Shure SM58 (USA) vs Shure SM58 (Current) vs Shure SM58 Beta. Guest appearance - Shure KSM8.

Anton Browne (BRIT School singing teacher) compares his three Shure SM58 versions - old and new. Guest appearance - Shure KSM8.
Vocal microphone reviews, microphone technique and processors etc. - www.themagicofthemicrophone.com
Singing Technique - www.thesingthing.com

[@4AMSession]

I appreciate how thoroughly you tested all the mics, this vid was really useful. A lot of reviews I've watched have just done relatively quick comparisons.

[@AntonBrowne]

Thanks. Some people find it too drawn out but I figure better too much than too little, and you can always skip.

[@tomspiller2449]

I just bought the beta 58 waiting for it to arrive in the mail, I think the beta 58 sounds more brighter and warmer, thank you for your comparison video it was very helpful for me to decide which mic to buy

[@AntonBrowne]

Glad I could help!

[@tomspiller2449]

@@AntonBrowne hey! Just got my microphone in the mail this morning and I have to say its the nicest microphone that I have ever sang on. Its so smooth and really adds warmth to my vocals, and I don't have to try to put so much effort in. Its awesome for bass, baritone and tenor, I highly recommend the beta 58 for all vocals, thank you so much for your videos again I appreciate them

[@Iaintthesharpesttoolintheshed]

Your mic reviews are amazing!

[@hughfraser5285]

I own the Beta for podcast recording, and I really appreciate its room rejection qualities - although we do our best to set up the room well. I'm surprised how smooth it sounds. We use it with a foam windshield and the mic pointing at the corner of the mouth. Thanks for great reviews. You really test the mics very thoroughly and I really like the way you try out the full vocal range. I've learned a lot from listening to your videos - not just about mics - but about how to listen to them in detail. You've helped me improve my ear.

[@withnme]

Just discovered your channel today. I love your videos. Very informative indeed. You have helped me with choosing my next microphone. Thank you mate!!!💜

[@AntonBrowne]

Glad to help!

[@RosssRoyce]

Great review! Put all kinds of frequencies and attitudes into them, which is the best way to feel them in contrast! I have the beta and when I compare it to other brands it feels like I’m singing through a sweet subtle chorus, because of the bouquet of all high frequencies insinuation going on!

[@peterdvideos]

I really enjoy your channel. You have an amazing voice and your thoughtful commentary is very helpful and enjoyable to listen to.

[@thecurver]

Very helpful! Best in-action demo I have seen/heard. THANK YOU! :D

[@lazarusrize]

Excellent review! "[He] blinded me with science!" ~ Thomas Dolby

[@AntonBrowne]

Glad you liked it!

[@ninjabluewings]

Just managed to score one of these USA models and they are damn hard to get hold of but WOW! this model sounds SO GOOD! and you can tell instantly the difference of richness in sound between the USA model and the Mexico model when they are compared. Just a side note Shure shifted the manufacturing of their microphones to Mexico in 1984 so if you have the USA model it will be a minimum of 36 years old plus

[@AntonBrowne]

Thanks for the info, I didn't know the Mexico date. Glad you got a USA, you may find the foam needs replacing but no big deal as the current one fits.

[@ninjabluewings]

@@AntonBrowne Yes these are not easy to find under £100+ and that is shipped from the States but I managed to score a pair of SM58's on eBay, one was an early Mexico model with the black handle and the SHURE SM58 paper label around the top instead of the printed lettering that the current models have, I know for a fact that the printed lettering was already being used by 1995 because I was a touring sound engineer with my brothers Ska/Two Tone band and they purchased their PA equipment and a set of new SM58's in 1995 and they all had the printed lettering around the top and not the paper label so I can narrow the time scale down from 1984-1995 for the black handle and paper label model, they don't call me Sherlock for nothing you know lol. Yes you are right my USA 58 does need a new piece of foam on the top of the cartridge as it has just crumbled to dust, the metal grille was just way past it so i just replaced that with a genuine SHURE grille which is readily available for around £11 and still fits the old models, I do have a few 58's with the crumbled foam tops that cover the cartridge and after looking everywhere I could not find replacements so I just made them with a piece of foam that fits inside the metal grille and they turned out ok, just cut out a small circle that fits the top them glue it to the centre part of the plastic cartridge cover making "SHURE" that no glue drips onto the diaphragm underneath of course, just needs a steady hand. Do you happen to know if you can buy these replacement circles of foam ready made as it's much easier to buy one purposely made?

