im curious

Also look into the beyer m201. I generally like this mic better than a sm57 on the same applications.

b.

I have to say, I almost never use either of these mics in the studio, but for live sound in shitty clubs, nothing I've tried ever sounds as useable on guitars and snare drum except the SM57. (Every once in a while, I'll use a Beta 57 on the snare if there's one around.) Granted, this is compared to other lower-end stuff: Sennheiser 409/609, Audix D2/D3, et al. Most clubs I've worked in don't have M201's in the mic box.

For live vocals, I almost always go for an SM58, and rarely a Beta 58 -- the Audix stuff I've used never seems to sit well in the mix, no matter how much I mess with the house graphic EQ.

Maybe I just like to sound of these mics but don't want to admit it.

mb

I use 57's for vocals at practice and when I run out of other mics.

I don't have a 58 but I always end up singing into them live. They work.

-C

matthewbarnhart wrote: (Every once in a while, I'll use a Beta 57 on the snare if there's one around.)
mb

you sd beta 57.
hwaah!

in the 57-8 wars i will absolutely take 57 every time for every job (preferably a 57 that is held together with masking tape/rubber bands and chewing gum) but like matthew sd, i sure hope i'm just mixing a rock show and not cutting a record....

I favor the 57 over the 58; however, have been upgrading my mic collection, feeling the need to get better results for my recordings than the 57 can deliver. I may save a pair of them for live miking, but will probably be using some combination of an EV RE20, AT4033, and a Beyer M201 for recording guitar. Still looking for a ribbon mic to add into that equation.

But for anyone that needs to make the choice between 57 or 58? I think the 57 offers a better, sturdier option, whether it's for practice, recording, or live applications. Probably not the greatest for live vocals, because of it's unidirectional pattern--but, it DEFINITELY holds up as a vocal practice mic. Also, if you have no other option, it will get the job done on a snare drum, doesn't seem outta place mugging the cone of a screaming amp, and isn't so bad at picking up attack as a second mic on a kick drum.

And of course, there are naysayers, but for the price, it's really not so bad...