fine with the SM58. The connector on the SM58 is called an XLR.
The Beta 58A has a supercardioid pattern, the SM58 has a cardioid pattern. The Beta 58A has a hardened grill, the SM58 does not. The Beta 58A has a neodymium magnet for a little hotter output. The Beta 58A has a better internal shock mount. The Beta 58A has a little bit more extended high frequency response. The microphone are two different tools. Some people prefer the SM58, some people prefer the Beta 58A. It's all personal preference as to what sound you like.
Question: "This may sound like a stupid question, but do all SM58's sound the same?
I just bought one and tried it out during practice with my band. I also tried a much older, beaten up and rusted SM58, and I could swear the older one sounded sweeter! Several of my band members can attest to this fact.
Do I need to "break in" my mic? Should I have it checked?"
Answer: Let me answer a question with a question: Do all Fender Telecasters sound the same? Do all cymbals sound the same? Do all Fender Twins sound the same?
All products change over the years: some for the better, some for the worse. Materials change and age. The fundamental design of the SM58 has changed little since 1966, but manufacturing processes have changed, glues have changed, plastics have changed.
Can an older SM58 sound better than a newer one? Yes. But the reverse is also true.
A new SM58 does not need to be "broken in". But its "sound" may change over time.
If you think your new SM58 is defective, call Shure Service to inquire about having it examined: 800-516-2525.
Question: "I have an 8 channel mixer which sends phantom power to all mic inputs when the phantom is activated. I would like to run a Shure SM81 and a Shure SM58 through this mixer in a live performance situation. My question is, if I enable the phantom power on the mixer for the SM81, will it affect the operation of the SM58?"
Answer: No. Any Shure dynamic microphone with a low impedance balanced output, like the SM58, is not affected by phantom power.
Phantom Power will not damage a professional dynamic microphone.
Question: "What are the real reasons an SM58 should be used for vocals, and an SM57 be used for instruments? Of course, everybody seems to use these mics as mentioned. No one has given me a convincing reason for this, other than 'That's just what you do- everyone does it this way'. Please ease my anxious mind!"
Answer: It is true the SM57 and SM58 microphones are based on the same cartridge design. The main difference between them is in the grille design. The SM58 was designed for vocal application and it uses a separate grille with a very effective pop filter. The SM57 was designed as an instrument microphone where smaller grille size is preferred. In this application the pop and wind are not usually a concern. The SM57 uses an integral resonator/grille assembly, where grille is actually a part of the cartridge. These two grille designs place the diaphragm of the microphones in a different acoustical environment. First of all, the distance from the top of the grille to the diaphragm is significantly shorter on the SM57 compared to that of the SM58. This allows for closer sound pickup with even more pronounced proximity effect. Secondly, a different resonator/grille assembly design of the SM57 is responsible for its slightly higher output above 5 kHz.
