Try a good quality boom stand, with a tripod base like the K&M 210/2. He said the idea for the KSM8 came out of what Shure had learnt while building the KSM9 handheld condenser: "We knew from the KSM9 that if we could get a second diaphragm into the cartridge, we could use it as part of the acoustic network to control proximity effect. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. The Shure KSM9 could be the best choice for someone who wants excellent sound but cannot afford a Neumann kms 105. At this point I expect youre desperate to know how the dual-diaphragm configuration works, but rather than get bogged down in the technicalities here, Ive put it all in a side-box for later reference. Shure KSM9 has a fantastic quality and it gives a very natural sound. The capsules that see most demand are beta58s and KSM9s. Wed love to hear from you. But this mic is well constructed, and perfect for live performances which require that superior condenser sound. I think the champagne looks very chic! For example, AKG developed their D200 range of two-way or dual-capsule microphones in the late 1960s. 531 171. XLR are the standard connectors on all professional studio equipment. 2:46 Shure KSM8 Only I'm somewhat unfamiliar with the Sennheiser line of microphones. Did you mean the KSM9? As well as the microphone, the KSM9 also comes with: Dynamic mics are extremely durable, and can withstand a certain amount of rough and tumble. They are just in completely different leagues. A85WS Black foam windscreen for KSM8, SM58, SM86, SM87A, Beta 87A and Beta 87C A25E Black, Soft-flex Swivel Adapter for KSM8 and KSM9 RPM266 Black replacement grille for KSM8 wired and wireless RPM268 Brushed Nickel replacement grille for KSM8 wired and wireless. Neumann are known for producing premium quality microphones, and so its no surprise that the KMS105 gives the Shure KSM9 a run for its money. There are many great microphones on the market, but two of the most popular are the Neumann KMS 105 and Shure KSM9. Enter the KSM8. But with good noise-handling and clever engineering, the KSM9 brings all of these qualities to the stage. The downside is that the KSM9 seems to pick up everything on stage.. FYI there is a new version of the KSM9 that now offers a switchable polar pattern. 0:00 Intro So, are there any downsides? Overall, the KSM8 appears to be a very impressive stage mic, both in terms of its practical sonic benefits, and in its innovative technology and sophisticated engineering. The switchable polar pattern means its versatile, and can easily adapt to your situation. When comparing the sound of the KSM9 vs KSM8s, I found them both to have a great sound. Heads Up SoSer's - When SSDs Fail, They Fail Catastrophically! You are using an out of date browser. The KSM8 is Shure's dual diaphragm dynamic, and as such not a condenser. Follow us. 10 Albums That Are Complete Masterpieces According to You! Dynamic mics are particularly suited to live and stage use. This dual-diaphragm cartridge delivers greater consistency across the frequency spectrum as the distance between the microphone and the source changes. Always works in a rock setting. Picking the mic up reveals that it is pleasantly weighty, at 330g, and it feels well balanced in the hand. Perhaps the closest competitor to the Shure KSM9 is the Sennheiser E965. I think the Shure is a little brighter in character, whereas the Sennheiser is a bit more pronounced in the low-mids. Aside from its precious, gold layered, low mass diaphragm, KSM9 uses first class electric components for its preamplifier circuit. The KSM9 is slightly more expensive but offers better sound quality and features such as a detachable cable. Its not something I could actually hear. Thank you for your request. Its most sensitive on-axis (at 0 degrees), but also picks up sound around 65 degrees either side of the mic. shure axient combiner shure axient combiner (No Ratings Yet) . Turn your old gear into new gear with the Sweetwater Gear Exchange! Crucially for a live condenser, theres also a suspension shock mount. 