SM58 vs Shure Beta 58a | Which Should You Buy?
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- Опубликовано: 31 май 2024
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Finally featuring a showdown between the two Shure mics at the top of the handheld lineup.
The Shure Beta58a vs The Shure SM58
Is it worth the price difference?
US LINKS -
Buy the Shure Beta 58a - amzn.to/3giEXqS
Buy the Shure SM58 - amzn.to/3iGApfl
UK LINKS -
Buy the Shure Beta 58a - amzn.to/3gyGR5G
Buy the Shure SM58 - amzn.to/3pRMfFc
Canada Links -
Buy the Shure Beta 58a - amzn.to/3wn3lgJ
Buy the Shure SM58 - amzn.to/3cC4aKr
My Instagram - @darkcornerstudios
My Twitter - @DarkCornerYT
Timestamps -
00:00 Intro
00:15 A Brief History
01:13 Build Quality
02:11 Specs
02:53 Off Axis Rejection for Beta 58a and SM58
03:38 Plosives Test
03:51 Handling Noise Test
04:23 Proximity Effect Test
04:53 Direct Comparison of Beta 58a and SM58
06:14 Final Thoughts
07:20 Which Should You Buy?
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I have been using SM58 for the past 85 years and still going strong, probably i will still use it in the next 85 to 90 years to come
this guy is like 115 yrs old
If it ain't broke don't fix it!
He’s talking dog years…
🤣
When 900 years old you reach, ... Look as good, you will not.
SM58, had one for 22 years gigging and its never broke and its been dropped many times and sounds great live.
I've been looking for this video! Thanks for the comparison! 👍🏻
Great review man! I’ve been using a beta 58 for years, very happy with it.
Thank you for this! I just bought the BETA A using your Amazon link... on sale for $128.00 so I bought an additional 25 ft cable! Rock on!
Cheers Susan!
Thanks for supporting the channel!!
i have both, thanks for the run down of these two great mics
Excellent review and comparison, thanks!
That's why I'm here. Just bought a Beta 58A. Wanted to get a review on it. The salesman recommended it over the SM58, and I liked the sound in the store. Nice review .thanks!✌👍
I just bought three Beta 58a's for our worship team and I'm really thankful for this comparison video becuase we have feedback issues with our SM58's and we don't have a need for that much lows. I really like how you showed the proximity of the mircophones and this will be very helpful to our vocalists!
How have you found it? I just bought to 58a's for our church it arrives next week.
@@all4christ1 The most noticeable difference is the clarity in the mid range with the Beta 58's. They sound crystal clear when compared to the SM 58's. It was a noticeable difference with our church members and I'm glad we made the purchase.
Why would the Beta get less feedback?
@@daviddesmond2143 because of the polar pattern. Beta 58a is super cardioid, which means more directional, so it is relatively less affected by the stage monitor speakers. But there is no huge difference though. Proper microphone Handling is more important.
@@mtsugarcan Actually you have that wrong. Look at the polar pattern of a Beta58 and you'll see it picks up more directly behind it than a regular 58. There are more feedback issues with the Beta than the regular 58. Answer is to put the monitors in the dead spot if you're using Betas, not directly behind the mic. It's the 35 degrees that was mentioned in the video. Bottom line is if they had problems with feedback already, going to Betas is not going to help.
i used a BETA for years. It didn't fit my voice that well, but it was a workhorse. Today I'm into the 87A, and that's a better match for me, but nowadays I do mostly harmonies, so that's a different situation also. For big choirs having the BETAs for soloists and 58's for the background singers makes FOH work easy!!
Excellent review and test. Thank you.
Cool review! Thanks for the helpful info
thanks a lot man, I was looking for this information everywhere! I will purchase my Beta 58!
Cheers!
Nice video, very informative with no fluff.
Great comparison thanks so much, I have both. Can really hear the lower hz roll off.
Thank you for this! I used to own a Beta 58A and it was great. This time it was a no brainer - I went with an Audix OM5
I agree with your conclusions. Like most people, my experience with the SM58 goes back years. It's a solid, dependable workhorse. But the Beta 58 is a cut above. It's been my go-to live vocal mic for about seven years and it's never let me down. For me, it just sounds better.
