The two I liked most in the blind comparison were SM57 & BETA 58 A, so yeah, I have a type. This is good for me. When the time comes for an upgrade from XM8500... 🤷♀
This was an awesome comparison video, thank you! Funnily enough, I placed the SM58 then SM48 at the very top during the blind-comparison, but the SM57 at the very bottom. I blame the missing pop-filter, since in another blind-comparison between it with an A81WS and the SM58 and SM48, I always placed the SM57+A81WS first.
I cant express how grateful I am that you took the time to do these side by sides. and it definitely gave me a better gauge for the mics I've been looking at. I personally am leaning toward the PGA58. Thank you!
I can't agree more with your thoughts on the SM7B. It's a fantastic mic. Period. But people think that they need this especific mic to get good results. People gets really socked when I talk how much it costs and what it needs to work. For zoom calls a Fifine mic is one of the best budget solutions.
Good video. I would have liked to hear the KSM32 (very highly regarded for spoken word) and SM27 (fantastic prox effect IMO) but this is probably already close to how many mics you can compare in a single video. Too many budget dynamic handhelds at too similar prices IMO. Honestly they should just do one at $30 and one at $60 (besides the SM57 and 58 of course).
That’s funny, I actually cut out a part where I said I wish the sm27, pga27, ksm11, and ksm32 could be in this video. I was thinking about doing a Shure condenser video eventually. I may start limiting videos like this to 10 mics though 😂
That was a really good video! I'm looking for a mic solution to reduce the echo in my studio. Currently I'm using a zoom h5 with the zoom ssh6 capsule. From what I've seen and read it seems that perhaps the SM58 might be the best option to reduce echo, noise and reverb, although after watching some of your mic comparisons I was left with even more questions. I already got 2 fetheads thinking I would buy the SM7B, but now I don't know what to do. If you watch any of my last 2 videos you'll see how my sound currently is (and it is a treated small studio room with 10 sound panels). These are the options I'm considering: *1 - SM7b + Fethead + Zoom h5* *2 - SM58 + Fethead + Zoom h5* *3 - SM57 + Fethead + Zoom h5* Any help / feedback would be much appretiated. Thanks! PD: I might be overcomplicating things a bit too much watching so many videos about these mics and should probably simply pic one and let it go...
If you want to go all out and get the best option, the SM7b is the winner. However, if you want to save a bit of money you could get the SM57 with the A2WS windscreen. The SM7b does reject room reflections a bit better than the SM57 (and the SM58), but as you can tell in this video it’s not a substantial difference. All of these mics are dynamic cardioid mics so they will be better at rejecting sound than that zoom ssh6. The reason I am not recommending the SM58: Since you make videos I think you’ll prefer the look of the SM57 with the windscreen or the SM7b over the SM58 and its windscreen. In my opinion, this is more of a financial decision. You should pick the one you like the sound of most, but also decide if you are willing to spend 4X more on the SM7b vs the SM57… but if you do get the SM57, you will absolutely need that A2WS windscreen. A VERY IMPORTANT NOTE: Only buy these microphones from an authorized Shure dealer. DO NOT buy them used. There are so many fakes of all of these microphones, it is not worth the risk.
@@AudioHotline many thanks for your help man! I even considered the sm7bs DIY protect until I watched your video about it. I do agree the aesthetics are important since I'll have the mic right by my face. Ok, so sm57 + aw2s or the sm7b then. I did find an official retailer than I can but the first combo for 110 and the sm7b for 321 so it's more like 3 X the difference in cost. I think I may go for the sm7b, it seems the more versatile option, considering it comes with 2 different pop filters. Just annoying that whenever I do a podcast is that cost X2. Thanks again for your help, much appreciated!