[@theshedsinger658]

Thanks for the review, Interesting to watch, and engaging too

[@asdlfkjlkasdfasdf]

Thanks for a great review! I'm using mexican 58 for my vocals, and let me ask you a question. IS these two 58s(mex & usa) are set to same preamp gain level? I want to purchase usa one only if it gives high gain level according to it's arnico magnet. Sounds both very similar to my ear honestly, very helpful! :)

[@AntonBrowne]

Hi, set to same level, but how accurate the indication on the desk is??? I think they are very similar too, and there may be tiny variations for mic to mic anyway. All the best.

[@asdlfkjlkasdfasdf]

@@AntonBrowne Wow, it's great to hear that answer! I suppose their difference is so slight, but not so slight that it doesn't matter for experienced singer. Anyway, I got to work hard with my mex 58 for now. Best Regards!

[@clicks59]

Great review. Thanks

[@AntonBrowne]

Glad it was helpful!

[@NewbArchitect]

will there be a comparison with sm57 and sm58?

[@james-f1802]

@Anton Browne, the old Beta 58 and the new Beta 58A are two completely different microphones, with different capsules. The new Beta 58A has far less bass than even the SM58, the new Betas are thin and shrill sounding. I suggest demoing the new Beta 58A for a more fair comparison of mics one can actually buy.

[@raulunzueta576]

Anton Browne First of all thanks for all your hard work in comparing the mics. Normally I only find differences in your videos that means you really know how to compare them... What you think about the Shure Beta 87a is my favorite of shure mics but do you think it compares to the KSM8? It is half the price and I think it sounds better than the KSM8 I may be wrong you are the expert here.

[@AntonBrowne]

Hi Raul, thanks for your comment. I don't think I've tried the 87a. There are so many mics, it's impossible to try them all but you may be lucky. It sounds like you've done your homework as best you can and you're considering two Shures. It won't be too hard to find a dealer who stocks both -depending on where you live of course. If you wanted to compare a Beyer M88 with a Sennheiser e965... good luck! If you can find a dealer who stocks your choices. Plan a visit - make sure they have stock. Take a recorder that can record live from the pa in the room and also record direct in from the mics, or from the desk (take appropriate leads) and have a session with your voice. If you're blown away by one, buy it there and then but wisdom suggests you come away and listen back over a week or so. Maybe try some other mics as well. If you decide to buy, then I suggest you buy from that shop as they've afforded you the opportunity to try hands/voice on, which is valuable. Good luck

[@rosoboy]

Great analysis! Any chance you could work in a beta87 at some point? Curious how it compares with the KSM series

[@MrNicknayme]

I just got the KSM9. It rocks. I didn't really like the KSM8, except on trombone. You should check it out. ;-) I just did my own versus-test, in the middle of watching your video. Old 58, New 58. old Beta 58, new beta 58, and KSM9. The new Beta is sh¡t, the old beta 58 is rich and a bit sweet, the new 58 is sort of muffled, the old 58 is (as you said) contained, and I find it to be sweet in the highs, boring in the mids, and then there's the KSM9.. It's present, sweet, full, balanced, and still not boring.

[@phatboyzband831]

Awesome 👍😎

[@AntonBrowne]

Thanks for the visit.

[@justinpaquette224]

I feel ya about the Mic effecting the way I sing, same with room sound

[@AntonBrowne]

Room sound, good point! Thanks.

[@justinpaquette224]

@@AntonBrowne I've found that if I'm at a gig with really bad sound that is negatively effecting they way I sing, sometime putting in ear plugs can actually help my singing. Once the ear plugs are in I'm sing by feel, instead of straining my voice to try and fix the bad room sound

[@nunoandradebluesdrive]

great again

[@AntonBrowne]

Thanks.

[@TheEldritchArchives]

Hmm I think I prefer the stock sm58. The beta seems to emphasize some frequencies that sounds a bit harsh to me. The sm58 definitely sounds more 'boxed in' but thats ok because I dont think the extended range on the beta is adding much. It's pretty surprising because I would have assumed the beta to be superior.

[@AntonBrowne]

I think people assume Beta means better but... it ain't necessarily so!

