{"id":7929,"date":"2022-05-17T12:20:23","date_gmt":"2022-05-17T11:20:23","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/gear4musicblog.kinsta.cloud\/?p=7929"},"modified":"2023-05-09T16:53:06","modified_gmt":"2023-05-09T15:53:06","slug":"sm58-day","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/sm58-day\/","title":{"rendered":"The History of the Shure SM58"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_85 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 eztoc-toggle-hide-by-default' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/sm58-day\/#The_History_of_Shure\" >The History of Shure<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/sm58-day\/#The_Unidyne_Capsule\" >The Unidyne Capsule<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/sm58-day\/#Other_Innovations\" >Other Innovations<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/sm58-day\/#The_Unidyne_III_Capsule\" >The Unidyne III Capsule<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/sm58-day\/#The_release_of_the_SM58\" >The release of the SM58<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/sm58-day\/#The_end_of_the_road\" >The end of the road?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/sm58-day\/#The_construction_and_design_of_the_SM58\" >The construction and design of the SM58<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/sm58-day\/#What_makes_the_SM58_special\" >What makes the SM58 special?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/sm58-day\/#What_separates_the_SM57_from_the_SM58\" >What separates the SM57 from the SM58?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/sm58-day\/#The_legacy_of_the_SM58\" >The legacy of the SM58<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/sm58-day\/#SM58_Trivia\" >SM58 Trivia<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<p>[et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; admin_label=&#8221;section&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; custom_padding=&#8221;0px|||||&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_row admin_label=&#8221;row&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; background_size=&#8221;initial&#8221; background_position=&#8221;top_left&#8221; background_repeat=&#8221;repeat&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; custom_padding=&#8221;|||&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; custom_padding__hover=&#8221;|||&#8221;][et_pb_text admin_label=&#8221;Text&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; background_size=&#8221;initial&#8221; background_position=&#8221;top_left&#8221; background_repeat=&#8221;repeat&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p>The SM58 has become a modern icon of microphone design, often imitated but never replicated. How did Shure make such a great vocal microphone, and what led to its creation?<\/p>\n<p>To celebrate SM58 Day, let\u2019s take a look at its history. From the inception of Shure itself and some of their historic inventions to the design of the SM58 and its enduring legacy.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_History_of_Shure\"><\/span>The History of Shure<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Founded in Chicago in 1925 by Sidney N. Shure, the Shure Radio Company started as a one-man business selling AM radio kits and components. It was one of only six companies to offer parts catalogues at the time, and this helped launch Shure to the forefront of the market.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-7952\" src=\"https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2022\/05\/1926_A2002-04_B09_F01_1926cat.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1000\" height=\"563\" srcset=\"https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2022\/05\/1926_A2002-04_B09_F01_1926cat.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2022\/05\/1926_A2002-04_B09_F01_1926cat-533x300.jpg 533w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2022\/05\/1926_A2002-04_B09_F01_1926cat-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2022\/05\/1926_A2002-04_B09_F01_1926cat-980x552.jpg 980w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2022\/05\/1926_A2002-04_B09_F01_1926cat-480x270.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Once the Great Depression hit America in 1929, however, factory-built radios became accessible, and the company had to reconsider their business model. Shure began distributing microphones for Ellis Electrical Laboratories instead, selling these existing products across the US and broadening their knowledge.<\/p>\n<p>Just a few years later, Shure began developing their own microphone. Released in 1932, the Model 33N quickly became popular due to its lighter build and more affordable price compared to the alternatives. This made Shure one of the few American microphone manufacturers of the time.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-7951\" src=\"https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2022\/05\/1925___DboxLSWV0AEAs1O.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1000\" height=\"563\" srcset=\"https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2022\/05\/1925___DboxLSWV0AEAs1O.