Crimson Audio Orange SM57/SM58 Modification

Crimson Audio

(21 reviews) Write a Review
Product Code: 8401
$57.58
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This item is in stock and will ship the same day if ordered prior to 3pm EST Monday - Friday. Otherwise, it will ship the next business day.

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The Crimson Audio Orange SM57/SM58 Modification is a Front End Audio exclusive, custom tuned transformer for your Shure SM57 or SM58, already mounted in a replacement handle. Simple to install, the Orange modification handle offers a rich and rounded more ribbon like sound, while remaining familiar.

The Crimson Audio Orange SM57/SM58 Modification handle really changes and elevates the standard SM57 and SM58. We all know, own, and love the Shure SM57 and Shure SM58. Whether at home or professional studios, the SM57 and SM58 have been go to mics for guitar cabs, snare drums, vocals, and more. However, we sometimes want a little more richness, depth, or air from these mics. Sometimes we want a little less, like a little less mid honk. Introducing Crimson Audio! Crimson Audio, along with the help of Front End Audio, has designed a series of fantastic transformers, pre loaded in replacement handles, ready to evolve your SM57 and SM58!

How does the Orange handle sound?
The Crimson Audio Orange SM57/SM58 Modification handle provides a full bodied and warm character, that gives your the SM57 and SM58 a more ribbon like sound. A deeper low end, smooth rich mids, and a soft yet airy top end, making it sing on guitar cabs, and adds meat to a snare. It also performs very well on kick drums, spot micing on hats, and on vocals. Pair your Orange 57 with a Crimson Audio Transformers Mogaine, and experience the 57 like you never thought possible! The Crimson Audio Transformers Orange will make you fall in love all over again. Want more!? Don't forget about the other modifications handles that we offer. Check out the White.SM, Yellow.SM and Blue.SM mods, brought to you from Crimson Audio and Front End Audio! 

Crimson Audio Ornage SM57/SM58 Modification Options

Front End Audio has made it easy to build the modification handle of your choice. However if you have any question please reach out to us and we will be happy to assit you in deciding what options best fit your needs.

  • Select Your Cartridge: Add either an SM57 or SM58 cartridge (with our without grill) to your handle. Many times we find customers will have a extra SM57 or SM58 laying around their studio that they dont mind using for this modification. If this your situation, then there is no need to add a cartidge. Howerver, if you dont want to canabilize one of your existing microphones then this is your solution.
  • Add a Granelli Audio Labs Handle: The Granelli Handle option is a 90 degree elbow that works seamlessly with the Crimson modification. It gives your mic a 90 degree angle to help improve your mic-placement options on drums, guitar amps and bass cabinets. This is a super cool addition which adds versatility to your microphone.
  • Modification: This unique modification is not only affordable, but easy to do yourself. It only takes a couple minutes with some very basic soldering skills**. However, if you want to skip the extra work or don't have the tools, then we are happy to do the modification for you. When Front End Audio does the modification we will QC all parts, assemble the microphone, QC the finished microphone, secure it in its own zippered mic bag*, and get it on the way to you typically within 1-2 business days - so you are ready to go right out of the box!

*Zipper mic bag is included for free only when Front End Audio does the modification.
**Modded items are not returnable.

Crimson Audio Orange SM57/SM58 Modification Features

  • Made it the USA
  • Custom Transformer, Preloaded in replacement handle
  • Easy to install
  • Color Coded XLR connector for easy identification (Same as the SM57/SM58)
  • Laser etched Crimson logo on handle

Crimson Audio Orange SM57/SM58 Modification Includes

  • Crimson Audio Orange Handle
  • Selected Options
  • Instalation Guide
  • Manufacturer Warranty

21 Reviews Hide Reviews Show Reviews

  • 4
    Promising but flaw in manufacturing
    James Hewitt

    I purchased the orange transformer handle replacement for the SM57. It was easy to re-solder the connections, however when attempting to screw the new handle in place, I could not get it to thread correctly. It appeared that the threads were damaged. After contacting Crimson they are sending a replacement, no charge, and even a free T-Shirt. Great customer service. Looking forward to getting it and comparing with another of my 57's. I will update my review after getting the replacement.

  • 5
    The Crimson SM57 Orange mod is fantastic!
    Brian David Willis

    I liked it so much I ordered a second one within hours of having heard my first purchase! In A / B testing on a snare drum it was the preferred mic over a stock 57, a Beyer 201 & a Crown CM-700 (recorded two-at-a-time through vintage Daking 52270 preamps). Then it beat out a stock SM57 on a '52 Tele / Dr. Z prototype amp (recorded through a vintage Neve 1073 preamp). The SM57 Orange has a smoother low-end that extends to lower frequencies than the stock model; a very bold, clear midrange; and a flatter top-end, without the stock 57's presence peak. Overall it simply sounds more natural, more like the instruments actually sound in the room. As an engineer buddy of mine put it, it sounds like what he'd want to EQ the stock mic to sound like….. but without having to engage any EQ! All that said, I still need to have stock SM57's around for when they're the best fit, but the Orange mod is an amazing alternative voice to this classic mic at a REALLY reasonable price!

  • 5
    Crimson 57 Orange mod
    jay matheson

    This is the most useful of the 2 crimson 57 mods offered. the 57 just sounds way better. It has much more body. I have 1 of each and plan to buy a couple more. With this mod, 57s are going to be much usable for many more tasks. This has to be a #1 bang for the buck and the mod is very easy!

What We Think

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The Crimson Audio Orange SM57/SM58 Modification just makes immediate sense, particularly if you’re a guitar player. A 57 on a Marshall half stack is a classic for a reason, but let’s be honest: between the natural mid push of a Marshall and the familiar mid honk of a stock SM57, things can get a little pokey in the upper mids. That’s where the Orange mod shines. It keeps enough of that familiar SM57 character to feel instantly comfortable, but adds a ribbon-like smoothness that gently tames the bite and rounds things out in a really musical way. The result is a fuller, more refined sound that still punches, but doesn’t bark at you. On guitar cabs, it’s honestly hard to mess up—plug in, put the mic up, and smile. Beyond guitar amps, we’ve had great results using the Orange-modded 57 on bottom snare, hi-hats, and even vocals when a smoother, thicker dynamic tone is what the track calls for. It’s one of those mods that doesn’t try to reinvent the mic—it just makes it better, more usable, and more versatile. If you love the SM57 but wish it had a bit more class, smoothness, and ribbon-esque vibe—without losing its identity—the Crimson Audio Orange mod is an absolute winner.

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