Topic: sm81 mics

[cfbarlow]

hey all, was wondering if anyone has had experience recording with the Shure SM81.  I know its a studio standard, mostly for overheads or hi hats, but based on its specs it should be a good live recording mic.  I just have never seen it out.

Any thoughts?

[Craig T]

I ran a set for about a year.  Good mic, if I had to compare it to something more familiar, maybe the Nak cm300 with card cap.  It has a very distinct low end sound coloration and seemed a bit rolled off in the extreme high end.  I upgraded to the Neumann skm140 and there was a noticeable improvement.  For a $400 pair of mics, you could certainly do a lot worse.

Craig.

[marc0789]

ditto, I have a friend who ran sm81>sx>p-1, I believe. OK tapes for the price of the mic, a little harsh and two dimensional sounding, though. I think the nak 100/300 comparison is a good one. Indoors, unless the venue sounds great, gonna have a hard time getting good pulls, imo.