Shure
Shure SM57
Cardioid dynamic for instruments (snare, guitar cabinets) and vocals
Power None: a dynamic mic needs no power. Low output: it needs a lot of preamp gain.
- Type
- Dynamic
- Pattern
- Cardioid
- Sensitivity
- −56 dBV/Pa
- Among 78 dynamics: more output than 27%
- Among 311 mics: more output than 10%
- Rated range
- 40 – 15k Hz
- Released
- 1965
vs 44 end-address dynamics
More output than 33% of 44 end-address dynamics.
Each stripe is one end-address dynamic with a published sensitivity, and each bar counts them; further right means more output. This mic is in blue.
Instruments sources recommend it for most
5 of 43; all under Recommended for.
Proximity effect: the bass it gains up close
From the spec sheet, p. 5.
Titled "Frequency Response"; relative dB. Distance, anechoic or not, smoothing and typical-vs-individual are not stated.
That unit is from the Multi-Angle, Multi-Distance Microphone Impulse Response Dataset (CC BY 4.0), measured at 1.25 m and set to 0 dB at 1 kHz, from 136 Hz up. Not the manufacturer's curve.
Dashed: outside the rated range, or simulated (other angles and distances). Hover or tap the graphs for values.
Polar pattern
From the spec sheet, p. 5.
Titled "Polar Pattern, Measured at 1000 Hz" (as printed, though it shows six frequencies); two plots, 125 Hz to 1 kHz and 2 to 8 kHz; 0° at the bottom, 5 dB per ring down to -20 dB, centre -25 dB. Measuring conditions not stated.
In practice
All specs
| From the spec sheet | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensitivity | −56 dBV/Pa (1.6 mV/Pa)open circuit voltage, 1 kHz. "-56.0 dBV/Pa (1.6 mV)". | p. 5 |
| Output impedance | 150 ohmrated; 310 ohm actual. "Rated impedance is 150 Ω (310 Ω actual) for connection to microphone inputs rated low impedance". | |
| Rated frequency range | 40 Hz to 15 kHzTolerance not stated. | |
| Connector | XLR-3 male | |
| Weight | 284 g | |
| Dimensions | 157 × 32 mm"157 mm L x 32 mm W". | |
| Finish | Dark grey enamel-painted die-cast steel, polycarbonate grille, stainless steel screen | |
| Supplied accessories | Stand adapter; Zippered pouchSM57-LC; the SM57-LCE adds a 5/8" to 3/8" thread adapter. | |
| Polarity | Positive pressure on the diaphragm gives positive voltage on pin 2 with respect to pin 3 | |
| Models | SM57-LC (stand adapter, zippered pouch); SM57-LCE (adds 5/8" to 3/8" thread adapter, swivel adapter) | |
| Replacement parts | R59 cartridge; RK244G screen and grille assembly | |
| Optional accessories | A2WS locking windscreen, A55M isolation mount, A25D clip, A26M dual mount, C25F 7.6 m cable, S37A/S39A desk stands | |
| From the Recording Hacks page | ||
| Released | 1965 | |
Documents
- SM Wired Microphonesspec sheet for the SM range; SM57 on page 5
- Multi-Angle, Multi-Distance Microphone Impulse Response DatasetJuan Carlos Franco Hernández, Bogdan Bacila, Tim Brookes, Enzo De Sena, University of Surrey
- Shure SM57 | RecordingHacks.com
Copies kept by Mic Archive (manufacturers move and drop their documents). Each is © Shure, unchanged, with its original address.
Recommended for
By recording guides, engineers and mic makers, for this mic or an earlier version of it.
- Acoustic guitar
- Bass guitar
- Bassoon
- Bodhrán and frame drum
- Bongos
- Cajón
- Congas
- Cornemuse
- Cowbell
- Diatonic button accordion
- Didgeridoo
- Djembe
- Electric guitar
- French horn
- Hammond organ and Leslie speaker
- Hand drums
- Harmonica
- Hurdy-gurdy
- Kick drum
- Kora
- Marimba
- Ney
- Oboe
- Oud
- Piano accordion
- Recorder
- Resonator guitar
- Rhodes piano
- Sarod
- Saxophones
- Snare drum
- Steel guitar
- Steelpan
- Tabla
- Tambourine
- Timbales
- Timpani
- Tin whistle
- Toms
- Uilleann pipes
- Ukulele
- Voice
- Wurlitzer electric piano