Shure SM57 Pro XLR Dynamic Instrument Microphone | Cardioid dynamic mic for studio and live instruments, drums, percussion and amp miking; recording-ready

I just picked up a Shure SM57 in February 2026, and honestly, I’m blown away. It solved one of the most frustrating problems in my home studio: recording a guitar amp without picking up outside noise. My “studio” is just a bedroom, and I’ve always battled traffic sounds and general room noise creeping into my recordings. With the SM57, that problem practically disappeared. This mic is incredibly focused. I can place it right up on the amp, and it captures the tone I want without dragging in the rest of the room. I’ve even had a TV playing off to the side and still recorded clean guitar tracks with no noticeable bleed. That’s something I couldn’t pull off with other mics I’ve tried. The SM57 just does what it’s supposed to do. It handles high sound pressure levels without flinching, so you can crank your amp and it won’t distort. The midrange presence is perfect for electric guitar. It gives you that punch and clarity that sits right in a mix without much extra work. There’s a reason this mic has been a studio standard for decades. It’s affordable, built like a tank, and sounds right. If I’d bought one 30 years ago, I probably would’ve made a lot more music instead of fighting my setup. Plain and simple, the SM57 is the sound of electric guitar. And it turns out, it’s exactly what my home studio needed.

If you have used Shure SM57's before, you can probably skip this review. If you are new to the wide-world of audio recording, this mic should be the first mic in your mic box. Get one of thee NOW if you haven't already. (I just paid $65 for mine here, used). It is a great mic for recording pretty much anything and will produce an acceptable sound. It is also great for live use as well. I have been into audio engineering as a professional for over 20 years (as well being a musician) and played hundreds of shows, been in dozens of studios, and have home-recorded for a long time. You know what microphone I run into more than any other? The Shure SM57. It has been used in the studio and on stages for decades- to mic up guitar cabs, drums, and pianos among other things. I have seen a lot of metal/thrash/punk bands use them for vocal mics. Yet they are subtle enough where I have seen people record acoustics guitars with great success. There is a reason for that- while yes, there are better sounding mics out there, when you buy a Shure SM57 ($100 new), you know EXACTLY what it is going to sound like and that the sound is unbeatable for the money. They are virtually indestructible as well, and when they do crap out (IF they do- I have a few that have been dropped numerous times, one took a beer bath, general abuse, and they still worked great) you can usually just get a new capsule for them for around $30-40, solder it in and BAM! it's as good as new. Yes, there are other mics out there for the same money that sound as good (the Audix i5 comes to mind), and while they have their place and some have the same sound quality as a SM57, I highly urge anyone thinking of getting into audio engineering as more than a hobby start out with a 57. Why? Because it is the mic that ALL other <$200 Dynamic mics are judged by. It's just that popular. At every major concert I have attended, there was at least one SM57 microphone on the stage, if not a bunch. Same as for every recording session I've attended. Usually I would NEVER by a used microphone sight unseen, but since it was a Shure SM57 and the seller had good feedback, I didn't hesitate to snatch it up for $65 as I KNEW EXACTLY WHAT I WAS GETTING and EXACTLY HOW THIS MIC IS GOING TO SOUND WHEN I PLUG IT IN. I used to have a mic arsenal of well over 50 microphones. The Shures were among the cheapest and they saw the most general use. You will always find a use for an SM57, even once you start buying $800 LDC mics, $600 matched pairs of SDC pencil mics, etc etc. I guarantee you will be pulling out your 57 for something on every job. I had to sell my old mic arsnal and have started to re-assemble a mic box, and I bought six of these first thing, it was a no-brainer. In the past, I have recorded a few punk bands using nothing but SM57's (aside from a Shure Beta52 for the kick drum mic) and ended up with GREAT sounding recordings that were released on Indy labels, one record has sold over 10,000 copies to date. Talking with people about this, they are either amazed or they just smile and nod their head, as they know the versatility of these microphones. They say the road to a good recording is having a good signal path from the sound coming from an instrument to the recorded track, and if you use an SM57, you can be assured that the mic will NOT be the weakest point in that chain. Yes, there are some engineers who think of the SM57 as a lowly piece of equipment which isn't much good for much else but to use as a hammer (which I have done incidentally, and it still worked no problem) and yeah, if I have $40,000 of microphones, I might finding myself being a bit snobbish myself. But unless you have that kind of money to spend on mics, the SM57 is indispensable. As I said, there are (finally) now mics out there that are VERY comparable price and sound wise which is a great thing (having options is a good thing), and down the road, yeah, try some of them. But if you are a novice and getting your first "real" mics, depending on what you are recording, an SM57 is a worthwhile investment. You won't have to worry about upgrading your mic box (that is, aside from adding more mics to it as money allows) with 57's. They will always have a place in the world of microphones. They are also great for stuff like podcasting, although for this I would suggest an SM58, which is pretty much the same mic, but with vocals in mind (they are a bit more omnidirectional). But if you want an industry standard instrument mic, buy a SM57, I promise you won't be disappointed. Thousands of records have been recorded using SM57's, as well as hundreds of top-earning tours.

