Have you considered a brand other than Shure ? It makes a difference you know. If you like the '58 a lot, can I also suggest the '48. It too drops the transformer, looks like a '58, has a smoother response like the '7B and costs less than either. There are some wicked finds to be found in some less expensive microphones made by the usual suspects. There's no advantage you see in them making a bad capsule just to fit in their less expensive offerings, so you may find a gem using a capsule used in the better mikes in a different package. AKG has or had plenty of examples of this.
From my studio change from garbage china copies of SM58's to more "expensive mics" (I was dumb and went to condensers, the worst mic type for small room podcasting) I'm going back to the SM58's they just sound better, they also reject room noise and reflections better, at way lower cost. (Mine were $19 each new and sound identical to the real SM58's I own)
Yeah...there is a LOT of status involved with the mic. That being said...there is a reason it has been used as the main mic on pop songs for years. It is a great mic. Perhaps just not necessary for everyone
@@DarkCornerStudios Dude, it has *not* been used as the main mic on pop songs. Not even close. It's heavily used for rap and some times used for other genres where it suits the singer's voice, but the main choice in recording studios for singers has been a condenser microphone like the AKG C12 or the Neumann U87 for many, many decades. Now, the SM7B it has been one of the most used microphones for everything voice-over related (commercials, radio, etc.), and yes, there's a good reason for that.
In my experience the SM7B picks up less unwanted background noise than the SM58. That’s why it’s such a popular choice for podcasts and radio. I use it for vocals in my home studio because my apartment walls are thin and I sometimes get some background street noise. The SM7B does a great job not picking those sounds up and gives me cleaner and clearer results off the bat, so less need for editing and eq. The SM58 is a great rugged mic for using live, you can drop it, accidentally hit it with a drumstick if you’re mic’ing your snare, and it keeps on chugging. Those extra background frequencies are less of worry when you’re playing in a club and there’s tons of spill on all the mics. They’re both fantastic and legendary mics, but it’s all about knowing how they respond in different situations, and using the right mic for the right job.
I haven't gotten 2 minutes through the video and I desperately feel the need to compliment your voice. Holy shit it's perfect! Not too deep or gnarly but not nasely or high. Just a nice balance. Sorry for that, I'm weird and appreciate smooth voices alot. Lol
Yes! I use SM58 mics on my podcast and it works amazing. I wish I could use condensers but I don't have a treated room at the moment. But the SM58 is great for a podcast with the proximity effect it has as well as it's ability to both pick up quiet voices and not be blown out when people laugh, get loud, etc. And they're amazing for travel if you take your podcast to other locations. Great video, man!
I think it would have been far, far harder to tell if you used a pop filer in the sm58 as the pre-built pop filter in the 7B gave away which was which pretty quickly
Great vid mate! Funny, I’ve performed for years on stage with the SM58 and SM57 and never really stopped to find out what makes them tick. You guys certainly showed that here. The SM58 is my favourite mic ever because it’s so reliable. It’s rugged, no nonsense, and affordable. It just turns up everyday and gets the job done with quality results. So whilst I’ve been pondering the idea of getting more expensive mics for podcasts and so forth, you’ve really shown I don’t have to. Thanks heaps! Peace ✌🏽
If you want to hear the difference, listen with a pair oh headphones. If you're serious about your podcast, go with the SM7B. It's a lot warmer. But you can still use the SM58 for pretty much anything with a little tweaking and a pop filter. Great review! Great comparison!
I wish he had tested them with the capsules at the same distance from his face. I could totally tell when it was the 58 because of sibilance but I'm wondering if just making sure the capsule of the 58 is the same distance as the 7b guard provides will give you a similar sound.
I could tell A was the 58 before I even heard the 7b. The low end is much smoother and resonant on the 7b, and the 58 has tons of plosives, and a sharper presence at 6k. It’s also grainier because of the transformer. I use these mics professionally, and if you’re doing some serious studio work, it’s a no brained to always grab the 7b over the 58.
Impressive you can hear 6k off the top! Just kidding ofcourse you are right, for the highest production quality the 7b is the clear winner. But I wouldn't say 300€ worth more for most use cases. That being said there is a difference for a reason and each use case needs different solutions.
@@urbnctrl agreed. It depends how often you’re going to use it. If you’re using the mics everyday, 300 isn’t much when you consider the many years of potential use you’ll get from it.
So I’m in the process of transitioning into doing voiceover work as my career. I am completely new to this, as I’ve been a truck driver for about 5 years now. I’m getting all my gear ready and I was given a Shure SM58 mic for free from my brother In law. I’m hoping it works well for this! Thanks for this video it’s been helpful 👍🏼
I have a SM58 with a popfiltre and use it for my first homestudio. I am really happy with it. I was thinking about upgrading to a SM7B but this video made me change my mind. Thank you :D
@@DarkCornerStudiossome xlr cables produce static noise... So just wondering about xlr cable which we need to connect to audio interface... And sm58 comes with no cable
Also, the capsule was closer to your mouth with the SM58 than with the SM7b, which is deeper in the housing. Backing off the SM58 could have made them even more similar! Great comparison thanks a lot!
SM58 or 57 with a pop filter are great for vocal production especially at home studios because there is usually noise around a home or from neighbours which a condensor would pic up. Dynamic mics will still pick things up but not nearly as much so if your making music at home then this could be a great tool
Thanks to this and other similarly helpful videos I saved 300 on the mic and got a better audio mixer. Don't feel like I'll be sacrificing quality either. Thanks!
Whats noticable is that the sm7b is really level volume wise, while you can hear glimpses of the proximity effect on the sm58. If you would put them side by side and align their capsules instead of the outside grills, they would sound even more alike, plus a pop filter and they would be indistinguishable. Cool video, thanks
Excellent video. I have several SM 58 mics and one SM57 and I do see the SM7B in use a lot and had no idea they had the same capsule. The slight advantage of the SM7B mics physical packaging doesn't make it worth $300 more than a good old SM58. I have played pro and semi pro doing weekly gigs since the mid 70's and still have the same SM58 that I bought used around 1975. It's been beaten and abused (not on purpose) and has survived numerous extended road trips over the years. I have changed the ball head on it several times but other than that I can't say anything negative about the SM58. It's reputation as the worlds best on stage vocal mic is still in tact. The SM7B looks great but too much of a difference in price for the same sound in a prettier package. Get an SM58 and a pop screen and you are good to go. Spent that extra $300 on upgrading other equipment.
My SM58 was bought secondhand, and it came with the original receipt showing it was over 20 years old. Still looks and works like new. Truly a buy-for-life product
Could tell them apart even without the 58's heightened plosives, but they weren't all that different. The 58 was a little sharper in the high mids/treble region, but to my ears they both sounded a bit woolly/muddy on your voice. I understand why the SM7B is so popular, but I think a lot of people (mainly streamers on twitch) choose it for its looks rather than an evaluation of what sounds best for the money. If you wanted a nice audio setup for streaming on a budget, a 57 with the A81 WS windscreen might be all you ever need. Other than that, I think multi-pattern condenser mics are underrated. If you know how to place the mic, the figure of 8 pattern is a godsend for rejecting unwanted noises. Cheers and thanks for the video!
I guessed B was the sm7b at first listen just because of the volume difference. I would love to see a rematch where you have the sm7b and sm58 mic element at a similar ~2" distance and a pop filter in front of the sm58. Thank you for the great video. Liked and subscribed
The SM58 is a better low-cost alternative than, say, the MV7, which runs about $250. Ultimately, though, the SM7B remains my all-time favorite. It fixes a lot of the flaws in my voice like no other mic I've ever used. For radio broadcasting (my industry), I believe that I'd prefer the SM58. Thanks for the comparison, Aiden.