25 Feb/23. . It is also equipped with a three-position bass roll-off switch that optimizes the microphones response for different applications. Pro-level mics often dont have on/off switches, because it make it less likely that the singer will accidentally turn off the mic mid performance. Between the KsM9 and the E935 which would be better for handheld studio rap/vocals? Go for the shorter lengths where possible. Last but not least is an interchangeable polar pattern. Your email, has been entered to win this giveaway. #3. Obviously, handheld dynamic mics are nothing new, and neither are microphones with dual diaphragms: every switchable-pattern capacitor mic has used that particular technology since the mid-1930s! To prevent dust and moisture ingress, they decided to cover the back of this labyrinth with a second (passive) diaphragm which would still allow sound waves from the rear to pass into the capsules internal labyrinth. The Shure KSM9 is a high-quality condenser microphone that is designed for live performances. The KSM9 also switches between cardioid and supercardioid polar patterns, so it can easily adapt to different live environments and singing styles. The Neumann is also slightly more sensitive than the Shure, but it does have a similar max SPL. Giving just enough brightnessto put you in line or slightly ahead of the instruments, I find it working great for all types of voices too. Like most professional microphones, the KSM9 has a low impedance of 150 ohms. The Shure KSM9 is a great choice as a live mic. It may likely suffer from cosmetic defects, such as grille deformation and less likely scratches. In these microphones the front capsule mounted directly behind the grille captures only the high frequency components of the source sound, while a second capsule located behind it receives the low frequency sound components, via a damped acoustical tube from entry ports at the bottom of the microphones handle. The passive diaphragm obviously moves in response to sound waves, and thus transmits sound waves into the rear chamber, but it affects low and high frequencies differently. However the KSM9 is noticeably cleaner and brighter. It switches between hypercardioid (super-directional) and sub-cardioid (super-wide) patterns. Itmaintains a great accuracy at higher freqs (where other mics err), and even those high-pitched harmonics sound so much natural! The event in which it gets out of order is quite unlikely, however, with a good amount of acceleration, anything can be achieved. This makes it ideal for recording vocals or instruments in a studio setting. The chart is fairly even, with no big peaks or troughs apart from a little dip around 7kHz. Our web address is www.shure.com. Ive heard sales reps say that the KSM8 is better than a lot of condensors out there so presumably Im buying quality with the 8 but still lean towards the 9 since I want to get most out of my live sound.. How ever since my genre is pretty heavy what is your experiance with the feedback rejection on louder stages with the KSM9 VS the quality of the KSM8.. Will the difference in sound quality (depending on EQ + sound guy ofc) by noticable between the 8 and 9? The nicely tapered die-cast aluminium body is available in a brushed nickel or black-painted finish, with overall dimensions of 188mm x 48mm. Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Shure KSM9 has two modes: cardioid and supercardioid. AKG C414 The Ultimate Comparison: XLS vs XLII vs B-ULS vs EB, Re: The Behringer Keyboards 'n' Stuff Thread #3, Re: Mic Question M300 vs MKH 8040 or alternative. But guess you are looking more into a dynamic type of mic. We have always believed these are the ingredients that inspire and shape real results for businesses and brands. KSM9 picks up too much stage wash. AE5400, KSM9, VX10, and PR22 do as well. Single vs. Dual-diaphragm frequency response. Less spiky in the high mids, which means it sounds a lot better soloed, but doesn't sound as up front with a band. Cardioid is more natural but may need a louder vocal to combat feedback. As low as $62/mo. A max SPL of 152db is also a little lower than the SM58, but not drastically different to some of the other pro-level dynamic microphones (e.g. Another big difference between the two mics is that the KSM8 has no switchable polar pattern its simply a cardioid mic. . This makes it almost identical in size to Shures KSM9 capacitor stage vocal mic. The mechanical design of the KSM8 offers advancements that benefit the performance and aesthetics of the microphone. Sound enters the microphone via the side entry inlets and passes through the rear second diaphragm before striking the front diaphragm. SHOCKSTOPPER is a trademark of Shure Incorporated in the United States. Human factors engineering ensures that medical devices and combination products are safe, effective, and easy to use, while also ensuring that the products meet commercial and regulatory imperatives. Shure can be proud of their achievements in creating the Dualdyne capsule, and of advancing microphone technology in such a practically valuable way. The KSM9 has a dual-diaphragm design that provides accurate sound reproduction, and it also features a built-in shock mount to reduce noise and vibration. Does anyone have any experience with the KSM9? It offers a natural, open