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2022\/05\/1925___DboxLSWV0AEAs1O-533x300.jpg 533w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2022\/05\/1925___DboxLSWV0AEAs1O-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2022\/05\/1925___DboxLSWV0AEAs1O-980x552.jpg 980w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2022\/05\/1925___DboxLSWV0AEAs1O-480x270.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Unidyne_Capsule\"><\/span>The Unidyne Capsule<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>In 1936, Shure designed and patented a support and suspension system for microphones, an early design of what we now know as <em>shock mounts<\/em>. Then, in 1939, Shure developed and released the Model 55 Unidyne, a single-element dynamic microphone, the most recognized microphone in the world and still on the market to this day.<\/p>\n<p>The Unidyne I capsule design has become one of the most important inventions in the history of recording, and its invention by engineer Benjamin B. Bauer has earned Shure an IEEE Milestone Award.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-7958\" src=\"https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2022\/05\/1951_080-A2003-09B02_73A.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1000\" height=\"563\" srcset=\"https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2022\/05\/1951_080-A2003-09B02_73A.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2022\/05\/1951_080-A2003-09B02_73A-533x300.jpg 533w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2022\/05\/1951_080-A2003-09B02_73A-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2022\/05\/1951_080-A2003-09B02_73A-980x552.jpg 980w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2022\/05\/1951_080-A2003-09B02_73A-480x270.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Other_Innovations\"><\/span>Other Innovations<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Throughout the 1940s, Shure began developing microphones and headphones to support the efforts of the Allied Forces throughout World War II, adopting strict military standards to ensure the microphones could hold up. This approach to design and quality has remained part of Shure\u2019s philosophy ever since, and it&#8217;s why their microphones tend to be so durable.<\/p>\n<p>In 1949, Shure released another unique and enduring microphone, the Green Bullet. Originally designed for speech, the Green Bullet helped Shure to define their desired sound&#8230; but it also had an unintended side-effect. The mic created a saturated sound that allowed harmonicas to cut through the mix, over amplified electric guitars.<\/p>\n<p>When Shure announced the discontinuation of the Green Bullet after sales had slowed significantly, they were overwhelmed with requests from blues musicians to keep it on the market. This made Shure reconsider and, ultimately, keep the Green Bullet in production for blues musicians around the world.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-7957\" src=\"https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2022\/05\/1949_A2002-04B13_03_520SL_ca1950_250.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1000\" height=\"562\" srcset=\"https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2022\/05\/1949_A2002-04B13_03_520SL_ca1950_250.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2022\/05\/1949_A2002-04B13_03_520SL_ca1950_250-534x300.jpg 534w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2022\/05\/1949_A2002-04B13_03_520SL_ca1950_250-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2022\/05\/1949_A2002-04B13_03_520SL_ca1950_250-980x551.jpg 980w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2022\/05\/1949_A2002-04B13_03_520SL_ca1950_250-480x270.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Shure continued to innovate over the 1950s, releasing their first handheld wireless microphone system called the Vagabond 88. This technology didn\u2019t catch on, due to its steep price point, but it could be seen in several venues in Las Vegas.<\/p>\n<p>Perhaps the most important development for Shure came at the end of the 1950s. The Model 545 Unidyne III was released in 1959, utilising end-firing instead of side-address construction.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-7963\" src=\"https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2022\/05\/shure-vagabond-lady-2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2022\/05\/shure-vagabond-lady-2.jpg 800w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2022\/05\/shure-vagabond-lady-2-533x300.jpg 533w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2022\/05\/shure-vagabond-lady-2-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2022\/05\/shure-vagabond-lady-2-480x270.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Unidyne_III_Capsule\"><\/span>The Unidyne III Capsule<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The benefit of the end-firing design from the Unidyne III was a more uniform polar pattern, which allowed the gain on the microphone to be turned higher before any feedback crept in. This became key as it could handle larger sound systems and concert venues, paving the way for live sound to better translate to open-air formats such as music festivals, as well as bigger spaces like arenas.