Shure BLX24/SM58 Wireless Microphone System Review

Howdy!

There comes a time for many bands or DJs when they decide that their set-up would be better off without wires and they are willing to pony up for a wireless system. Unfortunately, often times they start out with entry-level equipment that just does not get the mail delivered. Surely you have run into this before, or seen it in This is Spinal Tap: radio interference, cutting out, and intermittent bursts of shrieking and static.

That is why I spent a little extra time researching and trying different systems before I ended up getting the Shure BLX24/SM58 wireless handheld microphone system. This system includes a BLX4 receiver, a BLX2/SM58 microphone, and a transmitter. This is delivered in a nice cordura case that looks like it should have a gun in it.

The BLX4 receiver is a nice looking unit, with an LED channel indicator display on the front, and ¼-inch and XLR connector output terminals on the back. This assembly is capable of receiving signals from 90 selectable frequencies across 24MHz bandwidth which provides plenty of opportunities to find some clear radio waves to use.

The BLX2/SM58 is bigger than a conventional SM58 microphone, and this is no surprise as the batteries and the transmitter have to go somewhere. It has a mute switch as well as a multi-function LED that lets the user know if the mute is ON, the power is ON, the power is low, or if the mute is locked out. The lock out feature is handy if you want to keep the user from accidentally turning off the microphone. Just press and hold the switch for 10 seconds while the power is on and it will lock the switch out.

System set-up is easy: I just plugged in in, connected a cable from the XLR output to my mixer (just like a regular microphone) and turned it on. I installed two AA batteries in the transmitter (they are supposed to last up to 14hours) and turned it ON. Before putting the battery cover back on I synced the transmitter to the receiver and that was it. The automatic transmitter set-up and automatic frequency selection paired the system lickety-split and it was ready to use with no hassles.

The sound performance of the BLX2/SM58 wireless microphone is identical to my conventional wired SM58 microphones. I have not had any wireless problems, such as static or cutting out, and there has not really been any downside to using this system.

Of course I install new batteries before each use, so I have not had any problems with battery failure. I find that Shure’s claim of 14 hours of battery is credible, though I have never had need to use them for more than 10 hours at a time.

I would have a hard time with letting some drunken karaoke performer loose with one of these, though as they do not come cheaply. The list price for a complete Shure BLX24/SM58 system is $436, and the street price is $350. So, you might be tempted to shop around and buy a dirt-cheap one from a shady seller, but be very careful when buying Shure wireless systems online or from Craigslist ads, as they are now being counterfeited like there is no tomorrow. I have seen a few of these systems being offered on eBay from foreign sellers for half the price without OEM packaging. Caveat emptor, amigos…

Mahalo!

Shure Beta 58A Microphone Review and Comparison to the Shure SM 58

Sugoi!

If you have been reading my blog for awhile, you may know of my respect for the Shure SM58 microphone, and I am not the only one that feels this way. Everywhere you go you see the SM58, and it has to be one of the popular microphones on the planet, particularly for live performance. But Shure also makes a premium version, the Beta 58A. This microphone is also quite popular, and many people say it is better, but many times they cannot give good reasons why, so I thought I would put some time into comparing them.

The first thing to keep in mind is that the Beta 58A and SM58 were designed as (and are marketed as) vocal microphones for live performance. If you are using these to mic bass drums, or if you are expecting these microphones to do something different you should be shopping for something else.

The appearance of the Beta is not terribly different from the SM58, and the quickest way to tell the difference is to look for the blue band around the grille. The body is also a little different color (more blue than gray), and there is a little square badge on the Beta. The weights of the two are within an ounce of each other, so that is a wash.

The performance numbers between the microphones are similar, and the impedance is 150ohms for both of them. The frequency response is 40 to 15,000Hz for the SM58 and 50 to 16,000Hz for the Beta 58A. The frequency curve drops off less on the high end for the Beta, meaning it should sound a bit brighter (and it does).

The construction is also a little different. The grill is stronger (made of hardened steel), so it is more resistant to damage. The innards are still shock-mounted, which is a good thing and Betas seem to be just as reliable as the SM58. The Beta 58A goes to a neodymium magnet for higher output than the SM58, which is one of the major physical differences between he two. This higher output means that less gain is needed on the pre-amplifier, which helps reduce feedback, particularly if the singer is close to the monitors.

The Beta 58A has a different polar pattern to make it better for live sound situations. The super-cardioid pattern (see the pattern images below) helps separate the vocals better from the panoply of other sounds that occur on stage. The SM58 has a cardioids pattern, which is also good on stage, but because it does not have as tight of a pattern it is more prone to feedback. The higher output and brightness are the biggest selling points for the Beta 58A over the SM58 and if you are going to be using your microphones mostly on noisy stages, the Beta will edge out the SM58 as its cuts much better through a dense mix.

But, the higher output and brightness of the Beta 58A come at a price, and that price is that this is a harsh sounding microphone. When a singer brings their own Beta 58A microphone I have to do a lot more fiddling with the EQ and level to get them to sound good. I prefer the SM58 for public address or smaller gig settings, and would always pick an SM58 over the Beta for studio vocals. I have tried both in the real world and as a result I have no Beta 58As in my microphone case, only SM57s and SM58s. I can buy three of those for the price of two Betas, and the extra cost is just too much after considering the advantages and disadvantages of the Beta 58A.

As I said earlier, the Shure Beta 58A is about 50% more expensive than an SM58. These microphones have a list price of $199, and a street price of $159. If you are going to purchase one of these I would stick with a major retailer, and be wary of online or craigslist deals that are too good to be true. Due to the popularity of Shure products, they are being counterfeited, and you don’t want to get burned.

Mahalo!

Shure SM58 Microphone Review

Howdy!

Today I am writing about the Shure SM58 microphone. But this blog post is more homage than review, because this is one of the best-selling microphones in the world, and it sales volume speaks for what a great product it is.

The SM58 is a unidirectional low-impedance microphone that was introduced in 1966, and my understanding is that it is the same microphone as an SM57, with a built-in spherical filter to reduce wind noise and popping.

This microphone has an XLR connector with balanced output, to minimize unwanted noise and hum and a cardioid pickup pattern so it can isolate the target sound source and without picking up very much background noise. This microphone has a frequency response of 50 Hz to 15kHz, according to Shure.

SM stands for “Studio Microphone”, and I see these used for picking up amplifier cabinets and wind instruments, but the SM58 really shines for live vocal performance. They effectively cut out background noise and are shock-mounted to reduce mechanical noise. They also have a well-earned reputation for durability, and I have never seen one break.

By the way, there are also a few variations of the SM58, including wireless models, a Beta version, and one with a built-in ON/OFF switch.

If you do not have a Shure SM58, you need to have at least one around. They have a list price of $188, but you can buy them all day long on the internet for $99. As always, be careful if you see a deal that looks too good to be true, as these microphones are now being counterfeited overseas.

Mahalo!