Mic Archive
Shure SM58
Photo: Shure, from its spec sheet, p. 6.

Shure

Shure SM58

Cardioid dynamic vocal mic with a ball grille and built-in pop filter

Type
Dynamic
Pattern
Cardioid
Sensitivity
−54.5 dBV/Pa
Impedance
150 Ω
Rated range
50 – 15k Hz

Frequency response

Angle
Distance

Frequency response: from the spec sheet, p. 6. Titled "Frequency Response"; relative dB. Distance, anechoic or not, smoothing and typical-vs-individual are not stated.

Independent measurement: also drawn, from the Multi-Angle, Multi-Distance Microphone Impulse Response Dataset (Juan Carlos Franco Hernández, Bogdan Bacila, Tim Brookes, Enzo De Sena, University of Surrey) (CC BY 4.0): one unit, 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

Polar pattern: from the spec sheet, p. 6. 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.

Compare with other mics

All specs

From the spec sheet
Sensitivity−54.5 dBV/Pa (1.85 mV/Pa), open circuit voltage, 1 kHz. "–54.5 dBV/Pa (1.85 mV)".p. 6
Output impedance150 ohm, rated; 300 ohm actual
Rated frequency range50 Hz to 15 kHz. Tolerance not stated.
ConnectorXLR-3 male
Weight330 g, net. The August 2014 edition of the same brochure says 298 g.
Dimensions162 × 51 mm. "162 mm L x 51 mm W".
FinishDark grey enamel-painted die-cast metal; matte silver spherical steel mesh grille
Supplied accessoriesStand adapter; Zippered pouch. SM58-LC.
PolarityPositive pressure on the diaphragm gives positive voltage on pin 2 with respect to pin 3
Pop filterBuilt-in spherical wind and pop filter
ModelsSM58-LC; SM58-CN (with 7.6 m cable); SM58S (with on/off switch)
Replacement partsR59 cartridge (as the SM57); RK143G screen and grille
Optional accessoriesA58WS windscreen, A55M isolation mount, A25D clip, A26M dual mount, C25F 7.6 m cable, S37A/S39A desk stands

Documents

Copies kept by Mic Archive, because manufacturers move and drop their documents. Each is © Shure, unchanged, with its original address.

Product page on shure.comRecording Hacks

Recommended for

Instruments whose sources name this mic, or an earlier version or variant of it.

Other mics