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What's the difference between the sm58 and the beta 58A

What's the difference between the sm58 and the beta 58A

Update Time:2019/6/29
SM 58 and the Beta 58a Comparison

The most obvious difference is the microphone polar pattern. The SM 58 has a cardioid polar pickup pattern, while the Beta 58A is a supercardioid. The polar pattern subsequently affects how you should use the microphone and where it would be most appropriate.

As you can see from the diagrams, a cardioid microphone will reject best from the back while a supercardioid microphone will reject better from the sides. Both microphones pick up sound best from the front, but a supercardioid polar pattern has the added advantage of being more directional and therefore less susceptible to feedback when using correctly placed stage monitors.

SM58/SM58S
BETA58A
Cardioid
Supercardioid
SM58S is with power switch
no switch