<\/p>\n<p>Without the Unidyne III, it\u2019s arguable that live music wouldn\u2019t be where it is today. One of the biggest live events of the time, Woodstock Festival, used the Model 565 as its sole PA microphone because of the benefits delivered by its fresh design. This innovation would inform a lot of Shure\u2019s future designs, especially the SM57 and SM58.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_release_of_the_SM58\"><\/span>The release of the SM58<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>By the mid-1960s, Shure compiled their design knowledge from all of their previous innovations and created two microphones that remain commonplace in professional audio. The SM57 and SM58 were released within a year of each other, the SM57 in 1965 and the SM58 in 1966.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-8992 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2022\/05\/SM58-Day.jpg\" alt=\"SM58-Day banner\" width=\"1000\" height=\"500\" \/><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_end_of_the_road\"><\/span>The end of the road?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>This dual release would go on to cement Shure\u2019s company legacy eventually, but initial sales figures were extremely low. In 1966, sales for the SM58 were 145 units worldwide. These low figures continued until 1970 when Shure considered discontinuing the range.<\/p>\n<p>In response to the low sales, a sales engineer at Shure requested that he be allowed to take these microphones to various live music venues around Las Vegas. Even though Shure had mainly been targeting recording studios with this range, they agreed. From here, engineers and venue owners began to see the value of these new Shure microphones.<\/p>\n<p>Without this outreach, the story of the SM56, SM57, and SM58 may have ended for good in 1970.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_construction_and_design_of_the_SM58\"><\/span>The construction and design of the SM58<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>So, we\u2019ve covered the basics of this legendary microphone\u2019s history, but why exactly was it designed this way? Let\u2019s look inside to determine what makes this legend tick.<\/p>\n<p>The rounded ball grille of the SM58 is designed to crumple on impact &#8211; much like the design of the front of a car &#8211; which makes the microphone durable when dropped, hit, or even thrown. This is a big part of the SM58\u2019s legendary day-to-day reliability.<\/p>\n<p>The grille is paired with foam and a resonator cap, and this comprises a lot of the SM58\u2019s built-in pop filtering. Then, the transducer capsule sits underneath this foam and resonator cap. The capsule\u2019s design provides a consistent cardioid polar pattern that allows more gain to be used before audible feedback occurs.<\/p>\n<p>Underneath the microphone\u2019s capsule sits a pneumatic shock mount which reduces audible stage vibration and handling noise to a minimum. All of this combined makes the vocal microphone we know and love.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-7959\" src=\"https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2022\/05\/A2002-04B11_FF04_58Drawing-1__665x500.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"665\" height=\"500\" srcset=\"https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2022\/05\/A2002-04B11_FF04_58Drawing-1__665x500.jpg 665w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2022\/05\/A2002-04B11_FF04_58Drawing-1__665x500-399x300.jpg 399w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2022\/05\/A2002-04B11_FF04_58Drawing-1__665x500-510x382.jpg 510w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2022\/05\/A2002-04B11_FF04_58Drawing-1__665x500-480x361.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 665px) 100vw, 665px\" \/><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_makes_the_SM58_special\"><\/span>What makes the SM58 special?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>As we mentioned earlier, the main benefit of the SM58 was the end-firing dynamic design. This made its cardioid polar pattern more consistent than the competition, and allowed engineers, especially in live settings, to apply more gain without creating feedback.<\/p>\n<p>The end-firing dynamic design enabled larger PA systems to be used for live events, meaning a lot of live sound technology had to catch up. This is why the SM58 is still seen as a live microphone first and foremost.<\/p>\n<p>Designed by Shure engineer Ernie Seeler, the SM58 contains a slight variation on the Unidyne III cartridge released in 1959. When first testing the completed cartridge, Seeler dropped, cooked, froze, and submerged it in water to ensure it would still work under any circumstances.<\/p>\n<p>Stories of SM58s surviving large drops, being run over by cars, large spillages, and intense performances are extremely common. No matter what you throw at it, the SM58 seems determined to keep working regardless. Seeler\u2019s meticulous design coupled with Shure\u2019s military-grade construction standards has made the SM58 one of the most, if not <em>the<\/em> most, robust microphones ever made.