Resources

Microphones

Buyer's Guide

Shopping Tips: How to Audition Gear
This article contains helpful tips on how to audition gear before you buy it.  Courtesy of the Shure Applications Engineering group.

MYTHBUSTERS: It Ain't Necessarily So
Debunks common audio myths such as: "condenser microphones aren't as rugged as dynamic microphones".

Choosing the Right Mic: Narrowing the Field
For live performance microphones, vocal and instrument.

How to Buy a Mic
A Shure primer for choosing a mic for any sound application.

Direct to Ambient Audio Demo (Flash Demo)
Listen to different mics, different polar patterns, different distances, and different amounts of ambient noise. It is recommended to use headphones to listen to this demonstration.

Microphone Sensitivity Ratings: What Does it all mean?
Common questions regarding microphone sensitivity ratings and dB SPL input levels.

CommShield™ Technology Improves RF Resistance
CommShield™ Technology Improves RF Resistance of Shure Microflex and Easyflex Microphones.

KSM32 - Transformerless Design
The KSM32 uses transformer-less circuit design. Shure has developed a balanced solid-state preamplifier circuit that has virtually all the benefits of a high-quality transformed design without the drawbacks associated with smaller transformers.

 

How To Use

Creative Mic Tips from the Pros

Microphone Techniques for Music - Studio Recording
In this guide, Shure application engineers describe particular microphone techniques and placement: techniques to pick up a natural tonal balance, techniques to help reject unwanted sounds, and even techniques to create special effects.

Microphone Techniques for Music - Live Sound Reinforcement
Recommended microphone type and placement for a large variety of vocal and instrument situations.

Microphone Techniques for Drums
Some suggestions to follow when miking musical instruments and drums for sound reinforcement.

Vocal Miking Problems and How To Solve Them
Bill Gibson, (President of Northwest Recording, author and recording instructor), discusses vocal miking issues.

Stereo Miking Basics
If you want to capture a more natural sound in your recordings, it’s time to learn a few fundamentals of stereo miking.

Stereo Miking Basics Podcast

Microphones and Multitracks
Essential steps to quality recording using a microphone and multitrack recorder.

Connecting Professional Microphones to Computer Sound Cards
Because interconnection procedures in the computer world differ from those used in professional audio, it is not always easy to make a professional microphone work with a computer. This Shure Application Bulletin will help.

Critical Distance and Microphone Placement
Audio and acoustic principles involved in finding the critical distance where the direct speech and the reflected (or reverberant) speech are equal in intensity.

Predicting Speech to Background Noise Ratio at the Microphone
Help in determining what are acceptable speech to noise ratios and how to predict if speech will be intelligible at the microphone location.

 

Tech Library

The Myth of Microphone Reach
Shure is often asked "How far away will my microphone pick up?" or "Which microphone has the best reach?" Both questions are based on a misunderstanding of how microphones work. This bulletin attempts to debunk the myth of microphone reach.

Cleaning Microphones
This document provides several simple yet effective techniques for cleaning microphones.

Gain Changes Based on Mic Placement and Number of Open Mics
Formulas based on microphone placement and the number of open microphones.

Impedance Matching for Microphones - Is it Necessary?
This bulletin answers questions such as "What happens when a high impedance microphone is connected to a low impedance input?"

Phantom Power and Bias Voltage - Is There a Difference?
This bulletin explains the differences between phantom power and bias voltage, and addresses common misconceptions.

Microphones on the Ceiling? Shure Strongly Advises "NO"!
Shure feels strongly about not placing microphones on a ceiling. If you decide to install ceiling microphones, you need to address the problems in this technical bulletin.

Transformers, Audio
Explains transformers in relation to wired microphones and audio usage.

Unique Directional Properties of Dual-Diaphragm Microphones
A detailed primer on the distinctions between single and dual diaphragm microphones by the KSM44 product team.