Shure SM57
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The Shure SM57 is a common professional cardioid dynamic microphone in live sound reinforcement and studio recording applications. It is often used on the snare drum and other percussion, electric guitar amplifier, and, sometimes for vocals (even though it was not designed for that purpose).
It uses an XLR connector. According to Shure the frequency response is from 40 Hz to 15kHz.
The SM57 is the microphone used on the podium of the President of the United States. The mic kit (2 SM57 microphones, windscreens, mic stand, and black right-angle XLR cables) is available online for $500 — referred to as the VIP/high profile mike kit.
The capsule inside the SM57 is very similar but not identical to the one in the SM58. It is primarily the windscreen that is different, which changes the sound. Although the capsules are similar, they are not interchangeable (an SM57 cannot be turned into an SM58 or vice versa) since the design of the top half of the outer casing is also different.
The Shure A2WS is an accessory windscreen that gives the SM57 a distinctive shape and is always in use when the mic is mounted on the presidential podium. The cylindrical foam windscreen is available as an accessory from Shure as well as from aftermarket producers. The A2WS windscreen cuts down on wind noise, attenuates the sound of plosives (i.e., popped sounds), and protects the microphone capsule during rough handling.
