SM58 & Beta58a
 

What's the difference between the two beside the price? Thinking of getting one these mics since they are reasonably price.

Thanks,
Ray

hey Ray -

the differences are basically that the pickup pattern of the beta58 is a lot tighter than the pickup pattern on the regular 58. so at the same mic preamp gain setting, the regular 58 will be picking up the sound of a larger physical area than the beta58.

also, the beta58 has a different EQ response curve. the regular 58 has a slight push around 2k (roughly), but the beta has a much more exaggerated boost, and i think it's at a lower spot than 2k-ish. to my ears the beta58 sounds kind of boxy and midrangy. i don't particularly like it, but it does work magic on *some* voices.

what's your application for this mic? that might help you get the right feedback to help you decide.

-martino

The Rolling Stones still use the old SM58s

I prefer them to the Beta 58, but I much prefer the Beta 87
over either for vocals.

Two more differences, the Beta 58 is more sensitive and since it has a small rear lobe in its pickup pattern, the stage monitor or monitors need to be offset from the rear of the mic rather than directly inline behind it.

Is there an on/off switch on these mics.

JR

When in doubt go to the manufacturers site and download the specs

http://www.shure.com/pdf/specsheets/spec_wiredmics/beta58a.pdf

http://www.shure.com/pdf/specsheets/spec_wiredmics/sm58.pdf

The beta is an upscale version of the SM. The beta has a neodymium giving it a slightly hotter output (-51.5 db compared to the SM @ -54.5). The beta appears to have a tighter pattern (supercard compared to cardoid). The case , mount and grill are also upscale and the published freq resp is supposed to be a tad better. Does it sound any better/ I don't really know.

There is no switch. Most mics at the better end don't have a switch. Just something else to go wrong.

I like my AKG D230

There is a model of SM58 that has a switch, or at least there
used to be. I have one.