If Shure SM58 is a legendary dynamic microphone, it is OK to use them for recording vocals in my home studio?
The immediate answer is YES. But why you can use them deserves an entire blog post. There is more to learn than by simply buying SM58 and call it a perfect vocal recording solution. First it is important to know its frequency response characteristics. See below:
Frequency characteristic of SM58
Photo credits: Shure Inc.
This is the behavior of SM58:
1.) It is linearly/flat somewhere around 110Hz to 2500Hz. This implies that if the original vocals lie within this frequency range, it is neither boosted nor cut by the microphone behavior. The microphone does not add any EQ coloration at this frequency range.
2.) But if the vocal frequency is somewhat below 110Hz, the vocals’ frequency would be roll off (cut or attenuated) even if there is substantial bass presence in the vocals.
3.) Now for frequencies above 2500Hz until 10,000Hz, SM58 would gradually add a boost as shown in the frequency response peaking at +5dB somewhere between 5000Hz and 10,000Hz.
4.) It adds a very slight boost above 10,000Hz but not significant above 15,000Hz.
What does SM58 Frequency Response Implies in terms of Recording?
Since SM58 is a perfect vocal microphone for live performance, the frequency response as well confirms it can be a great microphone for recording vocals in your home studio in such a way that it absolutely needs less processing in the mix resulting in a more natural vocal recording. The following are the reasons why:
1.) Most vocals during the audio mixing process will be roll off (applied with low shelf) below 100Hz. This is the practice of most vocals recorded using condenser microphones. However since SM 58 naturally rolls off below 100Hz as shown in its frequency response; you do not need to apply this EQ anymore.
2.) In addition, vocal presence strongly lies in the 2000Hz to 5000Hz, according to the frequency response; it is naturally boosted so you won’t be any more EQ’ing the vocals to improve its presence. It naturally comes with SM58.
SM58 microphone
3.) Then since you need to add some “airness” to the vocals which would be above 10,000Hz; SM58 automatically adds the boost.
Mentioning the above 3 advantages, you won’t be over EQ’ing the vocals in the mix because the frequency response is tailored for vocal performance. Less EQ means a more natural vocal recording (fewer effects used).
Does this mean SM58 is a perfect solution for recording vocals?
The quick answer is NO. If you look at the frequency response, it cuts low, boost mid to a high level which also adds some sibilance to the vocals. This will not sound good IF:
a.) Your voice is too bassy. SM 58 cannot capture low frequencies very accurate.
b.) Your voice is too pitched at mid-tones with an already sibilant voice. This will worsen if you use SM 58 during vocal recording. Thus, the golden rule in vocal recording is selecting appropriate microphones to where the vocals would sound best.
It is why it’s common in very big recording studios to have a lot of vocal recording microphones because if something does not work for a certain singer, the producer can experiment with several microphones until it sound great.
SM 58 works best for singers with relatively flat and natural response in singing. When SM58 adds some EQ coloration through its frequency response characteristics; these singers would sound best even if recorded with SM58.
But it would sound awful to singers with high mid-tone/sibilant content in their vocals. This makes the vocal EQ work trickier.
It is why a condenser microphone is a common standard for most vocal recording because they have a very flat frequency response. They do not add any coloration when recorded. So this implies that what is recorded mimics the original voice (unaltered). This makes it easy for the engineers to apply appropriate EQ during mixing because the original recording is flatly recorded.
Does SM58 have really been used in vocal recordings for major label album projects?
If you think SM58 is not a great vocal studio microphone, better read below. Yes, there are legendary artists that uses SM58 in their studio album projects:
1.) “Bjork” – she belongs to Rolling Stones list of Top 100 greatest voices. In all of her vocal recordings for an album project; she was using SM58..
2.) “U2” – Bono was recording the band hits from their multi-platinum albums “The Joshua Tree” and “Achtung Baby” using SM58 as the vocal microphone.
Bono in U2
Credits: David Guerrero
And there are so many more.
Content last updated on August 2, 2012