Shure SM57-LCE – Professional Cardioid Dynamic Instrument Microphone
The Shure SM57-LCE is a legendary professional dynamic instrument microphone, trusted by musicians, sound engineers and recording professionals worldwide. Renowned for its exceptional versatility, rugged construction and reliable sound reproduction, the SM57 is an industry-standard choice for guitar amplifiers, snare drums, percussion, brass instruments and professional live sound applications.
Featuring a cardioid polar pattern and a tailored frequency response, the Shure SM57-LCE captures instruments with clarity, presence and definition while reducing unwanted background noise.
Whether used on stage, in a recording studio or for professional audiovisual productions, this dynamic microphone delivers consistent performance in demanding environments.
Key Features of the Shure SM57-LCE
Professional dynamic microphone: Designed for accurate reproduction of amplified and acoustic instruments.
Cardioid polar pattern: Focuses on the main sound source while reducing unwanted background noise.
Tailored frequency response: Optimised for guitar amplifiers, drums, percussion and brass instruments.
40 Hz – 15 kHz frequency range: Provides balanced instrument reproduction with excellent presence and definition.
Excellent performance at high sound pressure levels: Suitable for loud guitar cabinets, snare drums and other powerful sound sources.
Pneumatic shock-mount system: Helps minimise handling noise and mechanical vibrations.
Rugged construction: Durable metal housing engineered for intensive professional use.
Standard XLR connection: Compatible with professional audio mixers, microphone preamplifiers, stage boxes and recording interfaces.
No phantom power required: Dynamic moving-coil design provides straightforward operation.
Versatile applications: Ideal for live concerts, recording studios, rehearsal spaces and audiovisual rental companies.
Legendary Performance for Guitar Amplifiers
The Shure SM57-LCE is one of the most widely used microphones for recording and amplifying electric guitar cabinets.
Its tailored frequency response captures the character, attack and midrange presence of electric guitars, making it an excellent choice for both clean and distorted amplifier sounds.
The cardioid pickup pattern helps isolate the guitar amplifier from surrounding instruments, allowing greater control over the sound in live and studio environments.
The SM57-LCE can be positioned close to the loudspeaker cone to capture a direct, powerful guitar tone. Adjusting the microphone position allows sound engineers to fine-tune brightness, attack and tonal balance.
The Industry-Standard Microphone for Snare Drums
The Shure SM57 is a popular choice for snare drum miking, thanks to its ability to handle loud sound sources while delivering clear attack and excellent definition.
Its dynamic capsule captures the impact and character of the snare drum, while its cardioid pattern helps reduce unwanted pickup from nearby drums and cymbals.
The SM57-LCE is also suitable for toms, percussion instruments and other demanding drum applications.
For live sound engineers and recording professionals, it provides a dependable solution for consistent drum reproduction.
Versatile Sound Capture for Acoustic and Amplified Instruments
Beyond guitar amplifiers and drums, the Shure SM57-LCE is suitable for a wide variety of musical instruments.
Its focused pickup pattern and tailored frequency response make it an excellent option for :
Electric guitar amplifiers
Snare drums and toms
Percussion instruments
Saxophones and trumpets
Brass instruments
Selected acoustic instrument applications
Live vocals and speech in suitable setups
This versatility makes the SM57-LCE a valuable addition to professional microphone collections, recording studios and AV rental inventories.
Cardioid Pickup Pattern for Improved Sound Isolation
The Shure SM57-LCE features a uniform cardioid polar pattern designed to capture sound primarily from the front of the microphone while rejecting sound from behind.
This directional characteristic provides several advantages in professional audio environments:
Reduced pickup of surrounding instruments
Improved isolation during multitrack recording
Better control over stage sound
Reduced risk of feedback when correctly positioned
Greater flexibility when placing microphones close to sound sources
Its directional performance makes the SM57-LCE especially suitable for stages and studios where multiple instruments are played simultaneously.
Technical Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Brand | Shure |
| Model | SM57-LCE |
| Product type | Dynamic instrument microphone |
| Transducer type | Dynamic (moving coil) |
| Polar pattern | Cardioid |
| Frequency response | 40 Hz – 15 kHz |
| Output impedance | 310 Ω (actual) |
| Sensitivity | −56 dBV/Pa (1.6 mV/Pa) |
| Connector | 3-pin balanced XLR |
| Shock mount | Integrated pneumatic system |
| Housing | Die-cast steel |
| Grille | Polycarbonate with stainless steel screen |
| Weight | 284 g |
| Phantom power | Not required |
| Main applications | Guitar amplifiers, drums, percussion, brass instruments |
What's Included with the Shure SM57-LCE?
