Shure SM57 vs Tula Mic
A side-by-side look at Shure SM57 and Tula Mic for podcasters: pricing, features, and where each one wins.
Shure SM57
Studio workhorse that captures instruments as cleanly as it does voice
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Tula Mic
A dual-capsule USB mic and standalone recorder that fits in your pocket
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Check price on AmazonAt a glance
| Shure SM57 | Tula Mic | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | See site | See site |
| Free plan | No | No |
| Free trial | No | No |
| Best for | Podcasters who also record instruments and want one mic that does both jobs | Podcasters and field recorders who need one device for both studio USB recording and standalone portable capture |
Key features
Shure SM57
- Dynamic cardioid XLR, no phantom power needed
- Frequency response 40 Hz to 15 kHz
- Contoured presence boost for instruments and voice
- Flat grille allows extremely close mic placement
- Output impedance 310 ohms
- Pneumatic shock mount system reduces handling noise
Tula Mic
- 16-bit / 48kHz resolution
- USB-C connectivity
- Dual cardioid and omnidirectional condenser capsules
- 8GB internal storage for standalone recording
- Built-in rechargeable battery (up to 12 hours recording)
- Klevgrand Brusfri onboard noise reduction
Pros and cons
Shure SM57
Pros
- Versatile - voice and instruments equally well
- Same legendary build quality and warranty as the SM58
- Outstanding off-axis rejection in loud environments
- No phantom power, runs on anything
Cons
- Flat grille means plosives hit harder - pop filter is more important
- Slightly less presence boost for vocals compared to SM58
- Frequency ceiling at 15 kHz limits high-end air on bright voices
Tula Mic
Pros
- Only USB mic in class with built-in recorder and battery
- Burr Brown op-amps deliver a clean, warm preamp character
- Dual capsule (cardioid and omni) without pattern switching complexity
- Pocket-sized for truly portable podcast recording
Cons
- 16-bit/48kHz ceiling - not high-res audio
- Premium price partly driven by portability premium
- Requires firmware update for optimal performance on first use
The verdict
Choose Shure SM57 if
Podcasters who also record instruments and want one mic that does both jobs.
The SM57 is technically an instrument mic, but its tight polar pattern and rejection characteristics make it a solid podcasting mic for anyone who treats it right. The flat grille means you have to work it closer than the SM58,…
Choose Tula Mic if
Podcasters and field recorders who need one device for both studio USB recording and standalone portable capture.
The Tula Mic is genuinely unlike anything else in this category. The combination of a quality USB-C condenser with honest 12-hour standalone recording capability and real noise reduction processing in a pocket-sized form factor is a product design win. The…