Great video! I owned an SM7B but upgraded to an outstanding tube mic the Vanguard V13 (insanely good!) and sold the SM7B. Recently I bought an SM58 for Music video stuff and I happened upon your video. I was debating about the SM7B or RE20 for double-tracking lead vocals or changing up mics for background vocals. After watching this, it is super clear that I will just use the SM58. Thank you again! Great job! You just saved me $559 because I'd have to get a cloud lifter too! Hahahahaha
Wow, I never thought these 2 mics had the same capsule. They sound the same except for the popping on the 58, and for good reasons. Thank you for this demonstration!
Only audible difference on mic B was less plosives (SM7B). Difference in tone between the two mics is hardly discernible. Get a standard studio pop filter ($15) and use the SM58.
When I got my SM58 some 5 years ago, I was a bit bothered by the pops, so I just pulled a sock over it while I'd look for a filter. I still haven't bought one lol.
Very handy video. I’m a regular podcaster and I was thinking of investing in a SM7B. I own a SM58 but never used it for podcasting, just live recording. Given me huge food for thought
My listeners prefer the SM58 over all my other mics so I now use it almost exclusively - I use the A58WS foam windscreen on the mic and there are no plosives. Basically it sounds almost like the SM7B before EQ and you can make it sound the same with a bit of EQ.
For the price of one SM7B you can get a full podcast setup of multiple SM58 mics with pop filters and even a couple of FetHeads thrown in for some clean gain boost. Plus you can then use the mics for any live stage podcasts or music performances too. As an ex-touring musician, I'll never stray from the SM58.
The thing is a workhorse. I have a video coming up showing how to actually turn an sm58 INTO an SM7B. Just a lil bit of surgery...its amazing how close they are mechanically...
The difference is so negligible it doesn't matter, the SM7 looks better sure, but we use these mics for audio purposes and every one should remember that. They make a wind screen that goes over the SM58 that improves its appearance and helps with plosives just like the SM7.
I love the SM58 due to its versatility. It's my go to mic for vocal recordings and I also use it as my snareside mic with the filter off (although an SM57 is better for this). My bandmates swear by the SM7B and we used it as our vocal mic for recording and gigging primarily, but when we've forgotten it the SM58 always works and sounds great
I can agree on this. I have been looking for a good microphone that can handle louder vocals and I just can’t bring myself to spend $400 when the sm57 and sm58 are barely any different. Stick a pop filter on them and you basically have the same microphone. I will most likely end up getting the sm58
The difference between them is huge. Also, comparing processed signals is absurd. The 58 is way more present, and less detailed, more output. The SM7 is more detalied, sounds overall bigger, and fatter, and darker. It's very good with dealing with those harsh frequencies when it comes to recording loud screaming, singing, brass, hi hats, stuff like that. The 58 even boosts those, which does make it more applicable in live situations where the sound needs to cut through a mix. Yes, of course you can record great sounding speech with an SM58, but the SM7b still outperforms it in a studio environment.
Of course there are reasons to choose the SM7B over the SM58...but not really the point of the video. The point was the processed signals and the similarities between them. Yes they have very different uses and yeah...the SM7 is legendary...but when doing spoken word...its amazing how quickly people pass over the 58
@daveporter32043 As a professional, you are 100% right, and I find it really sad... But, in an utopian environment where money is not the issue, and you're recording for your own ears (eg. recording your own album, recording an audiobook to listen to later, or something), I'd still go for the SM7, and give it my best. :)
@Mister Problematic Well, that depends on how you look at it. It's not as big as if it were a Shure Beta 52a, but when I think of the SM58, i think "a bit harsh, cuts through the mix", when I think SM7, i think "smooth, sits well in the back of the mix" kind of voice. It's a question of resolution. :)
Stan The Bland but if you have the money and want a real good microphone for podcast or streaming etc. it would be a good choice. But it is really expensive
"not sexy" aside, my key takeaways here is that the sm58 is decent enough to start you off on your home studio podcast or vocal recording sessions. i may just need a pop filter, boost up the gain a little, and speak/sing to it a few inches back to minimize breathing noises hehe....on live gigs however, im actually cool w/ the breathing noises - its evidence hearing unedited real deal singing 😄 great video! 👏
I didn't know they were _THAT_ close. I could tell the difference because of the high-end drop-off of the SM7B, and the popping in the 58. But very close; throw in an EQ, and you could make them sound identical.
Never mind pop filter, you had the tip of the wind screens lined up, but that brings the element of the 58 about 2” closer - maybe if the elements were lined up, there would be even less difference? Maybe that’s the magic, add some extra gain and stay out of the proximity boom-space? Wish I had an sm7b at home to test like that...
The element of the SM7B is significantly further away from the business end of the housing which really helps to eliminate the proximity boom even when you’re right on it eating the mic. So yeah if that was accounted for on the AB test by moving the 58 back by a bit, it likely would have helped shift the 58’s tone a bit more realistically for the experiment.
I’m honestly going with the sm7b because I am a keyboard player and a live streamer, I don’t want to hear the sound of the banging from the keyboard to interfere with the mic , the sm7b should be great if I want to play and speak without the background noise
Very well-done and informative vid!! I use an SM58 for my vids and a KSM27 for my radio show and commercial recordings. I have also used the SM7B in many radio studios and I love it!! It's my DREAM mic!! :)
Same here. My SM58 got a lot of use in my musician days a decade ago. It holds up with no issues whatsoever for teleconferencing now. Even the grill is the same as the one I started out with. Just needed to hammer the dents out.
@@DarkCornerStudios Whenever I came across one in a live show, the grill always seemed to be at least a little bit smooshed. We played punk, so I took it as a sign of quality performances. I was about to buy a replacement grill when I brought it back out, but found that I was able to reshape it to looking like new.
To anybody that sees this a year later for future reference, there are downloadable 3d print files to essentially replicate the body for the sm58 to fit into if the aesthetics are a concern for you
Better comparison would be to place the diaphragm of the mics closer to the same distance away to compare the sound. 58 diaphragm was several inches closer. Bet they would sound even more similar at the same distance.
Very easy for me to tell the difference, just from the "plosives" in the SM58. Would've been interesting to put a standard pop filter on the SM58 and then repeat the test. That being said, I just used an SM7B (for the first time) in a studio for a song I've written. I was impressed. An advantage of the SM58, I think, in the hands of a singer who knows what he's doing, is the ability to use the "proximity effect" (along with volume control of the voice) to really change up how the singer sounds during a performance. "Mic control", done properly by an expert, is amazing to see/hear.
I use a Samson Q2U which many will say sound better than an SM58. So if the SM58 is pretty much an SM7B without a built in shock mount and pop filter, that's saying a lot for the $60 I paid for it.