Great Vid detailed explained. Thanks DCS
The up close sound of the Beta 58A was definitely a lot better to my ears, and the significant reduction in what it picks up from the side and back is really noticeable to. Could make a big difference with feedback.
you need an ear test ASAP
Thanks for the history lesson on 58a. Didn't realize that the beta58 came out in 89. I thought it came out in the mid-90s, but didn't realize that it was the 58a that was new at the time.
I don't think I've ever seen an original beta58
I've always apreciated them more on stage or live situations. Sometimes I prefer a Beta57 in the studio when I want more presence. Likewise, sometimes when I want it dumbed-down a bit I like the originals. Tough to say what people should do but to me, if you have better S/N or feedback resistance, it's a no-brainer.
Great video, thanks. I had a Shure beta 58a, didnt know much about mics, and lent I it to someone, it was neveer returned!
Lol...never lend mics...especially the beta58
Dude! Excellent video! Very informative!
Thanks man!!
Our guitar player just got me the beta with our band funds! I’ve been using the sm58 for 5 years now and after our other singer joined the band, I’ve started to notice that it doesn’t pick up my whole range. After watching this video, I can’t wait to try the beta out later tonight at band practice! Thanks man. :)
Excellent review! Logical and useful points.
In short I completely agree with this guy!
I’ve used both of these mics for years in my professional karaoke shows. In my experience, definitely for singers the beta - specially with male voice - is so much better!
And I totally agree SM 58 is an incredible mic … If you need to get something for talking buy it with the on off button. For band members it’s also a wonderful option to have the owner off button on the microphone. However for doing karaoke you may not want to have the on off button unless you tape it on people continually switch it and it takes way too much to explain how to do that during a show.For the SM 58 is an incredible value and microphone with great feedback control. But the beta has better feedback control and for singers is much better. Both Rugged both are fantastic
You're right. I couldn't hear the difference on my Macbook Pro. However, I think there were enhancements to the Beta58A that would definitely benefit some over the SM58.
Hi, have used both. I prefer the SM58A, I find the SM58 quieter, definitely more clarity with the 58A & less feedback problems. Thanks for the review, it's very helpful 😊
As a sound tech myself, i prefer the sm58 over the beta. The Boost in the highs of the beta tend to feedback with the monitors. It's a great mic but the sm58 is more reliable
I couldn't agree more. You have to know the problem frequencies of all mics to make it easier to use. I carry 10 58's because it makes soundcheck faster to set up because I am familiar with those frequencies in the monitors.
Hello, I wanted to ask a question that I have wanted to ask for a long time:
I have the sm58 microphone that I bought about a year ago.
The whole time I use it, I have 3 problems.
1. The volume is very low even when I'm close to the microphone.
2. When I speak, a weak "white noise" starts playing in the background, which is only disturbing when speaking.
3. Even if I connect it to phantom 48v still remains the same.
Do you know what to do in such a situation?
I would be happy to answer if you can.🙏
Thank you in advance.
@@videoclip1324 Is this the only mic that you use on your system? If so, the problem could be from your console or amplifier.
@@videoclip1324 Check your gain staging from the mic all the way through wherever your output is. The white noise is likely distortion happening somewhere along the way.
Dynamic mics do not require phantom power. You can leave that off for the SM58 (or any dynamic mic).
@@ratedepth Thanks.
So you mean it could be because the sound card is of poor quality? (because really the sound card is not that professional)
I will only add (if necessary) that my microphone is not original (in my opinion according to the price I bought it for).
Outstanding demo...Thank You.
Cheers
Cool tests brother ,It's in the name beta. Better happy new years🎊🎉🌅🙏
I preferred the sound of the SM & I also like how it cuts off at a lower frequency than the Beta, giving me the choice to cut those other frequencies out with an EQ. But, that's for recording. If I were the lead singer in a band, I'd prefer the Beta. Each would have strengths over the other depending on the context of how they're being used.