None of them are processed and they very clearly sound different… why would I process a comparison video 😂 ? I use the zoom F6 in this video, a fantastic product that is pretty expensive and honestly a lot better than what most people use. So it isn’t a bad preamp… I would expect the problem is what you are listening to this video on. When I get a comment like this, it is always because of what the person is listening on… usually it’s their phone or computer speakers 😂 not saying that’s you, but there is just no way you are listening to this video on speakers or headphones with a flat(ish) frequency response and if you are, I am worried about your ear health. Most consumer Headphones and speakers are good at making mics sound the way the speaker or headphone wants them to sound. Speakers and headphones are not perfectly flat, they have certain frequencies that they boost and others that they cut... just like microphones. I assume that you listened on something that dips the mids and boosts the highs. The only way you are going to get a good idea of how these mics actually sound, is if you listen on studio monitors or studio grade headphones… even some of those listening devices aren’t perfectly flat. For instance, I love the Sony MDR-7506 headphones to track with, and they do a decent job for critically listening to highs, but I would never in a million years trust them for a true representation of a source across the full frequency spectrum. They are actually a pair of headphones that are used by “pros” but can actually make a lot of mics sound similar. Just so you know though, I am doing my part. I am always 100% honest, and I never hide a single thing, I don’t process audio unless I specifically inform you that I did in a “post processing test”.
This was my result in the blind test. #1 - MV7X , MV7 #2 - PGA58 , Beta 58a , SM7B , SM48 #3 - SV100 , SM57 , PGA48 #4 - SM58 #5 - Beta 87a #6 - SM86 #7 - PGA181 It was very surprising, but there are a ton of variable factors that would have influenced this result. Anyway...
Any chance you could get your hands on and review the Aston Element? It's on sale for $79 currently and i think at that price it blows most other mics out of the water
Obviously the SM7B had more bass response in the test, but is it a fair test when this microphone has adjustments for bass and treble response, just like my go-to mic the 1980s AKG D 330 BT?
Brother man Can u please tell me your input on SM86 vs Beta 58a. It’s for church use for singing and reading. I recently tried in the the church and I feel like 86 fit more to female due to the tailored high s on the 86. I feel better on beta 58 a. Love to hear your opinion. Thanks.
I have the SV7X microphone and I have to turn the volume up to the maximum on the interface to be able to hear the sound from the microphone. Can you do a test recording in audacity?
Hey ! I like all your videos but I have a problem can you please solve it? I have a 2 mic input mixer but I want to record 3 person's podcast with three mics so I can I used 1 input for 2 mics and 1 for 1 mic? I have though a workaround in my mind that if I would be able to connect 2 dynamic mics into one of the inputs using XLR splitter. So my question is would my mixer be able to power 2 dynamic mics at the same time as dynamic mics do not require phantom power. Also, please tell me if it will be detrimental to my audio mixer or not? please make a video on it. Why am I doing this is because I'm from Pakistan and audio gear here is extremely expensive also no authorised dealer of major brands is officially here so even if I invest money I will have a risk of buying a counterfeit with the actual price plus, I am just starting out so don't wanna buy a new mixer.
Where's the 4 legged badass? How about a test of the condom mic cover? Here in Florida during the storm, I learned that's an industry standard during the rain. They use a Trojan Red no lube and put the foam over it to hide it (not joking).
Hey! I would just keep listening and training your ear! I will say, my 3.5 in monitors (kali) lack the low end and high end of even my HS5 and the differences are much more difficult to hear… BUT repetition does help a bunch.
57 with a windscreen is my favorite mic of all time I think. As Nigel Godrich once said, if it doesn't sound good with a 57, it doesn't sound good.
the sm86 sounds soooo clean. So happy I purchased it
Looks like you're doing a press conference 😂
😂 It definitely does!
The two I liked most in the blind comparison were SM57 & BETA 58 A, so yeah, I have a type. This is good for me. When the time comes for an upgrade from XM8500... 🤷♀
This was an awesome comparison video, thank you!
Funnily enough, I placed the SM58 then SM48 at the very top during the blind-comparison, but the SM57 at the very bottom. I blame the missing pop-filter, since in another blind-comparison between it with an A81WS and the SM58 and SM48, I always placed the SM57+A81WS first.
I cant express how grateful I am that you took the time to do these side by sides. and it definitely gave me a better gauge for the mics I've been looking at. I personally am leaning toward the PGA58. Thank you!
I am glad you found it helpful! Thank you for the kind words!
