Ray Mullin Music
WE OPEN, Inspect, and Test All Guitars, Effects, Amplifiers, Etc
Our Instruments are Tuned, Cleaned, and Cared for Daily
All Instruments are in stored in a Humidity and Temperature Controlled Room
***SHURE SM Beta 58 Dynamic Vocal Microphone**
DESCRIPTION
Polar Pattern:
Perhaps the most obvious difference is the microphone polar pattern. The SM58 has a cardioid polar pickup pattern, while the Beta 58A is a supercardioid. The polar pattern subsequently affects how you should use the microphone and where it would be most appropriate.
As you can see from the diagrams, a cardioid microphone will reject best from the back while a supercardioid microphone will reject better from the sides. Both microphones pick up sound best from the front, but a supercardioid polar pattern has the added advantage of being more directional and therefore less susceptible to feedback when using correctly placed stage monitors.
Output Level:
Due to its neodymium magnet, the Beta 58A has greater sensitivity and a 4dB hotter output than the SM58
Frequency Response:
The Beta58 has an extended low-end and high-end compared to the SM58. This does not necessarily mean the Beta58 is better, and depending on the style/tonal characteristic of your voice, you may or may not benefit from the extended frequency response.
Handling Noise:
The Beta 58A is quieter than the SM58 due to its advanced pneumatic shock mount system
Grille:
The Beta 58A has a hardened grille, which makes it more difficult to dent.
Summary
To summarise, the is no doubt an upgrade for many applications, but in some scenarios, these upgrades can also be a hindrance. For example, if you're performing in a heavy-metal band, and you typically shout or scream into your mic - you may not want the extra sensitivity and detail of the Beta58. It's all a matter of application and taste - which do you prefer?
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