[@tiffsaver]

In terms of price, I could never justify paying FIVE TIMES the price of my old dependable Shure 58 against any other microphone. The only thing that would make me change my mind is if the KSM8 made me actually sound FIVE TIMES BETTER than the Shure 58, which I seriously doubt any mic would be capable of.

[@navjotbaskar]

The guy is crazy practical 👍🏿

[@RitchieCaron]

The Chinese 58 has a different sound and feeds back in the 600-800 range. The Mexican made all sound the same on stage and never feedback below 1.5 k. It be good to follow up with the quick comparison.

[@AntonBrowne]

Wow, didn't realise. I think mine are USA and Mexican.

[@blow1906]

I bought a SM58 a few days ago and the box says "Made in china". Bought it on Amazon so I think it´s not a fake.... Does that mean they are no longer produced in Mexico?

[@KingCrimson82]

Hey i believe a secret tip are the 565SD Shure mics, why? Because they are considered "old tech" yet they are easier to get than vintage sm58 and cheaper BUT considered to sound alike (USA MADE 565SD's)

[@hongtodeptrai]

Sound alike 90% ?

[@OliverWoodphotography]

I thought the old USA version had the best (classic 58) sound. I encountered many USA versions in the past and they tended to have much more substantial grills made with thicker wire in a more open less dense weave. They also usually had an ITT or canon XLR insert that mated properly with the original Cannon plug that had a screw down cable clamp and long grey rubber strain boot.

[@cs20m]

The USA one actually sounds quite more "correct" than the Beta.

[@Metalpazallteway]

Beta is boosted clearly. The USA sounds naturally balanced. But Im still honing in on the Seinheisser e945 dont know whihc one to choose haha

[@jmggsantos]

Thanks for the review. I have one made in usa. Can you open yours and tell me how is the wiring in that mic?

[@xyzt-kd3zn]

I guess both microphones follow the same pattern what could change is just the country or even the assembly method used. But the project still been the same! Shure still been Shure!

[@justaytacc]

12:23 holy molly guacamole

[@AntonBrowne]

?

[@ninjabluewings]

@@AntonBrowne I think they are referring to the sub-sonic bass voice which is pretty mind blowing to be honest 😄

[@djkamilo66]

there is no SM58 Beta, only Beta58A.

[@djkamilo66]

thi your's is the old Beta58, no A.

[@bezmezhnyiobrii]

Шур по интереснее. Еще лучше никто не придумал. Акг тоже не плох, но шур лучше.

[@oscarhuang3768]

MR my beta58a is different from you when i take off the head.

[@chrisvivero0000]

vintage hecho en usa, 35 años no es beta58a es beta58

[@pamboscharalambous3770]

Dont know if your sm58a is original???

[@AntonBrowne]

Difficult to know, I got the 58a used, in good condition. Fit and finish seems quality and I have no reason to suspect it's counterfeit.

[@pamboscharalambous3770]

But the thing is, if you google images you will see that the all the originals have plastic on the middle of the foam...

[@T.J]

Love the singing testing commenting mix it’s fun and it’s very useful ! Thanks !

[@runnningonempty]

b"A"ta

[@Ru-nk3xd]

[@MrChopemup]

hi Anton. enjoy your videos .. i have a older sm 58 like the one you have with the untouchable soggy internal foam . did you ever source one .? Edit . Part number Shure 36A123 read below for dating your sm58 !!!!!! im located in germany ..., i also have a beatup. beyerdynamic m88n c . which i love . i like to make the 58 as original .of course as much as possible. keep up the great work ! this is interesting . direct from chris at shure heres the dating list on the pcb board . 1st Letter = Year A = 1961/1981/2001 B = 1962/1982/2002 C = 1963/1983/2003 D = 1964/1984/2004 E = 1965/1985/2005 F = 1966/1986/2006 G = 1967/1987/2007 H = 1968/1988/2008 I = 1969/1989/2009 J = 1970/1990/2010 K = 1971/1991/2011 L = 1972/1992/2012 M = 1973/1993/2013 N = 1974/1994/2014 O = 1975/1995/2015 P = 1976/1996/2016 Q = 1977/1997/2017 R = 1978/1998/2018 S = 1979/1999/2019 T = 1980/2000/2020 2nd Letter = Month A = January B = February C = March D = April E = May F = June G = July H = August I = September J = October K = November L = December

[@AntonBrowne]

Thanks for the info, I will check mine out.