Instrument Microphone ES-57 & Mic Clip - Professional Series ES57 Dynamic Cardioid Unidirectional - For Instruments, Drums, Percussion, Vocals, and more - Professional Microphone for Singing

I bought this to replace my Blue Snowball because I've reached that point where I require something that sounds a little bit more professional than what I was using. Before I begin my review, I'd like to mention that I use this with a Behringer 302USB Premium 5-Input Mixer with XENYX Preamp (copy and paste that into Amazon's search to find it). So my review is based on this thing being plugged into that thing. Okay, my pros and cons. Pros 1. My voice sounds great with this thing. Before I was using a Snowball and my podcast partner told me it sounded like I was in a "chamber". With this, my voice is strong and clear...and even a little bassy which is nice because I don't have a naturally bassy voice. I'm extremely satisfied with how well this thing makes me sound. It is WORLDS better than USB mics like the Blue Snowball. Worlds better. 2. It's heft, heavy, and feels well made. This might be the most expensive-feeling device I own. It's heavy but it in a good way. The materials feel high quality. This feels like a professional microphone. 3. It comes with a mic stand holder thing. Never say no to free stuff. Cons 1. The only thing I can think of is that it doesn't come with its own cable. You'll need to buy an XLR cable on your own. It's not bad enough to deduct a star. There are people who are comparing this to the Shure SM57 and other microphones. Here's the thing, I am an amateur. Before I owned this mic, I was using a Blue Snowball and before that, my laptop webcam mic. So I am not the authority. All I can tell you is that this thing sounds freaking amazing. My podcast co-host immediately noticed the difference and couldn't tell me enough of how much better I sounded and that's over a Skype call (we podcast using Skype). So if you're looking for a vocal/podcast mic, this is a great, cheap option. Are there better options? Sure, but not for this price. Not even close. Recommended wholeheartedly. **Update 10-11-2015** Just wanted to drop back in and say that this mic still works great. It's still my go-to mic for everything (podcast and YouTube videos) and still sounds as crisp and clean as the day I bought it. Unless there's another level that blows this one away (or unless I become rich), I'm sticking with this one. For how inexpensive it is, it really does work extremely well. Yes, still plugged into the Xenxy302USB :) *Update* I have been using this thing for...9 years now?! Good lord. I'm a fair bit more experienced than I was back then, but I wouldn't trade my Xenyx 302USB and my GLS ES 57 for anything. It's more than anyone would need for an amateur podcast or YouTube voiceover setup and you can get the whole thing (mic, cable, audio mixer) for less than the trendy USB mics. I still consider this the best professional purchase I ever made, and I literally recorded a YouTube video voiceover with this thing 2 weeks ago. I'm going to keep it until it breaks, and then probably buy another one. At this rate, the mic might live longer than me hahaha.

Very good mic, and incredible for the price. I own 3 of the ES 58s and 2 ES 57s, as well as several real Sure SM 57s and SM 58s. Consistency among the 5 GLS mics I own is excellent. The GLS mics (57 and 58) have a little more handling noise than the Sures The GLS mic clips are cheesy, having plastic threads, but they'll work until a ham fisted helper in a hurry cross threads them. You don't get a zip pouch with the GLS, which is irrelevant to me. The GLS 57s and Sure 57s are nearly a tossup soundwise. The GLS ES 58 and Sure SM 58 are a little different, and I prefer the GLS product. read on for more details. GLS ES57: I have used these for live sound in a large, 10 piece dance band, Micing horns, congas, accordion, and overheads on the drum kit and vocal mic.. I find the GLS ES 57 and Sure SM 57 to be real close sound wise. Goofing off in the studio, I have used this to mic a bass cab and for voice. Not bad on bass cab, though no real low end (<50 hz), which often works well live, but I usually run DI on bass live (not mic'd). Just like the Sure, it needs some mid boost to get the vocals to cut. This mic feels solid, and I see no reason to spend 3X as much for the Sure sm57. GLS ES 58: I like this BETTER than the real Sure SM 58. It is livelier in the top end (although a little brittle) and is good for clearing up the "mud" in your typical SM 58. The GLS has more handling noise, and the ball screen is more plastic-y, not as solid. GLS longevity is an unknown. I read there is a neodymium magnet in there, which may contribute to its different sound, but I'm no engineer.... I end up adding a little bass EQ to the GLS ES58 for most situations. I have used it on voice, trumpet, saxes, accordion. It handles sibilance and plosives on par with the Sure SM 58. These obviously aren't meant to be studio mics, c'mon, they're $30! But for live setting, outfitting a large band on a budget, you can't go wrong with either of these.

I have a diatonic accordion and used this mic to record. What I liked about the mic is that it has a true flat response and not a colorful or super amplified response. This is exactly what I was looking for. I have some Audio technica mics and this GLS mic is very comparable if not better. Very happy with results and cheaper than other mics in the same category. I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 because you will need to get close to the mic to get a good high response. Not a big problem but I did hit the mic a few times while playing. PROS: Solid built and has a true flat response. Audio quality is great! No noise which is a big plus. I used GLS cables and a Focusrite interface..Very affordable and rate it as the BEST VALUE in an instrument Mic. CONS: Need to get close to the mic and stay in the same range to get a quality recording. But, this definitely is not a big issue. Can be managed (edited) very easy with your DAW sofware.