Shure - SM57-LC Professional Microphone Review

I've been making money with Music since the mid 60's.  No, I don't use a walker to get around, I got an early start.

The Shure SM-57 in one form or another has been around for as long as I can remember, and from my  experience, has to be the most popular and versitle mic in the World.

I have worked as an Audio Engineer (Live and Recording), a musician and vocalist.  The SM-57 has always been there.  In all those years making Music, I can't name one gig, Live or Recording, where I haven't used a 57 for something, if not for many things.

Sure (no pun), there are many, many mics, past and present, with better frequency response and dynamics, but for sheer sonic guts and dependability, the SM-57 is hard to beat.

In Recording Studios, Mics are plentiful to say the least.  Even so, I have (along with many engineers) never used anything but the SM-57 on Snare Drum.  Often on Rack Toms as well.  When it comes to micing a guitar amp, my first choice is a Neumann KM-84 Condenser......to a certian point.  When the SPL (sound pressure level) reaches the point where the Neumann "bottoms out", it's time to pull out the trusty 57.

Live, I've used them, with great results, on most everything.  Drums, Amps, Acoustic Guitar and most any other acoustic instrument including Piano, Vocals, and if I ever do a gig where some one is playing the "Kitchen Sink", I'll try a 57 on it first.

A brief point on reliability......In my late teen's, while getting the band together to go play, our "Rocket Scientist" Drummer left the mic bag in the driveway which was promptly run over by a fully loaded Van, both axles.  Didn't even want to look in it until we got to the gig.  Out of all the mics in the bag, the Shure SM-57's were the only ones useable, all of them.

To conclude, no matter what's in your mic collection, or how much you've shelled out for the "latest craze", if you don't have at least one Sure SM-57............Well, you get my drift.