Shure SM57 Dynamic Mic Review / Test

Today I review the microphone used in the white house and on stages around the world, the Shure SM57. This thing sounds great on electric guitar, and sounds great for spoken word once you add a pop filter. It also does an excellent job at background noise rejection.

Buy the Shure SM57

Buy the A81WS

Buy the A2WS

Buy the A55M

Buy the Focusrite 2i2 (3rd Gen)- Same Performance as 18i20 (Affiliate Link)

00:00 - Intro / Price
00:21 - Setup / Disclaimers
00:32 - What’s in the Box
00:50 - Build Quality
01:16 - Specifications
01:30 - Handling Noise
01:39 - Polar Pattern Test
01:47 - Background Noise Test
01:59 - Distance Test
02:11 - Mic Activator Test
02:24 - SM57 vs SM58 vs SM7b
02:50 - Windscreen Tests
03:22 - Music Test
03:55 - Pros & Cons
04:34 - Overall Sound
04:52 - Recommendation
05:15 - Outro

NOTE (FULL DISCLOSURE): If you purchase an item using my amazon link, it provides me a small referral fee. For more info check my FAQ page links below.

Check us out, Follow us, & Like us over at:

[justheathers]

Shurely the best song about Shure microphones 🎤🎶🎵

[sbalneav]

SM57 + A81WS > any other microphone in existence. Seriously, save yourself a ton of cash, just combine the two, and forget about worrying about your sound. No plosives, no background noise, no nothing. Just. Sound.

[stacystacksbeats]

This mic was used to make complete full albums... and those albums are priceless recordings.

[GeekTherapyRadio]

Desert island mic. For sure. If I could only have one mic forever, it's the 57. Not a U87. Not an RE20. Not a $50, 000 vintage tube condenser. Just the 57.

You can make the 57 work on absolutely everything, give or take some post processing.

While it is industry standard for snares, guitar cabs, etc, you can mic the entire session exclusively with 57s and mix an amazing sounding album. Vocals, string instruments, acoustic guitars, everything.

It's not the BEST at any one thing, but it's great on everything.

[EliaForceita]

I bought this microphone 2 days ago with a friend, I'm now waiting for an SSL2+ to be delivered to me this Sunday and I think this makes my best birthday gift so far!
Can't wait to put this microphone to some proper testing!

[artysanmobile]

It’s always surprised me that the SM57 is so vastly more flattering for vocal use than the SM58, which is actually promoted for the purpose. I actually like the 57 both live and in the studio. It suits some singers perfectly.

[steventhefunky]

This guy always steers me clear of purchases I shouldn't make. Thank you man.

[pabloarruda]

I really like how DIRECT you give us the info! this is what we need! great video, all the best!

[bonwana]

Hands down the BEST review of anything. Subscribed in the first minute! Awesome mic too. I've got 2 of them. DOPE!!

[NKWTI]

What an amazing workhorse of a mic. It sounds just as quality as a high-end condenser mic somehow and is just such a classic for a reason. The fact that if you start a small home studio and can get this fucking thing for $100 and optional screw on wind screen for $18 is just unreal. I have mics of all different price ranges under $1000 and this mic is still in my top rating. I always wanted one and just ignored it for some reason because I had some other dream mics I wanted first and figured it'd always be there to buy and will always be cheap to buy, but when you stop and realize what the hell this is...it's just goddamn amazing for vocals, straight up. Love it more than SM58 imo, I also have Shure BG 3.1 stage mic which isn't too shabby as well.

[From_A_Diverging_Timeline]

3 years later and still a good video. Just got mine recently, new to recording but have been playing music for a long time. I can agree the sm57 sounds really good on miking guitar amps. The few test recordings I have taken sound great. I'm running two amps with as wet dry rig. One amp has effects or distortion on it, one amp is clean. Using a couple different mics sounds great. A tip to anyone recording guitar with a lot of effects or distortion record a track of your guitar clean so you can blend in the clean tone. * edit * having a clean tone to blend in can give you a lot of definition back when using lots of distortion or fuzz. Also running two amps while you jam, one effected one clean sounds great for the same reason. You can use an ABY box to split your guitars signal into two outputs.

[viveksangle]

I used to watch u like 5-6 months ago but today when I was seeing the creator on the rise I was surprised to see you there but keep up the good work ur videos have improved alot

[maxboring]

This guy should be the reference for anything being reviewed in a youtube video. Sub

[scottsmith]

What a great Shure mic review... Thanks for taking the time to prepare, organize and record this vid...

Thanks again,
Smitty from Cincinnati
Bluegrass ~BANJO~ picker...

[FrostTech]

one of my fave mics for Shure! Love all Shure mics for its durability....

[LostFart]

I think this is my favorite youtube channel!

[zippy]

I am glad i saw this video as i already own the sm57 and im not sure to get a pop filter or a shock mount. Now i know that i dont need either for the mic to work brilliantly! Thx Podcastage.

[photorooster]

I have one of these that was given to me by a friend, It's old as the hills but still works great. I cheaped out and bought 5 of the pyle look-alikes to use for live-instrument mics and honestly they are not too bad but still not as good as the Shure but when they get misplaced or stolen I don't cry so much. I think a few of these are great for home studios. Great Review, Thank you.

[NWGR]

It does come with a thread adapter. And a sticker. ;-p

The sm57, a55m and a2ws is my mic setup now. I'd only change it for an sm7b. I tried the a81ws, but it muffled my voice too much. The 57 and 58 are my favorite mics.

Thanks for reviewing!

[McOuroborosBurger]

I have this and an AT2035. Both are amazing mics that compliment each other well