KSM27 Studio Microphone

NOTE:  The KSM27 has been discontinued. Replaced with SM27.

User Guides for discontinued Shure products can be found in our discontinued products User Guide listing.

• KSM27 User Guide

(Discontinued) Large single-diaphragm, side-address condenser microphone with a cardioid polar pattern. Designed for studio use, but rugged enough for live applications. Cardioid, Condenser.

Large single-diaphragm, side-address condenser microphone. Designed for studio use but rugged enough for live applications, the KSM27 has extremely low self-noise, and an extended frequency response specially tailored for vocal tracking and instrument recording.


KSM27/SL with shock mount, champagne finish, Phantom power required

• Cardioid polar pattern
• 1 inch, externally biased, ultra-thin, 24 Karat gold-layered, low mass, Mylar® diaphragm provides superior transient response
• Class A, discrete, transformerless preamplifier for transparency, extremely fast transient response and no crossover distortion, while minimizing harmonic and intermodulation distortions
• Premium electronic components and gold-plated internal and external connectors
• Subsonic filter eliminates rumble from mechanical vibration below 17 Hz
• Switchable 15 dB pad for handling extremely high sound pressure levels (SPLs)
• 3-position switchable low-frequency filter helps reduce unwanted background noise or counteract proximity effect
• Integrated three-stage 'pop" protection grille reduces plosives and other breath noise
• Internal shock mount reduces handling and stand noise

Performance Characteristics

• Extended frequency response
• Low self noise
• Exceptional low-frequency reproduction
• High output level
• High input SPL capability
• No crossover distortion
• Extremely uniform cardioid polar response
• Superior common mode rejection, suppression of radio frequency interference

Applications

Microphone use is a matter of personal taste, and the KSM27 may be used for a variety of applications other than those listed:

• Voice -- solo, background, voice-over, broadcasting
• Acoustic instruments -- such as piano, guitar, drums, percussion, strings
• Electric instruments such as guitar and bass
• Wind instruments -- brass and woodwind
• Low frequency instruments -- such as double bass, electric bass, kick drum
• Overhead miking -- drums or percussion
• Ensembles -- choral or orchestral
• Room ambiance pick-up -- guitar amplifier or drums

Cartridge Type

Externally Biased Condenser

 

Frequency Response

20 to 20,000 Hz

 

Directional Polar Pattern

Cardioid

 

Output Impedance

EIA Rated at 150 ohms (140 ohms actual)

 

Attenuation Switch

0 or 15 dB attenuation

 

Low Frequency response switch

flat; -6 db/octave below 115 Hz;

-18 dB/octave below 80 Hz

 

Phantom Power

48 Vdc +/- 4 Vdc (IEC­268­15/DIN 45 596), positive pins 2 and 3

 

Current Drain

5.4 mA typical at 48 Vdc

 

Common Mode Rejection

>50 dB, 20 Hz to 20 kHz

 

Polarity

Positive pressure on diaphragm produces positive voltage on output pin 2 relative to pin 3

 

Dimensions and Weight

53.0 mm (2.08 in.) maximum body diameter, 156.2 mm (6.15 in.) long;

642 grams (22.6 oz.)

 

Sensitivity (typical, at 1000 Hz; 1Pa = 94 dB SPL)

-37 dBV/Pa

 

Self­noise (typical, equivalent SPL;
A­weighted, IEC 651)

14 dB

 

Maximum SPL at 1000 Hz

2500 ohm load (Attenuator on): 137 (152) dB

1000 ohm load (Attenuator on): 132 (147) dB

 

Output Clipping Level*

2500 ohm load: 7 dBV

1000 ohm load: 1 dBV

 

Dynamic Range

2500 ohm load: 123 dB

1000 ohm load: 118 dB

 

Signal to Noise ratio**

80 dB

 

*20 Hz to 20 kHz; THD < 1%. THD of the microphone preamplifier when applied input signal is equivalent to the cartridge output at specified SPL.
**S/N ratio is difference between 94 dB SPL and equivalent SPL of self-noise A-weighted.

• SM27 KSM27 Comparison Chart

• SM27 Condenser Microphone

• KSM Studio Mics
• FAQ's for KSM27