History of the Shure SM58

The Shure SM58 was released in 1966. A lot of people don’t release that the ‘SM’ stand’s for, Studio Microphone. The SM58 was based on the Unidyne III microphone element developed in the late 1950s by Shure engineer Ernie Seeler. It has been used all over the world and has provided amplification for some of the most famous voices in history.

Features

Weight
298 grams

Polar pattern
Cardioid, rotationally symmetrical about the microphone axis, uniform with frequency

Frequency response
50 to 15,000 Hz

Impedance
Rated impedance is 150 ohms (300 ohms actual) for connection to microphone inputs rated low impedance.

Connector
Three-pin male XLR

The mesh capsule, an easy component to replace, is surrounded by soft rubber rather than springs or solid rubber. This provides good isolation from noise created by handling; this is the main reason it’s so popular in live sound and is why it’s popularity with vocalists.