Great video examples of the two mics. I have used both of these mics in a live situation - festivals, arenas, stadiums, theatres - and I really had no idea of the off-axis rejection abilities of the 58a...until now...but obviously the Sound crew did, which is why they are who they are - some of the MOST important ingredients in the live recipe...thanks for this!
I used wireless SM58's (because they were the "standard") but switched the capsules to Beta58a's a couple years into using Bose L1's for our duo. It made a big difference in our gain-before-feedback as we use the L1's behind us as Bose originally designed. (Yeah, I bought the hype, but it really has been successful for us.) I have a wide vocal range and my wife is a low alto, so the bottom roll-off makes it easier to manage the proximity effect and keep low notes clear.
Cual me recomiendas amigo, canto en un grupo donde hago la voz grabe, me puedes ayudar plis
If I could I would only buy B58's. After switch our two main worship mics in our church especially quieter female vocals are a major improvement with the B-58. It requires less compression to balance out the sound. Amazing mic. The SM58 I would still use for certain situations like a guitar cabinet isolation box or a lecture mic because it doesn't reject so well off axis. Great video and loved the presentation of comparing these two mics.
Excellent job, man. Frankly, I was surprised that the two were so very similar in terms of performance characteristics. My takeaway is the Beta 58a is something of a luxury that's more easily justified for a Lead Singer or Front Man, or possibly for use in a solo act... As an aside, it's the only live stage mic Susan Tedeschi ever uses.
Oh yea? I'll have to look next time I'm jamming to them. 👌 Lifelong Allman Brothers fan here. Literally from day 0. Have you heard Duane Betts new solo stuff? He has one song with Derek called Stare At the Sun that's pretty dang good! Johnny Stachela and Berry are with him, too. TBH, I think Dickey might be playing on it, also. That's what the paragraph read like in the article I was reading.
as a backup singer in bands that started on drums, went to rhythm guitar and most recently (late 80's) keyboards, I have been using a 58 since the late 70's until it finally quit (rain storm at a festival) in the late 00's. Same one!! I switched to the Beta 58 and noticed immediately that the off-axis rejection was MUCH better. Then, switching to IEM it didn't seem to matter, but I already have my Beta, so I will use that for the rest of my life, then give it to my daughter.
The weak spot on the Beta 58a wireless mic is the on/off switch. I haven't used the wired version. Being an electronic tech, I have replaced tons of these switches. It's not a hard job, but they are so tiny. I do love the sound of the mic. I've used both of these mics and I like them both.
Depends on the application and where the speakers and sound sources are. The side rejection of the beta works better if your mains are near the stage. The 58 works better if you have foldbacks in front. I use the beta for my drummers that sing. Sound’s much better than a headset. There is less snare bleed due to the pattern. Point being it’s all about polar pattern.
Using the Beta 58 for a drummer and the rejection of the snare is a great point!
Great point on the bleed. I have used a Beta for 30 years, but I still carry a 58 in my trap case for a backup/extra mic. Near bombproof units.
100%! Only thing I would add is that putting foldbacks off at 35 degrees instead of directly behind the mic when using Betas is how to deal with the foldback issue. All due to the POLAR PATTERN of the Beta. Stick it in that dead spot lol!
Yes.. Jus bought lately beta 58a.. Its a big leap of upgrade from sm58fora period of15 years
I have had both and to me the biggest difference is the feedback on stage. The Beta seems to help somewhat. Thanks for the review.
In my opinion, one is not better than another. They both have their place in the audio tool box. I have used both mics live for many years. Examples for the 58 is a violin player that doubles the mic for vocals and acoustic violin, the lack of rejection allows for a generally much fuller sound with less location precision required… same goes for acoustic resonator guitars where sound is coming from every direction. However as mentioned the rejection of the 58 beta is seriously usefull as well. Good informative video. Enjoyed, thanks! For myself I use Telef M80’s, but thats a different story
Justo hoy compre él beta 58 a ., y me ha encantado 👍
The best video I've seen on the subject. My 85A is on its way ;)
I have one of each. The SM 58 I use for practice by myself and it is fine however when I play out I like the Beta 58. It just sounds a little better to me and goes over other voices better if you are the lead singer.
