Shure SM57 Instrument Mic VS Fake SM57

[@billwhite9703]

The "Fake SM57" in this video is the Unidyne III, designed in the late '50s by Ernie Seeler, who joined Shure in 1953. The Unidyne III has THE SAME element as the SM57 and SM58, the 545 and the 565. It is the percursor to the SM57. Before the Unidyne all Shure mics were side fire which meant the polar pattern was uneven and feedback came at a lower gain level. With the Unidyne sound systems could run louder and venues could be bigger. Almost all the mics used at Woodstock were Unidynes. (cont)

[@13isaacz1]

This is really awesome of you to have done, I just bought a fake and Im pretty pissed so I hope this helps others before buying it...

[@billwhite9703]

For those who think all Chinese mics are crap, think again. There's a design and manufacturing plant in China whose name I can't recall and don't have the time to look up. They design and manufacture KEL, iSK and Recording Tools condenser, ribbon and tube mics. The iSK DM57 dynamic is a take on the Shure SM57. They haven't tried to copy it exactly. It's a quality mic with similar characteristics to the Shure. Get Swamp Industries site up. There are sound samples from guitar cabs. Worth a listen.

[@charlesruiz2000]

@WorkingManStudios If you don't turn off the phantom power before disconnecting a condenser though, you can damage it.

[@ianguemusic]

Thanks for this video dude. It's helping me a lot. I plan on buying an SM57 today. Thank God I read comments that people should watch this vid before buying. lol. Thanks Again!

[@Qu3ridity]

@ultimateinfinite true, eye is only sensitive to frequencies, not wavelengths :D

[@sinankarasu]

+RedbirdiRose There is a slip ring inside the pop screen. I missed it at first. You have to take it out, reverse so lip points toward the connector end, and slip the pop screen over it. Make sure the gap is on the other side of the set screw. Tighten according to instructions.

[@sinankarasu]

+RedbirdiRose There is a slip ring inside the pop screen(they call it bushing). I missed it at first. You have to take it out, reverse so lip points toward the connector end, and slip the pop screen over it. Make sure the gap is on the other side of the set screw. Tighten according to instructions.

[@mattdeanmusic]

No offence, but if you're going to compare the two you should compare how they sound? Who cares about the box and clip quality if the mics sound equal!!

[@ElioRigonat]

You dumbass. The fake sounds nothing like the original. It can't pick up the same frequencies at all. You have to be deaf not to hear how big of a difference it is. The fakes are as good as a guitar hero microphone or something

[@MarianoGabrielConti]

I've seen plenty of videos about the issues and the main difference it's in the lows that the fake don't have, and the fake also has a brighter sound. Also the fake doesn't have a transformer in so the gain it's not the same, for 20 dollars it's a bargain compared to a 100 dollars Shure, not the same mic but still a good mic.

[@mattdeanmusic]

@@ElioRigonat I was speaking hypothetically. What I meant was, that the box and clip quality is pretty irrelevant compared to how they sound. I was providing feedback on the video review, not the microphones.

[@oscarlopez2128]

Maybe he made a mistake an tested the fake one :O, how can we know if that was the real one? and how can we know the difference if he doesn't plug both? amazing... a friend of mine has both, and they are almost the same, being the real more bassy, and having less high end sensitivity, and the fake more sensitive on high frequencies, what makes the fake great for vocals of good singers as it captures more harmonics but more nasal frequencies, and less good for drums as it captures some of the nasal frequencies, that are the responsabile for reverb on the high frequencies of drums, wich is not good. For vocals giving boost from 40 to 400hz, and lowering a bit from 3,5khz to 20khz (just a bit) you have a very similar mic as the original one. Having the opportunity to take advantage of those high ranges on high frequencies that makes the feik a better choise for crisp sound.

[@oscarlopez2128]

@@MarianoGabrielConti Everything you said is correct except that the gain is not the same, in fact the feik has more sensitivity, leading to having to put less gain for same volume result, gain is much better in feik one, but do to the fact that doesn't come with transformer (some of them has if you buy them with one or you can put it yourself) but without transformer, the problem is just some electric noise that could appear if you don't have a proper ground loop prevention, having good electrical installation and ground loop solved, the feik is for vocals better and for drums worse if you don't correct some frequencies.

[@romaroalte2645]

Hey, nice comparison videos. What pop filter for SM57 you used in the video?

[@Tombking2]

I was hoping you would do a sound comparison on the fake vs real, I was wondering if you could do a vocal or a guitar test recording on both mics, same angles and lal that. Just to hear how it sounds fifferently? :)

[@MrDigitalTrix]

@TAMIACUTE the phantom does not affect a balanced mic in any way...however if u have an unbalanced mic like a cheap plastic dynamic mic from walmart then it probabley wont work...but it still wont break it...the power is designed to power a condenser mic,..it dosent throw the power directley at the 'elements'

[@authorsauditions]

Thanks for posting the video. I bought a SM57 on Amazon (BrookMays) and was worried I had fake. After seeing this video I am quite certain it is an authentic Shure. Also registered the product on the Shure website. I noticed you had a number on top of the barcode of the S/N sticker. I have only two numbers - both below the barcode. Once is the S/N and the other the date. What is the number on top of the barcode? Thanks!