I use the sm58 as a vocal mic on stage as a stand up lead singer . When Im fronting in a trio I use the beta 58 because it is made to sing right on and has a reduced proximity effect almost to the point of having none and has a bit more drive to it . When your singing lead while playing guitar you cannot use the mic control required with the regular 58 . When doing acoustic "unplugged" I prefer the reg 58 because I can back off it and run it a bit hot and it translates well and maintains warmth . The beta isnt a warm mic and made to really push the vocalist to the front , and as I said . It is made to sing right on . I literally am touching it with my lips to maintain orientation . It is a great mic for loud stages and hard rock with its forward presence and extra drive . Its almost like it adds a bit of saturation . The other thing about 58's id their indestructible . I have several and some have the wind screens all dented and Iv thrown them and dropped them and even drove my dozer over one and still sounds great although its only 1/4 inch thick now .... alright i might be full of it regarding the dozer part but the rest is fact . They are tough as nails and thats why they are the most popular stage mics of all . Side note . If you show up at a battle of the bands type situation , if you are using other brands the sound guys sometimes prefer you use 58's because they usually are most familiar with them . Iv seen them refuse to even deal with some mics . Those guys can be real pricks about that sometimes . They have little time to dial in mics when bands are using the same stage / pa . If you have a 57 and a 58 you can cover alot of sonic territory and as some have mentioned , with a little eq , even more territory . This has been my experience after many years of using these mics . I use a Se 2200 condenser on my voice in the studio lately . Sounds great . Im a broad range baritone aka Staley , Cornell , Weiland type vocalist so I am belting hard and loud most the time . If you are such a singer I recommend the beta on stage . Sorry so long but I figured some of you might like to know what applications these mics work best in from a singer that has spent hundreds of hours with them . Oh Iv used both the 58 and the 57 for vocal recording too with great results . I have not recorded with the beta in the studio . Only captured it in live gigs on a QSC Touchmix 16 . My take , aggressive , up front , and in your face . As it should be . OK , now im done .(mic drop ! )
I have used the 58 onstage as a lead singer and lead guitarist...never had any issues... That said I have never used the beta... Next time I am onstage I will give it a shot... If it ever happens again
Well, the missing pop filter on the SM58?made it kinda obvious. But... to be frank, the plosives were the only thing that struck me as a difference. Everything else was very subtle. It’s just... well you said it: The SM58 is just not sexy. Having to use a kinda big pop filter would be a hassle in front of a camera. So even tho I know about how similar those microphones are, I cam not Shure, which one to pick.
After quite some time, I ended up deciding against both microphones. And the story might be interesting. So, i was interested in the kind of performance I can get out of a really cheap microphone. Back then I used the RØDE Procaster, so I had a decent microphone to compare it to. So I got myself the Behringer BA85A. And since I knew from other reviews, that The Procaster is actually superior in ambiance noise rejection, I was shocked, when I got the BA85A. It positively destroyed the Procaster and in extent the SM7B in ambiance noise rejection. It was easily 6dB quieter. Too bad it had RFI interference problems. But I decided to give the Shure Beta 58A a go, which had a similar pickup pattern. And this is what I stuck with. The SM7B would be a step back indeed. And for what? More bass response? Heck, the Beta 58A is barely low enough for my use. And on top of that, the SM7Bs self noise by design is higher. I love the looks of the SM7B, yes, but I won’t buy a microphone based on looks alone.
Great comparison. I have seen so many reviews about the holy grail SM7B. For me i think the 58 would be my go to based solely on price point. i do like the look of the 7B, but the price is outta range for most people, like me starting out. I still use my XM8500's and just recently purchased the podmic, i use both with great results. I would definitely go with the 58 and and use the rest of my money for other equipment. Also, had you used a foam screen on the 58 the giveaway would not have been as obvious because they are very similar audio characteristics. Cool video my friend have a great day.
Thanks Scott. I couldnt find the foam for the video...kinda gave it away...but yeah. It is tough to tell, and in a podcast environment, it would be literally impossible to tell. Thanks for watching!!
Much love. This was a super excellent video. Going with my Shure beta 58a which I understand is just a slightly evolved and broader mic compared to its older sibling.
Great video with that said I own both and the the Sm7B is well worth the price IF YOU HAVE a CLOUD LIFTER as it's meant to be used with according to most pros. I've tried both on my podcast and for my voice the 7B smokes it on the lows. Again it all depends on the source.
Thank you for this video! I own and use the SM58. I could definitely tell the different between the two mics because the SM7b is a lot warmer in tone where the SM58 sounds brighter but is more sensitive to airflow.
I actually like the sound of the sm58 more, it just REALLY needs a good filter for plosives lol The sm7b kills it in that department. Both are amazing Mics!
Thanks for the post. Now I am having reservations about purchasing the SM7B. I will just stick with my used SM58 that I bought for $3 at a Japanese surplus store.
Podcastage said it best. The SM7B has become the blue yeti. The mic everyone thinks they need. You don’t need to spend that much. There’s plenty of cheaper mics that will get you what you need
Julian Krause did a video about making a Shure SM57 sound more like a SM7b via EQ. Really worth watching. Like these blokes Aiden and Dylan, JK is smart and takes this stuff seriously. BTW Aiden, as a performing musician I don't mind the look of the SM58. No one ever came to one of my gigs and said that they'd like my music more if I had a better looking mic. Maybe if I was better looking tho... Anyway, is the Rode NT2a sexy??
Sound quality in post was extremely similar. What gave it away was the plosives on the SM58. A simple wind screen or pop filter could help, allowing the $400 to be put toward a quality mixer/interface. Thanks for the video.
Btw, loved your Podcaster Pro Vs Zoom L8 video. Subscribed after watching that one. My current setup is an Audio-Technica 4040 run into a DBX-286, then to a Scarlett 212 3rd gen. I’m always playing around with my audio to improve upon the sound quality. Anyway, have a great day.
@@QuikTechSolutions Nice setup! I know it can be a lifelong struggle to get the audio just right. Let me know when you decide to do an upgrade on anything...would love to see the difference!
I saw that you put a note at the end about a pop filter, but you probably should have re-recorded it because it was definitely given away before you even started based on the position of the SM58 being a lot closer to your mouth than the SM7b (especially with it's cage design further pushing it away) and it also not having a pop filter. UPDATE: When writing the above, I didn't know you made a follow-up video that does a better comparison (even if it's modded) where everything is setup right. Despite the critique, good video overall.
Yeah...it was an early video...funny that it is still one of my bigger videos... Redoing it would probably shoot myself in the foot...but it does still stand as a testament of how far the channel has come.
Listening to this video on a set of Equator monitors, the pop filter isn't the only difference. The 58 is rolling off low end that the SM7B is bringing up. I've seen debates that what makes the SM7B a more interesting microphone for recording is that because of the high gain boost required to run it, you hear a lot more of the particulars of your preamp being brought up with it, so the bass boost I'm hearing may even be more something that the preamp is bringing with it as it's saturating. I'm of the mindset that in a vocal recording situation, this minor difference can be overcome with some creative EQing. The reason I got my SM7B is because it's a staple of death metal vocalists, and it works there because a lot of that growling occupies a lower end of the audio spectrum. I imagine people with deeper voices might also benefit from the SM7B. Where the SM7B really shines for me is when I'm recording bass guitar amps, it makes the low end stand out a lot more. But for a beginning podcaster? I think the SM58 is a much more rational choice to start with, especially since the preamp you're going to be using is likely going to be something basic like the kind built into a Scarlett. If you're starting to get in a lot of podcasting, I also think that improvements in audio quality require a lot of money to make a small difference. Instead, I'd take that money and put it into better camera and lighting equipment, an area where even small cheap additions can make huge differences.
Here's what I do! Get the SM57, and throw on the A81WS wind screen! What that will do is give you all the plosive protection you need, as well as putting the capsule at around the same distance from the top of the mic as the SM7B. Other than some minor frequency response difference, you're essentially turning the SM57 into the SM7B. :)
My cousin Jamie used to sing with an SM57, it was like a tank and he used it for everything. I was considering one for voice over work with a filter. I think that you can't go wrong with one and it's so versatile. The price point is excellent. I just can't afford an RE20 or other high dollar mic right now but I hope to in the future. Great video by the way guys.
