Topic: Results using Shure KSM44

[SonicSound]

I started taping 2years ago and have changed the rig over the years

NT2/AD20/MD
KSM44/PS2/AD20/MD
KSM44/V3/JB3
Now... MK4/V3/JB3

I still use the KSM44 and am interested to know what results others have had with the mics.

[SonicSound]

Bump

Anyone have results with the ksm44?  I still really enjoy them and for the price...very nice

[BC]

Surprisingly, I haven't seen too many people in our scene running the LD Shures, not really sure why, every review of these I have seen has been positive. I have a friend that runs the 32's but have never heard his tapes. I agree that they seem like a great value for the $$.

Happy taping,
Ben

[SonicSound]

When I first started recording, my the local salesman "Booker" highly recommended the KSM44 over 184's and I listened to him.  These mic's have three patterns and are used by Bela Fleck (not that, that really mean anything).  The only issue I had in the beginning was a stand that was strong enough for these bad boys (very heavy).  I think these are the TL's in the rough

[bluegrass_brad]

The Flecktones actually use the 32's (fixed card).  I saw them almost every day on our tour with the 'tones this past summer.  The one thing about Shure condensor mics is that they can be noisy.  We use a few different shure condensor's (Beta 87 and Beta 98) for YMSB, and a Neumann 105 for Jeff's mando. I also have a couple of AKG 461's and an AT4033 we have used, as well as some Oktava 319's.  The Shure's as a whole are the noisiest of the bunch, with the AKG and Neumann being the quietest (just my experiance, YMMV). No real issue in a live recording situation as ambient noise is usually louder than the noise floor on the Shure's. The KSM's are also likely to be a quieter mic than the Beta's, as they are advertised for critical recording and studio work. Another thing about Shure's, you can beat the crap out of them and they will continue to work just fine.
Brad

[SonicSound]

Based on my experiance, these mics are not that noisy.  I am not sure about other Shure products (32's), but I would try these puppies out before you make a full judgement.  As a point of referance, I also run MK21, MK41, and MK4.  At less than $1,200 for a pair (LD, three pattern, pad, bass roll, shock mount, flight case) KSM44 are worth a try IMO.  Are you sure about bela? I thought I saw a patter switch on the mic body this summer (I might have been seeing things not really there). Thanks for your input.

[bluegrass_brad]

positive they are not 44's.  I helped set them up and take em down just about every show.  They have a small "Property of the Flecktones" sticker on them where the pattern switch would be.  I talked to Zach (Flecktones monitor and backline tech) about how they liked them.  They use them mostly for vocals (Futureman has one, Vic & Bela share one) and one for Coffin's sax. When Bela and Dave did the banjo duets we would drop them down and use them for that as well. I wasn't commenting on the noise in the KSM series mics, just my experiance with the ones we use (Beta's).
Later
Brad