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Shure SM81-LC Cardioid Condenser Instrument Microphone for Guitar, Piano, and Cymbals, Includes Swivel Adapter, Attenuator-Switch Lock, Windscreen, Carrying Case, No Cable Included (SM81-LC) Shure SM81-LC Cardioid Condenser Instrument Microphone for Guitar, Piano, and Cymbals, Includes Swivel Adapter, Attenuator-Switch Lock, Windscreen, Carrying Case, No Cable Included (SM81-LC) Shure SM81-LC Cardioid Condenser Instrument Microphone for Guitar, Piano, and Cymbals, Includes Swivel Adapter, Attenuator-Switch Lock, Windscreen, Carrying Case, No Cable Included (SM81-LC) Shure SM81-LC Cardioid Condenser Instrument Microphone for Guitar, Piano, and Cymbals, Includes Swivel Adapter, Attenuator-Switch Lock, Windscreen, Carrying Case, No Cable Included (SM81-LC) Shure SM81-LC Cardioid Condenser Instrument Microphone for Guitar, Piano, and Cymbals, Includes Swivel Adapter, Attenuator-Switch Lock, Windscreen, Carrying Case, No Cable Included (SM81-LC) Shure SM81-LC Cardioid Condenser Instrument Microphone for Guitar, Piano, and Cymbals, Includes Swivel Adapter, Attenuator-Switch Lock, Windscreen, Carrying Case, No Cable Included (SM81-LC)

Shure SM81-LC Cardioid Condenser Instrument Microphone for Guitar, Piano, and Cymbals, Includes Swivel Adapter, Attenuator-Switch Lock, Windscreen, Carrying Case, No Cable Included (SM81-LC)

Shure SM81-LC Cardioid Condenser Instrument Microphone for Guitar, Piano, and Cymbals, Includes Swivel Adapter, Attenuator-Switch Lock, Windscreen, Carrying Case, No Cable Included (SM81-LC) Shure SM81-LC Cardioid Condenser Instrument Microphone for Guitar, Piano, and Cymbals, Includes Swivel Adapter, Attenuator-Switch Lock, Windscreen, Carrying Case, No Cable Included (SM81-LC) Shure SM81-LC Cardioid Condenser Instrument Microphone for Guitar, Piano, and Cymbals, Includes Swivel Adapter, Attenuator-Switch Lock, Windscreen, Carrying Case, No Cable Included (SM81-LC) Shure SM81-LC Cardioid Condenser Instrument Microphone for Guitar, Piano, and Cymbals, Includes Swivel Adapter, Attenuator-Switch Lock, Windscreen, Carrying Case, No Cable Included (SM81-LC) Shure SM81-LC Cardioid Condenser Instrument Microphone for Guitar, Piano, and Cymbals, Includes Swivel Adapter, Attenuator-Switch Lock, Windscreen, Carrying Case, No Cable Included (SM81-LC) Shure SM81-LC Cardioid Condenser Instrument Microphone for Guitar, Piano, and Cymbals, Includes Swivel Adapter, Attenuator-Switch Lock, Windscreen, Carrying Case, No Cable Included (SM81-LC)
$ 349.00

Score By Feature

Based on 139 ratings
Sound quality
9.89
Value for money
9.18
Versatility
8.71
For beginners
5.76

OveReview Final Score

How Our Score Is Calculated

Product Description

A 48 Vdc supply (IEC-61938) is recommended for this microphone, which requires phantom power. With supplies as low as 11 Vdc, however, it will have slightly less headroom and sensitivity. Phantom power is available on almost all modern mixers. A balanced microphone cable, such as XLR-to-XLR or XLR-to-TRS, is required.
The SM81 is built to withstand a lot of punishment. It runs on phantom power and is capable of operating in a wide range of temperatures and humidity levels. It includes a swivel adapter, an attenuator-switch lock, a foam windscreen, and a carrying and storage case. There are a variety of other options.
The frequency response ranges from 20 Hz to 20 kHz. For accurate sound reproduction, a flat response curve is required.
The output clipping level is high and the noise level is low. Over a wide range of load impedances, there is very little distortion.
Maximum rejection and minimal coloration of off-axis sounds are provided by a cardioid polar pattern that is frequency uniform and symmetric about the axis.
Susceptibility to radio frequency (RF) waves is low.
Flat, 6 or 18 dB/octave rolloff are all options for the low-frequency response.
Switchable attenuator with a 0-10 dB attenuation range
The construction is made of tough steel for long-term use. It can be used in the field in a wide range of temperature and humidity conditions.
Flat response curve, low noise and high output clipping level, low distortion over a range of load impedances, and low RF susceptibility are some of the features of this cardioid condenser instrument microphone.

Questions & Answers

Is it suitable for recording on a grand piano?

I think it's a great option, with a very flat response and a lot of gain, and I use it all the time! I'd recommend getting two of them if you want good coverage of the piano's full range and the ability to mix in stereo for a more enjoyable listening experience. br>I would definitely recommend this microphone for use with a piano! Please let us know if there is anything else we can do to help!