If you listen to every word and not pick apart what he says you’ll understand why the microphones exist and why the sound is different and why people prefer the sm7b for vocals and instrument recording
very excellent video. And I could totally tell by two things: 1-The 58 was more plosive-ish and you can tell the air being pushed through the mic. The SM7B was much more even and pleasant to listen to without those things. I think the SM7B is a touch warmer w/o being too boomy. But if you used the 58 with a pop filter and compared it to the SM7B it would be very hard to tell the difference. And yes-the SM7B is a Munich sexier mic on camera but it would be hard to tell them apart in the studio.
I too feel the Beta is best.Have you tried the Beta in a studio vocal recording? What is your take on it? I just feel it could be harsh on the highs a bit. But overall I like the Beta best .
@@Triumphinchrist1 I only use it for studio , if you’re in a booth just have the mic at a good distance and also eq you’re mids correctly and itll take out the harshness in the highs 🤘🏻
Thank's for the comparison! Long story short: for most people, spending the additional money makes no sense, sound-wise. You can get indistinguishably close to the SM7B with an SM58 + pop filter and some EQ to keep the proximity effect under control. However, the eye does listen, too... While it's not the first thing that I'd recommend spending the money on... if you are building a proper set, go for the SM7B. This, of course, only goes for speech-based applications. For (metal) vocals, just get the 7B, please. Btw: May I ask how you post-processed the Rode? Because to me it sounds very unnatural - especially compared to the SMs.
EQ bit of compression...that is it. The processing on that mic has been a constant upgrade... As for proper set...I dont know...I dont believe you should be buying a mic for looks...
Unbelievable! I have an SM58, i was considering selling and upgrading to an Sm7b. However, i interview people for my Podcast so i would need two to four of them, plus my Yamaha home mixer so unds great for the Sm58, but I guess I would need cloud lifters for all four of them as well. So I'm sticking with the Sm58 and I just bought three more. Looking forward to it. Many thanx man and yes I subbed. Fantastic content! Really fantastic. Also the one thing I disagree with is I think the SM58 has a nice polished classic look. Nothing fancy but classic it's on every stage and on every movie. Very cool, Thanx again.
Thanks for the sub! And yeah, I have an affinity for the sm58 from my days on stage... I am hard on it but secretly I have a massive love for the thing... Cheers!
That was super informative and a great comparison! Had no idea they are so close in sound quality (at least, given the price difference). I feel like with a pop filter the difference in sound quality to an average listener would be almost indistinguishable
Great review! I can barely hear the difference between the two, which makes the SM58 a great purchase. Probably just include a pop filter which still costs waaayyy less than purchasing an SM7B.
Notice the volume and tone fluctuations as you move toward and away from the mic. Much more noticeable with the 58, meaning more post production to get similar results to the 7b. Consistency is the 7b’s super power lol. I’m not saying every extra penny you pay for a 7B is worth it, but generally speaking, when you pay premium prices (for something that’s well built and not an out and out scam), you’re paying for convenience. If you pay $500 for a really nice channel strip, you don’t have to worry about 7B gain issues. If you don’t want to pay that, you can buy a mic booster and 2 cables. If you don’t want to pay for the 7b at all, you can get a 58, or if you really want max flexibility, a 57 and a pop filter, and work compression and eq in post. How much is your time worth? It’s different for different people at different stages of their career or hobby.
As much as I love the SM7B I think it's overkill for 90% of the people who buy it, including myself. I ended up returning it and going back to my SM57 with the A81WS (some people describe this setup as the poor mans SM7B). Still sounds great , but it does look weird as hell since I have a fethead attached to it which massively extends the length of the mic with the xlr cable plugged in as well. I don't stream or make videos so looks don't really matter. Works perfect for vocals although I still use a condenser mic whenever I record acoustic stuff. I think people are better off spending the money for an SM7B on acoustically treating their room. That made the biggest difference for me. Just a pain to set up all those panels and blankets haha.
Check out the latest video where I actually CHANGE an SM58 INTO an SM7B!!!
ua-cam.com/video/rXPHGrR_JA8/v-deo.html
I think this video just convinced me to stick with my sm58 and spend $400 on something else. Thanks!
Glad I can help!!...
Thanks for watching!!!
ditto. I was gonna go the 2i2+cl+sm7b... but this vid convinced me to go 4i4+sm58, and save a $300. thx for the vid.
Have you considered a brand other than Shure ? It makes a difference you know. If you like the '58 a lot, can I also suggest the '48. It too drops the transformer, looks like a '58, has a smoother response like the '7B and costs less than either. There are some wicked finds to be found in some less expensive microphones made by the usual suspects. There's no advantage you see in them making a bad capsule just to fit in their less expensive offerings, so you may find a gem using a capsule used in the better mikes in a different package. AKG has or had plenty of examples of this.
I'm sort of sad to say I'm with ya
From my studio change from garbage china copies of SM58's to more "expensive mics" (I was dumb and went to condensers, the worst mic type for small room podcasting) I'm going back to the SM58's they just sound better, they also reject room noise and reflections better, at way lower cost. (Mine were $19 each new and sound identical to the real SM58's I own)
The SM7B seems like massive overkill for what a lot of people use it for.
Yeah...there is a LOT of status involved with the mic.
That being said...there is a reason it has been used as the main mic on pop songs for years.
It is a great mic.
Perhaps just not necessary for everyone
Absolutely. It’s a gorgeous mic but if you know how to use a mic properly, many less costly options will also suffice just fine.
Dylan Lalonde an sm57 with an a81 windscreen and a fethead will do almost the same thing as an sm7b. Throw the a55 shock mount on it for good measure.
@@DarkCornerStudios Dude, it has *not* been used as the main mic on pop songs. Not even close. It's heavily used for rap and some times used for other genres where it suits the singer's voice, but the main choice in recording studios for singers has been a condenser microphone like the AKG C12 or the Neumann U87 for many, many decades. Now, the SM7B it has been one of the most used microphones for everything voice-over related (commercials, radio, etc.), and yes, there's a good reason for that.
@@Zarabozo Dude...it is well documented.
Google is easy...
Thanks for watching though......
In my experience the SM7B picks up less unwanted background noise than the SM58. That’s why it’s such a popular choice for podcasts and radio. I use it for vocals in my home studio because my apartment walls are thin and I sometimes get some background street noise. The SM7B does a great job not picking those sounds up and gives me cleaner and clearer results off the bat, so less need for editing and eq. The SM58 is a great rugged mic for using live, you can drop it, accidentally hit it with a drumstick if you’re mic’ing your snare, and it keeps on chugging. Those extra background frequencies are less of worry when you’re playing in a club and there’s tons of spill on all the mics. They’re both fantastic and legendary mics, but it’s all about knowing how they respond in different situations, and using the right mic for the right job.
Yeah...the low pickup on the SM7B is sometimes a blessing
Thanks for watching!!
Que tal el ruido fantasma?
I haven't gotten 2 minutes through the video and I desperately feel the need to compliment your voice. Holy shit it's perfect! Not too deep or gnarly but not nasely or high. Just a nice balance. Sorry for that, I'm weird and appreciate smooth voices alot. Lol
That is the sweetest compliment I have ever gotten.
Thanks for that and thank you for listening!
Yes! I use SM58 mics on my podcast and it works amazing. I wish I could use condensers but I don't have a treated room at the moment. But the SM58 is great for a podcast with the proximity effect it has as well as it's ability to both pick up quiet voices and not be blown out when people laugh, get loud, etc. And they're amazing for travel if you take your podcast to other locations. Great video, man!
Cheers and thanks!!
I think it would have been far, far harder to tell if you used a pop filer in the sm58 as the pre-built pop filter in the 7B gave away which was which pretty quickly
Sticking with my SM58 too lol. Thanks for the video!
I would love for you to do that same test with pop filtering on the 58. The 58 surprised me.
