Consumers Report:
SM57 and SM58 FAQs

Troubled by a loose wire?  Trying to troubleshoot a problem?  Wondering if anyone else has experienced the same thing?   

A great source of information is the FAQ section of the Shure site.  There you will find thousands of customer questions and expert answers. And if all else fails, at the end of this article you’ll find a phone number to keep on hand where you can reach a live person ready, willing and able to lend an ear and a hand. 

Here’s a sampling of some of the most common FAQ entries relating to SM57 and SM58 microphones. 

SM58 Crackling and popping when handled

Question

I have a Shure SM58 mic that is 5 years old. Up until this point in time it's performed flawlessly. However, recently it's taken to crackling and popping when either handled or when you touch the mic in the stand with hands or lips. We've ruled out cords as we've tried many with the same result and we've ruled out mixing boards as we have two different ones and get the same sound. Is this mic in need of some sort of service or repair? Is there a quick fix? Any help you could offer would be greatly appreciated.

Answer

The problem might lie in the XLR connector at the end of the SM58. There is a small set screw that can be accessed via a hole on the side of the mic. This set screw holds the XLR connector tight in the mic body. Use a small screwdriver and tighten that set screw so that the XLR connector does not wiggle.

Do microphones fatigue?

Question

My SM58 has recently been noted to need more gain and just not putting out. It's always been reliable (40 + weekends per year) but it's just not cutting it.  Do they suffer fatigue and what is the prescribed repair?

Answer

No, dynamic mics like the SM58 do not suffer fatigue. Here are some possible causes: 

1. Bad mic cable and mic snake. Inspect, clean or replace all cables or mic snakes. 

2. Loose XLR connector on SM58. Inspect and tighten if necessary. 

3. Clogged foam on grille. Remove ball grille. Wash in water with Dawn dishwashing liquid. Rinse well. Air dry thoroughly and replace. 

4. Loss of magnetic field strength due to mic being dropped. Return to Shure Service Department for repair.  

Here’s how to perform a simple check:

Get another SM58 from a friend and make a comparison. Set up your SM58; talk into it. Then unplug yours and plug in the other SM58 to the same cable. They should sound quite similar, though not identical. If not, your mic should be returned for repair.   

Refurbishing Mics

Question

Do you offer refurbish services on the SM series mics, and if so, how much is the cost for this service?

Answer

Yes, but the cost depends on which specific microphone you have. Please contact our Service Department for more information.

Fixing a Dented Grille

Question

The ball grille of my Shure mic is dented. Is there a way to repair it?

Answer

Bent ball grilles can be often be repaired as follows: 

1. Remove the ball grille from the microphone.

2. Place the ball grille over a rounded wooden file handle; secure the file handle in a vice. File handles are sold at hardware stores.

3. Using the file handle as a "form" inside of the ball grille, gently reshape the grille by tapping on it using a plastic or rubber hammer.

Calling for Help

Question

When I call Shure Applications Engineering about a technical issue, how should I prepare and what should I do to help solve my situation quickly?

Answer

1. Consult the User Guide before calling. The solutions to many common problems can often be found in the User Guide.   SM58® User Guide.  SM 57 User Guide 

2. Consult the online FAQ.  It contains over 3,500 questions and answers that are searchable using key words. 

3. If you call using a cell phone and the connection is unreliable, the Applications Engineer may request that you call back, either from another location or from a landline. If the cell phone signal drops in and out, critical information may be lost. And please, please do not call when you are driving.

 

4.  Have as much specific information about the issue as possible.  This includes full and complete model numbers, operating frequencies (for wireless systems), types of connections, when and where the issue occurs, etc. The more complete the information you provide, the more effective the Applications Engineer will be in assisting you. 

5.  If at all possible, have the product in question in front of you. 

6.  Provide information on how long you have owned the product and if it ever operated properly. 

7.  Be prepared to take notes.  Have pen and paper nearby to write down the recommendations and advice you are given. 

8.  You will likely be asked many questions as the Applications Engineer constructs a mental picture of your issue. Please be patient. Though you may be familiar with the issue, the Applications Engineer is hearing about your issue for the first time and is handicapped because she/he is not at your location to hear the issue in person. 

9.  Speak up if the Applications Engineer is talking too fast or using unfamiliar terms. But understand that certain technical terms may be the only way to describe the solution to an issue. 

10.  Follow the directions given by the Applications Engineer even if you don't completely understand why, and even if you are certain that you have "already tried that." 

11.  The simplest suggestion is often the quickest solution. Though it may seem elementary, be willing to try different cables, new batteries, and different product substitutions.  The majority of problems with sound systems can be traced back to cables and connectors. 

12. Unfortunately, some issues can only be resolved by returning the product to Shure Service for examination and repair. Makeshift "field solutions" are not always available or recommended. Many Shure products do not have user-serviceable parts.

 
 

Contact Shure Applications Engineering:

By phone: 847 600-8440
By fax: 847 600-8444
By E-Mail: support@shure.com
 

Contact the Service Department:

By phone: 800 516-2525 or 847 600-8699. 

General information concerning service, repair, parts and warranty of Shure products can be found here.