When I had a sound & lighting company I bought all Beta-58s for vocals, combined w/ a driverack 360 & I never had one bit of feedback. Pinked the room whenever possible but not always.
I often use Beta 58 for girls and SM58 for boys when mixing vocals live. But both works very well at stage. Once I was mixing the Swedish famous singer Charlotte Perelli and she didnt want to do a soundcheck just step up on stage and sing and that time the Beta 58 solved the challenge just a few adjustments from my own Voice and it was excellent sound.
So Shure SLS with Beta 58 was My choice. Charlotte did Her gig and she and the crowd was happy.
Aí vc acordou 😅, e ficou doido 😂
I thought that would make sense.
Great video on great mics. I bought my Shure SM58 in 1972. I have played hundreds of gigs and toured in the Eastern 1/3rd of the USA playing 6 nights a week on the road and never had a problem with the mic. Mine has an on/off switch and if I ever bought a new 58 I would get one with a switch-not only is it handy but you are far less likely to buy one of the many counterfeit SM58's.
That's a great point about the switch!
Never thought of that.
That said I only buy my 58s from physical retailers.
E eu que achei que só no Brasil tinha falsificado, agora até nos EUA aí para tudo em .
I bought the beta 58A for its tighter polar pattern and increased sensitivity compared to the SM-58. I use it to record audiobooks, and for the time that they take to record and process, and for what I don't have to do and spend to treat the room, for to suit a cardioid condenser, the cost difference isn't an issue :-) I added the proper Shure foam windscreen. It doesn't seem to have any benefit for the sound, but it adds a finish to the look of the microphone.
I also use an SM58 in my voiceover studio. I had a large diaphragm condenser, but with the 20Hz to 20kHz response and super sensitivity, there was always a need excessively treat the room and to clean up the audio with EQ, etc. So I put the condenser away and now I use the SM58 with a metal mesh pop filter. Sounds perfect! The design of the SM58 already does all the EQ necessary for human voice that you’d have to do in your software using a condenser with a flat response. Why reinvent the wheel for spoken word?
They both sound great. I would pick the SM58 for streaming or podcasting. Live sound the Beta 58 would be first choice in my opinion. This was a good test.
I play guitar and sing in an acoustic duo. I use the sm58 and the singer has the beta in wireless version. I totally get the lower frequency difference for which it is great but it does seem to have a much hotter signal that can be problematic for feedback when we’re wedged into a corner in a small venue and the singer is holding the mic as opposed to using the mic stand. Great comparison though. 😀
Great video, very helpful....
I am professionnal signer and own both and been using them for quite some times. I préfer using the Beta 58A when I am confident that my signing pitch and voice tonality, on a particular song, are excellent and that I want to put it out very clearly. I will use the SM 58, for the other songs. The Beta 58A will pickup every little mistake that you do on the stage or recording. If you are an excellent signer, you will really notice the difference and appreciate the Beta 58A. Marcel Beaulieu, QC, Canada
Hey!
Fellow Canadian!
In fact...I am in QC too...just across the river from Quebec!
This was great. I am sold on the Beta 58A!
I can hear the difference, I like the SM 58 better. Been using that Mic for 40 years anyway
Thanks for the video. I'm a vocalist. The SM58 is smoother/warmer with my voice (tenor). When you do the proximity test in this video, the SM58 sounds more natural, without too much "wool" in the low-end. The Beta's sound reproduction seems artificially boosted in the highs in all scenarios (maybe they killed the warmth with the low-end roll-off). Anyway, the SM-58 is my pick any day of the week for singing or speech.
I use it for gameplay videos and I like the warm, personal, intimate feel I get from the SM58 and I am a tenor also. I like to have my viewers feel like they are here with me sharing in the experience.
