Shure SM vs. Beta Series: SM-57, SM-58, Beta 57A, Beta 58A - Beta Series worth the money?

A comparison and listening test between two prominent microphone series by Shure: the SM series and the Beta series.
Focusing on the SM58, SM57, Beta 57A, and Beta 58A models.

Whether you are an audio enthusiast or a professional, this video aims to help you make an informed decision by elucidating the nuanced distinctions between these Shure microphone models.

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Vocal Pop Filters for the SM57:

(Most effective - largest)
Shure A81WS Gray Large Foam Windscreen for SM81/57

(Shure recommended)
Shure A2WS Standard Shure Pop Filter for SM57

(Budget)
SM57 Windscreen Pop Filter Cover (3-pack)

Stedman Proscreen XL Pop Filter

[thesocialartsclub]

I was looking for this comparison. Great video.

[alekp]

I bought Beta 57A for micing the guitar amp, sounds very different EQ wise than 57 ofcourse, they both work great on amp, 57 sounds more shrill but thats great with multimics in combo, but i preferred Beta on recording vocals ( with some EQ added on, punk-rock singer). I preferred it over Super 55 t( and Warm condenser mic)...i bought two, one turns out to be fake, and sounds as good as original that i have /weird! Thanks for the video Barry !

[TheSingingDoctor]

I liked the sound of the 57 vs 57beta - sounded more balanced to my ears. Another thing to consider is singing technique. I host an open mic and have found that the 58beta can be tough for novices because they talk to the side of the mic and then people complain they can't hear them and then it's too loud when they start singing directly into the mic.

[MrPaolo]

Thanks for taking the time to make this!.

[marcs]

I think, on shures wsbsite they say one of the differences between the beta series and regular 57s and 58s is they now use a neodymium magnet which provides a stronger magnetic field, hence slightly more output. A little hotter... love your videos! You really know your shit!

[pnesap]

Holy smokes that Neumann U-87 is rich. The Beatles used Neumanns & I suppose many did. Nice comparison of the Shures. I think Bono used a SM-57. I used to gig with an Electro-Voice N/D767, really nice mic. I didn't require an amp mic, small clubs mostly. I recorded at home with a Chinese MXL condenser, surprisingly good.

[martianrays]

Very good explanation and demonstration of the mics. "It looks just like a Telefunken U 47... You'll love it."- Frank Zappa Your pirate radio station vid was also good. I'll know not to answer the door if the men in black knock. Liked and subbed.

[markallen]

I turned to the Betas because they have 2X the output (3db more). That made a huge difference when I needed a boost over the drummer and guitar amps. I've never found Directionality to be a problem.

[Flppers]

I've been telling people to get the beta 57 instead of the standard since the early 2000s. I like Shure's high end condensers far better tbh.

[BattleAxeRX]

Very nice! I would have liked to have heard the beta 58a

[soundgineering]

Hi Barry. Another great video on microphones.
As you mentioned, fighting with feedback comes as a “bonus” with almost all microphones unless you are not changing the levels, environment, and equipment that you have fine-tuned with them.

This is my impression, and I may be wrong, but it may be harder to deal with feedback on a super-cardioid microphone than a cardioid mic.

What was that which you mentioned in the video that, upon switching the SM57 with a Beta 57A, kicked in and removed the feedback? The pop filter on Beta 57A?

Also, please advise how to make sure that the mic you buy is a genuine Shure mic and not a knockoff? I see that several sellers are selling SM57 for a fraction of the price of a genuine SM57. How can we avoid the fraudulent ones? Thank you.

[JROCKNROLL_]

So if you buy the Beta 57A by mistake and you actually wanted to get Beta 58A, its not really a huge difference or mistake?
I know a vocalist I bought maybe teh 57A for, but he seems to continue to use the SM-58 now... So I wonder why he wanted a BETA instead of a new SM. Or maybe he thinks the 57A is too different from the 58A? I don't dare to ask him myself.