I shure loved this comparison
I can't agree more with your thoughts on the SM7B. It's a fantastic mic. Period. But people think that they need this especific mic to get good results. People gets really socked when I talk how much it costs and what it needs to work. For zoom calls a Fifine mic is one of the best budget solutions.
very well made video, underrated! you've kept my attention and i enjoyed watching the entire thing
Sm57 and beta sm58A in untreated room is insanely similar I wasn’t expecting that at all
This is the best review you have done for Shure. ..
Pretty happy with my PGA48s (3 of them), using for 4 years by now.
By the way, what.a.review!
TKS!
I picked the Beta 58A followed by the PGA 181 in the blind shootout. Go figure. Most enjoyable.
The PGA181 really surprised me! Editing this video made me a fan of it.
That was quite the test 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼!! Was interested in the PGA181 as a spoken word microphone, but it's too susceptible to plosives!!
Good video. I would have liked to hear the KSM32 (very highly regarded for spoken word) and SM27 (fantastic prox effect IMO) but this is probably already close to how many mics you can compare in a single video.
Too many budget dynamic handhelds at too similar prices IMO. Honestly they should just do one at $30 and one at $60 (besides the SM57 and 58 of course).
That’s funny, I actually cut out a part where I said I wish the sm27, pga27, ksm11, and ksm32 could be in this video. I was thinking about doing a Shure condenser video eventually. I may start limiting videos like this to 10 mics though 😂
That was a really good video! I'm looking for a mic solution to reduce the echo in my studio. Currently I'm using a zoom h5 with the zoom ssh6 capsule. From what I've seen and read it seems that perhaps the SM58 might be the best option to reduce echo, noise and reverb, although after watching some of your mic comparisons I was left with even more questions.
I already got 2 fetheads thinking I would buy the SM7B, but now I don't know what to do. If you watch any of my last 2 videos you'll see how my sound currently is (and it is a treated small studio room with 10 sound panels).
These are the options I'm considering:
*1 - SM7b + Fethead + Zoom h5*
*2 - SM58 + Fethead + Zoom h5*
*3 - SM57 + Fethead + Zoom h5*
Any help / feedback would be much appretiated. Thanks!
PD: I might be overcomplicating things a bit too much watching so many videos about these mics and should probably simply pic one and let it go...
If you want to go all out and get the best option, the SM7b is the winner. However, if you want to save a bit of money you could get the SM57 with the A2WS windscreen.
The SM7b does reject room reflections a bit better than the SM57 (and the SM58), but as you can tell in this video it’s not a substantial difference. All of these mics are dynamic cardioid mics so they will be better at rejecting sound than that zoom ssh6.
The reason I am not recommending the SM58: Since you make videos I think you’ll prefer the look of the SM57 with the windscreen or the SM7b over the SM58 and its windscreen.
In my opinion, this is more of a financial decision. You should pick the one you like the sound of most, but also decide if you are willing to spend 4X more on the SM7b vs the SM57… but if you do get the SM57, you will absolutely need that A2WS windscreen.
A VERY IMPORTANT NOTE: Only buy these microphones from an authorized Shure dealer. DO NOT buy them used. There are so many fakes of all of these microphones, it is not worth the risk.
@@AudioHotline many thanks for your help man! I even considered the sm7bs DIY protect until I watched your video about it. I do agree the aesthetics are important since I'll have the mic right by my face. Ok, so sm57 + aw2s or the sm7b then. I did find an official retailer than I can but the first combo for 110 and the sm7b for 321 so it's more like 3 X the difference in cost. I think I may go for the sm7b, it seems the more versatile option, considering it comes with 2 different pop filters. Just annoying that whenever I do a podcast is that cost X2. Thanks again for your help, much appreciated!
Since all of those sound pretty much the same, the more relevant questions is, what pre amp did you use and how and why did you post process them?
None of them are processed and they very clearly sound different… why would I process a comparison video 😂 ?
I use the zoom F6 in this video, a fantastic product that is pretty expensive and honestly a lot better than what most people use. So it isn’t a bad preamp…
I would expect the problem is what you are listening to this video on. When I get a comment like this, it is always because of what the person is listening on… usually it’s their phone or computer speakers 😂 not saying that’s you, but there is just no way you are listening to this video on speakers or headphones with a flat(ish) frequency response and if you are, I am worried about your ear health.
