The Best Budget Dynamic Microphone: The SM58 and It’s Clones
Are you in the market for a budget-friendly dynamic microphone that will provide you with professional-level audio quality? Look no further than the SM58 and its clones. This legendary microphone has become the standard for live performances, recordings, and broadcast applications around the world.
Its popularity is due to its durability, affordability, and excellent sound reproduction, making it an ideal choice for those looking to get the most out of their budget. In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at the best budget dynamic microphone: The SM58 and it’s clones, discuss their advantages and drawbacks, and help you decide if it’s the right microphone for you.
What is the SM58?
The Shure SM58 is a dynamic microphone that has been around for decades, and is one of the most popular and reliable dynamic mics in existence. It’s also one of the most budget-friendly models on the market. The SM58 is designed for vocal use and is great for live performances and studio recording. Its frequency response ranges from 50 Hz to 15 kHz, which makes it suitable for a wide range of sound sources. It has a cardioid pickup pattern, meaning that it picks up sound from the front and rejects sound from the sides and back.
This makes it great for isolating sound from other sources, such as instruments in a band setting. The SM58 also features a built-in windscreen which helps reduce noise and pops due to breath or plosives when recording vocals.
It has a durable construction which makes it perfect for touring and long hours in the studio. With its unique sound-reinforcing design and good feedback rejection, the SM58 is a staple among performers and engineers alike.
What are some of the best clones of the SM58?
The SM58 is one of the most widely used and well-known dynamic microphones in the world. It is an affordable, versatile, and durable microphone that has been used in a variety of applications over the years. It has withstood the test of time, as evidenced by its popularity in the music industry. It is also one of the best budget dynamic microphones you can buy.
Its clones are nearly identical in sound quality and build, so they are great alternatives if you don’t have the budget for the SM58. Some of the best clones of the SM58 include the Shure SM48-LC, Behringer XM8500, Neumann-BCM 705-Dynamic Studio Microphone, Telefunken M82, and Sennheiser E835.
Behringer XM8500
The Behringer XM8500 is a budget dynamic microphone that offers excellent sound quality at an affordable price. It is one of the best clones of the SM58, a popular and reliable microphone used by many professional musicians. The XM8500 has a dual-layer diaphragm design and provides superior off-axis response and accurate reproduction of sound. It also features a durable, all-metal construction and a low handling noise.
The XM8500 is great for capturing vocals, instruments, podcasts, and more. It has a cardioid pickup pattern that ensures clear sound reproduction with no background noise. The XM8500 also features a built-in pop filter and shock mount to reduce vocal plosives and other unwanted noises.
Overall, the Behringer XM8500 is a great budget dynamic microphone that will provide excellent sound quality at a reasonable price. It is one of the best clones of the SM58 and offers great sound performance at a fraction of the cost. If you’re looking for a reliable and affordable dynamic microphone, the XM8500 is definitely worth considering.
Shure SM48-LC
The Shure SM48-LC is one of the most popular clones of the SM58. It is a dynamic microphone, similar to the SM58, and it has an identical sound reproduction, as well as a comparable polar response. The SM48-LC has an internal shock mount, which helps reduce unwanted vibration and noise, as well as a built-in pop filter for improved vocal clarity. Additionally, this microphone also features a cardioid polar pattern which is excellent for isolating vocals from background noise.
The SM48-LC is also more durable than the SM58, with a steel grille and internal construction that can withstand tough touring conditions. Finally, the SM48-LC comes at a much lower price than the SM58, making it an excellent choice for those who are on a budget but still want great sound quality.
Shure SM58
The Shure SM58 is one of the most popular dynamic microphones used by professional musicians and sound engineers today. It has been around for decades and is still going strong. The SM58 is a great all-rounder that is particularly well suited for vocals and live performances, thanks to its tailored frequency response and high SPL (Sound Pressure Level) handling capability. It also has an iconic look which has made it an industry standard microphone.