sound, with a very balanced low-end, beautifully smoothmidrange and brillianthighs. So if you need that extra sparkle and clarity to give your live sound the edge, then this could be the handheld condenser for you. 210.65.88.143 Achieving the sound quality demanded by elite performers and venues no longer requires sacrificing the rugged reliability of a dynamic microphone. It features a cast aluminium handle, solid construction, and comes in two colours: charcoal or champagne. The Shure KSM9 is also a great choice for studio vocals. Any artist or singer who has enough money for professional gear could use KSM9. Loud rock/metal bands will probably prefer the resilience of a good dynamic mic. Given the sensitivities of condenser mics, why would anyone risk using one on stage? suggested Neumann KMS 105 Sennheiser e 965 Shure KSM8 Shure KSM9HS Shure Beta 87A Shure Beta 58A Shure SM57 Sennheiser e 835-S Sennheiser e835 Sennheiser e 835. From a practical perspective, with virtually no proximity effect the on-axis sound character doesnt change with source distance, so the performer enjoys a much larger and more consistent sweet spot. Happy customers, one piece of gear at a time! In contrast, the dual-diaphragm capsule achieves a superior cardioid polar response and on-axis frequency response for close (nearfield) sources. The Shure KSM9 is a higher-end microphone that is known for its clear sound quality. There is a widespread popular belief that the microphone is a mature technology that hasnt seen any significant development since the studio heydays of the 1950s/60s/70s (delete according to your favourite musical decade!). The Shure KSM9 is also a great microphone, also it may be less expensive than the Neumann KMS105. The overall off-axis response is very smooth, and although the pick-up pattern is at the broader end of cardioid, theres pretty good rear rejection, particularly noticeable in the midrange frequencies. Find An Answer Browse our vast Answer database for answers to many common technical questions. The KSM8 Dualdyne features a patented cartridge design with two ultra-thin diaphragms and groundbreaking reverse airflow technology. The Neumann KMS 105 is a great microphone for those who are looking for a high-quality sound. $621.00. Re: KSM9 vs. Occasionally we even see some completely new microphone technologies, with yet more hovering tantalisingly over the horizon. KOHN MUSIC STORE. As lead vocalist of prog metal band im in doubt between the dynamic KSM8 and the KSM9.. What would you recommend? What's the problem with your 58? The "C" version is the best of the 87 lot for female vocals in my experience and I think the KSM9 is a huge improvement over it. Therell be less of the proximity effect, and the mic will pick up more sounds from other instruments, and the acoustics of the room. From the tweakiest techniques to the biggest ideas, our experts work hard to constantly supply inSync with a steady stream of helpful, in-depth demos, reviews, how-tos, news, and interviews. Available colors: User rating: 71. They both come with a built-in shock mount and are able to handle high volume levels. The action you just performed triggered the security solution. This pattern is fairly forgiving of mic position and technique, whilst capturing detail. Its unique capsule gives the KSM8 a cardioid polar pattern that is unusually uniform across the frequency spectrum. This delivers a more natural response throughout the vocal range, eliminating the need for a strong presence peak. Now available as a wired microphone, it's available both in champagne silver and charcoal black finishes. Are there any favorites on the Sennheiser end of things? Traditional microphones confine the performer to a specific distance from the microphone. Theyre balanced, which means the cables are shielded from interference and carry a higher signal than unbalanced cables. Looking at the mics published specifications, the frequency response is given as 40Hz to 16kHz, but these appear to be the limits at which the response has fallen by 10dB relative to the level at 1kHz. 3.7 out of 5. Naturally, the latter influences the price greatly, and the KSM8 is consequently the most expensive moving-coil stage mic currently on the market. In the low range, we see a very gentle roll-off from 500Hz and below, with a sharper curve below 100Hz. Shure Product Manager, John Born, was one of the small development team that worked on the KSM8 project. This protects the diaphragm and capsule from harm, and reduces handling noise and stage vibrations. Another drawback of sensitive microphones is that they often have a low maximum SPL. This mic has a very flat and even range through the