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Gear / Technical Help => Microphones & Setup => Topic started by: cfbarlow on April 02, 2004, 01:26:26 PM

Title: sm81 mics
Post by: cfbarlow on April 02, 2004, 01:26:26 PM

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?

Title: Re:sm81 mics
Post by: Craig T on April 02, 2004, 02:31:49 PM

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.

Title: Re:sm81 mics
Post by: marc0789 on April 02, 2004, 03:13:53 PM

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.