The Shure SM58 has a cardioid pick-up pattern which helps to isolate vocals from any background noise or off-axis sounds. This makes it perfect for recording in noisy environments. It has a flat frequency response up to about 5 kHz, which gives it a warm, full sound with plenty of presence and detail. The SM58 also has a built-in pop filter which helps reduce plosives when recording vocals. It has a robust construction with a steel mesh grille that is designed to take hard knocks and withstand rough handling.
In conclusion, the Shure SM58 is a reliable and versatile microphone that is suitable for many different applications. Its durability and tailored frequency response make it an ideal choice for live sound reinforcement and recording in a variety of environments. With its classic looks and reputation as an industry standard, the SM58 is sure to be around for years to come.
Neumann-BCM 705-Dynamic Studio Microphone
The Neumann-BCM 705-Dynamic Studio Microphone is a premium-quality dynamic microphone that is designed for studio recording applications. It features a tailored frequency response for clarity and presence, plus high SPL handling capabilities of up to 140dB. Its supercardioid polar pattern provides an excellent directivity, ensuring an accurate sound reproduction with minimal off-axis coloration.
The microphone is built with a robust metal body and it also includes a shock mount and an external power supply. The Neumann-BCM 705-Dynamic Studio Microphone is capable of delivering studio-grade sound quality and can be used for both vocal and instrument recordings.
Telefunken M82
The Telefunken M82 is an excellent clone of the legendary Shure SM58. It is designed to capture vocal and instrument sounds with great accuracy. The microphone is constructed from sturdy metal and has a frequency range of 40Hz to 20kHz. The mic also offers a switchable high-pass filter that helps reduce low-frequency rumble.
The Telefunken M82 features a wide dynamic range, meaning it can accurately capture a wide range of sound sources.
The diaphragm is made from a lightweight aluminum, which helps ensure accurate sound reproduction. The integrated preamp provides a clean and transparent sound. The mic also features low handling noise, making it ideal for recording vocals or instruments in the studio or on stage.
In conclusion, the Telefunken M82 is an excellent option if you’re looking for a budget microphone that can deliver reliable sound quality.
It offers an impressive frequency range, low handling noise, and an integrated preamp for a clean sound. It is a great choice for those looking for an affordable clone of the Shure SM58.
Sennheiser E835
The Sennheiser E835 is a professional-grade dynamic microphone that is renowned for its warm, clear sound. It has an integrated shock mount and hum-compensating coil, which helps to eliminate background noise and interference. The E835 also offers a wide frequency response of 40Hz – 16kHz and a uniform cardioid pickup pattern for excellent off-axis rejection.
This mic is well-suited for both live performances and studio recordings. It has been used to capture vocals, drums, guitars, and other instruments. Additionally, the E835 comes with a carrying pouch and swivel adapter for maximum portability.
The E835 is built to last, making it a great choice for anyone looking for a reliable and durable mic. It is ideal for any musician or producer looking for a budget-friendly dynamic microphone with great sound quality.
The E835 is a perfect choice for vocalists who want to capture their sound accurately and reliably in both live performances and studio recordings.
Why is the SM58 such a popular microphone?
The Shure SM58 is the industry-standard dynamic microphone and it’s a favorite among musicians, sound engineers, and producers alike. It’s known for its ruggedness, reliability, and exceptional sound quality. The SM58 is an extremely versatile mic and is suitable for vocalists as well as guitar amps, drums, and other instruments. It’s also great for live performances and recording in studios.
The SM58 is one of the most popular microphones because of its affordability, durability, and excellent sound quality. Its cardioid pickup pattern means that it picks up sound from the front and rejects sound from the rear and sides, which helps to reduce noise. It also has a built-in pop filter to help reduce plosives, resulting in a more natural sounding vocal.
The SM58 is incredibly easy to use and is incredibly durable due to its strong metal construction. Its build quality makes it a great choice for touring musicians or anyone who needs a reliable microphone they can rely on.
Overall, the SM58 is an affordable and reliable microphone that produces a great sound quality. It’s no wonder it’s become so popular and is used by musicians, sound engineers, and producers around the world.
Conclusion
Overall, the SM58 is an excellent choice for any situation requiring a budget dynamic microphone. Its durability, sound quality, and versatility make it a great investment for anyone looking to record audio on a budget.
