The classic Shure SM57 is the "workhorse" microphone of stages and studios worldwide. Its carefully contoured presence rise means clean, beautifully defined instrumental reproduction and rich, warm vocal pickup on lecterns. The standard for drum and instrument amp miking. Also known as the SM57LC, SM57, or SM-57.

The Shure SM57 unidirectional dynamic microphone is exceptional for musical instrument pickup or for vocals. With its bright, clean sound and carefully contoured presence rise, the SM57 is ideal for live sound reinforcement and recording. It has an extremely effective cardioid pickup pattern which isolates the main sound source while minimizing background noise. In the studio, it is excellent for recording drums, 6 string guitar, and woodwinds. For musical instruments or vocals, the SM57 is a consistent choice of professional performers. It is also the standard microphone used on the podium of the U.S. President for over 30 years. Its outstanding performance, legendary reliability, and diversity of application make this "workhorse" the choice of performers, producers, and sound engineers the world over.

The SM57 uses the same element as the SM58 but the smaller windscreen changes the sound slightly and will emphasisze bass boosting proximity effect from vocals since the mouth can get closer to the element.  A foam windscreen is available to reduce popping when used for vocals.

Features:

• Contoured frequency response for clean, instrumentalreproduction and rich vocal pickup
• Uniformcardioid pickup pattern isolates the primary sound source and reducesbackground pickup while reducing feedback.
• Pneumaticshock-mount system cuts down handling noise
• Extremely durable under the heaviest use
• Effective,built-in spherical wind and pop filter
• Suppliedwith break-resistant stand adapter with 180 degrees rotation.
• LegendaryShure quality, ruggedness and reliability
• Frequencyresponse: 40 Hz to 15 kHz
• Type:Moving Coil Dynamic
• Transformerisolation and matching
• PolarPattern: Unidirectional (cardioid), rotationally symmetrical about microphoneaxis, and uniform with frequency
• Readily available field replacement parts
• Texture denamel dark gray painted finish on die cast tapered handle.
• Low impedance 300 ohm
• Capable of handling sound pressure levels of 150 dB to 190 dB depending on frequency.

The Shure SM57 is the most widely used microphone in the world.  It is the one microphone I could use on every instrument in a recording session or live stage if no other microphone was available.  It is that versatile.  The most common place you will find it is either on top of a snare drum or an electric guitar cabinet.  If there is one microphone you buy as your first microphone this should be it.