Shure 58 Series Microphones

This is the obvious choice mic choice for many working and aspiring musicians all across the world. The Shure 58 series of microphones offer some of the best sound for value on the market, and have become an industry standard with years of proven ability and durability. I debated on whether or not I should place this review as separate ones for each mic individually or as a series, and I have decided to take the series route. I did this because they all have their place in the gig bag, and I feel should be looked at as a natural progression in equipment quality for the gigging, budget minded musician or sound/audio extraordinaire.

PG58:

The first entry in the 58 series is the PG58. This budget vocal mic is great for the starting out vocalist, and is a very handy backup mic in larger gig scenarios. Also works well for doing small voice over work with a panty hose pop screen (beats buying one for $20-$40).

The mic can get a fairly nice sound out of the budget p.a. system, which typically will include a powered speaker of some kind and an acoustic guitar at the local watering hole. It may not be the warmest and clearest mic around, but for the money will satisfy most small gig needs. If a small budget is what you are working with, this mic may be what you are looking for.

I have found myself on a few occasions needing one more mic, wishing I had an extra SM58 for a vocal or a 57 for an instrument. In those scenarios, I have found a PG58 to be a great performer when used as a last mic available, and have never had it stand out as sore thumb in the mix.

If you need a good starting out mic or a great backup mic in a pinch, a PG58 can work just fine.

SM58:

This is the bar. The industry standard by which, unless you have a full professional studio, you will judge all mics above it and below it from. This is a very versatile mic, used at one time or another to mic just about anything you can mic. The SM58 has a clear and warm sound, and most working musicians will have multiple SM58’s for whatever they may choose to mic.

I don’t think I have ever seen this mic for under $99 regular price. I don’t know if it’s ever been different, but so far it seems to be the best $99 a working musician can spend. The majority of mixes I typically work with involve at least 3 of these if not more, and they are very easy to mix with just about any type of equipment. It’s hard to argue with the industry standard, and if you are trying to book a few more gigs than the bi-yearly event, get an SM58 to bring along with you.

Beta58:

Once you have worked a while with an SM58, you will start to notice things about it you wish you a little more of. A little more warmth, a little more head room, a cleaner sound. Enter the Beta58.

This mic is the top of the line 58, and usually goes for about $160. This is the mic to get if you are a lead vocalist or your group wants the lead vocalist to sound as good as he can within the budget. Sure, you can spend more and get a higher end mic and get a little crisper and better sound, but you would really want to take that to a bar? I have used a beta 58 in everything from a crowded bar, a fancy ball room, and a huge rainstorm. This mic withstood it all, and still provides as good of a vocal sound as the day it was purchased.

I find this mic very useful in amplifier settings too. It’s clarity and threshold work well for getting that guitar clean through the mix if you run out of instrument mics, and spoken voice sounds great as well. In my experiences with bass singers, it can also work well if you do not have a condenser available for those powerful low notes.

Wrap Up:

When using any mic out of the Shure 58 series, it’s easy to tell why they set the industry standard. They perform time and time again, with the best price/performance ratio on any mics I have found so far. Some people prefer alternatives from Sennheiser, Audio Technica, or other manufacturers in this price range, but to me, the ability of the core design to last around 40 years proves to me they are worth serious consideration for any musicians gig bag.