Resources

Live Performance

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.

Introduction to Wireless Microphone Systems
Basic review of how wireless mics work, written for those new to wireless audio technology.

Intro to Wireless Microphone Systems & PSM For Houses of Worship
This booklet covers the selection and operation of wireless systems and personal monitors for House of Worship applications. En Español

Wireless 101: Part One - Choosing The Right System
Part one of a three-part series of Shure Podcasts on wireless microphone technology.

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.

 

How To Use

Creative Mic Tips from the Pros

Live Sound Reinforcement
For Sax, Brass and Strings.

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.

Selection and Operation of Personal Monitoring Systems 
Recommendations and configuration advice for our PSM line of in-ear monitoring solutions.

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

The Basics of Equalization and Feedback
How to effectively approach equalization and feedback.

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.

Understanding Sound System Design and Feedback Using (Ugh!) Math
Explains how to use the Potential Acoustic Gain equation to estimate the gain before feedback.

VU and PPM Audio Meters: An Elementary Explanation
Though both perform the same function, these two meters monitor audio levels in very different manners.