Most consumer Headphones and speakers are good at making mics sound the way the speaker or headphone wants them to sound. Speakers and headphones are not perfectly flat, they have certain frequencies that they boost and others that they cut... just like microphones. I assume that you listened on something that dips the mids and boosts the highs. The only way you are going to get a good idea of how these mics actually sound, is if you listen on studio monitors or studio grade headphones… even some of those listening devices aren’t perfectly flat. For instance, I love the Sony MDR-7506 headphones to track with, and they do a decent job for critically listening to highs, but I would never in a million years trust them for a true representation of a source across the full frequency spectrum. They are actually a pair of headphones that are used by “pros” but can actually make a lot of mics sound similar.
Just so you know though, I am doing my part. I am always 100% honest, and I never hide a single thing, I don’t process audio unless I specifically inform you that I did in a “post processing test”.
@@AudioHotline Thanks for the in depth answer. I still disagree with you on the "they sound very different" part though.
Peter Gabriel, Prince, and David Bowie have recorded vocals on the SM57, so yeah, you CAN record vocals with it.
Any proof that Prince recorded vocals on 57?
Damm for my ears, Sm58, Beta87A, Beta58A and Mv7 were the best along with pga181(at some tests)
I wanted all of the mics in the comparision at one point and mow I want most of them
That does happen, at 21:20
The blind comparison puts every single mic against each other
This was my result in the blind test.
#1 - MV7X , MV7
#2 - PGA58 , Beta 58a , SM7B , SM48
#3 - SV100 , SM57 , PGA48
#4 - SM58
#5 - Beta 87a
#6 - SM86
#7 - PGA181
It was very surprising, but there are a ton of variable factors that would have influenced this result. Anyway...
Any chance you could get your hands on and review the Aston Element? It's on sale for $79 currently and i think at that price it blows most other mics out of the water
Will the Shure SM57 do well for a Podcast with more than one guest as far as noise rejection?
Obviously the SM7B had more bass response in the test, but is it a fair test when this microphone has adjustments for bass and treble response, just like my go-to mic the 1980s AKG D 330 BT?
I liked the mv7, sm58, sm48, sm7b, pga48,beta 58
Brother man
Can u please tell me your input on SM86 vs Beta 58a. It’s for church use for singing and reading. I recently tried in the the church and I feel like 86 fit more to female due to the tailored high s on the 86. I feel better on beta 58 a. Love to hear your opinion. Thanks.
I have the SV7X microphone and I have to turn the volume up to the maximum on the interface to be able to hear the sound from the microphone.
Can you do a test recording in audacity?
Shure-holic!
We got a lot of mic!
Hey ! I like all your videos but I have a problem can you please solve it?
I have a 2 mic input mixer but I want to record 3 person's podcast with three mics so I can I used 1 input for 2 mics and 1 for 1 mic?
I have though a workaround in my mind that if I would be able to connect 2 dynamic mics into one of the inputs using XLR splitter. So my question is would my mixer be able to power 2 dynamic mics at the same time as dynamic mics do not require phantom power. Also, please tell me if it will be detrimental to my audio mixer or not? please make a video on it.
Why am I doing this is because I'm from Pakistan and audio gear here is extremely expensive also no authorised dealer of major brands is officially here so even if I invest money I will have a risk of buying a counterfeit with the actual price plus, I am just starting out so don't wanna buy a new mixer.
Where's the 4 legged badass?
How about a test of the condom mic cover? Here in Florida during the storm, I learned that's an industry standard during the rain. They use a Trojan Red no lube and put the foam over it to hide it (not joking).
PGA181 is weird looking but sounds decent.
newbie here, how can i train my ear to hear those reverb? im using yamaha hs3
Hey! I would just keep listening and training your ear!
I will say, my 3.5 in monitors (kali) lack the low end and high end of even my HS5 and the differences are much more difficult to hear… BUT repetition does help a bunch.
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Great comparison. When you do your plosive tests I want to protect my crotch area.