I'm a baritone and I gotta admit I USE the proximity effect on the SM58. Getting just into the edge of it gives a fatter and warmer sound to my lower notes. Even without that I'd much rather have the frequencies there coming from the mic where if I want 'em gone I can EQ 'em out. If the mic doesn't send 'em to the board you can't put 'em back in
If you only get one wedge at 12 o'clock right in your face the 58 works great. Very good gain before feedback. It has a great null spot back there. If you have the luxury of two wedges though, one at say 10 o'clock and the other at 2 o'clock the 58a has its best nul spots there (even better than the absolute rear of the mic) as you can see from the posters polar pattern demonstration. So you get a wedge aimed basically at each ear and the perception of much more volume. Inverse Square Law: double the number of speakers, double the perceived volume.
So if price is no object, the 58a is only slightly more money when you consider the cost of adding that second monitor wedge to get the most out of your foldback situation.
I created a Beta 58a by 4:12 replacing the grill on a Beta 57a with a grill from a Behringer XM 8500.The threads on XM 8500 are a bit larger so I built up the threads on the Beta 57a with pipe thread tape wraping them till the tape was flush with the OD of the mic.Screw the new grill on and you're done,works great! Made a great change in the performance of this michrophone for vocals.😅😅
Great stuff as always, Aiden. On my phone's speaker, the differences were barely noticeable. I can see the 58A being a wise choice for singing, but man the 58 sounds great for spoken word. My son and I both use a 58 for our podcast, and we are absolutely Shure that we love them. Hehehe...
My Beta 58a rejects several dB of ambient noise in a less than great environment compared to many other mics. If I normalize to peak at a certain level, the practical noise floor is usually 3-6 dB lower on the Beta. I suspect that's almost entirely the low end roll off.
!
Beta all day. I use a beta58 in my studio - always live through monitors! for vocal lessons so students can hear themselves really well without the isolation effect of headphones. Perfect. The rejection and quality means any recordings are very usable and in a controlled space I get no feedback with loud monitoring. I liken the recorded sound to be more "condenser like" than the regular 58. Recommend.
Also was good enough for Bjork in her hayday ;)
Great video Man👍. Subbed.
The feedback issue alone is enough to cause me to shell out the extra cash. The little extra “ump” when I’m right on the mic, is a bonus!
We’ll done comparison!!!
Incredibly high-quality video, especially considering the subcount
Thank you!
It has been my goal all along...I appreciate the kind words!!
thank you for this comparison :)
My wife and I both sing. She has a really bright voice and mine can struggle to cut through. To begin with she had the Beta and I had the SM58. It got a whole lot better when we swapped! Much less EQ needed. So I'd say it depends on the voice. The polar pattern isn't something I think too much about - we stopped getting feedback when we switched to IEMs. Though minimising drum spill into our mics is still a factor.
I use the SM58 on the lower end of my Leslie. So perfect for that, and still only $99 like it was when I bought my first one in 1968.
Hey. I would like to kmow if its working without box, stereo for the audio ? So I connect the cable on the electric stuff at my wall and I can sing using the music on my phone ?
Big thing I notice is that the rear hotspot super cardioids are supposed to have don’t really seem that different but the cardioids definitely have a lot of sound from the sides.
I got an SM 58 as a free bonus when I bought a pair of KRK powered studio monitors and I can’t fault it. I only use it in my studio so for me it’s perfect.
Just rewatched this. So well done. Why don't more people use this mic as "broadcast "mics? it sounds as good as "broadcast looking " miles that cost twice as much? Is it about the visuals? Thanks!
Love my Beta 58a ( better side-noise rejection ) and my Audio Technica SM-4033. Nice comparison. oNe LovE from NYC
It's weird, the 58 has stayed about the same in unadjusted price since the 90s (I got my first '57 in may e '95 for just under $100; the only '58 I've ever bought was $10 but that doesn't count), which means that after inflation a 58 in the late 90s cost at least as much as a beta 58 today. I wonder if there has been any cost cutting in the manufacture of the newer ones.
