Shure SM57 Review: The Legendary Workhorse Microphone

Few pieces of audio equipment have achieved the legendary status of the Shure SM57. First introduced in 1965, this unassuming dynamic microphone has been a staple in recording studios, on stages, and even at presidential podiums for nearly six decades. Its reputation for durability, versatility, and consistent performance has made it one of the best-selling microphones of all time. From capturing snare drums and guitar cabinets to serving as the official presidential microphone since the 1970s, the SM57’s legacy is unmatched.

Design and Build Quality

Physical Construction

The Shure SM57’s understated appearance belies its remarkable durability. Constructed with a die-cast steel body and a polycarbonate grille, the microphone feels substantial in hand at approximately 284 grams (10 oz). Its cylindrical body measures about 157mm (6.2″) in length with a diameter of 32mm (1.25″), making it compact enough for tight microphone placements while still providing enough heft for stable positioning.

What’s most impressive about the SM57’s construction is its legendary indestructibility. There are countless stories of SM57s being dropped, submerged in liquids, subjected to extreme temperatures, and even run over by vehicles—only to continue functioning perfectly afterward. This ruggedness is no accident but the result of Shure’s rigorous quality control and testing procedures, which include drop tests, temperature extremes, and humidity exposure.

Internal Components

Inside its metal housing, the SM57 features a dynamic moving-coil transducer with a cardioid polar pattern. The capsule is pneumatically shock-mounted to reduce handling noise and mechanical vibration—a crucial feature for its common applications on loud sound sources like drum kits and guitar amplifiers.

The microphone’s internal transformer provides impedance matching and signal balancing, contributing to its clean output signal and ability to drive long cable runs without significant signal degradation—a considerable advantage for live sound applications.

Technical Specifications

Frequency Response

The SM57 has a frequency response of 40Hz to 15kHz, with a characteristic presence boost between 2kHz and 10kHz. This deliberate frequency sculpting is not flat or neutral by design—it’s tailored specifically for instruments and voices to cut through dense mixes. The mic exhibits a gradual bass roll-off starting around 200Hz, which helps reduce proximity effect and provides natural sound reproduction at close distances.

Sensitivity and Output Level

With a sensitivity of -56.0 dBV/Pa (1.6mV), the SM57 is less sensitive than many condenser microphones. This relatively low output level is actually advantageous when recording loud sound sources, as it’s less prone to overloading preamps or distorting in high-SPL environments. The microphone can handle sound pressure levels up to 149dB SPL before significant distortion occurs—making it ideal for close-miking drums and guitar amplifiers.

Impedance and Connectivity

The SM57 features a low impedance rating of 150 ohms (310 ohms actual), which allows for longer cable runs without significant signal loss. It connects via a standard 3-pin XLR connector and, like all dynamic microphones, requires no phantom power to operate—enhancing its plug-and-play reliability in any recording or performance situation.

Sound Characteristics

Tonal Profile

The SM57’s sonic signature is characterized by a warm midrange, controlled low end, and a present but not harsh high-frequency response. The microphone imparts a subtle coloration that many engineers describe as “musical”—it doesn’t capture a perfectly flat representation of the source, but rather a slightly enhanced version that often sits well in a mix without extensive equalization.

The presence boost between 2kHz and 10kHz helps instruments cut through dense arrangements by emphasizing the frequencies where human hearing is most sensitive. This characteristic makes the SM57 particularly effective on snare drums, guitar cabinets, brass instruments, and even vocals in certain contexts.

Transient Response

As a dynamic microphone, the SM57 has a somewhat slower transient response compared to condenser microphones. However, this characteristic can be advantageous when recording particularly sharp or aggressive sound sources, as it provides a natural compression effect that smooths out potentially harsh transients. On snare drums, for example, this quality helps capture the body and resonance of the drum without overemphasizing the initial attack.

Off-Axis Rejection

The SM57’s cardioid polar pattern provides excellent rejection of sounds coming from behind and the sides of the microphone. This directional quality helps isolate the intended sound source and minimize bleed from nearby instruments or monitors—a crucial feature for both live sound reinforcement and studio recording in less-than-ideal acoustic environments.

Applications and Performance

Instrument Recording

The SM57’s reputation was built largely on its performance as an instrument microphone. Its ability to handle high sound pressure levels makes it particularly suited for close-miking loud sources.

Drums and Percussion

On snare drums, the SM57 is the de facto standard. Its frequency response captures the crack of the attack while its proximity effect adds weight to the body of the drum when positioned properly. The microphone’s durability withstands the occasional drumstick hit, and its off-axis rejection helps minimize hi-hat bleed.

For toms, the SM57 delivers a focused, punchy sound that sits well in mixes. While dedicated tom microphones exist, many engineers still prefer the familiar character of a well-placed SM57.