Great vid mate! Funny, I’ve performed for years on stage with the SM58 and SM57 and never really stopped to find out what makes them tick. You guys certainly showed that here. The SM58 is my favourite mic ever because it’s so reliable. It’s rugged, no nonsense, and affordable. It just turns up everyday and gets the job done with quality results. So whilst I’ve been pondering the idea of getting more expensive mics for podcasts and so forth, you’ve really shown I don’t have to. Thanks heaps! Peace ✌🏽
Cheers!
The SM58 is a beast.
Thanks for watching!
If you want to hear the difference, listen with a pair oh headphones.
If you're serious about your podcast, go with the SM7B. It's a lot warmer.
But you can still use the SM58 for pretty much anything with a little tweaking and a pop filter.
Great review! Great comparison!
SM58 is A, you could hear the proximity effect (more low end) when you got closer
You could hear it and I liked it. I didn’t like the popping but the low end was noice
I wish he had tested them with the capsules at the same distance from his face. I could totally tell when it was the 58 because of sibilance but I'm wondering if just making sure the capsule of the 58 is the same distance as the 7b guard provides will give you a similar sound.
Stay tuned...an updated video to follow.
Btw the differential in capsules is about an inch...
I love my SM7B and I didn't test any others but the sound comes from there is just beautiful and I love it , no regrets
It is a great mic for sure!!
@@DarkCornerStudios For Shure
I could tell A was the 58 before I even heard the 7b. The low end is much smoother and resonant on the 7b, and the 58 has tons of plosives, and a sharper presence at 6k. It’s also grainier because of the transformer. I use these mics professionally, and if you’re doing some serious studio work, it’s a no brained to always grab the 7b over the 58.
Impressive you can hear 6k off the top! Just kidding ofcourse you are right, for the highest production quality the 7b is the clear winner. But I wouldn't say 300€ worth more for most use cases. That being said there is a difference for a reason and each use case needs different solutions.
@@urbnctrl agreed. It depends how often you’re going to use it. If you’re using the mics everyday, 300 isn’t much when you consider the many years of potential use you’ll get from it.
So I’m in the process of transitioning into doing voiceover work as my career. I am completely new to this, as I’ve been a truck driver for about 5 years now. I’m getting all my gear ready and I was given a Shure SM58 mic for free from my brother In law. I’m hoping it works well for this! Thanks for this video it’s been helpful 👍🏼
Yup, sticking with my ol' SM58. Peace
Cheers and thanks for watching!!
I have a SM58 with a popfiltre and use it for my first homestudio. I am really happy with it. I was thinking about upgrading to a SM7B but this video made me change my mind. Thank you :D
Cheers and thanks for watching.
Check out the latest in this series...posted last week if you really want the push your sm58 to the limit
@@DarkCornerStudios I will! Thank you!
I've had my sm58 since the mid nineties and it still works flawlessly.
Hey which xlr do u use with sm58
Do you mean which cable?
Cables dont matter...they have zero impact on the sound
@@DarkCornerStudios still can you suggest me one
@@DarkCornerStudiossome xlr cables produce static noise... So just wondering about xlr cable which we need to connect to audio interface... And sm58 comes with no cable
Anything around a buck a foot is fine...I like the Neutrik connectors...so make sure it has them
Also, the capsule was closer to your mouth with the SM58 than with the SM7b, which is deeper in the housing. Backing off the SM58 could have made them even more similar! Great comparison thanks a lot!
SM58 or 57 with a pop filter are great for vocal production especially at home studios because there is usually noise around a home or from neighbours which a condensor would pic up. Dynamic mics will still pick things up but not nearly as much so if your making music at home then this could be a great tool
yeah, your breath gave it away.
Kudos to Dylan for his presentation. Well done.
Thanks to this and other similarly helpful videos I saved 300 on the mic and got a better audio mixer. Don't feel like I'll be sacrificing quality either. Thanks!
Amazing!
The interface is rather important.
Thanks for watching!!
Whats noticable is that the sm7b is really level volume wise, while you can hear glimpses of the proximity effect on the sm58. If you would put them side by side and align their capsules instead of the outside grills, they would sound even more alike, plus a pop filter and they would be indistinguishable. Cool video, thanks
Excellent video. I have several SM 58 mics and one SM57 and I do see the SM7B in use a lot and had no idea they had the same capsule. The slight advantage of the SM7B mics physical packaging doesn't make it worth $300 more than a good old SM58. I have played pro and semi pro doing weekly gigs since the mid 70's and still have the same SM58 that I bought used around 1975. It's been beaten and abused (not on purpose) and has survived numerous extended road trips over the years. I have changed the ball head on it several times but other than that I can't say anything negative about the SM58. It's reputation as the worlds best on stage vocal mic is still in tact. The SM7B looks great but too much of a difference in price for the same sound in a prettier package. Get an SM58 and a pop screen and you are good to go. Spent that extra $300 on upgrading other equipment.
Cheers!!
Also...thanks for watching!!
It's not more metal.. it HAS more metal
Cheers
My SM58 was bought secondhand, and it came with the original receipt showing it was over 20 years old. Still looks and works like new. Truly a buy-for-life product
Could tell them apart even without the 58's heightened plosives, but they weren't all that different. The 58 was a little sharper in the high mids/treble region, but to my ears they both sounded a bit woolly/muddy on your voice. I understand why the SM7B is so popular, but I think a lot of people (mainly streamers on twitch) choose it for its looks rather than an evaluation of what sounds best for the money. If you wanted a nice audio setup for streaming on a budget, a 57 with the A81 WS windscreen might be all you ever need. Other than that, I think multi-pattern condenser mics are underrated. If you know how to place the mic, the figure of 8 pattern is a godsend for rejecting unwanted noises. Cheers and thanks for the video!
I guessed B was the sm7b at first listen just because of the volume difference. I would love to see a rematch where you have the sm7b and sm58 mic element at a similar ~2" distance and a pop filter in front of the sm58. Thank you for the great video. Liked and subscribed
The SM58 is a better low-cost alternative than, say, the MV7, which runs about $250. Ultimately, though, the SM7B remains my all-time favorite. It fixes a lot of the flaws in my voice like no other mic I've ever used. For radio broadcasting (my industry), I believe that I'd prefer the SM58. Thanks for the comparison, Aiden.
Great video! I owned an SM7B but upgraded to an outstanding tube mic the Vanguard V13 (insanely good!) and sold the SM7B. Recently I bought an SM58 for Music video stuff and I happened upon your video. I was debating about the SM7B or RE20 for double-tracking lead vocals or changing up mics for background vocals. After watching this, it is super clear that I will just use the SM58. Thank you again! Great job! You just saved me $559 because I'd have to get a cloud lifter too! Hahahahaha
Wow, I never thought these 2 mics had the same capsule. They sound the same except for the popping on the 58, and for good reasons. Thank you for this demonstration!
Cheers!
Part 2 of this video is out Monday
Only audible difference on mic B was less plosives (SM7B). Difference in tone between the two mics is hardly discernible. Get a standard studio pop filter ($15) and use the SM58.
no
When I got my SM58 some 5 years ago, I was a bit bothered by the pops, so I just pulled a sock over it while I'd look for a filter. I still haven't bought one lol.
@@grimecube link me the sock😅
Very handy video. I’m a regular podcaster and I was thinking of investing in a SM7B. I own a SM58 but never used it for podcasting, just live recording. Given me huge food for thought
My listeners prefer the SM58 over all my other mics so I now use it almost exclusively - I use the A58WS foam windscreen on the mic and there are no plosives. Basically it sounds almost like the SM7B before EQ and you can make it sound the same with a bit of EQ.