As a vocalist who mostly croons and only belts when it adds dynamically to the song, I am considering buying the BETA. I have an SM58 which I've owned for several years. I was hoping your demonstration was going to WOW me in favor of the BETA. Unfortunately, that didn't happen. I like them both for different reasons. Sometimes I want the highs, sometimes I want the lows. So I've decided to have one of each. Thanks for the comparison!
I don't go anywhere without my Beta58. Great video, thanks a lot!
Sir;
From your superlative talks am planning to buy a SHURE BETA 58 A for the lead singer seat next week. Thanks Boss
Cheers...hope you enjoy.
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I think the wider pickup pattern if the sm58 sounds more natural and better. Captures a bigger picture of the voice
sm58 does sound warmer I guess it's because the beta has that bass roll off. Both sound great I think it's a question of what your preference is in terms of sound color.
Been gigging for years the sm58 is awesome and tuff as nails
For me, Beta all the way... but mostly because of my day to day needs.
When I'm running live sound, >>ALL
I really like the bata, you notice the punch though, with loud amps and drummers. I think it's a big step up and well worth the extra cash. I have two lol.
Both good choices. I prefer the sound of my Beta 58a just a wee bit, but you can't go wrong either way. I've used it for both music (singing) and podcasting, but have switched to my AKG P120 for podcasts. In an untreated room, I would go back to the Beta 58A, though. Either one of these bad boys can survive a nuclear blast lol
On axis at 3-4 inches I prefered the sound of the 58 on YOUR voice. That being said, on someone else I might prefer the 58a. They are both great live vocals mics and the company that I mix for has plenty of both.
Good job. I might just buy the Beta 58A. My SM58 is probably 25 years old.
Mic nOOb here with a dumb question...I bought a BETA 58 and noticed that when i plug it into the PA whose levels are normally adjusted for two SM58's, it feeds back from the monitors directly underneath it. I understand this is because it has a hotter signal and more highs. So, i should just turn the PA down when i plug the Beta 58 in? Also, I noticed that when i used the Beta 58 live in a loud rock setting with two guitars, bass and loud drums behind me, i have to get right up on it to be heard. It could be because i'm new to playing guitar onstage and am probably moving my head angle down/away from mic to see my frets. I'm working on making my singing stronger. Any suggestions or tips to make singing while playing guitar easier?
Great video! Something that I've experienced, (and why I actually roll with 58's for my SLXD systems) is that the beta58a is amazing at rejecting monitor feedback *IF* they are on a stand parallel with the stage, putting the monitor in the dead spot. When the singer goes handheld, or grabs the mic and tilts it upward, they're super likely to put the monitor right in the slightly live rear of the polar pattern. My personal band uses in-ears, so that wouldn't be a problem, but I do a fair amount of wedding and cover-band sound with rotating singers and high stage volume. I find that the "fine all around" 58 is often preferable to the "great in most areas, but tricky in some" beta58.
Agreed!
For live use I like the Beta better 👍🏻 especially for me with low growling vocals from close in front of the mic that low cut is crucial.
What a review. Thanks.
Cheers!
I've used the beta for years and recently found I like the sm58 a lot more than I ever expected. I have both wired and wireless versions.
Same here ...
for recording use...does it have any high end or is it dull...the sm58, that is???...also, does it have a warm tone or harsh?
This was a common topic with a sound crew I worked for. When people say SM 58s sound “natural” it tends to mean “familiar” or “typical”. Because 99% of the vocal mics on stage are SM58s it becomes second nature how to get the sound we think is normal out of them. It also meant we needed to change the EQ on channels when a singer brought their own Beta to the festival. The “Handheld Stage Mic” that really opened my eyes was the Heil PR35. It was so surprising how clear the sound was without fighting feedback.
The Heil Mics really are so much better. I still dislike that i wasted so much time trying to make the SM58 i had 20 years ago sound good. Back then, i thought it can not be the mic because the SM58 is praised everywhere... So i thought it was the room acoustics or the preamp, or my settings... I wasted so much time with this stone age mic. Then i bought a Heil PR20 and all problems were gone. Over the last 20 years i have tried dozens of dynamic microphones. Today i use the PR20, the more expensive PR40 and the SM7B in my studio.