Guitar Amplifiers

Perhaps no application has cemented the SM57’s reputation more than recording electric guitar cabinets. The microphone’s midrange emphasis and controlled high-end capture the essential character of guitar amplifiers while naturally taming potentially harsh frequencies. The SM57’s ability to handle high SPLs allows for close placement to the speaker cone, enabling engineers to capture the exact tonal character they’re seeking by adjusting the microphone position relative to the center or edge of the speaker.

Many legendary guitar tones in rock, blues, metal, and country recordings were captured with an SM57, and it remains the go-to choice for this application in professional studios worldwide.

Brass and Woodwinds

The SM57 excels on brass instruments like trumpets and trombones, where its ability to handle high SPLs and its midrange presence help capture the instrument’s characteristic brightness without harshness. For saxophones, the microphone delivers a warm, focused sound that works particularly well in rock, pop, and R&B contexts.

Vocal Applications

While its sibling, the SM58, is more commonly associated with vocal applications due to its integrated ball grille, the SM57 is equally capable as a vocal microphone. In fact, the two microphones share the same capsule design, with the primary difference being the grille assembly.

In the studio, the SM57 has captured countless rock vocals, particularly when engineers seek a more raw, present sound than what might be achieved with a large-diaphragm condenser. Its midrange focus helps vocals cut through dense guitar-driven mixes, and its proximity effect can be leveraged to add warmth and body when close-miked.

The SM57’s most famous vocal application may be its use as the presidential microphone in the United States since the 1970s. Selected for its reliability and clear sound reproduction, it has amplified the voices of presidents from Lyndon B. Johnson to Joe Biden.

Live Sound Reinforcement

In live sound applications, the SM57’s durability, feedback resistance, and predictable performance make it a staple on stages worldwide. Its handling of high SPLs allows for close microphone placement, maximizing gain before feedback in loud stage environments.

For guitar cabinets in live settings, the SM57 continues to reign supreme, delivering consistent results night after night regardless of venue acoustics or environmental conditions. On snare drums and toms, it provides the punch and clarity needed for drums to cut through in live mixes.

Comparisons with Alternatives

SM57 vs. SM58

The comparison between the SM57 and SM58 is inevitable given their shared heritage and internal design. The primary differences lie in the grille design (the SM58’s ball grille includes an integral pop filter) and a subtle variation in high-frequency response due to these physical differences. The SM58 is typically preferred for handheld vocal applications, while the SM57’s smaller profile makes it more suitable for instrument miking where precise placement is crucial.

SM57 vs. Budget Alternatives

Numerous budget microphones have attempted to replicate the SM57’s performance at lower price points. While some come reasonably close in controlled environments, they typically lack the consistency, durability, and reliability that have made the SM57 an industry standard. The differences become most apparent in demanding applications like close-miking loud guitar amplifiers or snare drums, where inferior components in budget alternatives can lead to distortion, handling noise, or premature failure.

SM57 vs. Premium Alternatives

Several manufacturers offer “enhanced” versions of dynamic instrument microphones at premium price points. These often feature higher output, extended frequency response, or specialized voicing for particular applications. While these microphones may offer advantages in specific contexts, the SM57’s versatility and predictable performance keep it relevant even when compared to options costing several times its price.

Value Proposition

At around $99 USD (retail price in 2025), the SM57 represents one of the best values in professional audio equipment. Its combination of performance, durability, and versatility is unmatched at this price point. Many studios own multiple SM57s, using them daily for decades without failure—a testament to their incredible return on investment.

For home recordists and budget-conscious professionals, the SM57 often represents the first “professional-grade” microphone purchase, offering a significant step up from entry-level options without breaking the bank. Its versatility means it can serve multiple purposes in a growing microphone collection rather than becoming obsolete as more specialized options are acquired.

Conclusion

After nearly six decades in production with minimal changes to its design, the Shure SM57 remains as relevant today as when it was introduced. Its continued popularity isn’t merely due to tradition or reputation but because it consistently delivers excellent results in its intended applications. While audio technology continues to advance with new innovations and options, the SM57’s combination of durability, sound quality, versatility, and value ensures its place in audio production for the foreseeable future.

For anyone serious about audio recording or sound reinforcement—whether a beginner building their first setup or a seasoned professional maintaining a well-equipped studio—the SM57 remains an essential tool. It’s not just a microphone; it’s a piece of audio history that continues to shape the sound of modern music and speech reinforcement. In an industry where equipment often becomes obsolete within years or even months, the SM57’s six-decade legacy of excellence stands as a remarkable achievement and a testament to getting the fundamentals right.

Whether capturing the next chart-topping snare sound, recording a classic guitar tone, or amplifying the voice of world leaders, the Shure SM57 continues to perform its duties without fuss or fanfare—exactly as its designers intended. That, perhaps more than any technical specification or feature, explains its enduring legacy.