The Shure choice for critical studio recording and live production.
The Shure KSM32/SL Condenser Mic has extended frequency response for incredibly natural sound. A transformerless preamp eliminates crossover distortion and improves linearity. The gold-layered, high-compliance diaphragm improves low frequency and transient response. 15dB attenuation switch handles high SPLs, the switchable low-frequency filter reduces background noise. The 3-stage pop-protection grille reduces breath noises, and internal shock mount reduces handling noise. Frequency response: 20Hz to 20kHz. Includes locking aluminum carrying case, ShureLock elastic-suspension shockmount, ShureLock swivelmount, and padded bag.
Requires phantom power.
Channel Strips of the Stars: Ronan Chris Murphy
World-class producer/engineer/mixer Ronan Chris Murphy s credits include King Crimson, Steve Morse, Terry Bozzio, Victor Bisetti, Gregg Bissonette, Tony Levin, and projects with members of Tool, Ministry, Weezer, Dishwalla, and Yes. Ronan was kind enough to share some of his drum-recording signal chains:
Well all of the drums for Terry Bozzio's Jazz trio were recorded with all A Designs Audio solid state preamps. For drum overheads I used Shure KSM32 condenser mics into an A Designs Audio Pacifica (#189903) to a Manley Variable Mu Limiter Compressor (#620908); for kick drums, AKG D112s (#271161) into A designs Pacificas. (I prefer the Shure Beta 52 (#270267) for kick but they were pre-mounted inside Terry's (Bozzio) kick drums. Actually I have used the Shure KSM32 into Pacifica combo on tons of great drummers, including Terry Bozzio Victor Bisetti (Los Lobos), Gregg Bissonette (Santana, David Lee Roth), and Pat Mastelotto (King Crimson, Mister Mister, The Rembrandts).
I purchased the KSM32 thinking I was going to be getting a quality mic I could use for vocal and instrumental tracks. I was partially right...
First of all, the KSM32 is a very sturdy mic. It's obviously built like a tank. It's already been dropped a couple times in my studio, and it handled it like a champ. The case it comes in is nice too. Kudos to Shure on construction.
This is a very quiet mic. Very little self noise; you can crank it up and hear many other room noises before you'll ever hear the mic. It has a bass rolloff switch, which I love. It has served me very well in recording guitars, especially big rosewood dreadnoughts. Also useful for upright bass. It has a pad switch that I've never had a need to use, but some folks might, and it's a nice feature.
The mic indeed has a very flat response in it's default setting. It picks up any acoustic instrument with precision and detail. You hear every little detail, in fact. The KSM32 demands that you be a good player, because you will surely hear every little mistake you make.
This mic has a very rich tone. I've gotten good results, as I said, micing pretty much all acoustic instruments. It's easy to get a good tone. But, for vocals? Here's where it all changes.
Your experience and voice may vary, but for mine, the KSM32 simply does not cut it. I played a track for several listeners who remarked after a short period of time, "you sound like you're singing through a tin can". Wow. The sad part is that they were right. No matter how I EQ'd, compressed, or mixed this mic, I couldn't get it to sound good for vocals. Plug in my Audio Technica condenser, and bam. Great vocals right out of the box. Even a '58 would be better for my vocals than the '32. As I said, your experience may vary; everybody has a different voice. But for me, it just doesn't work.
So, in conclusion; the KSM32 is a great instrumental mic. It has more tone and detail that you'll know what to do with. But for vocals, it's iffy. At least for me. But it was still worth every penny for it's superb instrumental recording ability, and it's durable construction. So; based on all this, 4 stars overall. If you buy it, I'm pretty confident that you aren't going to regret it. I don't.
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Great performance
Posted by Rodrigo from Rio on Jan 31, 2007
Experience w/product: I have used it
Reviewer's Background: Music producer
Reviewer's Play Style: Jazz, Bossa Nova
I recorded a Demo with this microphone and I was definetely surprised with it's performance. Sound results comparing with c414 and tlm 103 were amazing. Of course if you can afford a Neumann, get a one. But this is a great option if you want to have great professional sound for half the price!
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Over-Hyped
Posted by FOH77 from Chicago, IL on Nov 29, 2006
Experience w/product: I own it
Reviewer's Background: Live Engineer
Reviewer's Play Style: Wide Variety
I bought this mic for studio use but have used it for live as well. Based on how popular it is and the number of people who use it for both stage and studio, I expected a masterpiece. Shure claims that this mic has a flat response; that is NOT the case. The 200Hz, 300Hz area is almost nowhere to be found, throwing key vocal and acoustic guitar frequencies out the window without a lot of additional EQ. Hi-mids are very sharp, adding brightness that isn't always needed and exciting the vocal intelligibility range, which undoubtedly cuts and therefore can fool you into thinking that it sounds great. It turns up a lot as a drum overhead, which I would assume is because of the response that I have mentioned. If you're looking for something with a little less coloration, the 32, 27, and 44 are not for you. For more money, the AKG 414 100% professionally-acceptable and is a much better and versatile option, and for less money the Audio-Technica AT4040 is a decent option and one of few professionally-acceptable options from AT. All of the KSM hype is great, but the end result is pretty disappointing.
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Dont leave home without it!!!
Posted by Cheyne Stokes from Appleton, WI on Dec 7, 2005
Experience w/product: I own it
Reviewer's Background: Pro-Studio owner
Reviewer's Play Style: Primarily Rock,Blues and World
In some ways I prefer the KSM32 over the more expensive KSM44. The high end of the 44 is extreamly precise and crystal clear that at times drives me nuts!! Alot of SSSSS. The 32 seems a bit smoother on the high's. I can deal with no pattern selector for the price.. GET A GOOD PRE-AMP and not a cheap one. Thats where you really notice how good a good mic is!!
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Great for High Quality Home recording
Posted by taebaker from Within Austin City Limits on Sep 27, 2005
Experience w/product: I own it
Reviewer's Background: Musician/songwriter
Reviewer's Play Style: Country Christian
I have been very pleased with the results of my KSM 32. I use it to record vocals and acoustic instruments in a well constructed studio environment. For a large diaphram mic the sound to noise ratio is fantastic. My wife has a high soprano voice and this mic does a really great job of acurately reproducing the tonal quality.
Highly recommended for mellow vocal and acoustic instrument recording.
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