shure ksm27

[coolsoundman]

Has anyone had any luck with the Shure KSM27 condenser microphone? I'm thinking about buying a condensor microphone for my vocals. Right now, the only condensor's that I have came with a drum mic kit that I'm using. These mic's are really good, because I tried one of them out on recording an accoustic guitar and it sounded great. I know that this mic is in the $300 price range, but that is something I'm looking into investing for making things sound a little bit better. Anyone have any comments on this mic or anyother one that is similiar to it?

 

[n8tron]

i personally really like the ksm27, the only thing you have to look out for is that its very flat sounding, and doesn't give much character. some people like this some don't. It makes it versatile on anything, which is good. But it doesn't work like magic on any voice.

In that price range you could also try the rode nt1a. fantastic mic for 100 less than the ksm27. is it better for vocals? can be, depends on your tastes. its a bit rounder and warmer. But I don't think its quite as versatile. also, for what its worth, ksm27 makes a great drum overhead mic.

 

[hognogger]

I don't have any experience with the KSM27.

I do own the KSM44 and the KSM32, though.

I got the KSM32 on ebay (2nd hand) for about $230, if memory serves me. Therefore, I supect, you should add $60 to that, given my general propensity to falsely remember what a great deal I got. Must say, I prefer it for most of my applications to the KSM44. It has a tighter, leaner sound. But so much of this depends on your interests and aesthetics.

If the KSM27 is in the same ballpark, quality wise, of its bigger brothers, it is certainly going to be a serious mic.

Re. the "flat", and not giving any character issue, well, I guess that for the most part, I prefer mics like this. Mind you, I'm now running through a Sebatron preamp, so I can get all the character I need from that, if needs be.

Again, it's an aesthetic thing, but I suspect that often, people want mics and other gear to add "character" when there is just something wrong at the source. In the case of my vocals, in any case, I go mainly to the KSM32. If I'm doing a rocky number at the top of my range, then I plump for a Beyer M400 or Electrovoice RE15.

 

[chessrock]

The ksm32 is the "flattest" and most neutral of the bunch.

The ksm27 and 44 are more tailored for vocals. The whole flat / neutral comment is really just a relative term. Like most Shure mics (or Audio Technica for that matter), they have great presence in the midrange, but less so in the high end "air" frequencies; hence they tend to be more present, but less airy or sibilant.

Compare that to something like a BLUE or a Soundelux that have the classic "smiley-face" midrange scoop ... and at least in that sense, you're looking at a "flatter" mic in terms of it's frequency response curve ... but it's certainly and by no means a dull or less colorful mic. Try sticking a Blue Berry or a Rode NT-whatever in someone's face on a busy alt/indie rock mix with lots of distorted guitar, and you'll be wondering what happened to your vocal track. Then try switching it out for a ksm44 and suddenly you'll hear the voice poking right through and holding it's own, even with the various competing factors in the mix. So it's really all relative.

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[jkokura]

Try sticking a Blue Berry or a Rode NT-whatever in someone's face on a busy alt/indie rock mix with lots of distorted guitar, and you'll be wondering what happened to your vocal track. Then try switching it out for a ksm44 and suddenly you'll hear the voice poking right through and holding it's own, even with the various competing factors in the mix. So it's really all relative.

One of the best examples of the actual use of microphones I've seen...

I find it's good to have both types in the arsenal...so called 'flat' mics and more 'colorful' mics. I have an AT4040, a Rode NTK, a CAD M179 and I've had MXL and SP LDC's in the past...I've had to experiment with all my mics with all my vocalists because any mic can work with to get a recording, but not every mic will let the vocals sit in the mix! It's a great argument for recording vocals last because vocals are arguably the part of any song that people notice first/remember later. Just because your NTK or whatever mic is the most expensive and you use it for vocals the most doesn't mean that when you mix it all together that vocal will still hold it's own with the dozens of other tracks in there...

*edit* Sorry for highjacking...permit me my rant and then talk about the KSM27...

Jacob

 

[chessrock]

It's a great argument for recording vocals last ...

Well, that along with the fact that it would be awfully difficult to lay down the vocal without the music track to listen to as a reference.

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[jkokura]

Well, that along with the fact that it would be awfully difficult to lay down the vocal without the music track to listen to as a reference.

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HAHAH...true...

But anyway, I've not spent a lot of time with it, but I liked the KSM27 well enough when I did a shoot out of 3 or 4 mics at my local shop. It was the pick of the litter when comparing an AT3035, a Rode NT1 and a MXL 2001...to my ears anyway.

Jacob