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Shure KSM32 Studio Condenser Microphone (Champagne)

15 dB attenuation switch for handling extremely high sound pressure levels (SPL). Embossed, high-compliance diaphragm provides extended low-frequency response.

Overall User Ratings

Overall:
           10 out of 10
Features:
           9 out of 10
Quality:
           10 out of 10
Value:
           10 out of 10
I Want It:
           10 out of 10
Sound:
           9 out of 10
Ease of Use:
           0 out of 10
Support:
           9 out of 10
 
 

"Shure KSM32 Studio Condensor Microphone Review."

Overall:
          9 out of 10
Features:
          9 out of 10
Quality:
          10 out of 10
Value:
          9 out of 10
I Want It:
          9 out of 10
Sound:
          9 out of 10
Support:
          9 out of 10
User: a customer from juno.com
Submitted: 8/13/2004
Style of Music: Church woodwinds, concert and marching band trumpet and woodwind.
Location: Laurel, MD, USA

 

 
Feature:
Elastic shock mount works fine, easy to use, reliable. I only use the shock mount, have not used the swivel mount. I don't use the -15dB attenuation switch, the sound would have to be massively loud to require its use. Wish it had omni pattern for flatter bass to 0 Hz but that is somewhat academic. Noise is low enough and not much of a factor.

Quality:
This is top quality fit and finish, there is no doubt it will work. Cables are more likely to break, not this mic. The carrying case is not a true road case and will scratch and dent easily.

Desirability:
It has wide frequency response, it hears everything.

Sound:
I own two Shure KSM32 studio condensor mics. It has a very natural sound. I bought them because when I used some Audio Technica Midnight Blues to record a band, I noticed bass guitar was missing, and also the bass drum. The frequency response curve of the KSM32 indicates it has very flat bass response. I used them on four concerts and the bass drum sounds awesome on the recording, the spectrum analyzer in Adobe Audition measures it at 54 Hz. The high end is there too, and it produced an astoundingly clear recording, of a xylophone/barred percussion. I recorded also mandolin and banjo and the bright "plucking" sounds are very delightful. I recorded a marching/concert band, and the trumpets were very nice and bright and clarinets very smooth and natural, tenor sax came through fine. The bass response of this mic, picking up wind noise outside, will rip the cones off of your speakers! The only reservation I have, is with voices, sometimes, depending on the distance, the voice will sound "whistly" or similar, at a high frequency, on certain consonants, such as "f" or maybe "s". However, it usually is very natual sounding, but not overly "warm" like SM58 or AKG D190ES. Running into a Tapco/Mackie 6306 mixer/preamp to Sony CDRW66 24 bit AD optically coupled SPDIF into 2.68GHz PC running Adobe Audition. Shock mount ez to use and very effective in isolating the microphone. My bass pickup problem solved for the time being. Have to try low "E" on the bass guitar and some pipe organ. Much better than AT Midnight Blues for bass (the AT are voice mics so that should be expected!). They don't have much hiss but when it is quiet they seem to emphasize bass ambient noise if anything, I am talking -60dB or so. As read on VU meters, I can at home studio achieve about 60 some dB SNR and without more sound proofing that is it. That is, ambient noises including computer fans etc. are becoming the dominant factor. This is a good mic, well built, solid feel, reliable, it works fine. To make it perfect they should smooth out the bumps in the high end response to eliminate the slight "buzziness" or "whistling" on voices. This characteristic sounds great on mandolin/banjo though, its not a negative thing on the instruments.

Support:
They have a good web site, did not need any interaction with them.

Overall:
Need a more "warm" or more "smooth" mic for vocals, to hear velvety smooth soft warm singing voices. This mic is "natural" not "warm". Some clients may prefer more "warm" = emphasized midrange sound. They must smooth out the high frequency response. I did not think this would be noticable from the curve, but it IS noticeable, only 3 or 4 dB; our ears are fantastic instruments.

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"Shure KSM-32..."

Overall:
          10 out of 10
Features:
          10 out of 10
Quality:
          10 out of 10
Value:
          10 out of 10
I Want It:
          10 out of 10
User: a customer from Hotmail.com
Submitted: 8/19/2000
Style of Music: Rock, Jazz, Classical, Acoustic...
Location: New Jersey, USA

 

 
Wow, Another Gret Hit From Shure...They Have The Two Most Widely Used Dynamics Available Today (SM57 &SM58), And AreThe Maker Of The Omni Present SM81 Small Diaphragm Condensor, And Now Have Introduced A Large Diaphragm With The Legendary Shure Name...These Mics Are Great On Just About Anything From Piano To Marshall Cabinets To Drum Overheads...Destined To Be Another Classic...
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"Sweet sounding mic!!"

Overall:
          10 out of 10
Quality:
          10 out of 10
I Want It:
          10 out of 10
Sound:
          9 out of 10
User: a customer from gmail.com
Submitted: 3/6/2006
Musical Experience: Voice over talent
Location: Kansas City

 

 
Feature:
Not being an owner, I can't really comment here, except that the shock mount works very well.

Sound:
I do voice work in professional studios and over more than 30 years of experience, I find the KSM32 one of the finest sounding microphones I've ever used. It an extremely smooth sound and makes me sound better than I thought possible! I plan to build a small voice facility in my home for out of town clients and will definitely consider this microphone as my choice.

Support:
Can't comment here either.

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"nobody's mentioned the great case!"

Overall:
          10 out of 10
Features:
          10 out of 10
Quality:
          10 out of 10
Value:
          10 out of 10
I Want It:
          10 out of 10
User: a customer from yahoo.com
Submitted: 3/22/2002
Style of Music: roots rock & roll
Location: western usa

 

 
the case is so cool with a place for the shockmount and that velveteen mic pouch. of course it's a great mic but it's also important that it looks so killer. this helps greatly when making fun of buddies who settled for a rode nt1. they see that case open up and they just start drooling.
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"Awesome microphone"

Overall:
          10 out of 10
Features:
          10 out of 10
Quality:
          10 out of 10
Value:
          10 out of 10
I Want It:
          10 out of 10
User: a customer from att.net
Submitted: 5/1/2002
Style of Music: Rock
Location: Connecticut

 

 
I was prepared to spend alot more on a Neumann TLM103. Frankly, this mic sounds just as good, if not slightly better. I use it for just about everything (vocals, acoustic guitar, percussion)with superb results.
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"It's as great as I imagined it would be!"

Overall:
          10 out of 10
Features:
          8 out of 10
Quality:
          10 out of 10
Value:
          10 out of 10
I Want It:
          10 out of 10
User: a customer from PCWIZARDRY.COM
Submitted: 12/6/2000
Style of Music: Early Rock, electric Folk/Blues
Location: Southport - area of West Sacramento , Calif.

 

 
I also own an AKG 3000B which is pretty exciting, I really look forward to putting these mic's thourgh their paces. I really love microphones to start with anyway.
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"A very versatile mic"

Overall:
          10 out of 10
Features:
          10 out of 10
Quality:
          10 out of 10
Value:
          9 out of 10
I Want It:
          10 out of 10
Sound:
          9 out of 10
Support:
          10 out of 10
User: a customer from hotmail.com
Submitted: 6/9/2003
Location: colombia

 

 
Feature:
The briefcase of the ksm 32 is amazing, the sockmount is the best I know, the mic has an style that mics of 2000 dollars doesn
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