<\/p>\n<p>The true unique factor of the SM58 is its sound signature, which has made it incredibly well-suited for vocalists who need to cut through a dense mix of loud instruments. Specifically, the SM58\u2019s frequency response has a unique presence boost at 5 kHz and a gentle, broad boost in the midrange that adds body to vocal performances.<\/p>\n<p>Because of its reliability, ability to handle huge sound pressures without distortion, and flexibility to crank the gain beyond what any other microphone could handle, the SM58 has found its home in live rock music ever since its release.<\/p>\n<p>Bands like The Rolling Stones were early adopters of this microphone. But to this day, industry icons like Henry Rollins, Patti Smith, and Paul McCartney all continue to use and publicly endorse the SM58, which has helped to maintain its legendary status.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-7967\" src=\"https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2022\/05\/10-things-might-not-know-sm58_content-6.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1000\" height=\"650\" srcset=\"https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2022\/05\/10-things-might-not-know-sm58_content-6.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2022\/05\/10-things-might-not-know-sm58_content-6-462x300.jpg 462w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2022\/05\/10-things-might-not-know-sm58_content-6-768x499.jpg 768w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2022\/05\/10-things-might-not-know-sm58_content-6-980x637.jpg 980w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2022\/05\/10-things-might-not-know-sm58_content-6-480x312.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_separates_the_SM57_from_the_SM58\"><\/span>What separates the SM57 from the SM58?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>These beloved microphones are frequently used in very different contexts, but their origins are extremely similar, and they both house the same cartridge. So what\u2019s the difference? And why is one seen as appropriate for instruments and the other for vocals?<\/p>\n<p>Primarily, the grille makes the difference between them. The iconic ball grille seen on the SM58 has a built-in pop filter that helps reduce plosives and proximity effect, meaning vocalists can put it extremely close to their mouths without causing unwanted low-end build-up.<\/p>\n<p>The SM57, however, doesn\u2019t have these features. When used for instrument recordings, especially with things like guitar or bass cabs, the proximity effect can really help shape your sound, and since plosives aren\u2019t an issue with instruments, the SM57 doesn\u2019t have a built-in pop filter.<\/p>\n<p>Furthermore, the SM57\u2019s signature sound comes from a presence boost at 5 kHz, while the SM58 has a more gradual and smooth response around this range.<\/p>\n<p>Although both microphones can be used for either purpose, they do have some distinct differences that sculpt their sounds and make each one better suited to their intended use. Just remember: microphone rules are made to be broken! An SM57 can be used on vocals, and an SM58 can be used on drums, just as readily as the other way around.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_legacy_of_the_SM58\"><\/span>The legacy of the SM58<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>It\u2019s hard to deny the impact of the SM58. It pushed forward the power and size of PA systems towards what exists today, paving the way for larger venues and open-air events. Undeniably, the SM58 has helped to define the modern-day live sound. This microphone is an enduring and defining achievement, not only for the brand but for audio technology as a whole.<\/p>\n<p>So, let\u2019s leave this journey with some interesting trivia about the microphone&#8230;<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-7965\" src=\"https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2022\/05\/SM58-still-lIfe_MedHR.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1000\" height=\"563\" srcset=\"https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2022\/05\/SM58-still-lIfe_MedHR.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2022\/05\/SM58-still-lIfe_MedHR-533x300.jpg 533w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2022\/05\/SM58-still-lIfe_MedHR-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2022\/05\/SM58-still-lIfe_MedHR-980x552.jpg 980w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2022\/05\/SM58-still-lIfe_MedHR-480x270.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"SM58_Trivia\"><\/span>SM58 Trivia<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Roger Daltrey of The Who was one of the early adopters of the SM58, purchasing one in the late 1960s. This microphone is what made Daltrey capable of his famed spinning microphone trick, as it was the only one that could still work if he dropped it.<\/li>\n<li>Despite developing the main microphone for rock music, design engineer Ernie Seeler was never really a fan of the genre. He was extremely surprised by its adoption in live rock performances, and stated, \u201cI love classical music, but rock and roll, I don\u2019t take very seriously\u201d.