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Shure SM56

This product is Vintage or Discontinued

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Shure SM57

$94.98 - $219.99

5.0 (922)

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Page last updated Aug 10, 2025

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Description

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The Shure SM56 is a staple in the world of dynamic microphones, seamlessly blending reliability with exceptional sound quality. Perfect for studio recording and live performances, this mic is renowned for its rugged construction and ability to handle high sound pressure levels. Whether you're capturing the subtle nuances of a vocal performance or the raw power of a snare drum, the SM56 delivers a consistent and clear output that artists and engineers trust.

Engineered with a cardioid polar pattern, the SM56 excels in minimizing unwanted background noise, allowing it to focus on the main sound source. This feature makes it an invaluable tool in both isolated and dynamic recording environments. The microphone's pneumatic shock-mount system further enhances its performance by reducing handling noise, ensuring that every recording is as clean as the last.

The versatility of the Shure SM56 extends beyond its basic capabilities. It is adaptable to various settings, from intimate acoustic sessions to large-scale live events. This microphone is a go-to choice for professionals who demand durability and quality without compromise. Its design not only stands the test of time but also the rigors of frequent use, making it a worthy investment for any serious musician or audio engineer.

Key Features:

Dynamic microphone with cardioid polar pattern
Suitable for studio and live applications
Rugged construction for durability
Pneumatic shock-mount system to reduce handling noise
Capable of handling high sound pressure levels

Videos

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Cole Picks Vintage

Shure Vintage Dynamic Microphone Shootout (SM7, SM5B, SM56, 546, 545, SM57, 548)

Cole Picks Vintage

Vintage Shure Model SM56 Unidyne III Microphone

mmrecordinginc

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Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Shure SM56.

Comparisons

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The Shure SM56, like other dynamic mics, requires significantly more gain than the Blue Yeti, a condenser mic, which impacts ease of use for podcasting.
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Use cases and applications

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The SM56 is better suited for live sound due to its dynamic nature, while the Blue Yeti is more appropriate for podcasting due to its condenser properties.
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Features and functionality

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Dynamic microphones like the SM56 have a tighter cardioid pattern, reducing off-axis noise, unlike the Yeti, which picks up more room noise.
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Value and pricing

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The SM56 is considered vintage and can sell for over $300 on platforms like eBay, suggesting it holds significant resale value.
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Setup and maintenance

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Many users report the necessity of additional gain devices, like a Cloudlifter, for dynamic mics such as the SM56 to achieve adequate recording levels.
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Artist usage

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Jimi Hendrix

Guitarist

The Jimi Hendrix Experience

Verified via YouTube

Used for several of Hendrix's gigs throughout his life, particularly the 1967 Monterey Pop Festival, as is visible in this concert footage of his performance of "Hey Joe" at 0:09. As discussed in this video by Shure Creators (an official Shure YouTube channel), the Monterey Pop SM56 was not Hendrix's; the McCune Audio company had loaned several microphones to the festival, including a number of SM56s. It is unknown whether or not the SM56 featured in the Shure video is the same as the one used by Hendrix.

Others SM56s can be seen in photos of Hendrix in different concerts, such as the one visible at 1:08 in this video, this photo and this other photo.

Pete Townshend

Singer, Guitarist

The Who

Verified via YouTube

Despite not being owned by Townshend, it was used as his vocal mic for the 1967 Monterey Pop Festival, as is visible for an instant in this concert footage of The Who's performance of "My Generation" at 0:18. As discussed in this video by Shure Creators (an official Shure YouTube channel), the McCune Audio company had loaned several microphones to the festival, including a number of SM56s.

John Entwistle

Singer, Bassist

The Who

Verified via YouTube

Despite not being owned by Entwistle, it was used as his vocal mic for the 1967 Monterey Pop Festival, as is visible in this concert footage of The Who's performance of "My Generation" at 0:10. As discussed in this video by Shure Creators (an official Shure YouTube channel), the McCune Audio company had loaned several microphones to the festival, including a number of SM56s.

Jim Morrison

Singer

The Doors

Verified via Photo

In this photo, Morrison can be seen singing into a Shure SM56.

Roger Daltrey

Singer, Guitarist

Mark Knopfler’s Guitar Heroes

Verified via YouTube

Despite not being owned by Daltrey, it was used as his vocal mic for the 1967 Monterey Pop Festival, as is visible in this concert footage of The Who's performance of "My Generation" at 0:11. As discussed in this video by Shure Creators (an official Shure YouTube channel), the McCune Audio company had loaned several microphones to the festival, including a number of SM56s.

Janis Joplin

Guitarist, Singer

Big Brother and the Holding Company

Verified via Photo

Despite not being owned by Joplin, it was used as her vocal mic for the 1967 Monterey Pop Festival, as is visible in this image of Joplin performing there. As discussed in this video by Shure Creators (an official Shure YouTube channel), the McCune Audio company had loaned several microphones to the festival, including a number of SM56s.

Ravi Shankar

Composer

Verified via YouTube

Despite not being owned by Shankar, it was used to mike his sitar for the 1967 Monterey Pop Festival, as is visible in this concert footage at at 1:13 (his tabla player's SM56) and 4:13 (his own). As discussed in this video by Shure Creators (an official Shure YouTube channel), the McCune Audio company had loaned several microphones to the festival, including a number of SM56s.

Otis Redding

Singer

The Soul Clan

Verified via YouTube

Despite not being owned by Redding, it was used as his vocal mic for the 1967 Monterey Pop Festival, as is visible in this concert footage at 0:15. As discussed in this video by Shure Creators (an official Shure YouTube channel), the McCune Audio company had loaned several microphones to the festival, including a number of SM56s.