There is a reason the sm58 is considered one of the most reliable mics
Thankx this help get my first xlr mic m58 and eventually get the sm7b.
For the price of one SM7B you can get a full podcast setup of multiple SM58 mics with pop filters and even a couple of FetHeads thrown in for some clean gain boost. Plus you can then use the mics for any live stage podcasts or music performances too. As an ex-touring musician, I'll never stray from the SM58.
The thing is a workhorse.
I have a video coming up showing how to actually turn an sm58 INTO an SM7B.
Just a lil bit of surgery...its amazing how close they are mechanically...
@@DarkCornerStudios Well I'm looking forward to that one then!
@@speakoid Coming in the new year...gonna be a lot of work...looking forward to it though
The difference is so negligible it doesn't matter, the SM7 looks better sure, but we use these mics for audio purposes and every one should remember that. They make a wind screen that goes over the SM58 that improves its appearance and helps with plosives just like the SM7.
I love the SM58 due to its versatility. It's my go to mic for vocal recordings and I also use it as my snareside mic with the filter off (although an SM57 is better for this). My bandmates swear by the SM7B and we used it as our vocal mic for recording and gigging primarily, but when we've forgotten it the SM58 always works and sounds great
Thanks for watching!
I can agree on this. I have been looking for a good microphone that can handle louder vocals and I just can’t bring myself to spend $400 when the sm57 and sm58 are barely any different. Stick a pop filter on them and you basically have the same microphone. I will most likely end up getting the sm58
super interesting video. thanks for this. was thinking of getting an SM58 and you helped me consolidate my opinion.
The difference between them is huge. Also, comparing processed signals is absurd. The 58 is way more present, and less detailed, more output. The SM7 is more detalied, sounds overall bigger, and fatter, and darker. It's very good with dealing with those harsh frequencies when it comes to recording loud screaming, singing, brass, hi hats, stuff like that. The 58 even boosts those, which does make it more applicable in live situations where the sound needs to cut through a mix. Yes, of course you can record great sounding speech with an SM58, but the SM7b still outperforms it in a studio environment.
Of course there are reasons to choose the SM7B over the SM58...but not really the point of the video.
The point was the processed signals and the similarities between them.
Yes they have very different uses and yeah...the SM7 is legendary...but when doing spoken word...its amazing how quickly people pass over the 58
@daveporter32043 As a professional, you are 100% right, and I find it really sad... But, in an utopian environment where money is not the issue, and you're recording for your own ears (eg. recording your own album, recording an audiobook to listen to later, or something), I'd still go for the SM7, and give it my best. :)
@Mister Problematic Well, that depends on how you look at it. It's not as big as if it were a Shure Beta 52a, but when I think of the SM58, i think "a bit harsh, cuts through the mix", when I think SM7, i think "smooth, sits well in the back of the mix" kind of voice. It's a question of resolution. :)
This is an Excellent video , can’t wait to purchase the SM58
Glad you enjoyed.
Thanks for watching!!
why the hell does he not have millions of subscribers?
That is a sweet sentiment.
Growth is there...slowly marching forward.
Thanks for your support!
I ask myself that every time he posts a video. Stellar content.
Sm58 owner shopping for a Sm7. Awesome video, very useful, thanks!
Check out the updated version of it...where I actually turn an sm58 INTO an SM7B
it is actually really easy to hear the difference between the microphones because if you listen the sm58 has much more plosives
Yeah...a good lesson on monitoring your audio...heh
If that's it then sm7b isn't worth it
Stan The Bland but if you have the money and want a real good microphone for podcast or streaming etc. it would be a good choice. But it is really expensive
I love them both. the built in pop filter is really nice for being on stage and the feedback rejection is a little better with the sm7b.
I have an SM58 for my setup and I think it's great!
I could tell purely because the SM58 didn't have a popfilter lol
Yeah...lol...this was one of those "learning experiences"...lol
Hey which xlr cable do u use for sm58
"not sexy" aside, my key takeaways here is that the sm58 is decent enough to start you off on your home studio podcast or vocal recording sessions. i may just need a pop filter, boost up the gain a little, and speak/sing to it a few inches back to minimize breathing noises hehe....on live gigs however, im actually cool w/ the breathing noises - its evidence hearing unedited real deal singing 😄 great video! 👏
thx for the infos, I'll take the NT2A you are using instead ^^
Yeah...I love this mic...
Pretty decent display for the difference between condenser and dynamics
Cheers and thanks for watching.
I didn't know they were _THAT_ close. I could tell the difference because of the high-end drop-off of the SM7B, and the popping in the 58. But very close; throw in an EQ, and you could make them sound identical.
Never mind pop filter, you had the tip of the wind screens lined up, but that brings the element of the 58 about 2” closer - maybe if the elements were lined up, there would be even less difference? Maybe that’s the magic, add some extra gain and stay out of the proximity boom-space? Wish I had an sm7b at home to test like that...
The element of the SM7B is significantly further away from the business end of the housing which really helps to eliminate the proximity boom even when you’re right on it eating the mic. So yeah if that was accounted for on the AB test by moving the 58 back by a bit, it likely would have helped shift the 58’s tone a bit more realistically for the experiment.
I’m honestly going with the sm7b because I am a keyboard player and a live streamer, I don’t want to hear the sound of the banging from the keyboard to interfere with the mic , the sm7b should be great if I want to play and speak without the background noise
yeah your breath really gave it away :D I heard it in the first 2 seconds
It's all the hot air.
The stuff just rushes out of me...heh
@@DarkCornerStudios but nice comparison, they really sound very similar
@@SpecialAbonnent thanks for watching!!
yep, pretty much...but the sm58 sounds great
I think if he had an a popper to the 58 you won’t be able to tell the difference at all
Breathe 100% gave it away. I was thinking that, but I wasn't sure until you flashed the text lol.
Nice...lol
They really are close.
Thanks for watching!!
The major giveaway was the plosives. I knew that would be the 58.
Very well-done and informative vid!! I use an SM58 for my vids and a KSM27 for my radio show and commercial recordings. I have also used the SM7B in many radio studios and I love it!! It's my DREAM mic!! :)
Nice lil setup!
Thanks for watching!!
I have the SM58 from my band days, and I still use it for streaming
That mic is a beast!
Thanks for watching!
Same here. My SM58 got a lot of use in my musician days a decade ago. It holds up with no issues whatsoever for teleconferencing now. Even the grill is the same as the one I started out with. Just needed to hammer the dents out.
They are all a tad dented no?
@@DarkCornerStudios Whenever I came across one in a live show, the grill always seemed to be at least a little bit smooshed. We played punk, so I took it as a sign of quality performances. I was about to buy a replacement grill when I brought it back out, but found that I was able to reshape it to looking like new.
Both are great. To me it was very obvious which was which. But fun to see a comparison and a great explination. Thanks!
Great video!! They should sell a case for the SM58 to make it look like a SM7B. I would pay $30 bucks for that lol!
Lol...so many small youtubers would buy it...
Thanks for watching!
To anybody that sees this a year later for future reference, there are downloadable 3d print files to essentially replicate the body for the sm58 to fit into if the aesthetics are a concern for you
Better comparison would be to place the diaphragm of the mics closer to the same distance away to compare the sound. 58 diaphragm was several inches closer. Bet they would sound even more similar at the same distance.
Very easy for me to tell the difference, just from the "plosives" in the SM58.
Would've been interesting to put a standard pop filter on the SM58 and then repeat the test.
That being said, I just used an SM7B (for the first time) in a studio for a song I've written. I was impressed.