Can I use this mic in the same way that I use the snowball mic on my Macbook? or will I have to go out and purchase something else?

This isn't the mic for you if you want to plug it into a USB port. This is a high-sensitivity studio microphone for recording solo and ensemble instruments in a controlled acoustic environment. To get the most out of this mic, you'll need 48v phantom power and, more often than not, a high-end preamp. If you are not careful with placement, it can and will pick up your breathing from a distance of several feet away, ruining your recording.

I have one, and it appears to be true. quiet. As a power source, I rely on my MacBook. Is it necessary for me to switch to another power source?

Yes, an external audio card with phanton power is required. br>Apollo twin is a good choice. or a fan of Mbox. Both of these devices can be connected to your Mac via USB.br>I hope this information is useful. br>The SM 81 is an excellent microphone.br>

When recording, it's quite quiet. Is this something that happens frequently?

I don't record with it; instead, I use it with an amp and an acoustic guitar. It's very quiet in here. It is still considered to be one of the best on the market.

Selected User Reviews For Shure SM81-LC Cardioid Condenser Instrument Microphone for Guitar, Piano, and Cymbals, Includes Swivel Adapter, Attenuator-Switch Lock, Windscreen, Carrying Case, No Cable Included (SM81-LC)

The SM 81 is as good as it sounds
5/5

The SM- 81 is a common high-score number. quality microphones that are used as a benchmark for the rest of the inferior microphones on the market, all of which are attempting to copy its performance at a low cost. Why not just buy the real thing and be done with it instead of wasting time trying to find a good enough knockoff? It's wonderful to be able to use genuine Shure products.

Araceli Kemp
Araceli Kemp
| Sep 21, 2021
The best microphone for an acoustic guitar! Excellent value for money
5/5

This microphone was purchased specifically for acoustic guitars and ukuleles. It sounds fantastic, and I'm very pleased with it. The Neumann U87 ai and the Shure sm7b are two other microphones I own. This is a legendary instrument microphone that lives up to its reputation.

Wyatt Schwartz
Wyatt Schwartz
| May 20, 2021
The gold standard for high-quality products
5/5

For instruments, high-quality live sound is essential. These are the benchmarks for excellence in high-tech products. For live sound, high-quality instrument microphones are required. Aside from the obvious benefits of excellent frequency response and low distortion, the directional pattern is extremely smooth, which means that if you're using monitors, you'll have a much lower chance of feedback. They're also a lot tougher than they appear to be. They're sensitive to wind noise, so if you're going to use them outside, get the A81WS windscreens.  .

Shelby Gordon
Shelby Gordon
| May 25, 2021
It's just a fantastic idea
5/5

This microphone is fantastic! It was purchased with the intention of recording acoustic guitar, and it excels at that task. the low- The mic's pass option greatly reduces appliance hum in my apartment, and the construction quality is excellent. If I ever needed another microphone, I would buy it ten times over.

Aurelia Spears
Aurelia Spears
| Feb 13, 2021
The microphone itself is excellent, but the accessories are a different story
3/5

THIS IS ONLY AN ACCESSORY REVIEW, NOT A REVIEW OF THE MIC. The mic is great, no issues, but the mic clip that came with it was defective, with plastic covering the threading that connects to the mic stand, rendering it useless. People have reported it not being included at all in other reviews I've read. For the amount of money I'm spending, it's pretty unbelievable, and it's a disgrace to a storied brand like Shure. The quality control in the packaging of these items must be almost non-existent.

Lachlan Kelley
Lachlan Kelley
| Nov 30, 2021
It went well the first time around
5/5

Right out of the box, I got some really good guitar recordings. I don't have much experience with it, but it's very simple to use, and I'm excited to see what it can do.

Allie Hodge
Allie Hodge
| Jan 08, 2021
This mic is fantastic for recording! The SM- Because 81 has been around for decades and I used it in the 1990s, I thought it would be a good fit for a large recording project at my church
5/5

However, it has existed for many years. Surely there's something newer that's about the same price but sounds better? br>br>In a word, no. I couldn't find anything comparable in its price range (under $400). I brought in five different microphones (from a vendor that accepts returns with no restocking fees) and distributed them throughout the orchestra, choir, soloists, and organ. The recording was digital, with a sampling rate of 96 kHz and a 24-bit resolution. a resolution of bits The following two weeks were spent listening and editing. br>br>Wait, there's more! The SM- The 81 mics were the most neutral (which is a great thing!). ), the group's most musical and least distorted microphones. Their sound was picked up by a microphone. The axis (where many mics add unwanted coloratio) was virtually indistinguishable from the straight-line audio. sound of something coming up ahead It's fantastic! We've since purchased two more SM-IIs as a result of that project. 81s, and they're still assisting us in creating stunning recordings.

Nylah Hanson
Nylah Hanson
| Mar 28, 2021
Exactly as stated
5/5

I'd purchase it again. Thank you very much! Exactly as stated. I'd purchase it again. Thank you very much!.

Pedro Franklin
Pedro Franklin
| Jan 08, 2021

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