<\/li>\n<li>Famed producer of Johnny Cash, Tool, and Red Hot Chili Peppers, Sylvia Massy has said, \u201cafter Armageddon, nothing will be left but cockroaches and SM58s\u201d. It\u2019s hard to disagree.<\/li>\n<li>An SM58 was found submerged underwater for weeks after a hurricane \u2013 and it still worked!<\/li>\n<li>Henry Rollins would \u2018customise\u2019 his SM58s by intentionally crushing his thumbprints into their grille. He still uses one for his spoken word performances.<\/li>\n<li>The SM58 is one of the few microphones in the world to go to space, having been used onboard the International Space Station for interviews and educational talks.<\/li>\n<li>Frank Sinatra was a huge fan of the SM58. When a sales engineer tried to show him the SM59 in 1977, Sinatra sang a few words into it, threw it across the room, and asked for his SM58 back. He then said to his live engineer, \u201ctell that kid from Shure not to come back\u201d.<\/li>\n<li>Rick Rubin ran a blind microphone listening test in a session with The Smashing Pumpkins, testing $35,000 worth of microphones on Billy Corgan\u2019s voice. Included in this test were microphones from Telefunken, Neumann, AKG, Sennheiser, and Oktava, as well as an SM57 and an SM58. The SM58 won the competition.<\/li>\n<li>Rockstar and former Gallows frontman Frank Carter loves the SM58 so much that he got a tattoo of its distinctive design on his leg.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-8007\" src=\"https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2022\/05\/on-death-and-microphones-frank-carters-inked-tribute-to-the-sm58_header-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" srcset=\"https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2022\/05\/on-death-and-microphones-frank-carters-inked-tribute-to-the-sm58_header-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2022\/05\/on-death-and-microphones-frank-carters-inked-tribute-to-the-sm58_header-533x300.jpg 533w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2022\/05\/on-death-and-microphones-frank-carters-inked-tribute-to-the-sm58_header-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2022\/05\/on-death-and-microphones-frank-carters-inked-tribute-to-the-sm58_header-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2022\/05\/on-death-and-microphones-frank-carters-inked-tribute-to-the-sm58_header-1080x608.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2022\/05\/on-death-and-microphones-frank-carters-inked-tribute-to-the-sm58_header-1280x720.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2022\/05\/on-death-and-microphones-frank-carters-inked-tribute-to-the-sm58_header-980x551.jpg 980w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2022\/05\/on-death-and-microphones-frank-carters-inked-tribute-to-the-sm58_header-480x270.jpg 480w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2022\/05\/on-death-and-microphones-frank-carters-inked-tribute-to-the-sm58_header.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Find out more | <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.shure.com\/en-US\/performance-production\/louder\/how-they-did-it-inside-the-sm58\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Inside the SM58<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Shop now | <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/PA-DJ-and-Lighting\/Shure-SM58-Dynamic-Cardioid-Vocal-Microphone\/4ZW\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Shure SM58<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The SM58 has become a modern icon of microphone design, often imitated but never replicated. How did Shure make such a great vocal microphone, and what led to its creation? To celebrate SM58 Day, let\u2019s take a look at its history. From the inception of Shure itself and some of their historic inventions to the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":13,"featured_media":25963,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"The SM58 has become a modern icon of microphone design, often imitated but never replicated. How did Shure make such a great vocal microphone, and what led to its creation?\r\n\r\nTo celebrate SM58 Day, let\u2019s take a look at its history. From the inception of Shure itself and some of their historic inventions to the design of the SM58 and its enduring legacy.\r\n\r\n<hr \/>\r\n\r\n<h3>The History of Shure<\/h3>\r\nFounded in Chicago in 1925 by Sidney N. Shure, the Shure Radio Company started as a one-man business selling AM radio kits and components. It was one of only six companies to offer parts catalogues at the time, and this helped launch Shure to the forefront of the market.\r\n\r\n<img class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-7952\" src=\"https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2022\/05\/1926_A2002-04_B09_F01_1926cat.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1000\" height=\"563\" \/>\r\n\r\nOnce the Great Depression hit America in 1929, however, factory-built radios became accessible, and the company had to reconsider their business model. Shure began distributing microphones for Ellis Electrical Laboratories instead, selling these existing products across the US and broadening their knowledge.