@@metalienmusic u use pr20 for singing or what?
I don't know if the upgrade makes a lot of sense. The extra boominess of the proximity effect of the sm58 can be dealt with - a small distance using a foam windshield (also a good shock preventing idea), and eq. The extra power of the beta is cool, but the extra bass roll off sounds a little too much, - to sound balanced, it seems one must be touching the grill, and if you want to get closer, it might lack something.
I used the 58 for years as a stand up lead vox in rock bands but when I started playing guitar and singing I went to the beta as I cant control the mic distance to control the prox effect . With the roll off of the lower frequencies of the beta and the fact that when playing the guitar while singing I sing right on the mic I have a crisper vox than the 58 would deliver singing right into it , it would be to boomy . The extra mid and high boost also cuts through a loud mix better and it sizzles more than the 58 almost like a bit of saturation which again works better for heavy rock . I still use 58's for the rest of the band though and carry as my spare along with 57's . The lack of the prox effect just makes it cut better. Im a very loud singer so feedback isnt much of an issue .
Man wow I've watched about 5 -6 videos from your channel alone on microphones and you do such an epic job explaining the differences between microphones. I'm buying this microphone specifically for screaming and you say beta 58 a so that's what I'm getting!!! Thank you so much!!!
Cheers!
Glad I could help!
Good luck!
The thing that would sell the b58 to me is the higher output level (-51dBV) I'm keen to keep the noise floor way down low with dynamic mics.
I like the Beta sm 58a when speaking through it @ 4" distance
I stay close to mic about an inch which one would you prefer I have base in my voice
I have both of them, and I like the Beta the best. Maybe it is the proximity effect, but I sound better thru a Beta 58.
For live singing there is not contest if the conditions are not perfect, Beta is simply stronger and brighter which makes a lot of problems for the SM58 when someone comes with it, there is no way it can be made to sound as good as Beta without entering some nasty feedback.
For studio though, I like the SM maybe more because it is a darker microphone.
I hesitated for such a long time...
Watched many comparisons, and yours was the final point for my decision and I got the sm58.
I had the extra money for the Beta58, but in the end, for my "a bit" high pitch voice, the sm58 come flatter the medium and give some "deepness" (big word...) to my voice.
Thank you for you reviews, it is high quality content you're doing !
I like them both and used both of them for live sound. If the lead singer had a bass heavy voice. I would use a beta to clean up muddyness in the lead vocals. The beta's are also great at micing up acoustic guitars in a small pub. But if the guitar sounded like a tin can on stage. I would swap it out to the classic 58.
Thanks. Good video and in general I do prefer the B58 for most things. However you didn't really cover one very important point. You did touch on it by mentioning and illustrating the different polar patterns, but this has important practical applications on stage, that you didn't mention. That is - where you put your stage monitors for best feedback rejection. Assuming your mics are on stands, if you always put your monitors directly behind your mic stands, with the back of the mic pointing at the monitor, then the standard 58 will give you much better feedback rejection but if you put your monitors between the mic stands, or angle the mic at 60 degrees to the monitors then the B58 will protect you more, because of its super-cardiod polar pattern. This 60 degree rejection can really help you position the B58 for maximum feedback rejection or rejection of another loud noise source. Eg for a singing drummer, where you you can reject the snare by angling the vocal mic correctly.
I love your videos❤
If you're a passionate musician/singer you can work with what you got
So hard to choose... which one for mainly jazz singing? Thx! Subscribed, will learn a lot from you.
In my opinion the SM58 is not great for jazz - it dulls all the details and over pushes the p's and b's (a problem if you scat). A condenser mic is what most of the jazz greats used which will pick up the greater range of expressiveness of jazz. (however they are less durable and require phantom power) The closest to that you'll get with a dynamic mic is a sennheiser 945, BUT everyone's voice is different. I find a beta suits me better than the Sennheiser. (but I only found that out by going into a shop and testing them side by side - WHICH I HIGHLY RECCOMEND YOU DO!)
I like the low end of the SM58 😎👍🏼