Shure Ksm's???

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solit

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I'm setting up a home studio and looking to record vocals. I will be running a powerful PC with an audiophile 2496 soundcard. I have been advised that SHURE mics are good to go with.

I am looking at the Shure KSM 27, 32, and 44.

I can afford the 44, but I would like to save money where practical. What I am wondering is:

Can anyone comment for/against SHURE mics in general?

Can anyone comment on the benefit of going with the higher end 44 vs. as 27 or 32? how much better will the sound be? is it worth the $$$$?

thanks!
 
Are you Shure?

I haven't used the Shures, but by reputation the KSM32 is very neutral-sounding, the others are bound to be good mics (from the Shure pedigree), but whose vocals are you going to be recording? Your own or others?

If you are just recording your own, you owe it to yourself to try as many as you can, and see which sounds best! There are a ton of mics for similar and lower prices than the KSM44 which will do great jobs on vocals (and other sources), but may or may not sound great with a particular voice.

If you are recording a bunch of different singers, it may be better to have 2 different mics than one - a neutral one like the KSM32 and a coloured mic like Studio Projects C1 for instance. For just above the price of the KSM44 you could get those 2.

Other worthy contenders for your consideration include:
Studio Projects C1, C3, T3, B series
Rode NT1000, NTK
Audio Technica 4033
AKG 414
Neuman TLM103 (special at Mercenary at the moment)
BLUE baby bottle
to name a few

Check 'em out!

Good luck
Steve
 
well I'm didnt hear and record every mics on the market, of course. But if I look at all the mics I've been in toutch with, I will, with no hesitation, suggest the C1 or C3. Damn these are incredible mics for the money!! I paid my C1 379$ CAD and when I use it, particulary on male vocals or guitars, I feel like I'm using a 2000$ mic...

About the KSM, the only one I heard is the KSM27, in a behringer board so... :( it's not a good reference.

But is there someone here who wasent impressed but the StudioProjects quality?
 
testing mics

how do people go about testing out how their vocals sound on different mics?
do stores let you do that?
do you have to know people who own these mics?
 
Most of the stores here have a very small selection, but yes, they should let you at least try them out in the store - line them up and sing through them with decent closed cans on. If they have an isolation room, even better. If they'll let you take something home to try out in your own setup, that's the best. I got to take my C1 home and try it out, and loved it.

Stores cannot expect to sell you something if they don't let you try it out! And if you're spending enough for the KSM44, that's a substantial investment!

I don't know anyone with mics (apart from SM57/58's)!

I do have to put in a recomendation for the C1 too though. I love it!

Steve
 
I've got a KSM44..Nice mic..Much "clearer"and less hyped upper feq. than mics like the C3,MXL V67 ect...sometimes thats a good thing sometimes its not..To me its a very good inst. mic this is where I think it excelles{overheads,acoustic guit,Bass amp ect.}For vox YMMV..In your price range{for vocals} maybe you should also look at maybe a used AT 4060
So many choices..Good luck



Don
 
I have a KSM27 which I got for $270 at Guitar Center. Shure says it is a cardiod only version of the KSM44, which is multi-pattern. I think it is a good mic.

A couple of weeks ago I got a Studio Projects TB-1 cardiod only tube mic and I LOVE IT. I paid $300 for it. It is similar to the SP T3 which is multi-pattern. The TB-1 is now my vocal mic because it is very clear, sits well in the mix and sounds better with my voice than the KSM27 although the Shure doesn't sound bad at all; I just prefer the TB-1 sound.

Tom
 
Look, if you've got the money and you want the best you can get for it, just go with the Shure.

Guys like Marshall, Studio Projects, etc. make $200 mics that sound like $500 mics. Shure makes $500 mics that sound like $1,000 mics.

That's the difference.
 
Re: testing mics

solit said:
how do people go about testing out how their vocals sound on different mics?
do stores let you do that?
do you have to know people who own these mics?
Click to expand...
All the music stores I've been in have let me test anything I want in their store, and many music stores in my area (CA) even have small recording studios in their stores. If a music store won't let you test, go to another one that will. Oh, and the Shure KSM44 is a wonderful mic.
 
solit said:
I am looking at the Shure KSM 27, 32, and 44.
Click to expand...

I havn't tried the '27 or the '44, but I own a '32 and really like it. It doesn't seem to get a lot of press or hype, but it's a really solid performer; fairly neutral and good on a lot of things.
 
I've heard nothing but good things about the Shure KSM44, and not so great things about the other Shure LD mics.

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Meriphew
www.meriphew.com
 
meriphew said:
I've heard nothing but good things about the Shure KSM44, and not so great things about the other Shure LD mics.
Click to expand...

Luckily, the '32 isn't an LD. :)

It's one of those mid-D's, like the AT4033 (it doesn't sound anything like a 4033 though).
 
I LOVE the KSM44! I have 2... The diaphragm is the same as the cheaper KSM, but the dif is the switchable patterns which makes it an all around better studio mic for your cabinet. I have a/b'd it with the AT4060 and found it very similar, but the AT was a bit warmer and fuller of course due to the tube. I am selling one of my ksm44's on ebay as we speak for $480.
 
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