Shure SM27 Multi-Purpose Condenser Microphone

zZounds' Take on Shure SM27 Multi-Purpose Condenser Microphone

Most every musician has an SM58 or SM57 as their first mic. The time- and road-tested Shure SM line has earned a deserved title as the "industry standard" for live vocals, electric guitar cabs, snare drums, and more. But now that you're recording your own music, you need a bit more detail than your Shure dynamic mic can give you. So what should your next mic be? Easy: a Shure SM27 Multi-Purpose Condenser.

A Truly Multi-Purpose Microphone

Think of the Shure SM27 this way: anything that the SM58 or SM57 doesn't cover, the SM27 does. That includes acoustic guitars, pianos, violins, mandolins, drum overheads, hand percussion, flutes, slide whistles, stomping. . . just about anything, really. Not to mention it'll record some of the smoothest, most detailed studio vocals you can track without spending many times more. The fixed "cardioid" (i.e. "heart-shaped") pickup-pattern on the SM27 makes it perfect for most audio sources, and helps to reject unwanted background noise; the SM27 hears what you want it to hear. Cardioid pickup patterns are also versatile because they change how a mic picks up a source depending on its position relative to that source. In other words, you shape your sound at the microphone -- which is what audio engineering is all about. Adding to the SM27's versatility is an in-line -15db pad. Switch it on and put the mic in front of super-loud sources like a cranked guitar stack. Throw in a three-position low frequency response switch and you've got a mic that never met a source it didn't like.

Shure Fidelity with Everyday Affordability

The capsule design of the SM27 is derived from the Shure KSM line of studio microphones, meaning it sounds amazing. The lightweight condenser diaphragm is great for capturing audio transients like the ping of a stick on a cymbal or the click of a pick on a guitar string. At the same time, the SM27 offers an impressively low signal-to-noise ratio, so you've got nothing to cloud your pristine audio.

As Rugged As You'd Expect An "SM" To Be

Why has Shure's line of "SM" microphones been around so long? Probably because the mics themselves last nearly forever. Much has been said and written about the near-indestructibility of the SM58 and SM57, and the SM27 benefits from this same design philosophy. Housed in a rugged metal chassis, the SM27's electronics can withstand even the rigors of live performance, and the triple-layer mesh grille protects the capsule from wind, plosives, spittle, and the occasional errant guitar headstock. Bottom line: you won't have to think twice about adding to SM27 to your stage mic arsenal, and your live show will sound all the better for it.

If you've been laboring over what your next mic purchase should be, hesitate no longer. The Shure SM27 will track whatever you've got in mind, and even some things you haven't though of yet. All with amazing fidelity, and at an unbeatable zZounds price.

Manufacturer's Description for Shure SM27 Multi-Purpose Condenser Microphone

A rugged and versatile large-diaphragm, side-address cardioid microphone, with low self-noise and extended frequency response, the Shure SM27 Condenser Microphone picks up vocal and instrument nuances with clarity. Durable Shure construction features three separate mesh layers that reduce wind and breath noise. The SM27 is equally comfortable on stage or in the studio and works just as hard as you do.

Features:

- Uniform cardioid pattern for superior off axis rejection
- Superior transient response from a low-mass large Mylar diaphragm
- Flat, neutral frequency response for natural reproduction on stage or in the studio
- 3-position switchable low-frequency filter helps reduce unwanted background noise or counteract proximity effect for consistent, extended low-end
- Durable metal construction
- Three separate mesh layers reduces wind and breath noise
- 15dB pad for performance consistency across a wider range of high SPL sources

NOTE: The SM27 SC version includes a rubber suspension shock mount, and velveteen storage pouch (U.S. Only). zZounds is an authorized dealer of Shure products.

Cartridge Type: Externally Biased Condenser

Frequency Response: 20 to 20,000 Hz

Directional Polar Pattern: Cardioid

Output Impedance: EIA Rated at 150 ohms (140 ohms actual)

Attenuation Switch: 0 or 15 dB attenuation

Low Frequency response switch: Flat
- -6 db/octave below 115 Hz
- -18 dB/octave below 80 Hz

Phantom Power: 48 Vdc +/- 4 Vdc (positive pins 2 and 3)

Current Drain: 5.4 mA typical at 48 Vdc

Common Mode Rejection: >50 dB, 20 Hz to 20 kHz

Polarity: Positive pressure on diaphragm produces positive voltage on output pin 2 relative to pin 3

Sensitivity: -37 dBV/Pa (typical, at 1000 Hz; 1Pa = 94 dB SPL)

Selfnoise: 9.5 dB (typical, equivalent SPL; Aweighted, IEC 651)

Maximum SPL: at 1000 Hz
- 2500 ohm load (Attenuator on): 137 (152) dB
- 1000 ohm load (Attenuator off): 132 (147) dB

Output Clipping Level:
- 2500 ohm load: 7 dBV
- 1000 ohm load: 1 dBV

Dynamic Range:
- 2500 ohm load: 123 dB
- 1000 ohm load: 118 dB

Signal to Noise ratio: 80 dB

Dimensions:
- 2.08 inches (53 mm) maximum body diameter
- 6.15 inches (156.2 mm) long

Weight: 22.6 ounces (642 g)

Dimensions and Weight in Packaging

Shipping Weight: 3 lbs

Shipping Dimensions: 5 x 8 x 11 in