An advantage of the SM58, I think, in the hands of a singer who knows what he's doing, is the ability to use the "proximity effect" (along with volume control of the voice) to really change up how the singer sounds during a performance. "Mic control", done properly by an expert, is amazing to see/hear.
That was great, thank you so much.
So which one are you going for?
The sexy or the serviceable?
For the sake longevity would be the serviceable.
My 58’s and 57’s have seen things that would make the 7B cry. Longevity, makes for better history.
@@ReeWebster I am curious and also cautious at the same time...lol.
Thanks for watching!!
I use a Samson Q2U which many will say sound better than an SM58. So if the SM58 is pretty much an SM7B without a built in shock mount and pop filter, that's saying a lot for the $60 I paid for it.
@@HentaiHappy nice!
Lol.
I have both too...but don't tell my wife
Nice one I was thinking to have dynamic mic and was looking at SM58 before man what a great vid!
Glad you liked it!
Thanks for watching!!
SM57 with an A81 windscreen and an a55 shock mount will do the same thing as an sm7b for half the price
I use the sm58 as a vocal mic on stage as a stand up lead singer . When Im fronting in a trio I use the beta 58 because it is made to sing right on and has a reduced proximity effect almost to the point of having none and has a bit more drive to it . When your singing lead while playing guitar you cannot use the mic control required with the regular 58 . When doing acoustic "unplugged" I prefer the reg 58 because I can back off it and run it a bit hot and it translates well and maintains warmth . The beta isnt a warm mic and made to really push the vocalist to the front , and as I said . It is made to sing right on . I literally am touching it with my lips to maintain orientation . It is a great mic for loud stages and hard rock with its forward presence and extra drive . Its almost like it adds a bit of saturation . The other thing about 58's id their indestructible . I have several and some have the wind screens all dented and Iv thrown them and dropped them and even drove my dozer over one and still sounds great although its only 1/4 inch thick now .... alright i might be full of it regarding the dozer part but the rest is fact . They are tough as nails and thats why they are the most popular stage mics of all . Side note . If you show up at a battle of the bands type situation , if you are using other brands the sound guys sometimes prefer you use 58's because they usually are most familiar with them . Iv seen them refuse to even deal with some mics . Those guys can be real pricks about that sometimes . They have little time to dial in mics when bands are using the same stage / pa . If you have a 57 and a 58 you can cover alot of sonic territory and as some have mentioned , with a little eq , even more territory . This has been my experience after many years of using these mics . I use a Se 2200 condenser on my voice in the studio lately . Sounds great . Im a broad range baritone aka Staley , Cornell , Weiland type vocalist so I am belting hard and loud most the time . If you are such a singer I recommend the beta on stage . Sorry so long but I figured some of you might like to know what applications these mics work best in from a singer that has spent hundreds of hours with them . Oh Iv used both the 58 and the 57 for vocal recording too with great results . I have not recorded with the beta in the studio . Only captured it in live gigs on a QSC Touchmix 16 . My take , aggressive , up front , and in your face . As it should be . OK , now im done .(mic drop ! )
I have used the 58 onstage as a lead singer and lead guitarist...never had any issues...
That said I have never used the beta...
Next time I am onstage I will give it a shot...
If it ever happens again
Well, the missing pop filter on the SM58?made it kinda obvious. But... to be frank, the plosives were the only thing that struck me as a difference. Everything else was very subtle. It’s just... well you said it: The SM58 is just not sexy. Having to use a kinda big pop filter would be a hassle in front of a camera. So even tho I know about how similar those microphones are, I cam not Shure, which one to pick.
Nyuk nyuk.
Yeah...one of the problema with not monitoring the audio while shooting.
Thanks for watching!!
After quite some time, I ended up deciding against both microphones. And the story might be interesting. So, i was interested in the kind of performance I can get out of a really cheap microphone. Back then I used the RØDE Procaster, so I had a decent microphone to compare it to. So I got myself the Behringer BA85A. And since I knew from other reviews, that The Procaster is actually superior in ambiance noise rejection, I was shocked, when I got the BA85A. It positively destroyed the Procaster and in extent the SM7B in ambiance noise rejection. It was easily 6dB quieter. Too bad it had RFI interference problems. But I decided to give the Shure Beta 58A a go, which had a similar pickup pattern. And this is what I stuck with. The SM7B would be a step back indeed. And for what? More bass response? Heck, the Beta 58A is barely low enough for my use. And on top of that, the SM7Bs self noise by design is higher. I love the looks of the SM7B, yes, but I won’t buy a microphone based on looks alone.
Amazing comparison!
Thanks!
I have the second part coming up Monday...Showing how to mechanically turn an SM58 into an SM7B
Gonna be cool!
Great comparison. I have seen so many reviews about the holy grail SM7B. For me i think the 58 would be my go to based solely on price point. i do like the look of the 7B, but the price is outta range for most people, like me starting out. I still use my XM8500's and just recently purchased the podmic, i use both with great results. I would definitely go with the 58 and and use the rest of my money for other equipment. Also, had you used a foam screen on the 58 the giveaway would not have been as obvious because they are very similar audio characteristics. Cool video my friend have a great day.
Thanks Scott.
I couldnt find the foam for the video...kinda gave it away...but yeah.
It is tough to tell, and in a podcast environment, it would be literally impossible to tell.
Thanks for watching!!
Much love. This was a super excellent video. Going with my Shure beta 58a which I understand is just a slightly evolved and broader mic compared to its older sibling.
Beautiful...glad we could help.
Cheers and thanks for watching!
Great video with that said I own both and the the Sm7B is well worth the price IF YOU HAVE a CLOUD LIFTER as it's meant to be used with according to most pros. I've tried both on my podcast and for my voice the 7B smokes it on the lows. Again it all depends on the source.
Thank you for this video! I own and use the SM58. I could definitely tell the different between the two mics because the SM7b is a lot warmer in tone where the SM58 sounds brighter but is more sensitive to airflow.
Hehe...Id like to hear them without the foam/high ball and with an external pop shield at identical distance to capsule...level the playing field
Other than the pop filter. Pretty close ❤️🌹
Thanks for watching
Tone wise it was no different. Only the pops gave it away. Surprising comparison. Thank you
Two of these bloody things in front of me...I was amazed I didnt pop more...lol
Cheers and thanks for watching!
I actually like the sound of the sm58 more, it just REALLY needs a good filter for plosives lol The sm7b kills it in that department.
Both are amazing Mics!
Thanks for the post. Now I am having reservations about purchasing the SM7B. I will just stick with my used SM58 that I bought for $3 at a Japanese surplus store.
Podcastage said it best. The SM7B has become the blue yeti. The mic everyone thinks they need. You don’t need to spend that much. There’s plenty of cheaper mics that will get you what you need
Its so true...
There are some fantastic ways you can eq a mic to make it sound really good.
Julian Krause did a video about making a Shure SM57 sound more like a SM7b via EQ. Really worth watching. Like these blokes Aiden and Dylan, JK is smart and takes this stuff seriously.
BTW Aiden, as a performing musician I don't mind the look of the SM58. No one ever came to one of my gigs and said that they'd like my music more if I had a better looking mic. Maybe if I was better looking tho...
Anyway, is the Rode NT2a sexy??
I dont know about sexy...but it looks the part for VO work...so I guess it looks expected?
Cheers and thanks for watching!
while guessing i was like "that proximity effect thoooooooooooo"
heh
Thanks for watching!
Sound quality in post was extremely similar. What gave it away was the plosives on the SM58. A simple wind screen or pop filter could help, allowing the $400 to be put toward a quality mixer/interface. Thanks for the video.
Yeah...I learned my lesson...always monitor your audio...lol
Cheers and thanks for watching!
