Shure SM57 Overview

Shure SM57 Overview

The Shure SM57 is a dynamic, cardioid instrument microphone and one of the most widely used microphones in the world. Introduced in the mid-1960s, it has become a studio and stage standard for close-miking instruments, especially snare drums and guitar amplifiers, where its focused pickup pattern and ability to handle high sound-pressure levels are particularly useful.

The SM57 is famous for its durability and consistency, qualities that have made it a fixture of touring rigs and recording sessions for decades. It shares its core cartridge with the closely related SM58 vocal microphone, differing mainly in grille design, and it has even served for years as the microphone at the lectern for United States presidential addresses, a testament to its reliability and reputation.