Uploaded December 2023 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Focusing on the SM58, SM57, Beta 57A, and Beta 58A models.
Products you may be interested in:
These Amazon product links have no additional fees or surcharges.
Referral credit from qualifying purchases helps support this channel at no-cost to you.
Shure SM57 microphone amzn.to/3Rgf783
Shure SM58s microphone amzn.to/3GJgQ0J
Shure Beta 57A microphone amzn.to/3NJK1Fd
Shure Beta 58a microphone amzn.to/46TeE1z
Neumann U87Ai amzn.to/3Kir5MO
Shure SM86 microphone amzn.to/3u1qMgv
Audix OM7 microphone amzn.to/3OmzBZX
Audix OM6 microphone amzn.to/3mTzGZq
Audix OM5 microphone amzn.to/3OeWRsL
Audix OM3 microphone amzn.to/39qIYZA
Audix OM2 microphone amzn.to/3xwAtnR
AKG D5 microphone amzn.to/3MUr6E3
Vocal Pop Filters for the SM57:
(Most effective - largest)
Shure A81WS Gray Large Foam Windscreen for SM81/57
amzn.to/3VwVDgr
(Shure recommended)
Shure A2WS Standard Shure Pop Filter for SM57
amzn.to/4ajKo2T
(Budget)
SM57 Windscreen Pop Filter Cover (3-pack)
amzn.to/3XUEsa4
Stedman Proscreen XL Pop Filter
amzn.to/3BscXeL
The Shure SM57 has been an industry standard since the 1960s, famously used at the U.S. President’s podium and on countless stages worldwide. But should you stick with the classic, or spend a little more for the upgraded Shure Beta 57A? In this in-depth comparison, I cover the real differences between these two dynamic microphones, including build, polar patterns (cardioid vs supercardioid), frequency response, and handling of feedback. I demonstrate both mics in voice tests, compare them to their vocal counterparts (SM58 and Beta 58A), and share my real-world experience using them on guitar amps and live vocals. Whether you’re a musician, sound engineer, or content creator, this video will help you decide which microphone is the right choice for your needs.
Includes:
• Direct SM57 and Beta 57A sound tests
• Polar pattern demonstrations
• Practical pros and cons of each mic
• Advice for live and studio use
If you’re choosing between the SM57 and Beta 57A, this video gives you the sound and the facts you need to make the right choice.
0:00 Shure SM57 Review: the legendary dynamic microphone
0:15 Why the SM57 became the mic of choice for U.S. presidents
0:28 Shure SM57 history: trusted since 1965
0:43 Shure SM57 vs Beta 57A: is the upgrade worth it?
1:04 SM57 vs SM58 explained: what’s the real difference?
1:27 Pop filter secrets: SM58 vs SM57 for vocals
1:48 Beta 57A vs Beta 58A: which mic should you choose?
2:05 Beyond the blue ring: Beta mic features revealed
2:24 Shure SM57 vs Beta 57A sound test
2:34 Live sound engineer story: fixing guitar feedback
2:55 How the Beta 57A solved a stage feedback problem
3:30 Why Beta 57A works better on some guitar cabinets
4:04 Cardioid vs Supercardioid microphones explained
4:18 Mic pickup patterns: how directionality changes sound
4:48 Singing with Beta mics: what every vocalist must know
5:12 Shure SM57 and SM58 first impressions
5:31 Why the Shure 57/58 design still dominates decades later
5:50 Do Beta microphones sound too harsh or hyped?
6:08 The challenge of supercardioid mics off-axis
6:40 Why tighter mic patterns make design harder
6:59 Best hypercardioid mic alternatives: Audix OM7 review
7:22 OM7 vs OM5: choosing the right Audix vocal mic
7:37 $3 studio mic capsule? Panasonic WM61 explained
8:12 Flat response on a budget: Panasonic WM61 performance
8:41 Omnidirectional vs directional mic design challenges
9:02 Listening test: Neumann U87 studio reference mic
9:38 Neumann U87 vs Shure SM57 and Beta 57A comparison
10:04 Shure SM57 vs SM58 vocal test
11:06 Shure SM57 vs Beta 57A microphone test
11:39 Polar pattern demo: SM57 in action
12:13 Polar pattern demo: Beta 57A in action
12:46 Why mic placement is critical with Beta mics
12:56 Shure SM57/58 vs Beta 57A/58A: final verdict
13:24 When Beta mics win: controlling stage feedback
13:37 Final thoughts: choosing the right Shure mic
13:56 Support the channel: like, subscribe, and stay tuned
Production equipment I use or recommend:
barrywatson.com/recommended_equipment.html
Focusing on the SM58, SM57, Beta 57A, and Beta 58A models.
