Recording - May 2016 - 30

B Y PA U L V N U K J R .

Shure KSM8
Dualdyne Cardioid Dynamic Microphone
Something truly new in dynamic microphones
While Illinois-based Shure
Incorporated is iconic, compared to
many mic manufacturers it's not that prolific. Many of Shure's models receive an
occasional incremental A or B update,
but the bulk of their microphone line has
remained largely unchanged for years.
Of course, when you are the company
responsible for the SM57, SM58, SM7,
and Beta 52... what's to change? Shure
is one of the few old-guard microphone
companies to still have microphones in
its line dating back decades!
When Shure does introduce a brandnew mic design, it's cause for attention.
This past January at the Winter NAMM
show, Shure unveiled the new KSM8
Dualdyne microphone, possibly the first
new innovation in dynamic microphone
technology in decades! The suffix "dyne"
nods to Shure's historical Unidyne models, of which the model 55 was the very
first single-element directional dynamic
mic. Today's venerable SM57 and SM58
are themselves updates of past corresponding Unidyne III models.
The "Dual" prefix references the fact
that the KSM8 is the world's first dualdiaphragm handheld dynamic microphone. Why is this important? Let's look
closer at the design of the KSM8, the
benefits of a dual-diaphragm capsule,
and how that translates into sound and
use.
On the outside and inside
Visually the KSM8 bears a strong
resemblance to the company's KSM9
handheld vocal condenser. It starts with a
similar slim tapered body designed to fit
comfortably in the hand and blooms out
at the head. Not just for looks, the
tapered part is there to encourage singers
to hold the mic by the handle and not
cup the mic at the base of its head, which
alters the rear input and rejection properties of a dynamic microphone.
It measures 71/2" x 2" and weighs
11.64 oz. Its body is made from diecast
aluminum and it comes in a choice of
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RECORDING MAY 2016

two styles: a smooth textured black finish
or brushed nickel. Emblazoned on both
sides of the grille is the vintage Shure
logo. The black version is unassuming
and modern, and a few times I mixed it
up with the aforementioned KSM9 when
not paying attention while reaching for
one or the other. The brushed nickel finish is a pure vintage nod to the older
Unidyne series and is my personal
favorite of the two styles.
Unscrewing the head basket reveals
the mic cartridge. It's one of the nicest
industrial designs I have seen in a microphone, dynamic or otherwise, inside or
out. There is even a little hidden prize in
the form of a large vintage chrome
badge atop the cartridge.
Other than the special logo end cap, this
design is not just for looks, but before digging deeper let's consider the grille cap for
a second. It is made from hardened carbon
steel and unlike the simple internal layer of
foam found in most dynamic microphones,
the KSM8 makes use of a silk-thin
hydrophobic (water resistant) woven fabric,
along with a small quarter-sized traditional
foam shield just at the very top.
The cartridge assembly is made up of
multiple stages and technologies, each
one designed with specific sonic goals in
mind. Everything that went into the new
KSM8 could easily fill a book; for the
best explanation complete with video, an
exploded capsule animation and more,
check out www.shure.com/ksm8.
Dynamic pros and cons
While there are many flavors of cardioid
patterned dynamic microphones on the
market, in broad terms they share the common traits of pronounced high-mid presence peaks and noticeable proximity effect.
Note that this presence peak is why we
love them so much on snare drum, guitar
cabinets, and vocals. The proximity effect
gives us the chesty broadcast radio voice,
and is also why many dynamic models
work so well up close and personal on
bass cabinet and kick drum. Dynamic mics

http://www.shure.com/ksm8

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Recording - May 2016