Off and on for 30 years I played bass fiddle through one of these. Used to wrap it in foam and stuff it behind the tailpiece. Our band used only 57s and 58s for years. Built like tanks. Likely impossible to find a group that didn't use them.
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Our band used only 57s and 58s for years. Built like tanks. Likely impossible to find a group that didn't use them.
I agree.....time tested to be s(h)ure.
That's all we used too. During my live band days I had (7) of them. (1974-1980) (3) Congas: (1) SM57 for each, mic'd at the bottom sound hole. Trap set: (1) overhead, one on kick, one on snare For my vocals: one 57 at the conga setup - one Unisphere 1 PE50SP and the trap set.
I sold most of them some years ago....kept one 57 and my Unisphere. My Unisphere 1 (purchased 1974) has a small dent in the mesh ball. Probably dropped at some gig but it still works just fine.
I use both, 57 for sax, 58 for vocal. Never have had a problem with them. A friend has a 58 with a on/off switch, I was unaware of that option but it's available for a few dollars more. Awhile back I found a 57 and a folding mic stand at a garage sale for $10 and now have a spare.
FWIW my preference is the 57 in the 'any given situation' scenario. I can make a 57 sound like a 58 if needed, and not worry about transients so much. Going the other way is more difficult, in my experience.
Using an SM-58 on a snare scares me .. a 57 not so much.
On vocals, either is fine. I prefer the sound of my own voice using a 57, but some other people I work with prefer a 58 on their vocals. All mics are different. Guess that's why there are so many options available. Kinda funny, since the 'guts' of a 57 are much like a 58 .. yet they sound/behave differently.
If anyone ever asks me what mic they should buy first, my un-hesitated response is an SM-57
Last edited by rharv; 05/21/1709:25 AM.
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome Make your sound your own!
I still have one also. During my last few years of gigging I used a contact pickup on my bridge but honestly could not say it was any better than the 57 close miked on a F hole. We have a production coming up that I plan to play on and after this conversation I might have to use the 57
Bud
Our albums and singles are on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, Pandora and more. If interested search on Janice Merritt. Thanks! Our Videos are here on our website.
My wife and I are currently using a pair of Beta 58A. They were given to us in almost new condition. That's why we've been using them. We keep them in our small rig bag so they ready to go at moments notice. But she prefers her SM87 condenser and I found the AKG D880 Emotion works well with my voice for live performance.
Here's my old Professional Entertainer PE57 Omni directional (circa 1979). Still works and sounds crystal clear. The cord is about 25 ft long. I have the top part of the 2 piece desk stand, the clip portion, around here somewhere too. The switch has never worked. Does not turn off.
I have an old Shure Brothers Incorporated, Model 545SD,Unidyne III mic that I still use when I record my guitar parts through an amp. I bought it sometime in the mid 1960s for my vocals. It still works just fine.
I'm in a fitness protection program. I'm been hiding from exercise.
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
I bought a Shure SM-58 many decades ago.... easily close to 40 years ago. I paid $100 for it at the time. The funny thing is, they still cost $100 now.
That mic has been through multiple bands and thousands of nights on stage imparting my vocal ambulations to the masses. It's been dropped, knocked over, rained on, it's been set on fire (well, the foam windscreen was toasted at least twice live on stage), and had to endure the alcohol infused condensate of a cold mic with warm breath 98% of those nights, and it lived in smoke filled rooms the entire time...... In other words, it's been through the proverbial wringer and like a Timex watch.... it took a licking and it keeps on ticking.
I use it now from time to time to mic my amp in the studio. And it still sounds as good as ever.
One of the best made pieces of musical gear ever.
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.com Add nothing that adds nothing to the music. You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both.
The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
About 30 years ago I bought a 50th Anniversary box set of a Shure 58 and Shure 57. I've never really used the 57 but I like the Shure 58 for vocals. About 10 years ago I bought a PA in China and was given 2 sets of Shure Wireless mics. Probably fake, but you never know! We occasionally use them for Karaoke at home.
Windows 10 Home 20H2 Build 19042.487 BIAB 2021 (Build 818) Intel(R) Core(TM), i3-4160, CPU @3.60 GHz RAM 16 GB, 64 Bit X64-based processor Zoom UAC-2 (USB 3 interface-built in midi) VoiceLive 3 Extreme, Sputnik Valve Condenser Mic
I agree with ROG. If I could have only one mic the SM57 would be it.
Luckily we live in a world where that is not a concern. We used 4 57's at last week's session and 2 58's, hopefully they are all still set up for tomorrow..
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome Make your sound your own!
I was in a 60 voice choir and a smaller 8 person vocal ensemble in the 80's and all of our mics for vocals were 57's with the foam toppers. The only other mic that we used was the first model of crown PZM that we would tape inside the lid of whatever piano was on hand.
FWIW you can use a 57 as a sort of PZM out in frnot of a drum kit if you have a hard floor and can solidly mount it capsule down as close to the floor as you can get it. Try it as a full kit mic.
