Recording - October 2021 - 20
A Family of Microphones Compared
The Shure Unidyne... or, The SM57 & Friends
SM7B
Shure KSM8; $399
Finally, we come to the Shure KSM8
Dualdyne, part of the company's upper-end
KSM line. It is a cardioid dynamic
microphone with a twist in that
it's the world's first dual-diaphragm
dynamic microphone-hence the Dualdyne
moniker.
The KSM8 measures 7.5 " x 2 " and
weighs .73 lbs. Its body is made from
diecast aluminum, and it comes in a
choice of smooth-textured black or
brushed nickel. It also comes in a padded
clamshell zipper case instead of the
usual zipper pouch.
It is also the largest, weighing 1.68 lbs.
and measuring 7.48 " x 2.52 " . It is the
smoothest of them all, with the most extended
lows-just a slight taper from
100 Hz down to 50 Hz, a very neutral
midrange and very minimal (2dB) presence
peaks. The SM7B is so popular because
it can handle any vocalist at any
volume level and sound good doing it.
It is a favorite for hard rock, metal and
hip-hop vocals for that reason. It is also
a popular kick drum, bass cabinet and
guitar amp mic.
If the SM7B has one Achilles' heel, it
is its low output. This is not a problem
for loud vocalists, amps or drums, but an
inline signal booster is often necessary
when used on quiet sources.
Alex's summary says it best: " After 47
years of production, the SM7 still isn't
showing signs of slowing down... it's becoming
a go-to choice for home recordists,
podcasters, and beyond. "
SM57
Frequency Range
40Hz-15kHz
Output Impedance 150 Ω
Pattern
Sensitivity
Accessories
Cardioid
-56.0 dBV/
Pa [1] (1.6 mV)
A25D-Mic Clip
SM58
50Hz-15kHz
150 Ω
Cardioid
-56.0 dBV/
Pa [1] (1.6 mV)
A25D-Mic Clip
95A2313-Carrying 95A2313-Carrying
/Storage Bag
/Storage Bag
545SD
50Hz-15kHz
In a condenser mic, a dual-diaphragm
aids in pattern selection and off-axis rejection,
and it also controls the proximity
effect. The principle is the same here: the
dual-diaphragm cartridge lessens the
presence peak, eliminates the proximity
effect, and improves the off-axis bleed.
From my May 2016 review, " While
it has a cardioid pattern, the KSM8
exhibits omni-like characteristics and
benefits in its off-axis rejection. The
sound that bleeds into its sides is quite
neutral, being neither thin nor hyped;
it's sonically similar to the tone and
sound of the capsule on-axis. "
Despite being a dynamic mic, on both
drums (Shure sent me six KSM8 mics
back in 2016), and an electric guitar
cabinet, " I had to scrub my mind clean
of what I think a dynamic mic sounds
like... " The KSM8 is the most neutral of
all the dynamic mics in the roundup with
an almost ribbon-like response and the
most minimal presence boost.
565SD
50Hz-15kHz
-58.0 dB
(1.3 mV) - Low
-35.0 dB
Cardioid
-56.0 dB
Beta 57A
50Hz-15kHz
150 Ω / High 150 Ω / High 160 Ω
Cardioid
(1.3 mV) - Low
-34.0 dB
(17.6 mV) - High (17.6 mV) - High
A25D-Mic Clip
A25D-Mic Clip
Supercardioid
-51 dBV/Pa
(2 .8 mV)
A25D-Mic Clip
Beta 58A
50Hz-16kHz
160 Ω
Supercardioid
-51.5 dBV/Pa
(2 .8 mV)
A25D-Mic Clip
95A2313-Carrying 95A2313-Carrying
/Storage Bag
/Storage Bag
None
None
RPM602-Switch A25E-Softflex
Cover Plate
A7WS - Large AK8C
Black Foam
Windscreen
Price
$99
20 RECORDING October 2021
$99
$92
$99
$139
$159
$179
$249
$399
Zippered
Carrying Case
$399
KSM8
On vocals, " From singing to presentation
to broadcast and podcast, the
KSM8 is even, natural, and has a nice
touch of warmth. It is also less prone to
mouth clicks and plosives than a typical
condenser. " Thanks to its lack of proximity
effect and neutral off-axis response,
the KSM8 is well suited to talent that
moves, sways and fidgets while they
speak or sing.
I was quite impressed with the KSM8
when I first reviewed it five years ago, and
I am still impressed by its beautiful blend
of richness, clarity, and control today.
Fini
I hope you enjoyed our look at the
very dynamic sound and history of the
Shure Unidyne/Dualdyne dynamic microphones!
I want to thank shure.com
and recordinghacks.com for the wealth
of historical info, specs and more for
this roundup.
