In the market for a new wireless system and looking at the Shure. This is for speaking, weddings, awards ceremonies, etc. Not singing (maybe at a wedding ceremony but hasn't happened yet). Should I go for the SM58 or up to the Beta 58 with it's hypercardoid pattern? I'm trying to eliminate feedback, especially during toasts at weddings. Some of the layouts don't allow us to set up ideally for mic work.
SM58 or Beta 58?
- Thread starter RobDawg
- Start date
Cardioid patterns are designed to minimize issues with sounds directly behind capsule (think single floor monitor in front of singer). Super or hyper-cardioid patterns work better with rejecting sounds coming from roughly 45 degrees off rear axis (2 floor monitors spread out in front of singer). For normal speaking, handling noise and gain before feedback are more important and I believe the Betas have more gain (so input trim can be lower) and better handle handling noise (gripping and moving hands on mic barrel), so are probably better for speeches.
Beta58 > SM58
The wireless Beta has consistently sounded better in my experience having had both of these for 4+ years, less feedback, better gain, more versatile, works excellent for a solo singer or instrumentalist.
Feedback during toasts at weddings is also reduced by giving a quick briefing to the people speaking when you get a chance before the program, to ensure they know to hold the mic closer and stand farther away from the speakers, so you can turn down the gain and reduce feedback.
The wireless Beta has consistently sounded better in my experience having had both of these for 4+ years, less feedback, better gain, more versatile, works excellent for a solo singer or instrumentalist.
Feedback during toasts at weddings is also reduced by giving a quick briefing to the people speaking when you get a chance before the program, to ensure they know to hold the mic closer and stand farther away from the speakers, so you can turn down the gain and reduce feedback.
I think the Beta sounds better with an experienced person holding it. But during wedding toasts I generally see people dropping the mic position badly, and waving the capsule around a bit. Because of how direct the pickup pattern is... the Beta will lose volume MUCH faster when people giving toasts are doing that.
For that reason, I have always preferred the SM58 in the hands of an amateur public speaker.
For that reason, I have always preferred the SM58 in the hands of an amateur public speaker.