I've never owned one myself. I won an EV PL80 many years ago and that serves me just fine. The only other dynamic mic in my mic arsenal is a Samson 58 knockoff with a 16bit USB interface built in.
The 57 is great on just about anything. I've used it on snare drums guitar amps and evern on my steel drum(which I then switched to a Rode M3 was way better than the 57).
Computer: Macbook Pro, 16 inch 2021 DAWs: Pro Tools, Logic, and Maschine plays drums, percussion, bass, steel pan, keyboard, music producer/engineer
Just last night I had to kinda insist we switch the snare/hihat mic to a 57 (instead of 58). In the end everyone was happy with the resulting tracks, but it's funny how some situations are. I had to actually argue the point. Glad I did. It really is much better.
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome Make your sound your own!
Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: The Newly Designed Piano Roll Window
In this video, we explore the updated Piano Roll, complete with a modernized look and exciting new features. You’ll see new filtering options that make it easy to focus on specific note groups, smoother and more intuitive note entry and editing, and enhanced options for zooming, looping, and more.
Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: AI Stems & Notes - split polyphonic audio into instruments and transcribe
This video demonstrates how to use the new AI-Notes feature together with the AI-Stems splitter, allowing you to select an audio file and have it separated into individual stems while transcribing each one to its own MIDI track. AI-Notes converts polyphonic audio—either full mixes or individual instruments—into MIDI that you can view in notation or play back instantly.
Bonus PAK and 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®
With your version 2026 for Windows Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition or PlusPAK purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons for FREE! Or upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK for only $49 to receive even more NEW Add-ons including 20 additional RealTracks!
These PAKs are loaded with additional add-ons to supercharge your Band-in-a-Box®!
This Free Bonus PAK includes:
The 2026 RealCombos Booster PAK:
-For Pro customers, this includes 27 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles.
-For MegaPAK customers, this includes 25 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles.
-For UltraPAK customers, this includes 12 new RealStyles.
MIDI Styles Set 92: Look Ma! More MIDI 15: Latin Jazz
MIDI SuperTracks Set 46: Piano & Organ
Instrumental Studies Set 24: Groovin' Blues Soloing
Artist Performance Set 19: Songs with Vocals 9
Playable RealTracks Set 5
RealDrums Stems Set 9: Cool Brushes
SynthMaster Sounds Set 1 (with audio demos)
Android Band-in-a-Box® App (included)
Looking for more great add-ons, then upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK for just $49 and you'll get:
20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums with 20 RealStyle.
FLAC Files (lossless audio files) for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums
MIDI Styles Set 93: Look Ma! More MIDI 16: SynthMaster
MIDI SuperTracks Set 47: More SynthMaster
Instrumental Studies 25 - Soul Jazz Guitar Soloing
Artist Performance Set 20: Songs with Vocals 10
RealDrums Stems Set 10: Groovin' Sticks
SynthMaster Sounds & Styles Set 2 (sounds & styles with audio demos)
Join Tobin as he takes you on a tour of the new user interface in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®! This modern GUI redesign offers a sleek new look with updated toolbars, refreshed windows, and a smoother workflow. The brand-new side toolbar puts track selection, the MultiPicker Library, and other essential tools right at your fingertips. Plus, our upgraded Multi-View lets you layer multiple windows without overlap, giving you a highly flexible workspace. Many windows—including Tracks, Piano Roll, and more—have been redesigned for improved usability and a cleaner, more intuitive interface, and more!
Introducing XPro Styles PAK 10 – Now Available for Windows Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 10 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 28 RealTracks and RealDrums!
Few things are certain in life: death, taxes, and a brand spankin’ new XPro Styles PAK! In this, the 10th edition of our XPro Styles PAK series, we’ve got 100 styles coming your way! We have the classic 25 styles each from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, and rounding out this volume's wildcard slot is 25 styles in the Praise & Worship genre! A wide spanning genre, you can find everything from rock, folk, country, and more underneath its umbrella. The included 28 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.
Here’s just a small sampling of what you can look forward to in XPro Styles PAK 10: Soft indie folk worship songs, bumpin’ country boogies, gospel praise breaks, hard rockin’ pop, funky disco grooves, smooth Latin jazz pop, bossa nova fusion, western swing, alternative hip-hop, cool country funk, and much more!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 10 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Order now!
XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2025 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 21 – Now Available for Windows Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
We're excited to bring you our latest Xtra Styles PAK installment—the all new Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher)!
Rejoice, one and all, for Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box® is here! We’re serving up 200 brand spankin’ new styles to delight your musical taste buds! The first three courses are the classics you’ve come to know and love, including offerings from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, but, not to be outdone, this year’s fourth course is bro country! A wide ranging genre, you can find everything from hip-hop, uptempo outlaw country, hard hitting rock, funk, and even electronica, all with that familiar bro country flair. The dinner bell has been rung, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 21 today!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Energetic folk rock, raucous train beats, fast country boogies, acid jazz grooves, laid-back funky jams, a bevy of breezy jazz waltzes, calm electro funk, indie synth pop, industrial synth metal, and more bro country than could possibly fit in the back of a pickup truck!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 21 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 21 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 21 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
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