More From: shure.com
55SH Series II Super 55 Deluxe SM7B
50Hz-15kHz
150 Ω
Cardioid
-58.0 dBV/Pa
60Hz-17kH
150 Ω
Supercardioid
-53.0 dBV/Pa
KSM8
50Hz-20kHz 40Hz-16kH
150 Ω
300 Ω
Cardioid
-59 dBV/Pa
Cardioid
-51.5 dBV/Pa
Stand Adaptor
http://www.shure.com
http://www.recordinghacks.com
http://www.shure.com
Recording - October 2021
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Recording - October 2021
Fade In
Tech 21: Bass Fly Rig v2
A Family of Microphones Compared: The Shure Unidyne... or, The SM57 & Friends
Soundware Showcase: Spitfire Audio Originals Jangle Box Piano
Closer to GWAR: Recording and remixing the masters of the Slave Pit, with Ronan Chris Murphy, Pustulus Maximus and the Berserker Blöthar
Zeppelin Design Labs: Cortado MkIII Contact Microphone
Session Log: The AngelHeaded Hipster, Part 10: Bass and Percussion
Plugin Outlet: Slate Digital FG-2A and Custom Opto
Morton Microphones: KickTone Microphone
Inside the Studio with Mark Hornsby: Nothing but the Mic
L-Acoustics: L-ISA Studio
KEMPER: PROFILER Head
Inside the Box with Joe Albano: Compression in the Box
Teegarden Audio: PPC-125 MD Condenser Microphone
Hit’n’Mix: RipX DeepAudio
Thirty-Five Years of RECORDING
Fade Out: The Right Mic for You!
Recording - October 2021 - Intro
Recording - October 2021 - Cover1
Recording - October 2021 - Cover2
Recording - October 2021 - 1
Recording - October 2021 - 2
Recording - October 2021 - 3
Recording - October 2021 - 4
Recording - October 2021 - 5
Recording - October 2021 - Fade In
Recording - October 2021 - 7
Recording - October 2021 - 8
Recording - October 2021 - 9
Recording - October 2021 - Tech 21: Bass Fly Rig v2
Recording - October 2021 - 11
Recording - October 2021 - A Family of Microphones Compared: The Shure Unidyne... or, The SM57 & Friends
Recording - October 2021 - 13
Recording - October 2021 - 14
Recording - October 2021 - 15
Recording - October 2021 - 16
Recording - October 2021 - 17
Recording - October 2021 - 18
Recording - October 2021 - 19
Recording - October 2021 - 20
Recording - October 2021 - 21
Recording - October 2021 - Soundware Showcase: Spitfire Audio Originals Jangle Box Piano
Recording - October 2021 - 23
Recording - October 2021 - Closer to GWAR: Recording and remixing the masters of the Slave Pit, with Ronan Chris Murphy, Pustulus Maximus and the Berserker Blöthar
Recording - October 2021 - 25
Recording - October 2021 - 26
Recording - October 2021 - 27
Recording - October 2021 - 28
Recording - October 2021 - 29
Recording - October 2021 - 30
Recording - October 2021 - 31
Recording - October 2021 - 32
Recording - October 2021 - 33
Recording - October 2021 - Zeppelin Design Labs: Cortado MkIII Contact Microphone
Recording - October 2021 - 35
Recording - October 2021 - Session Log: The AngelHeaded Hipster, Part 10: Bass and Percussion
Recording - October 2021 - 37
Recording - October 2021 - 38
Recording - October 2021 - 39
Recording - October 2021 - Plugin Outlet: Slate Digital FG-2A and Custom Opto
Recording - October 2021 - 41
Recording - October 2021 - Morton Microphones: KickTone Microphone
Recording - October 2021 - 43
Recording - October 2021 - Inside the Studio with Mark Hornsby: Nothing but the Mic
Recording - October 2021 - 45
Recording - October 2021 - 46
Recording - October 2021 - 47
Recording - October 2021 - L-Acoustics: L-ISA Studio
Recording - October 2021 - 49
Recording - October 2021 - KEMPER: PROFILER Head
Recording - October 2021 - 51
Recording - October 2021 - 52
Recording - October 2021 - 53
Recording - October 2021 - Inside the Box with Joe Albano: Compression in the Box
Recording - October 2021 - 55
Recording - October 2021 - 56
Recording - October 2021 - 57
Recording - October 2021 - Teegarden Audio: PPC-125 MD Condenser Microphone
Recording - October 2021 - 59
Recording - October 2021 - Hit’n’Mix: RipX DeepAudio
Recording - October 2021 - 61
Recording - October 2021 - Thirty-Five Years of RECORDING
Recording - October 2021 - 63
Recording - October 2021 - 64
Recording - October 2021 - 65
Recording - October 2021 - 66
Recording - October 2021 - 67
Recording - October 2021 - 68
Recording - October 2021 - 69
Recording - October 2021 - 70
Recording - October 2021 - 71
Recording - October 2021 - Fade Out: The Right Mic for You!
Recording - October 2021 - Cover3
Recording - October 2021 - Cover4
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