\r\n\r\nJust a few years later, Shure began developing their own microphone. Released in 1932, the Model 33N quickly became popular due to its lighter build and more affordable price compared to the alternatives. This made Shure one of the few American microphone manufacturers of the time.\r\n\r\n<img class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-7951\" src=\"https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2022\/05\/1925___DboxLSWV0AEAs1O.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1000\" height=\"563\" \/>\r\n\r\n<hr \/>\r\n\r\n<h3>The Unidyne Capsule<\/h3>\r\nIn 1936, Shure designed and patented a support and suspension system for microphones, an early design of what we now know as <em>shock mounts<\/em>. Then, in 1939, Shure developed and released the Model 55 Unidyne, a single-element dynamic microphone, the most recognized microphone in the world and still on the market to this day.\r\n\r\nThe Unidyne I capsule design has become one of the most important inventions in the history of recording, and its invention by engineer Benjamin B. Bauer has earned Shure an IEEE Milestone Award.\r\n\r\n<img class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-7958\" src=\"https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2022\/05\/1951_080-A2003-09B02_73A.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1000\" height=\"563\" \/>\r\n\r\n<hr \/>\r\n\r\n<h3>Other Innovations<\/h3>\r\nThroughout the 1940s, Shure began developing microphones and headphones to support the efforts of the Allied Forces throughout World War II, adopting strict military standards to ensure the microphones could hold up. This approach to design and quality has remained part of Shure\u2019s philosophy ever since, and it's why their microphones tend to be so durable.\r\n\r\nIn 1949, Shure released another unique and enduring microphone, the Green Bullet. Originally designed for speech, the Green Bullet helped Shure to define their desired sound... but it also had an unintended side-effect. The mic created a saturated sound that allowed harmonicas to cut through the mix, over amplified electric guitars.\r\n\r\nWhen Shure announced the discontinuation of the Green Bullet after sales had slowed significantly, they were overwhelmed with requests from blues musicians to keep it on the market. This made Shure reconsider and, ultimately, keep the Green Bullet in production for blues musicians around the world.\r\n\r\n<img class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-7957\" src=\"https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2022\/05\/1949_A2002-04B13_03_520SL_ca1950_250.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1000\" height=\"562\" \/>\r\n\r\nShure continued to innovate over the 1950s, releasing their first handheld wireless microphone system called the Vagabond 88. This technology didn\u2019t catch on, due to its steep price point, but it could be seen in several venues in Las Vegas.\r\n\r\nPerhaps the most important development for Shure came at the end of the 1950s. The Model 545 Unidyne III was released in 1959, utilising end-firing instead of side-address construction.\r\n\r\n<img class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-7963\" src=\"https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2022\/05\/shure-vagabond-lady-2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" \/>\r\n\r\n<hr \/>\r\n\r\n<h3>The Unidyne III Capsule<\/h3>\r\nThe benefit of the end-firing design from the Unidyne III was a more uniform polar pattern, which allowed the gain on the microphone to be turned higher before any feedback crept in. This became key as it could handle larger sound systems and concert venues, paving the way for live sound to better translate to open-air formats such as music festivals, as well as bigger spaces like arenas.\r\n\r\nWithout the Unidyne III, it\u2019s arguable that live music wouldn\u2019t be where it is today. One of the biggest live events of the time, Woodstock Festival, used the Model 565 as its sole PA microphone because of the benefits delivered by its fresh design. This innovation would inform a lot of Shure\u2019s future designs, especially the SM57 and SM58.\r\n\r\n<hr \/>\r\n\r\n<h3>The release of the SM58<\/h3>\r\nBy the mid-1960s, Shure compiled their design knowledge from all of their previous innovations and created two microphones that remain commonplace in professional audio. The SM57 and SM58 were released within a year of each other, the SM57 in 1965 and the SM58 in 1966.\r\n\r\n<img class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-7971\" src=\"https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2022\/05\/preview-1024x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" \/>\r\n\r\n<hr \/>\r\n\r\n<h3>The end of the road?<\/h3>\r\nThis dual release would go on to cement Shure\u2019s company legacy eventually, but initial sales figures were extremely low. In 1966, sales for the SM58 were 145 units worldwide. These low figures continued until 1970 when Shure considered discontinuing the range.