Btw, loved your Podcaster Pro Vs Zoom L8 video. Subscribed after watching that one. My current setup is an Audio-Technica 4040 run into a DBX-286, then to a Scarlett 212 3rd gen. I’m always playing around with my audio to improve upon the sound quality. Anyway, have a great day.
@@QuikTechSolutions Nice setup!
I know it can be a lifelong struggle to get the audio just right.
Let me know when you decide to do an upgrade on anything...would love to see the difference!
I knew what you were using But I I am going buy a SM58 now
Sm7b for aggressive vocals all day.
I saw that you put a note at the end about a pop filter, but you probably should have re-recorded it because it was definitely given away before you even started based on the position of the SM58 being a lot closer to your mouth than the SM7b (especially with it's cage design further pushing it away) and it also not having a pop filter.
UPDATE: When writing the above, I didn't know you made a follow-up video that does a better comparison (even if it's modded) where everything is setup right.
Despite the critique, good video overall.
Yeah...it was an early video...funny that it is still one of my bigger videos...
Redoing it would probably shoot myself in the foot...but it does still stand as a testament of how far the channel has come.
Daredevil out here telling me about mics, i think i'm In :D
Bahaha...cheers and welcome!
Excellent detail in your teaching. Thanks much
Sm58 is the best mic i have seen but remember guys to add an external sound card to prevent white noise while recording .
Listening to this video on a set of Equator monitors, the pop filter isn't the only difference. The 58 is rolling off low end that the SM7B is bringing up. I've seen debates that what makes the SM7B a more interesting microphone for recording is that because of the high gain boost required to run it, you hear a lot more of the particulars of your preamp being brought up with it, so the bass boost I'm hearing may even be more something that the preamp is bringing with it as it's saturating. I'm of the mindset that in a vocal recording situation, this minor difference can be overcome with some creative EQing. The reason I got my SM7B is because it's a staple of death metal vocalists, and it works there because a lot of that growling occupies a lower end of the audio spectrum. I imagine people with deeper voices might also benefit from the SM7B. Where the SM7B really shines for me is when I'm recording bass guitar amps, it makes the low end stand out a lot more. But for a beginning podcaster? I think the SM58 is a much more rational choice to start with, especially since the preamp you're going to be using is likely going to be something basic like the kind built into a Scarlett. If you're starting to get in a lot of podcasting, I also think that improvements in audio quality require a lot of money to make a small difference. Instead, I'd take that money and put it into better camera and lighting equipment, an area where even small cheap additions can make huge differences.
Here's what I do! Get the SM57, and throw on the A81WS wind screen! What that will do is give you all the plosive protection you need, as well as putting the capsule at around the same distance from the top of the mic as the SM7B. Other than some minor frequency response difference, you're essentially turning the SM57 into the SM7B. :)
My cousin Jamie used to sing with an SM57, it was like a tank and he used it for everything. I was considering one for voice over work with a filter. I think that you can't go wrong with one and it's so versatile. The price point is excellent. I just can't afford an RE20 or other high dollar mic right now but I hope to in the future. Great video by the way guys.
WOW, I'm speechless with the explanations. NO other video explains better the "SM's".
Cheers and thanks for watching!!
Dylan knows his stuff!!
If you listen to every word and not pick apart what he says you’ll understand why the microphones exist and why the sound is different and why people prefer the sm7b for vocals and instrument recording
very excellent video. And I could totally tell by two things: 1-The 58 was more plosive-ish and you can tell the air being pushed through the mic. The SM7B was much more even and pleasant to listen to without those things. I think the SM7B is a touch warmer w/o being too boomy. But if you used the 58 with a pop filter and compared it to the SM7B it would be very hard to tell the difference. And yes-the SM7B is a Munich sexier mic on camera but it would be hard to tell them apart in the studio.
great commentary my friend, very informative! thank you.
I love my beta 58, about 10 inches away and crank the gain, nice compression and it’s perfect for every mix and sounds like an expensive condenser!
I too feel the Beta is best.Have you tried the Beta in a studio vocal recording? What is your take on it? I just feel it could be harsh on the highs a bit. But overall I like the Beta best .
@@Triumphinchrist1 I only use it for studio , if you’re in a booth just have the mic at a good distance and also eq you’re mids correctly and itll take out the harshness in the highs 🤘🏻
Thank's for the comparison!
Long story short: for most people, spending the additional money makes no sense, sound-wise. You can get indistinguishably close to the SM7B with an SM58 + pop filter and some EQ to keep the proximity effect under control. However, the eye does listen, too... While it's not the first thing that I'd recommend spending the money on... if you are building a proper set, go for the SM7B.
This, of course, only goes for speech-based applications. For (metal) vocals, just get the 7B, please.
Btw: May I ask how you post-processed the Rode? Because to me it sounds very unnatural - especially compared to the SMs.
EQ bit of compression...that is it.
The processing on that mic has been a constant upgrade...
As for proper set...I dont know...I dont believe you should be buying a mic for looks...
Unbelievable! I have an SM58, i was considering selling and upgrading to an Sm7b. However, i interview people for my Podcast so i would need two to four of them, plus my Yamaha home mixer so unds great for the Sm58, but I guess I would need cloud lifters for all four of them as well. So I'm sticking with the Sm58 and I just bought three more. Looking forward to it. Many thanx man and yes I subbed. Fantastic content! Really fantastic.
Also the one thing I disagree with is I think the SM58 has a nice polished classic look. Nothing fancy but classic it's on every stage and on every movie. Very cool, Thanx again.
Thanks for the sub!
And yeah, I have an affinity for the sm58 from my days on stage...
I am hard on it but secretly I have a massive love for the thing...
Cheers!
That was super informative and a great comparison! Had no idea they are so close in sound quality (at least, given the price difference). I feel like with a pop filter the difference in sound quality to an average listener would be almost indistinguishable
Check out the latest video I did on them...its even closer!
Mic A is the SM58 because it's way more sensitive to plosives and breathing noises.
Great review! I can barely hear the difference between the two, which makes the SM58 a great purchase. Probably just include a pop filter which still costs waaayyy less than purchasing an SM7B.
Notice the volume and tone fluctuations as you move toward and away from the mic. Much more noticeable with the 58, meaning more post production to get similar results to the 7b. Consistency is the 7b’s super power lol. I’m not saying every extra penny you pay for a 7B is worth it, but generally speaking, when you pay premium prices (for something that’s well built and not an out and out scam), you’re paying for convenience.
If you pay $500 for a really nice channel strip, you don’t have to worry about 7B gain issues. If you don’t want to pay that, you can buy a mic booster and 2 cables. If you don’t want to pay for the 7b at all, you can get a 58, or if you really want max flexibility, a 57 and a pop filter, and work compression and eq in post.
How much is your time worth? It’s different for different people at different stages of their career or hobby.
As much as I love the SM7B I think it's overkill for 90% of the people who buy it, including myself. I ended up returning it and going back to my SM57 with the A81WS (some people describe this setup as the poor mans SM7B). Still sounds great , but it does look weird as hell since I have a fethead attached to it which massively extends the length of the mic with the xlr cable plugged in as well. I don't stream or make videos so looks don't really matter. Works perfect for vocals although I still use a condenser mic whenever I record acoustic stuff.
I think people are better off spending the money for an SM7B on acoustically treating their room. That made the biggest difference for me. Just a pain to set up all those panels and blankets haha.
I went with the exact setup shock mount and windscreen. I'm completely happy with it.
The Beta 58A for me!
The sm58 actually sounds better. With a pop shield it's the perfect podcast/livestream microphone. Much smaller and less distracting on camera too