Shure SM57-LCE Cardioid Dynamic Instrument Microphone
Specifications
- Weight
10 ounces - Dimensions
10.3 x 4.9 x 3.4 inches - Batteries
1 Lithium-ion battery required - Compatible Devices
Amplifier - Connector Type
XLR - Material Type
Plastic - Color Screen
No - Power Source
Corded Electric - Color
Black - Brand
Shure
The Shure SM57 unidirectional dynamic microphone is exceptional for musical instrument pickup or for vocals. With its bright, clean sound and carefully contoured presence rise, the SM57 is ideal for live sound reinforcement and recording. It has an extremely effective cardioid pickup pattern that isolates the main sound source while minimizing background noise. In the studio, it is excellent for recording drums, guitar, and woodwinds. For musical instruments or vocals, the SM57 is a consistent choice of professional performers.
Features
- Frequency response tailored for drums, guitars, and vocals
- A Uniform cardioid pickup pattern isolates the main sound source while reducing background noise
- A pneumatic shock-mount system cuts down handling noise
- Extremely durable under the heaviest use
- Supplied break-resistant swivel adapter that rotates 180 °
- Legendary Shure quality, ruggedness, and reliability
STAGE MONITOR & P.A. LOUDSPEAKER PLACEMENT
Place the stage monitor directly behind the microphone (see Figure 1). Locate the P.A. loudspeakers so that they point away from the rear of the microphone. With the speakers located in these positions, the possibility of feedback is greatly reduced. Always check the stage setup before a performance to ensure optimum placement.
APPLICATION AND PLACEMENT
Some of the most common applications and placement techniques for the SM57 are listed in the following table. Remember that microphone technique is largely a matter of personal taste—there is no single “correct” microphone position
| APPLICATION | SUGGESTED MICROPHONE PLACEMENT | TONE QUALITY |
| Tom-Toms | One SM57 on each tom, or between each pair of toms, 25 mm (1 in.) to 75 mm (3 in.) above the heads. Aim each mic at the top heads. | Medium attack, balanced sound. |
| On double head toms, remove the bottom head and place a mic inside aimed at the head. | Medium attack, balanced sound. | |
| Snare Drum | 25 mm (1 in.) to 75 mm (3 in.) above the rim of the top head of the drum. Aim the mic at the head. | Most “snap” from drumstick impact |
| If desired, place a second mic just below the rim of the bottom head. | More “snare” sound. | |
| Guitar & Bass Amplifiers | 25 mm (1 in.) from the speaker, on-axis with the speaker cone. | Most attack emphasized bass |
| 150 mm (6 in.) to 300 mm (12 in.) away from the speaker and on-axis with a speaker cone. | Medium attack, full, balanced sound | |
| .5 m (18 in.) to 1 m (3 ft) back from the speaker, on-axis with the speaker cone. | Softer attack, thin, reduced bass sound. | |
| On-axis with the edge of the speaker cone. | Thinner, re- reduced bass sound. | |
| Brass & Woodwinds | Brass: .3 m (1 ft) to 1 m (3 ft) away, on-axis with the bell of the in- instrument. | Bright, clear sound. |
| Woodwinds: 25 mm (1 in.) to 150 mm (6 in.) away, on-axis with the bell of the instrument. | Bright, clear sound. | |
| Bell of the instrument 90° off-axis from the front of the mic. | Softer, mellow sound. | |
| Vocals & Speech | 25 mm (1 in.) to 150 mm (6 in.) from the vocalist’s mouth. | Rich, warm sound. |
PROXIMITY EFFECT
When the sound source is less than 6 mm (1/4 in.) from the microphone, the microphone boosts bass frequencies (by 6 to 10 dB at 100 Hz), creating a warmer and richer bass sound than when farther away. This effect, known as the proximity effect, happens in unidirectional microphones like the SM57. The SM57 low-frequency roll-off provides greater control, allowing the user to take full advantage of the proximity effect.
GENERAL RULES FOR MICROPHONE USE
- Aim the microphone toward the desired sound source and away from unwanted sources.
- Locate the microphone as close as practical to the desired sound source.
- Work close to the microphone for extra bass response.
- Use only one microphone per sound source.
- Locate multiple microphones at least three times as far from other microphones as from the sound source.
- Use as few microphones as practical.
- Place microphones away from sound-reflecting surfaces.
- Add a windscreen when using the microphone outdoors, for close-up speech, or vocals.
- Avoid excessive handling to minimize mechanical noise.
Polar Pattern
Unidirectional (cardioid), rotationally symmetrical about microphone axis, uniform with frequency (see Figure 3)
Sensitivity (at 1,000 Hz)
Open Circuit Voltage: –54.5 dBV/Pa (1.9 mV) (1 Pa = 94 dB SPL)
Impedance
Rated impedance is 150Ω (310Ω actual) for connection to microphone inputs rated low impedance.
Polarity
Positive pressure on the diaphragm produces positive voltage on pin 2 with respect to pin 3 (see Figure 4).
Connector
Three-pin professional audio connector (male XLR type)
Case
Dark gray, enamel-painted, die-cast steel with a polycarbonate grille and a stainless steel screen.
