Shure SM57 Cardioid Dynamic Instrument Microphone

The Shure SM57 is an industry-standard, unidirectional cardioid dynamic microphone engineered primarily for amplified and acoustic instrument pickup as well as vocal speech. Known for its rugged die-cast steel construction and distinctive contoured presence peak, it is a staple in recording studios, live concert venues, and presidential podium setups worldwide.

It uses a uniform cardioid (unidirectional) polar pattern that captures sound directly on-axis in front of the grille while rejecting ambient room noise, stage monitors, and bleed from adjacent instruments at the rear and sides. This high off-axis rejection makes it ideal for crowded drum kits and loud stages.

The SM57 features a tailored frequency response spanning 40 Hz to 15 kHz. It incorporates a natural low-end roll-off below 200 Hz (which helps tame proximity effect when close-miking) alongside a clean, contoured midrange presence rise peaking around 5–7 kHz that helps snare drums, electric guitar cabinets, and brass cut effortlessly through dense mixes.

Because it is a passive moving-coil dynamic microphone with a rugged Unidyne III capsule and output transformer, it can handle extreme sound pressure levels exceeding 150–160+ dB SPL without electrical clipping or capsule overload. This makes it virtually impossible to distort acoustically on loud snare drums, screaming guitar amps, or brass instruments.

No. As a passive dynamic microphone, it generates its audio signal electro-acoustically without requiring +48V phantom power or batteries. (Applying +48V phantom power from a console will not damage a properly wired SM57 via a standard balanced XLR cable.)

Both microphones share the exact same Unidyne III dynamic capsule, transformer, and handle assembly. The primary difference lies in the grille design: the SM58 uses a spherical ball grille with an internal foam pop filter optimized for vocal distance and plosive control, whereas the SM57 uses a flat, low-profile resonator grille that sits closer to the diaphragm—allowing closer placement to drumheads and speaker cones while subtly enhancing high-midrange crispness.

The Unidyne III cartridge is suspended inside a pneumatic shock-mount system within the handle body, isolating the diaphragm from mechanical stand vibrations, drumstick bumps, and handling noise.

The black plastic grille assembly at the top of the SM57 is designed to rotate freely around its retaining ring. This mechanical design prevents accidental twisting or shearing of the delicate internal capsule leads if the grille gets bumped by a drumstick or twisted while mounting. (Note: the grille cannot be pulled straight off without disassembling the internal retaining ring.)