[@TheMarrt]

i removed the head of my shure sm57 to see the membrane, i noticed theres sSHURE Logo directly on the membrane, its hardly visible... i got it from awell known music store so im pretty s(h)ure its original, just wanted to contribute this as another indicator of being fake or not... The Membrane is transparent and the logo is printed like the mebrane has been roughen to make the transparency into white -> forming the logo so its pretty hard to see on first glance, but its there. hope it helps

[@billwhite9703]

Get up Swamp Industries site and look up the iSK DM57. Around $50 Australian. There are sound samples there. These are not crap. I spend up to $3000 on a single mic and I have three of these. I have Shures as well.

[@hardsap]

Hello, very good your video but I suggest you upload a video comparing the sound mic-to-mic between the original and the fake Shure.

[@billwhite9703]

Thanks SoWaSur. I got tp know the boys at Swamp online, buying mic and guitar leads etc. iSK also make a great little tube mic, the TRM-11, and other really good condensers. Hit Swamp up for a price on the TRM-11. You'll be amazed. If you Google iSK TRM-11 then hit images, there are a lot of pics. A good tube mic is a must for recording vocals. Cheers!

[@1230hagen]

thanks man this is really helpful.

[@MrMuttonboy]

I just got my sm57 for $120 from globalsounds, whome i learned recently are a bit dodgy. The mic came in a legit box with a registration code and it all looks nice and new, but the head has some play in it, it's not solid like I would have expected. Also I dont see any red QC stamp inside. otherwise it's fine and it even sounds good. Im just a bit sceptical?

[@JiveProductions]

you forgot to switch off the phantom power.. goodluck to your sm57 if you'll keep on doing that.. :)

[@DonaldMohrMusic]

He probably heard about the damage that can be done to certain ribbons leaving phantom power on. Also, it's best to disengage phantom power except after everything's hooked up.

[@thewii552]

@WorkingManStudios but does the phantom power make a difference in audio quality and volume?

[@Obsessed4lyfe]

so im planning to buy my first mic, whats more worth the price? the sm57, or the sm58?

[@jaklol09]

what digital audio interface is that? looks awesome, thanks!

[@AdorababyNewbornStudio]

is there any sound quality difference between fake and real 57?or they sound the same ...thank you

[@milkmonster99]

i got two shure sm57s off ebay. all the physical appearances says they are real but they only weigh 240grams each and have ohm resistance of about 585. do you think these are fake or real?

[@simmsdn]

@quickmantan You realize the SM57 and SM58 are the same microphone? The ONLY difference is that the SM58 has the ball-grille on the end and the SM57 was the squared-off grille. Again, that is the ONLY difference.

[@Obsessed4lyfe]

@WorkingManStudios what do you mean by the application?

[@oscarlopez2128]

You tested the fake one right? how can we know the difference if you just tested the fake one?

[@simmsdn]

@quickmantan they'd go with a Sennheiser 409 or e609 on a cab and keep the SM57 in the bag, but most likely will use both an blend the sound. Probably going to use a nice condenser on the acoustic. I guess my untrained ears will never know!

[@vahnrondel]

im sorry did i miss the sound comparisson of the real one and fake one? can you please tell me how big is the difference?

[@airwave182v]

@TheEricChristensen the best performance is with drums and electric guitar, for vocals i recommend you the sm58

[@tcelfeReflect]

Actually, the grill spinning can be a problem if you spin it too much in one direction. The tiny wires connecting to the coil will twist, tighten and break off. I know... I had to re-solder two of them because of this. And for those who don't know, do not attempt to tape the grill in place so it won't spin because the ports which give the SM57 it's cardioid pattern will be blocked. Don't cover the ports.

[@watchtheskies]

hi, the band that goes around the the top of the mic with the 'DYNAMIC LO Z, SHURE SM57 writing on mine it's a sticker? that joins btween the DYNAMIC and LOZ writing is this correct on the real mic?

[@tipodearriba]

in fact the unidyne that he show to us is in the 200dll range price, more expensive than the normal sm57, why? cause is a vintage one. and what he call "pop" filter is just a wind screen, it does not cut the pop or the "s" sound

[@Astrochronic]

i bought a used sm57 and I wanted to open it. The grill part did not spin freely. I tried to unscrew it and I felt it give and when I unscrewed it, I saw two red wires going from the head to the middle part, they were snapped presumably from my unscrewing the head, the middle part had a yellow and a green wire and glue like in the video. and an initial stamp. Is this a fake, is the head supposed to turn freely like in the video?

[@1978drums]

This Unidyme III is not fake it's just a SM57 from the 80's and there are alot of paople who like it more then a new SM57!

[@ThalesPo]

How does the fake one sound like?

