audio language lesson 2

If you are going to do any live sound you need to know some basic microphones so as not to look like an eeediot.

58 - short for Shure SM58 - this is probably the most widely used live vocal mic.  It's tough, rough, can be dropped, spat into, thrown around and still work.  Almost.  Whether it actually sounds the best is another argument, but it has pretty much taken the market.  You need to know a 58 when you see one.  This is it, typical ice cream shaped mic.

This next one is a 57.  Short for Shure sm57.  Also widely used in live sound and in studios for instrument micing, mainly guitar amps and drums.  It gives a really bright grungy sound for guitar amps.  On a drum kit you will see it very often on snare drums and toms.  I don't think they the best sounding drum mic, but probably what gets used the most because that's what everyone has and you do get a good result.

So, now if anyone talks about 57's and 58's, you'll be all clued up.