mids, before gently climbing through the high range from about 3kHz. For a more natural, balanced sound, hold the mic between 5 and 10 cm away from your mouth. A dynamic microphone process sound waves mechanically whereas a condenser microphone does so electronically. In Europe, call 49-7262-92490. Feel free to call us toll free at (800)222-4700, Mon-Thu 9-9, Fri 9-8, and Sat 9-7 Eastern. XLR Male to Male, CableCreation [5-Pack] XLR 3 Pin Male to 3 Pin Male Microphone Line Adapter. If you want your live vocals to be closer to your refined studio sound, then this is where a good handheld condenser comes in. However, when the stage gets more aggressive and louder, you will need theimproved rejection and gain before feedback of supercardioid. The higher range gets some gentle boost, resulting in more transparency andhelping to cut through more easily. Elegantly crafted products that are simple, useful, and desirable. It can also be a bit more forgiving when it comes to microphone technique. Theyre reliable, and lots of them sound great. The kit includes a regular mic clip and a stiffened soft carry pouch, and theres a choice of finishes - black or brushed nickel. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLlczpwSXEOyatBLoJPWeG2U8OUFx9AFC0, Shop Shure KSM8 Dualdyne Cardioid Dynamic Vocal Microphone at Sweetwater https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/KSM8Nshure-ksm8-dualdyne-nickel/?utm_source=YouTube&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=kVto8BKab0o, Shop Shure KSM9 Dual-Pattern Condenser Handheld Vocal Microphone at Sweetwater https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/KSM9CGshure-ksm9-handheld-condenser-microphone-charcoal-gray/?utm_source=YouTube&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=kVto8BKab0o, If youre wondering what video gear we use, check it out https://www.sweetwater.com/shop/general-gear-used-to-make-sweetwater-videos/?utm_source=YouTube&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=kVto8BKab0o. The benefits of this complicated and expensive approach include a very smooth frequency response with an unusually wide (for the day) bandwidth, a very uniform cardioid polar pattern with negligible off-axis colouration, and the complete elimination of proximity effect. Because more aspects of life and work are mediated through technology, we design multi-channel digital solutions that create seamless user experiences. The only quibble I have is with the price, which at $499 is 5 times the price of the SM58. There is no doubt in my mind that the Shure KSM8 Dualdyne handheld dynamic is a superior microphone for live vocals. 1:12 Shure KSM8 Only In a directional microphone, sound waves are generally directed towards the rear of the diaphragm through an acoustic labyrinth, which effectively introduces an audio delay. The Shure KSM9 is a fairly standard size and weight for a handheld stage mic. The KSM8 Dualdyne is designed to excel as a vocal microphone while withstanding the punishment of professional live sound reinforcement, but can be used to capture other sources as well. This mic has all the detail and nuance that youd expect from a studio condenser. Visit our corporate site (opens in new tab). In the studio, a cardioid mic is probably all you need in a well-isolated vocal booth. Despite being a condenser, the design is well adapted to gigging. With these scenarios aside, many vocalists will find that the KSM9 inspires confidence on stage. To learn more about our cookie policy, please visit our Privacy Policy. She will be using IEM with this mic. The lowest frequencies enter via the farthest entrance port, with mid and high frequencies entering through ports closer to the capsule. It also has a -10db pad which can be switched on if a vocalist needs a little less sensitivity. The Sennheiser has some unique features: a low-cut filter switch, for singers who need to remove low frequency noise from the room. OK, thats a very bold marketing claim, but actually, I dont think theyve over-hyped it. I haven't tried the sennheiser but I can tell you my experience with the kms105 and the ksm9(the ksm8 is a dynamic). The Shure KSM9 microphone is a high-end vocal microphone that has been designed for use in live and studio settings. Through a multi-disciplinary partnership from research to development, Essential partnered with Shure to help establish user experience principles and a design language for their wireless and wired microphone . The KSM8 mic is supplied in high-quality rigid protective case with zip closure, and comes with a 'soft-flex' stand adaptor clip and 5/8-inch thread adaptor. . I work with a female vocalist who is looking to upgrade her microphone.