[@oscarlopez2128]

Almost the same, i think that's why he didn't try it :P

[@debabratasikder9448]

What is the brand and model name of your audio interface?

[@specthanatos]

VIDCEPTION!

[@ultimateinfinite]

@WorkingManStudios neither am I, when the hell did I write that?

[@DanielOrtiz-ri1uh]

Have you tried the Digital reference dri100 vs the Shure SM57 check it out.

[@lilman99025]

MOST ribbon mics, there are a couple that actually require Phantom Power

[@billwhite9703]

Also Google Shengke/TongXin and hit images. They design and manufacture KAM, KEL iSK and Recording Tools microphones. As one producer wrote on gearslutz, "...the quality of their microphones remains very high among the relatively inexpensive audio gear being sourced from Asia these days..."

[@lindsaylim2026]

Can i ask some question? Does the fake sm57 sounds like the original one? Or not?

[@jogeshshelar]

thanks friend

[@pandadrumming]

what's the resistance between pins 2 and 3?

[@simmsdn]

@quickmantan If by internet you mean Shure's website that lists the specifications of each microphone and they are exactly the same, then yes, I believe the internet. I also know that when I take the ball grille off of the SM58, I have an SM57 and can use it as I would an SM57. Where the heck are you getting robbed by paying more for an SM57? They are exactly the same price everywhere I have ever seen them. Generally $95-99 (USD). Again, guess why they are priced the same?

[@oscarlopez2128]

Most of the fake ones come with not transformer, when owners of original ones saw the high sensitivity of fake ones, they started to extract the transformer, and that's the new modification people do to the original one, amazing situation, chinesse people discovered a better SM57 :P

[@JimmyWestra]

My Unidyne lll has an orange wire at the xlr connection. Do know where that connects? the black red blue wires i know where to solder but the orange?

[@hennyM5]

do u have to buy the pop filter separately?

[@ImanIsmael]

I just bought the SM57 (original) and connect it to my Mac without mixer (direct). I found that the sound is too 'bassy' compare to other mic. Is it because of I didn't use any mixers? Or its a defect one that I got?

[@oscarlopez2128]

Preamps are needed to use mics, some mixers like xenyx and others come with preamps, other older ones doesn't, digital audio cards or sound cards also come with preamps (they say it clear when is the case, MIDAS preamps in behringer as an example) and if you don't have preamps, and you want to use dynamic mic, you have to have one preamp that rises the decibels, from mic to line level, that is the dutty of preamps, so you can use fethead that do that and reduces noise floor, buy an external sound card or mixer with preamps. Mics have low energy, that must be boosted to work if not preamps are involved they won't be listened, and you will have to raise gain or volume so much that the noise will appear.

[@musikpassion18]

How much gain do you use for a Shure SM57

[@michaelsiao]

can you compare it to the fake one..? on the video..

[@mcloven83]

Ty

[@xscottmcdonaldx]

where did you get that windscreen?

[@supersonicdrawer]

can you get a reverb from it?

[@tylerpons5887]

I have a Shure SM57 LCE. Is that fake?

[@jjlwis]

YOU do know that stores have old stock of mics from years past....

[@mflmusiclover13]

So could you just plug the microphone into a regular guitar amp ? If anyone knows PLEASE TELL ME AS QUICK AS POSSIBLE!!!!!Thanks :)

[@oscarlopez2128]

Yes but not having "pre amps" which is needed to give more gain to mics to put them on higher signal, the mic could be low and when you put up the volume to listen to it, it will receive a lot of room noise and electrical noise of the same amp, having a preamp, or fethead (which is a preamp) it's mandatory to good mic audio, on this dynamics mics, on condenser is the same but you need to provide phantom power, which is an electrical source of 48v in most cases.

[@wolfman109h]

does it require phantom power? and I don't want an arrogant answer please, because i am new in microphones...

[@oscarlopez2128]

No, it doesn't, just a preamp that could be included in the mixer or sound card or bought apart, as fethead or external mic preamp, you don't need that if you have mixer or sound card with included preamps.

[@TheMarrt]

Google "RPM210 Replacement Screen and Grille" to see how the loose top is removed...

[@cowboyhatandbiggun]

Enter Shikari at the start :)

[@billwhite9703]

There is virtually no difference. The Unidyne lll has the same element as the Shure SM57. See my other posts on this page for more information.

[@nikdrown]

What kind of a world do live in where you have to worry that you're buying a counterfeit!? If the price seems too good to be true it probably is. I have a few of the knock offs and got them knowingly just to try

[@yucksuan]

yeah its ridiculous... i saw on the chinese market, a fake sm57 is like 10 bucks, and a real one is about 100... some of them are just stupid....

[@bc69006900]

tpmbayport Feedback Score Of 321 is a fake seller

[@ultimateinfinite]

Frequency blind

[@themaxOOs]

I think this video about nothing :/

[@oscarlopez2128]

Nop, it's about talking against the fake one, that sounds almost the same as the real one.