The Shure SM57-LCE package includes:
1 × Shure SM57 dynamic instrument microphone
1 × A25D microphone stand adapter
1 × European thread adapter (5/8" to 3/8")
1 × Protective carrying pouch
Microphone cable and stand are sold separately.
Professional Applications
Live Sound and Concerts
Capture guitar amplifiers, drums and brass instruments with excellent definition and reliable performance on stage.
Recording Studios
Achieve precise instrument reproduction for multitrack recording, close-miking and professional music production.
AV Rental and Event Production
A durable and versatile microphone for rental companies, touring productions and professional audiovisual service providers.
Rehearsal Rooms and Music Venues
A reliable microphone for musicians and venues requiring professional sound capture during rehearsals and performances.
Broadcast and Content Production
Suitable for selected speech, instrument recording and production applications requiring a directional dynamic microphone.
Buy the Shure SM57-LCE at XLR
Discover the Shure SM57-LCE at XLR, your partner for professional audio and audiovisual equipment in Belgium.
Whether you're equipping a recording studio, upgrading your live sound inventory or preparing your next production, the Shure SM57-LCE offers the performance, durability and versatility required for professional applications.
Explore the Shure SM57-LCE at XLR and equip your setup with a legendary industry-standard instrument microphone.
Frequently Asked Questions – Shure SM57-LCE
1. What is the Shure SM57-LCE used for?
The Shure SM57-LCE is a professional dynamic microphone primarily designed for recording and amplifying musical instruments. It is widely used for electric guitar amplifiers, snare drums, percussion, brass instruments and various live sound applications. Its cardioid pickup pattern and rugged construction make it suitable for both studio recording and live performances.
2. Is the Shure SM57 good for recording guitar amplifiers?
Yes. The Shure SM57 is one of the most popular microphones for electric guitar amplifiers. Its tailored frequency response captures the midrange presence, attack and tonal character of guitar cabinets. It works particularly well with close-miking techniques and can handle loud amplifier output without requiring an external attenuator.
3. Is the Shure SM57 suitable for snare drums?
Absolutely. The Shure SM57 is an industry-standard choice for snare drum recording and live sound reinforcement. Its dynamic capsule captures sharp transients and powerful drum hits, while its cardioid polar pattern helps reduce unwanted sound from nearby instruments.
4. What is the difference between the Shure SM57 and SM58?
The Shure SM57 and SM58 are both professional cardioid dynamic microphones, but they are optimised for different applications.
The SM57 features a compact grille design suitable for close-miking instruments such as guitar cabinets and snare drums. The SM58 has a rounded grille with an integrated spherical pop filter, making it particularly suitable for live vocals.
Both microphones are versatile and can be used for instruments and speech.
5. Does the Shure SM57-LCE require phantom power?
No. The Shure SM57-LCE is a dynamic moving-coil microphone and does not require 48V phantom power or batteries. It connects directly to a compatible microphone preamplifier, audio interface or mixing console using a standard XLR microphone cable.
6. What is the frequency response of the Shure SM57-LCE?
The Shure SM57-LCE has a frequency response of 40 Hz to 15,000 Hz. Its frequency response is tailored to provide clear instrument reproduction, with a presence boost that helps guitars, drums and other instruments cut through a live mix.
7. Can the Shure SM57 be used for vocals?
Yes. Although primarily designed for instruments, the Shure SM57 can also be used for vocals, speech and selected broadcast applications. Its cardioid pickup pattern and tailored frequency response make it a versatile option for both recording and live performance.
For dedicated live vocal use, the Shure SM58 may be a more convenient choice because of its integrated spherical windscreen.
8. Is the Shure SM57 a dynamic or condenser microphone?
The Shure SM57 is a dynamic moving-coil microphone. Unlike condenser microphones, it does not require external power. Its robust construction and ability to handle loud sound sources make it particularly suitable for professional live sound and instrument recording.
9. What is included with the Shure SM57-LCE?
The Shure SM57-LCE includes the microphone, a microphone stand adapter, a European thread adapter and a protective carrying pouch. An XLR cable and microphone stand are not included as standard.
10. What is the difference between the Shure SM57-LC and SM57-LCE?
The Shure SM57-LC and SM57-LCE use the same microphone design and deliver the same audio performance. The main difference is the package configuration.
The SM57-LCE includes an additional 5/8" to 3/8" thread adapter for compatibility with European microphone stands.
11. Is the Shure SM57 suitable for professional recording studios?
Yes. The Shure SM57 is widely used in professional recording studios around the world. Its versatility, directional pickup pattern and consistent performance make it a reliable choice for instrument recording, particularly electric guitar amplifiers and drums.