I wouldn’t expect anything less out of a Shure product! Exactly what I expected the typical quality I’m used to in a decent price!

Very good microphone with clear sound and solid build quality. It's easy to use and works great for recordings and voice calls. Highly recommended

My first microphone because everyone told me to buy it. Served me excellently but it definitely sounds a tad muffled compared to condenser mics which is to be expected. Otherwise, the sound quality is amazing and it’s build feels incredibly durable.

The Shure SM57 Dynamic Instrument Mic has completely blown me away with its exceptional performance and unparalleled versatility. This microphone has quickly become an indispensable tool in my audio setup, and I'm excited to share my five-star review. First and foremost, the sound quality captured by the SM57 is nothing short of phenomenal. Whether I'm recording vocals, instruments, or even amplifiers, this microphone consistently delivers a crisp, clear, and natural audio reproduction. The depth and clarity it captures have elevated my recordings to a whole new level, making each project a true auditory delight. The versatility of the SM57 is a game-changer. It seamlessly adapts to a wide range of applications, from studio recording to live performances. This microphone can handle virtually any instrument or sound source with precision and accuracy, ensuring that every nuance is captured in exquisite detail. But what truly sets the SM57 apart is its exceptional value. It's not just a microphone; it's an investment in unparalleled sound quality and performance. The durability and build quality of the SM57 ensure that it will be a reliable workhorse in my setup for years to come, making it an excellent long-term investment. Whether I'm miking up a guitar amp for a roaring rock sound or capturing delicate nuances in an acoustic performance, the SM57 delivers consistent and outstanding results. Its adaptability has made it a go-to choice in my microphone collection. In conclusion, the Shure SM57 Dynamic Instrument Mic is an absolute gem for anyone seeking top-tier sound quality, versatility, and lasting value. Its exceptional performance across various applications has left me thoroughly impressed, and I couldn't be happier with my purchase. If you're looking to take your audio recording and performance to the next level, the SM57 is an easy five-star recommendation. This microphone truly lives up to its reputation and then some!

The Sure SM 57 remains to be an industry standard whether live or in the studio it’s always reliable and continues to be a great value for the money. It is advertised as an instrument mic,but it’s also superior for vocals as well.

This little mic sounds better than some of my much more expensive mics I was very impressed with the clean crisp articulate audio this mic was producing...

I tried a far cheaper Devine dynamic mic that performed way better.

I Will not be talking about how great this mic is we all that go to youtube , this would be about the authenticity of the product as sm57 is one of the most counterfeit mics in existence. I saw numerous videos and and spotting fake ones went to offline stores to check if mine is counterfeit one , i can proudly say its genuine by reviewing other videos and cross referencing other items . About the mic its a bit gain hungry but other than that THIS THE ONLY MIC YOU NEED for everything and anything. Get a pop filetr and windscren thats it for vocals as well. This Is made in China yes but the global variants are made in china since 2005 and is verified by shure in their website.

No tengo que decir nada porque todo el que lo compra sabe muy bien que es un modelo legendario, sobre todo su calidad de sonido y captura es maravilloso, tengo 4 de estos en mi estudio.

Microfone excelente. Preço acessível e som profissional

This sounds almost the same as an sm7b and other high end dynamic mics