\r\n\r\nIn response to the low sales, a sales engineer at Shure requested that he be allowed to take these microphones to various live music venues around Las Vegas. Even though Shure had mainly been targeting recording studios with this range, they agreed. From here, engineers and venue owners began to see the value of these new Shure microphones.\r\n\r\nWithout this outreach, the story of the SM56, SM57, and SM58 may have ended for good in 1970.\r\n\r\n<hr \/>\r\n\r\n<h3>The construction and design of the SM58<\/h3>\r\nSo, we\u2019ve covered the basics of this legendary microphone\u2019s history, but why exactly was it designed this way? Let\u2019s look inside to determine what makes this legend tick.\r\n\r\nThe rounded ball grille of the SM58 is designed to crumple on impact - much like the design of the front of a car - which makes the microphone durable when dropped, hit, or even thrown. This is a big part of the SM58\u2019s legendary day-to-day reliability.\r\n\r\nThe grille is paired with foam and a resonator cap, and this comprises a lot of the SM58\u2019s built-in pop filtering. Then, the transducer capsule sits underneath this foam and resonator cap. The capsule\u2019s design provides a consistent cardioid polar pattern that allows more gain to be used before audible feedback occurs.\r\n\r\nUnderneath the microphone\u2019s capsule sits a pneumatic shock mount which reduces audible stage vibration and handling noise to a minimum. All of this combined makes the vocal microphone we know and love.\r\n\r\n<img class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-7959\" src=\"https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2022\/05\/A2002-04B11_FF04_58Drawing-1__665x500.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"665\" height=\"500\" \/>\r\n\r\n<hr \/>\r\n\r\n<h3>What makes the SM58 special?<\/h3>\r\nAs we mentioned earlier, the main benefit of the SM58 was the end-firing dynamic design. This made its cardioid polar pattern more consistent than the competition, and allowed engineers, especially in live settings, to apply more gain without creating feedback.\r\n\r\nThe end-firing dynamic design enabled larger PA systems to be used for live events, meaning a lot of live sound technology had to catch up. This is why the SM58 is still seen as a live microphone first and foremost.\r\n\r\nDesigned by Shure engineer Ernie Seeler, the SM58 contains a slight variation on the Unidyne III cartridge released in 1959. When first testing the completed cartridge, Seeler dropped, cooked, froze, and submerged it in water to ensure it would still work under any circumstances.\r\n\r\nStories of SM58s surviving large drops, being run over by cars, large spillages, and intense performances are extremely common. No matter what you throw at it, the SM58 seems determined to keep working regardless. Seeler\u2019s meticulous design coupled with Shure\u2019s military-grade construction standards has made the SM58 one of the most, if not <em>the<\/em> most, robust microphones ever made.\r\n\r\nThe true unique factor of the SM58 is its sound signature, which has made it incredibly well-suited for vocalists who need to cut through a dense mix of loud instruments. Specifically, the SM58\u2019s frequency response has a unique presence boost at 5 kHz and a gentle, broad boost in the midrange that adds body to vocal performances.\r\n\r\nBecause of its reliability, ability to handle huge sound pressures without distortion, and flexibility to crank the gain beyond what any other microphone could handle, the SM58 has found its home in live rock music ever since its release.\r\n\r\nBands like The Rolling Stones were early adopters of this microphone. But to this day, industry icons like Henry Rollins, Patti Smith, and Paul McCartney all continue to use and publicly endorse the SM58, which has helped to maintain its legendary status.\r\n\r\n<img class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-7967\" src=\"https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2022\/05\/10-things-might-not-know-sm58_content-6.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1000\" height=\"650\" \/>\r\n\r\n<hr \/>\r\n\r\n<h3>What separates the SM57 from the SM58?<\/h3>\r\nThese beloved microphones are frequently used in very different contexts, but their origins are extremely similar, and they both house the same cartridge. So what\u2019s the difference? And why is one seen as appropriate for instruments and the other for vocals?\r\n\r\nPrimarily, the grille makes the difference between them. The iconic ball grille seen on the SM58 has a built-in pop filter that helps reduce plosives and proximity effect, meaning vocalists can put it extremely close to their mouths without causing unwanted low-end build-up.\r\n\r\nThe SM57, however, doesn\u2019t have these features. When used for instrument recordings, especially with things like guitar or bass cabs, the proximity effect can really help shape your sound, and since plosives aren\u2019t an issue with instruments, the SM57 doesn\u2019t have a built-in pop filter.\r\n\r\nFurthermore, the SM57\u2019s signature sound comes from a presence boost at 5 kHz, while the SM58 has a more gradual and smooth response around this range.