Products you may be interested in:
These Amazon product links have no additional fees or surcharges.
Referral credit from qualifying purchases helps support this channel at no-cost to you.
Shure SM57 microphone amzn.to/3Rgf783
Shure SM58s microphone amzn.to/3GJgQ0J
Shure Beta 57A microphone amzn.to/3NJK1Fd
Shure Beta 58a microphone amzn.to/46TeE1z
Neumann U87Ai amzn.to/3Kir5MO
Shure SM86 microphone amzn.to/3u1qMgv
Audix OM7 microphone amzn.to/3OmzBZX
Audix OM6 microphone amzn.to/3mTzGZq
Audix OM5 microphone amzn.to/3OeWRsL
Audix OM3 microphone amzn.to/39qIYZA
Audix OM2 microphone amzn.to/3xwAtnR
AKG D5 microphone amzn.to/3MUr6E3
Vocal Pop Filters for the SM57:
(Most effective - largest)
Shure A81WS Gray Large Foam Windscreen for SM81/57
amzn.to/3VwVDgr
(Shure recommended)
Shure A2WS Standard Shure Pop Filter for SM57
amzn.to/4ajKo2T
(Budget)
SM57 Windscreen Pop Filter Cover (3-pack)
amzn.to/3XUEsa4
Stedman Proscreen XL Pop Filter
amzn.to/3BscXeL
The Shure SM57 has been an industry standard since the 1960s, famously used at the U.S. President’s podium and on countless stages worldwide. But should you stick with the classic, or spend a little more for the upgraded Shure Beta 57A? In this in-depth comparison, I cover the real differences between these two dynamic microphones, including build, polar patterns (cardioid vs supercardioid), frequency response, and handling of feedback. I demonstrate both mics in voice tests, compare them to their vocal counterparts (SM58 and Beta 58A), and share my real-world experience using them on guitar amps and live vocals. Whether you’re a musician, sound engineer, or content creator, this video will help you decide which microphone is the right choice for your needs.
Includes:
• Direct SM57 and Beta 57A sound tests
• Polar pattern demonstrations
• Practical pros and cons of each mic
• Advice for live and studio use
If you’re choosing between the SM57 and Beta 57A, this video gives you the sound and the facts you need to make the right choice.
0:00 Shure SM57 Review: the legendary dynamic microphone
0:15 Why the SM57 became the mic of choice for U.S. presidents
0:28 Shure SM57 history: trusted since 1965
0:43 Shure SM57 vs Beta 57A: is the upgrade worth it?
1:04 SM57 vs SM58 explained: what’s the real difference?
1:27 Pop filter secrets: SM58 vs SM57 for vocals
1:48 Beta 57A vs Beta 58A: which mic should you choose?
2:05 Beyond the blue ring: Beta mic features revealed
2:24 Shure SM57 vs Beta 57A sound test
2:34 Live sound engineer story: fixing guitar feedback
2:55 How the Beta 57A solved a stage feedback problem
3:30 Why Beta 57A works better on some guitar cabinets
4:04 Cardioid vs Supercardioid microphones explained
4:18 Mic pickup patterns: how directionality changes sound
4:48 Singing with Beta mics: what every vocalist must know
5:12 Shure SM57 and SM58 first impressions
5:31 Why the Shure 57/58 design still dominates decades later
5:50 Do Beta microphones sound too harsh or hyped?
6:08 The challenge of supercardioid mics off-axis
6:40 Why tighter mic patterns make design harder
6:59 Best hypercardioid mic alternatives: Audix OM7 review
7:22 OM7 vs OM5: choosing the right Audix vocal mic
7:37 $3 studio mic capsule? Panasonic WM61 explained
8:12 Flat response on a budget: Panasonic WM61 performance
8:41 Omnidirectional vs directional mic design challenges
9:02 Listening test: Neumann U87 studio reference mic
9:38 Neumann U87 vs Shure SM57 and Beta 57A comparison
10:04 Shure SM57 vs SM58 vocal test
11:06 Shure SM57 vs Beta 57A microphone test
11:39 Polar pattern demo: SM57 in action
12:13 Polar pattern demo: Beta 57A in action
12:46 Why mic placement is critical with Beta mics
12:56 Shure SM57/58 vs Beta 57A/58A: final verdict
13:24 When Beta mics win: controlling stage feedback
13:37 Final thoughts: choosing the right Shure mic
13:56 Support the channel: like, subscribe, and stay tuned
Production equipment I use or recommend:
barrywatson.com/recommended_equipment.html