Swivel AdapterPositive-action, break-resistant, adjustable through 180°, with standard 5/8 in.-27 thread
Net Weight (without cable)
284 grams (10 oz)
Certification
Eligible to bear CE Marking. Conforms to European EMC Directive 89/336/EEC. Meets applicable tests and performance criteria in European Standard EN55103 (1996) parts 1 and 2, for residential (E1) and light industrial (E2) environments.
FURNISHED ACCESSORIES
- Swivel Adapter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A25D
- Storage Bag . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26A13
OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES
- Windscreen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A2WS
- Desk Stand . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . S37A, S39A
- Isolation Mount . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A55M
- Dual Mount . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A25M, A26M
- Cable (7.6 m [25 ft]) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C25E, C25F
REPLACEMENT PARTS
- Cartridge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . R57
- Screen and Grille Assembly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . RPM210
For additional service or parts information, please contact Shure’s Service department at 1-800-516-2525. Outside the United States, please contact your authorized Shure Service Center.
LIMITED WARRANTY
Shure Incorporated (“Shure”) hereby warrants to the original consumer purchaser only that, except as otherwise specified below, this product will be free in normal use of any defects in materials and workmanship for a period of two (2) years from the consumer’s original date of purchase directly from Shure or from a Shure-authorized reseller.
Any rechargeable batteries contained in or packaged with this product are so warranted for a period of one (1) year from the consumer’s original date of purchase. However, rechargeable batteries are consumable and their capacity will be reduced over time based on temperature, amount of time in storage, charging cycles, and other factors; hence reduction in battery capacity does not constitute a defect in material or workmanship.
At its sole option, Shure will repair or replace the defective product and promptly return it to you. In order for this warranty to be valid, the consumer must, at the time the product
is returned, provide proof of purchase in the form of the original purchase receipt directly from Shure or from a Shure-authorized reseller. If Shure elects to replace the defective product, then Shure reserves the right to replace the defective product with another product of the same model or a model of at least comparable quality and features in Shure’s sole determination.
If you believe this product is defective within the warranty period, carefully repack the unit, insure it, and return it with proof of purchase, postage prepaid, to Shure Incorporated, Atten-tion: Service
Department, at the address below.
Outside of the United States, return the product to your dealer or Authorized Service Center. Addresses are listed on www.Shure.com or can be obtained by contacting Shure at the address listed below.
This warranty is not transferable. This warranty does not apply in cases of abuse or misuse of the product, use contrary to Shure’s instruction, ordinary wear and tear, an act of God, negligent use, purchase from a party other than Shure or a Shure-authorized reseller, unauthorized repair, or modification of the product.
ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE HEREBY DISCLAIMED TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED UNDER APPLICABLE LAWS AND, TO THE EXTENT NOT PERMITTED, ARE HEREBY LIMITED TO THE DURATION AND TERMS OF THIS WARRANTY. SHURE ALSO HEREBY DISCLAIMS ALL LIABILITY FOR INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES.
Some states do not allow limitations on how long an implied warranty lasts or the exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages, so the above limitation may not apply to you. This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may have other rights which vary from state to state. This warranty does not restrict the rights of the consumer mandated under applicable laws.
THIS WARRANTY SUPERSEDES ALL OTHER WARRANTIES THAT ARE ASSOCIATED OR INCLUDED WITH THIS PRODUCT, EXCEPT THAT ANY SOFTWARE CONTAINED IN OR PACKAGED WITH THIS PRODUCT IS EXCLUDED FROM THIS WARRANTY AND INSTEAD SHALL BE COVERED BY THE WARRANTY, IF ANY, PROVIDED IN SHURE’S END USER LICENSE AGREEMENT ACCOMPANYING SUCH SOFTWARE.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Where is the mic made? Country
You can get made in China but I got mine made in America the Shure-57 is better to buy American to avoid possible knock offs - how can I use headphones with this microphone while recording?
That depends on what you’re hooking it up to. An interface, PA, etc… should have a headphone jack. An interface might have to be set up in the software to send the sound to the headphones during recording but should always work during playback. - Is this original? It’s cheaper than other stores?
Is original 100% - How does this mic do with gaming? i have a mechanical keyboard and tv running in the background?
Oh boy, you’re asking the wrong person. This mic is considered the workhorse of mics in recording and live performance, but I have no experience with it in that type of environment. Are you thinking about using it to communicate with other gamers? You’d have to be able to run an XLR cable into your system - Can it be used with the newer microphone suspension boom scissor arm stand?
The SM57 uses a standard mic clip. Suspension options would need to fit a standard handheld mic. - Is it made in Pakistan or Somalia?|
Shure makes this item in Mexico - Do you need batteries for this mic?
No, you don’t need a battery for the sm57 lc as this is a wired mic - Any thoughts on 2 of these used to mic an acoustic (nonpickup) guitar with maybe an XY placement?
I’ve used these for many guitars but only a single mic. I’m sure 2 in St would work nicely - How good is this mic when it’s placed 30cm away from your mouth?
That’s a very specific distance. Ideally, the best quality sound would come from about 15.24 cm, but you can still pick up the sound from that far away. - Why does it become so expensive when you add the XLR to the USB extension?
You are changing from an analog signal (waves) to a digital signal, which requires a computer to calculate the waves into binary numbers. - does it have Bluetooth?
no. it is just a microphone. - Would this mic be good for recording a trumpet?
Should be