\r\n\r\nAlthough both microphones can be used for either purpose, they do have some distinct differences that sculpt their sounds and make each one better suited to their intended use. Just remember: microphone rules are made to be broken! An SM57 can be used on vocals, and an SM58 can be used on drums, just as readily as the other way around.\r\n\r\n<hr \/>\r\n\r\n<h3>The legacy of the SM58<\/h3>\r\nIt\u2019s hard to deny the impact of the SM58. It pushed forward the power and size of PA systems towards what exists today, paving the way for larger venues and open-air events. Undeniably, the SM58 has helped to define the modern-day live sound. This microphone is an enduring and defining achievement, not only for the brand but for audio technology as a whole.\r\n\r\nSo, let\u2019s leave this journey with some interesting trivia about the microphone...\r\n\r\n<img class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-7965\" src=\"https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2022\/05\/SM58-still-lIfe_MedHR.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1000\" height=\"563\" \/>\r\n\r\n<hr \/>\r\n\r\n<h3>SM58 Trivia<\/h3>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Roger Daltrey of The Who was one of the early adopters of the SM58, purchasing one in the late 1960s. This microphone is what made Daltrey capable of his famed spinning microphone trick, as it was the only one that could still work if he dropped it.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Despite developing the main microphone for rock music, design engineer Ernie Seeler was never really a fan of the genre. He was extremely surprised by its adoption in live rock performances, and stated, \u201cI love classical music, but rock and roll, I don\u2019t take very seriously\u201d.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Famed producer of Johnny Cash, Tool, and Red Hot Chili Peppers, Sylvia Massy has said, \u201cafter Armageddon, nothing will be left but cockroaches and SM58s\u201d. It\u2019s hard to disagree.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>An SM58 was found submerged underwater for weeks after a hurricane \u2013 and it still worked!<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Henry Rollins would \u2018customise\u2019 his SM58s by intentionally crushing his thumbprints into their grille. He still uses one for his spoken word performances.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>The SM58 is one of the few microphones in the world to go to space, having been used onboard the International Space Station for interviews and educational talks.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Frank Sinatra was a huge fan of the SM58. When a sales engineer tried to show him the SM59 in 1977, Sinatra sang a few words into it, threw it across the room, and asked for his SM58 back. He then said to his live engineer, \u201ctell that kid from Shure not to come back\u201d.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Rick Rubin ran a blind microphone listening test in a session with The Smashing Pumpkins, testing $35,000 worth of microphones on Billy Corgan\u2019s voice. Included in this test were microphones from Telefunken, Neumann, AKG, Sennheiser, and Oktava, as well as an SM57 and an SM58. The SM58 won the competition.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Rockstar and former Gallows frontman Frank Carter loves the SM58 so much that he got a tattoo of its distinctive design on his leg.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<img class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-8007\" src=\"https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2022\/05\/on-death-and-microphones-frank-carters-inked-tribute-to-the-sm58_header-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" \/>\r\n\r\nFind out more | <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.shure.com\/en-US\/performance-production\/louder\/how-they-did-it-inside-the-sm58\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Inside the SM58<\/a><\/strong>\r\n\r\nShop now | <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/PA-DJ-and-Lighting\/Shure-SM58-Dynamic-Cardioid-Vocal-Microphone\/4ZW\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Shure SM58<\/a><\/strong>","_et_gb_content_width":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[250,111],"tags":[188,161],"class_list":["post-7929","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-live-sound-learn","category-live-sound","tag-microphones","tag-shure"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.8 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>The History of the Shure SM58<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"The SM58 has become an icon of microphone design. But how did Shure design it? To celebrate SM58 Day, let\u2019s take a look at its history.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/sm58-day\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"The History of the Shure SM58\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"The SM58 has become an icon of microphone design. But how did Shure design it? 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